Archdiocese of Birmingham newsletter 16th May 2024
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Pentecost
Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and Renew the Face of the Earth
The feast of Pentecost, which we celebrate this weekend, is not to be minimalised!
The Spirit is active in each of our hearts, and throughout the Church, whether it be in family prayers, in parish or diocesan celebrations, or in the whole body of Christ which is his universal Church. We are called now and each day to invite the Spirit’s energy and love to guide and make fully alive out thoughts, our prayers and our actions.
The original Jewish feart of Pentecost celebrated a grain crop, grown from seed, ripened, and now producing its harvest. Our lives filled with the Holy Spirit have the power to be fruitful beyond our imagining.
“Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth” is one choice of response for the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 103 [104]) for the liturgy of the Mass of Pentecost. It comes from verse 30 of that psalm which speaks of the power of the Spirit of God working through all of creation.
In Pope Francis’s great document on Creation, Laudato Si, he laments the human evil which can destroy the beauty of creation, but even where such harm has been done, he lifts our spirits by reminding us of what the power of the Holy Spirit can achieve in cooperation with willing human hearts …
“The work of the Church seeks not only to remind everyone of the duty to care for nature, but at the same time “she must above all protect mankind from self- destruction” Yet God, who wishes to work with us and who counts on our cooperation, can also bring good out of the evil we have done.
“The Holy Spirit can be said to possess an infinite creativity, proper to the divine mind, which knows how to loosen the knots of human affairs, including the most complex and inscrutable”.
“Creating a world in need of development, God in some way sought to limit himself in such a way that many of the things we think of as evils, dan¬gers or sources of suffering, are in reality part of the pains of childbirth which he uses to draw us into the act of cooperation with the Creator.” (Laudato Si 79/80)
Reflection by Fr Rob Taylerson
Preparing for Pentecost
Sunday 19 May
Pentecost will be celebrated on Sunday 19 May, fifty days after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Our Lady and the Apostles. Visit our website for prayers, activities and resources to aid your faith journey from today (Thursday), the Ascension of the Lord.
Could you be a seed of hope?
Laudato Si Week: 19 – 26 May
The Archdiocese of Birmingham is inviting enthusiastic individuals to create a network of Environment Champions. To celebrate Laudato Si week, please help us get as many parish/cluster/deanery Environment Champions as we can.
Your mission is to be a channel of communication between the Archdiocese and your parish, cluster or deanery, to promote Care of Creation and to enthuse others to help in responding to Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si to a spirituality which supports an ecological conversion.
You will receive the full support of the Care for Creation Committee as part of the diocesan effort to act as stewards of creation.
Online Modern Slavery Awareness Session
Invitation from West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership. Wednesday 22 May
This session aims to equip faith communities with the knowledge and tools to recognise signs of modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation.
As places of trust, hope and healing, faith groups are uniquely positioned to identify and support individuals at risk, acting as a beacon of light in their darkest hours.
Stand with us as we unite faith communities in the fight against modern slavery.
Together, we can make a difference, offering a lifeline to those in need and forging a future where freedom and dignity prevail for all.
Talk: ‘It is Beautiful to be Old’
Thursday 23 May, St George’s in Worcester
Hosted by the Worcester Circle of Newman Association.
Peter Kevern is Professor of Values in Health and Social Care at Staffordshire University and a member of St George’s parish.
He specialises on research into Religion and Dementia, but recently completed a two-year research project with Caritas Social Action Network on Ageing and the Church.
This presentation builds on insights gained from that project.
Men’s Rosary in the City: Location change
Saturday 25 May, St Chad’s Cathedral
Join Archbishop Bernard in Mary’s month of May to pray the Rosary in the city. Now meeting outside St Chad’s Cathedral.
Our intentions:
- To pray for our City
- To pray for our Nation
- To pray for men to embrace their God given vocation as protector and defender
Restore Training Course, June
The Rep Theatre, Birmingham
Restore, a project of Birmingham Churches Together, works with refugees and asylum seekers in Birmingham, Solihull and Smethwick. Their vision is for a society into which all refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed, valued and integrated.
Their befriending scheme involves the training and matching of trained volunteers with recently arrived refugees and asylum seekers to provide flexible, one-to-one relational support.
For those interested in befriending, you are asked to attend all three of the in-person training sessions. The dates, times and topics covered are:
Week 1: Tuesday 11 June 2024, 7:15pm – 9:15pm
An overview of global refugee issues and the situation in the UK, introduction to Restore and befriending, including input from a volunteer befriender.
Week 2: Tuesday 18 June 2024, 7:15pm – 9:15pm
An overview of the asylum application process and refugee resettlement schemes, including a refugee sharing their experience of the asylum process.
Week 3: Tuesday 25 June 2024, 7:15pm – 9:15pm
Practicalities of befriending: guidelines, boundaries, safeguarding, support, contact with and feedback to Restore and how to apply.
You are welcome to attend if you are interested in becoming a befriender or if you interested in learning more about people seeking asylum and refugees.
Poetry Night Invitation
Holy Trinity Sutton Coldfield 15 June
The Church has always had a great tradition of promoting the arts, from painting and pottery to poetry and everything in between.
Holy Trinity parish, Sutton Coldfield, is hosting a poetry night for all poetry lovers on Saturday 15 June.
Please bring along a favourite poem (classic or contemporary) to share with others, or come and listen to others reading their chosen words.
All are welcome.
Online Forum ‘From Information to Transformation’
Thursday 20 June, hosted by Maryvale Institute
St John Henry Newman Research Centre for Catholic Theology Presents:
From Information to Transformation: How the Bishops of the United States are Implementing the Directory for Catechesis by Fr Daniel Mahan (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).
Online Academic Forum, Thursday 20 June, 6pm. All welcome.
Join us online for the St John Henry Newman Research Centre for Catholic Theology’s Online Academic Forum, the latest in a series of occasional, public seminars by Maryvale academics.
Invitation to explore Carmelite spirituality and prayer
Saturday 22 June, 10.30am to 2pm
Are you an ordinary man or woman who is being called to deepen your relationship with God and to integrate prayer and your daily life within the spirit of Carmel?
If you feel curious, you are warmly invited to a series of monthly meetings in Birmingham at St Paul’s Convent, Selly Park, B29 7LL, beginning Saturday 22 June, 10.30am to 2pm.
The theme is “Going Deeper with the Carmelite Saints”.
This is an opportunity for individuals to explore the rich spirituality of Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, John of the Cross and others. No previous knowledge of Carmelite spirituality needed.
Reminder for Parishes
Following an email sent out last week regarding Statutory Compliance from the Diocesan Property Team
Parish buildings need to meet different statutory requirements as laid out in UK legislation. The key purpose of this is to ensure the safety of those that use parish buildings and land.
To this end the Archdiocese is conducting an organisation-wide review regarding building statutory compliance. Parishes will have received an email and attached documents explaining what you will need to do and providing the tools necessary for you to complete the statutory compliance return.
This is a mandatory return that will need to be with the Diocesan Property Team by end of business on Wednesday 31 July.
For more information, queries and support please contact Tom Stockwell, Health, Safety and Environmental Compliance Manager for the Archdiocese.
Jobs and Volunteering
Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations
WorkCare West Midlands: Interim Lead Officer WWM is a newly merged charity formed from Workcare Coventry & Warwickshire and Churches and Industry Group Birmingham & Solihull (CIGB).
We are an ecumenical workplace chaplaincy charity committed to providing leadership for churches’ engagement within the economic life of Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
The Interim Lead Officer will play a pivotal role in leading and developing the work of WWM, enhancing its capacity, sustainability, and reputation. Closing date: Friday 24 May
Caritas Development Lead – Father Hudsons Care Father Hudson’s Care (FHC) is the social care agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham.
Our community projects reach out to individuals who are marginalized and in need, including asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, older people and individuals experiencing homelessness.
The Caritas Development Lead will be responsible for encouraging social action across the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham.
Working with parishes, schools, local charities and other partners, this lead role will provide capacity building to promote the development of volunteer-led initiatives across the Diocese.
Closing Date Wednesday 5 June 2024
Team Leader of the Black Country Urban Industrial Mission The Black Country Urban Industrial Mission is looking to appoint a Team Leader who will work with the Executive Board to drive forward the ministry of BCUIM and to support and develop an ecumenical team of Workplace Chaplains.
This is 0.5 Full Time Equivalent role equating to 21 hours. This role allows for hybrid working, locations to include the BCUIM office (currently Wolverhampton), and activities in the industrial environment in the area known as “The Black Country”. Closing date Wednesday 29 May 5pm
Do you have a passion for cooking and a heart for helping others? The Knights of Malta, in partnership with St. Catherine of Siena Church on Bristol Street, Birmingham are looking to host regular (starting monthly) food cafés/banquets at the St Catherine of Siena church.
They have a fully equipped industrial kitchen and a small team of dedicated volunteers, they really want to make a real difference in the lives of the homeless in Birmingham.
They are currently looking for a talented chef/cook to join them in creating delicious dishes and spreading warmth and comfort through food.
Cooking up some kindness together!
CAFOD School Volunteers Looking for a new challenge? Could you visit schools in your local area to deliver assemblies and workshops about our work and encourage young people to take action, fundraise and pray with CAFOD?
Use your skills for the common good and be an active part of creating a world without poverty.
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Volunteers The charity needs help with:
- Sharing mailings with your parish
- Including ACN regularly in parish prayers
- Fundraising to support projects
- Supporting ACN school projects
- Leading a parish Red Wednesday event
Marriage Care Trustees The board of Catholic Marriage Care are seeking new members to join them in enabling the vital relationship support services they provide to the Catholic Community and beyond.
Marriage Care are the largest faith-based relationship support charity in the UK – providing marriage preparation, support, and low-cost relationship counselling to those in need and making the world of difference to couples and families.
Events and retreats beyond the Archdiocese
Care of Creation Retreats
Boarbank Hall, Cumbria
Saturday 25 May – Saturday 1 June
Join us for a week that is a mix of holiday, retreat and a course, where we will explore the teachings of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ On Care of Our Common Home, and discover how to live our role as stewards of creation fully in our personal lives and within the Church.
Throughout the week, immerse yourself in talks, gardening, creative activities, discussions and walks all set to the rhythm of prayer in the Augustinian community at Boarbank Hall and beautiful surroundings of the Lake District.
Led by: Sr Margaret Atkins of Boarbank Hall and John Paul de Quay of the Ecological Conversion Group.Care of Creation Retreats
Restoring Pugin Study Day
Nottingham Cathedral
Saturday 1 June – a heritage day connected with Pugin at Nottingham Cathedral.
Are you involved in conserving Pugin’s work or generally interested in the life and legacy of AWN Pugin?Then please join a heritage day at Nottingham Cathedral on Saturday 1 June.
Thanks to a National Lottery Heritage Grant, Nottingham Cathedral is working hard to restore Pugin’s original decorative paint schemes to the east end of the Cathedral.
The day will be an opportunity to learn about how digital technology is supporting this work, to hear from the paint conservation team about their work and exciting discoveries, to see the work so far in the Cathedral and later in the afternoon to hear acclaimed AWN Pugin author, Rosemary Hill, give an insight talk on the life and legacy of Pugin who she calls ‘a tortured genius’.
Tickets are £25 for the entire day.
Workshop at Douai Abbey
On the Edges of Faith..?
Saturday 1 June – A Day of Exploration for Seekers.
This Day will explore living on the edge of faith in a time of appalling instability all about and within.
Are you yearning for a greater vision of God’s all-embracing presence, and of his love for you as you are?
All day event at Douai Abbey, Reading.
Staging Mass in Early Modern Drama
Wednesday 12 June – London
Dr Gašper Jakovac (University College London) is leading a workshop in the intimate surrounds of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, at the Globe Theatre, London, exploring how early modern playwrights navigated Reformation England’s relationship with Catholicism.
Alongside examples from commercial playhouses, the workshop will consider a unique Catholic drama from early seventeenth-century Shropshire: The History of Purgatory. This forgotten text provides us with privileged access to the hopes, anxieties and steadfast belief of the Catholic community living under penal laws.
Fr Ryan Service, assistant priest at Holy Trinity, Sutton Coldfield, will be taking to the boards at the event to play the role of priest in the texts that are being explored. Seated tickets are £12.
Retrouvaille
A Programme for Couples Struggling in their Marriages
Welwyn Garden City Friday 14 – Sunday 16 June Help Your Marriage – Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue… or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse?
Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage.
Retrouvaille is a Catholic programme but is open to married couples of any faith, or none. It is offered as a gift from the Catholic Church to any married couple who wishes to heal the difficulties they are experiencing in their marriage.
The programme helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. It helps them through difficult times whether they are disillusioned or in deep misery. There is no group therapy or group work.
Dates for your diary: the month ahead
Sun 19 May: African Mass to celebrate Pentecost
Wed 22 May: Online Modern Slavery awareness session
Wed 22 May: Visit Oulton Abbey
Thu 23 May: Talk: It is Beautiful to be Old
Sat 25 May: Men’s Rosary in the City
Sat 25 – Sun 26 May: World Children’s Day
Sat 25 May – Sat 1 June: Care of Creation Retreat, Cumbria
Thu 30 May – Friday 7 June: Annual Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sat 1 June: Restoring Pugin Study Day, Nottingham Cathedral
Sat 1 June: Workshop at Douai Abbey: On the Edges of Faith..?
Mon 3 June: Sight Loss Friendly Church Q&A, online
Sat 8 June: Church of Sanctuary Conference, Birmingham
Sat 8 June: Annual John Bradburne Pilgrimage, Cross Fell
Tue 11 June: Restore Training Course Session 1
Wed 12 – Fri 14 June: Catholic Parish Summit Hosted by Divine Renovation
Wed 12 June: Staging Mass in Early Modern Drama
Fri 14 June – Sun 16 June: Retrouvaille Programme
Sat 15 June: Poetry Evening, Sutton Coldfield
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