Archdiocese of Birmingham newsletter 6th July 2023
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| Jesus offers rest to those who are burdened and weary |
 Jesus offers rest to those who are burdened and weary. Sea Sunday Gospel Meditation: Matthew 11:25-30 There are times when many of us feel overburdened in our daily life. There can be so many demands, so much to do. For seafarers, life at sea can be extremely challenging. They are often far from their families and loved ones for long periods of time, working long hours, and facing the threats of accidents, piracy, and harsh weather conditions. And when they come into port in a foreign land, they know no one. Amid these challenges, Stella Maris provides a beacon of hope and support to seafarers. Its chaplains and volunteers offer the hand of friendship and listen to the concerns of the seafarers they meet. They help seafarers to contact their families back home, take them to Mass, or arrange for a priest to come on board, provide transport to local shops, and help to resolve problems of missing pay or sub-standard conditions. Just as Jesus offers rest to those who are burdened and weary, Stella Maris offers refuge and support to seafarers who are facing the challenges of life at sea. Its chaplains and volunteers are the hands and feet of Jesus in this world, bringing comfort to seafarers. Sea Sunday is Sunday 9 July. Sea Sunday |
 Ordination of a new Permanent Deacon “Anyone who want to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served as to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45) Please pray for Philip Bracken who is due to be ordained to the permanent diaconate by Archbishop Bernard at 3pm on Sunday 9 July in his home parish of Our Lady of the Angels, Nuneaton. The ordination can be watched on the parish’s live stream. Our Lady of the Angels live stream |
 Responding to the Call of Creation: July July’s Responding to the Call of Creation newsletter with tips for parishes and parishioners is now available. Events to note are: UN Food Systems Summit 24-26 July. Our food systems are both contributing to and affected by climate change. Each step in food production creates greenhouse gases that trap the sun’s heat and contribute to climate change. Reducing emissions from the food sector requires changes at all stages, from producers to consumers. Learn more about food and climate change here: UN Events Season of Creation 1 September – 4 October Look ahead to the Season of Creation. How can you help your parish/community to celebrate? Begin to make plans. Go to seasonofcreation.org for ideas. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference provides more information on the Season of Creation and this year’s theme here: Season of Creation – Catholic Bishops’ Conference (cbcew.org.uk) Responding to the Call of Creation |
 Calling all past pupils and colleagues of Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School! You are invited to join a celebration Mass and reception for retiring deputy head Brendan Bloomer. Mr Bloomer has worked at Archbishop Ilsley School in Acocks Green, Birmingham, for 32 years. The celebration takes place from 7pm on Wednesday 12 July at Sacred Heart and Holy Souls Church in Acocks Green, followed by the reception in the parish social centre. Retirement Event |
 Srebrenica Memorial Week From the charitable organisation, Remembering Srebrenica: This year’s Srebrenica Memorial Week runs from Tuesday 4 to Tuesday 11 July. Faith commemorations play a significant role in our efforts to help strengthen and bring communities together. Last year, acts of commemoration took place across the entire UK including Srebrenica services, interfaith events and social media posts. Parishes across the Archdiocese of Birmingham are invited to commemorate Srebrenica Memorial Day by holding an act of commemoration. Srebrenica information and Resources |
 Webinar: Racial Justice in the Church Tuesday 11 July from 2pm. Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Racial Justice, will be hosting a webinar this summer to build upon the work that has taken place around Racial Justice Sunday in recent years. This includes the Image and Likeness of God initiative which celebrates images of Our Lady and the Child Jesus from a range of countries and cultures, and the Walking Together, Praying Together, and Working Together project, which reflects on the role that each of us has to play in promoting the mission of Christ and His Church. Find out more and sign up |
 Open Event at Tabor Living Wednesday 12 July, 11am to 1pm. You are invited to one of Tabor Living’s volunteer open events to find out more information about joining the team of fabulous volunteers offering support to homeless individuals at the project in Birmingham. Tabor Living, based at St Catherine of Siena, has recently expanded and keen to recruit volunteers to support various roles. Tabor Open Event |
 ‘His Mercy is from Age to Age’: World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023 We have just marked the one month countdown to the third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday 23 July. Pope Francis has just recently made the full text of his message available on the theme ‘His Mercy is from Age to Age’ (Luke 1:50). The message has been added to a suite of resources prepared by the Catholic Grandparents’ Association for the day, plus some extra resources created for you by the Archdiocesan Office for Mission. These include banners for display in churches, social media and website visuals, prayers and liturgical resources and a newsletter insert. They also make some suggestions of events like Planting a Tree in memory of the lives of grandparents and elders in your parish; preparing a Book of Remembrance for those grandparents and elders who have passed away. Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly |
 The National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage to Walsingham The National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage will take place in Walsingham on Sunday 23 July – the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. All are welcome for this wonderful celebration of family and faith through the generations. The Principal Celebrant and Homilist will be Bishop David Oakley, Bishop of Northampton. Music at the Mass will be provided by The Hunstanton District and Community Voices led by Artistic Director Liz Dark with soloists Zachary Green, Olivia Crane and Ganbrielle Green. Grandparents’ Pilgrimage to Walsingham |
 Their Journey Our Legacy: A Celebration of the Windrush 75 Generation The West Indian Chaplaincy in Birmingham will be holding an evening of ‘Edutainment’ on Saturday 29 July at St Francis’ Parish Centre in Handsworth. We aim to showcase Caribbean culture, heritage and talent in various forms of Edutainment, fashion, bright and vibrant cultural clothing accompanied by various genres of music and dance. Dr Tony Talburt, Senior Lecturer in Black Studies at Birmingham City University will be the keynote speaker. Plus speakers on: the history of music contributions (reggae, steel pan playing); contributions to the NHS and UK armed forces; stories of local people. The event is free. Windrush 75 Celebration |
 Send my Roots Rain – Accompanying people in ministry Speaker: Christopher ChapmanSponsored by the Carmelite Spirituality Network Online event: Saturday 29 July 4pm. Send my Roots Rain will explore the role of spiritual directors in accompanying people in ministry. Ministry brings its own set of expectations – both external and internal. With the demands of caring for others, it is all too easy to lose track of ourselves and neglect our own spiritual needs. Yet every minister is also a disciple, called to the intimacy of companionship with Christ and continued growth in the Spirit. Our spiritual, physical and emotional health matters to God, who calls each one by name. Accompanying People in Ministry |
 The Catholic Union: free membership for students and under 25s The Catholic Union is a membership organisation dedicated to the defence of Catholic values in Parliament and public life and the promotion of the common good. As a young Catholic, a student or under 25 years old, we are delighted to offer you free membership and would encourage you to join whereby you will receive exclusive benefits and give us much needed support in order that we can work on your behalf. We urge you to tell your friends and colleagues about this fantastic free offer and please do get involved, we welcome volunteers and expertise. You may like to check out our Events Calendar packed with Pub Talks, webinars, lectures and more.We look forward to welcoming you on board. Joining the Catholic Union |
 ‘An Evening with the Ambassador’ The Catholic Union will be hosting a webinar with His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Chris Trott, on Thursday 13 July, 6.30 to 7.30pm. The event will give people the opportunity to hear about the work of our Embassy in the Vatican and the life of an Ambassador. The evening will be hosted by Catholic Union Deputy Director, James Somerville-Meikle. Chris Trott became the British Ambassador to the Holy See in September 2021. More details and register |
 Harvington’s Pilgrimage celebrates 100 years since Hall’s rescue from oblivion Sunday 3 September from 1.45pm.We give thanks for the lives of all of the martyr saints, those recognised on earth as saints of the Church and those known only to God. Every September hundreds of pilgrims gather in the beautiful grounds of Harvington Hall, Worcestershire, for the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the English Martyrs. This year is extra special as it marks the centenary of Harvington’s rescue from ruin by Ellen Ferris, who gifted the Hall to the Archdiocese of Birmingham. The moated property, which was gifted to the Archdiocese in 1923, has the greatest number of priest hides of any house in the country. Master builder St Nicholas Owen, believed to have been the creator of four of them, is remembered during the Archdiocese’s annual pilgrimage to commemorate the English Martyrs at Harvington Hall. To mark this milestone in our history we are pleased to announce that His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley will be the principal celebrant of this year’s Pilgrimage Mass. We hope you can join us to support this act of devotion to the Martyrs of the Midlands. Harvington Pilgrimage |
 Christian Resources Exhibition The next Christian Resources Exhibition will be held at Cranmore Park, Cranmore Avenue, Solihull B90 4LE, on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 November 2023. Over the two days, the event will feature 160 organisations offering expert advice on everything from church heating to seating, pianos to preaching aids, and computers to clergy clothing (List). Supporting the exhibition, a programme of 50 talks will cover practical subjects such as fund-raising, faith-sharing, building maintenance and overseas mission. Christian Resources Exhibition Tickets |
| Dates for your diary: the month ahead Tues 4 – Tues 11 July: Srebrenica Memorial Week Sun 9 July: Sea Sunday Tue 11 July: Racial Justice in the Church Webinar Wed 12 July: Tabor Living volunteer open event Thurs 13 July: ‘An Evening with the Ambassador’ Thurs 13 – Sat 15 July: Triduum Retreat to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Sat 15 July: Pact Roadshow comes to the Archdiocese Wed 19 July: Divine Renovation: How to Build a Parish of Apostolic Disciples Sun 23 July: 3rd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly Wed 26 – Sat 29 July: Society of Saint Gregory Summer School Sat 29 July: Celebration of the Windrush 75 Generation Mon 31 July: New Dawn in the Church, Walsingham Tue 1 – Sun 6 August: World Youth Day- Lisbon Thurs 3 August: Free organ recital with Paul Carr- St Chad’s Cathedral |
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