Archdiocese of Birmingham newsletter 18th April 2024
“the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep”
Fourth Sunday of Easter
John’s words “the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep” set the tone for us this Good Shepherd Sunday. As a child I was fascinated by the start of the Good Friday liturgy where the clergy would lie flat on the church floor. With enthusiasm, I also wanted to be lying down at that moment.
We all make sacrifices in this life, often in ways hidden to many, but seen by God (think of the widow’s mite). In loving others, sacrifice is always involved as we reach out of ourselves and seek to understand the other, and this helps us understand the power of the call to lay down our lives.
Laying down ourselves is not about being a doormat or self-neglect. Rather, as Pope John Paul II reminded us, we are called to be bridges (pontifex) in helping people reach God through the way we reveal the love of God incarnate in the concrete reality of our lives.
We are all called to be shepherds, then, and we lie down every day and not just on Good Friday. Let us give thanks, too, for the shepherds and shepherdesses whom we have known and who have helped reveal something of the face of God, bridging the gap between heaven and earth.
Fr Ryan Service, Holy Trinity, Sutton Coldfield
Good Shepherd Sunday is this Sunday, 21 April
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is Vocations Sunday or Good Shepherd Sunday.
This year it is on Sunday 21 April, which marks the 61st Anniversary of World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
The Diocesan Vocations Office asks all to pray for an increase in vocations for the Archdiocese.
The Second Collection in our churches over the weekend 20/21 April is for the Clergy Training Fund, which pays for the formation of future priests and deacons for our Archdiocese.
Diocesan Thanksgiving Mass for Marriage
Please register by this Sunday, 21 April
There’s still time to sign up for this year’s Thanksgiving Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral on Saturday 4 May.
Please register if you are celebrating a significant wedding anniversary in 2024 or are engaged to be married this year.
Or would you simply like to give thanks to God for your marriage, and ask for His ongoing blessings?
Please register your attendance by Sunday 21 April.
The Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley.
True Devotion group restarting in Leamington Spa
Invitation to join meeting on Saturday 27 April
A True Devotion group is restarting for the Warwickshire area and all are welcome to join.
The devotion is considered to be a perfect renewal of a person’s baptismal promises and is based on the teachings and spirituality of St Louis Marie de Montfort, a French priest (1673 – 1716) who was canonised in 1947.
Catholic Leamington invite you to the first meeting at St Peter’s parish centre, Dormer Place, Leamington Spa, at 11am.
Please bring your rosary.
Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse
Marked on the Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Tuesday 30 April, in England and Wales
This year’s focus is on communities who have been directly affected by allegations or convictions related to abuse – especially, but not exclusively, within the Church.
This may be associated with clergy, a teacher in a local school, a leader of a Catholic group or other person or group whose investigation or conviction is likely to affect the wider community.
Resources have been produced for the Day of Prayer to be marked in parishes.
New course launch: The Way of Communion
A new opportunity for guided learning about Liturgy, Worship, Prayer. Please apply for this free, online course before Monday 29 April.
The course runs from May to December (with August off!) with an online meeting from 7.30 – 8.30pm on the first two Mondays of each month.
‘Liturgy and Worship’ is one of the four priorities singled out in Archbishop Bernard’s Pastoral Vision that informs and guides the current work of looking at how we work now to prepare more solid foundations for the Church in Birmingham in coming decades.
It is also the focus of the ‘Prayer and Liturgy Directory’ recently issued for Catholic schools, academies and colleges in England and Wales.
The Way of Communion is offered to help lay ministers be introduced to the Church’s tradition and expectations in this area. The course will be run by Fr Allen Morris, parish priest of St Nicholas, Boldmere, and a member of the Birmingham Liturgy Commission.
Invitation to join trypraying online presentation
Two sessions to choose from – Thursday 25 April and Wednesday 1 May
trypraying is a seven-day prayer guide for those who don’t consider themselves religious or don’t ‘do church’.
trypraying is a resource to help those who aren’t religious to pray and for Christians a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer – as this designated ‘Year of Prayer’ suggests.
trypraying is hosting two online presentations for people to find out more about how churches are coming together in towns and cities to help others start a conversation with God.
The sessions will be held on Thursday 25 April at 7.30pm register here and Wednesday 1 May at 10.30am register here
Solemn Mass in Latin and Benediction
St Chad’s Cathedral
Plus illustrated talk. St Chad’s Cathedral, Saturday 27 April.
An invitation from the Association for Latin Liturgy. Join in Sung Mass celebrated in Latin with simple Gregorian chants.
Authority and the Church
Invitation to one-day symposium at St Mary’s College, Oscott
Authority and the Church, Saturday 27 April, 8.30am to 6pm.
A Theology Symposium exploring of the role of ecclesial authority in a Synodal Church and a postmodern culture.
Featuring guest speakers:
Rev Timothy Radcliffe OP, Rev Vincent Twomey, Prof Jacob Phillips, Dr Mary McCaughey, John Stayne.
Booking now open.
International Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians
Sunday 5 May
The International Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians offers an opportunity for Eastern and Western Christians to come together to pray for peace in the world – especially in the Middle East.
Please join us on this occasion in praying for an end to war and the reestablishment of unity and peace, and to give thanks for the steadfast witness of Eastern Christians in holding fast to their faith, traditions and biblical homelands, even though many suffer the effects of war and discrimination, especially those in Ukraine and the Palestinian territories who are dispossessed and displaced.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham
Saturday 11 May
Join the Diocesan Day Pilgrimage to Walsingham 2024.
Theme – Mary, Model of Prayer and Intercessor
With Principal Celebrant and preacher, Canon Paul McNally, Episcopal Vicar for the Pastoral Area of North Staffordshire, Stafford, Lichfield and Walsall and Dudley and Wolverhampton.
Annual Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Maryvale House, Kingstanding, Sacred Heart Chapel and Shrine is a place where people can come and truly experience the joy, peace and wonder of the First Friday Masses which start at 7pm each First Friday.
But it is also the place where the Sacred Heart Novena Masses are celebrated. This year the Novena starts on Thursday 30 May and finishes on Friday 7 June on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Masses start at 7pm.
Just a reminder there is no longer the traditional Sunday Mass as there was in the past.
African Mass to celebrate Pentecost
At Christ the King, Kingstanding, followed by refreshments at St John’s Centre
All are welcome to join an African Mass on Sunday 19 May at 4pm to celebrate Pentecost.
The Mass will be concelebrated by Fathers The-Quang Ngyuen, Simon Ellis and Leonard Cox, and Monsignor Daniel McHugh, the Ethnic Chaplaincy co-ordinator for the Archdiocese.
The liturgy and music will be drawn from the African communities represented in the Newman Cluster, and African dress is also encouraged.
Jobs and Volunteering
Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations
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.
Trustees of CaTEW (The Catholic Trust for England and Wales)
Opportunities for new Trustees of CaTEW. Application deadline is Monday 29 April.
Events and retreats beyond the Archdiocese
Work Experience with the SVP and CAFOD
Apply now
The St Vincent de Paul Society and CAFOD are working together to offer residential work experience for 20 young adults in England and Wales.
The experience will run from Sunday 7 – Saturday 13 July in London.
Candidates must be aged between 20-30 years old and have a passion for social justice.
Weekend Retreat at the Franciscan Centre, Ladywell, Surrey
Friday 10 – Sunday 12 May
Learning to Speak from a Franciscan Heart: A 21st-Century Language
A time of retreat and reflection lead by Franciscan Friar, William Short OFM.
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.
Dates for your diary: the month ahead
Sat 20 Apr: Malvern Hills Rosary Hike
Sun 21 Apr: World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Sat 27 Apr: One-day Symposium at St Mary’s College, Oscott
Sat 27 Apr: Solemn Mass in Latin and Benediction, St Chad’s Cathedral
Sat 27 Apr: Catholic Leamington restart True Devotion group
Tues 30 Apr: Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse
Thu 2 May: Organ Recital at St Chad’s Cathedral
Sat 4 May: Thanksgiving Mass for Marriage
Sun 5 May: International Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians
Thu 9 May: Introduction to Sight Loss Friendly Church
Sat 11 May: Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham
Sun 12 May: World Communications Day
Sun 19 May: African Mass to celebrate Pentecost
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