Archdiocese of Birmingham newsletter 24th August
| “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” |
 “Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man!” 21st Sunday ordinary time year A “Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man!” These are the words of Our Lord after St Peter has made his profession of faith, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus reminds him that it is not flesh and blood but his Father in heaven who has revealed this. Peter’s profession is because of the gift that he has been given by God. We have been given that gift through our baptism. It is the moment in our lives where we are reconciled with our loving Father and begin our journey of faith. To travel effectively along our journey of faith, we must use fuel: the fuel of prayer. We must listen to what God is saying to us, but as part of our discernment we should take to prayer the two questions that Jesus asks his disciples today: “who do people say I am?” and “who do you say I am?” The first is important to permit us to see ourselves as a community of faith, a Church that is bigger than us, our parish, our Archdiocese, but covers the whole world, but it is also to allow us to see ourselves in the context of other denominations, other faiths and none. How do the people of this world see Jesus? But then, who do I say Jesus is? This is our profession of faith, our opportunity to explore in prayer what Jesus means to us, being open to him, not merely stating the Creed, but opening our hearts to express that which is deep within us. We pray that we can say, not just with conviction, but also with heartfelt passion, “you are the Christ, the son of the living God.” We can then receive the same response from Jesus: you are a happy man/woman/child. Let us take this to pray, let us discern our response to Jesus’ questions, let us hear Christ speaking to us. And then pray what our profession of faith means for what we are called to do to build up God’s kingdom here on earth. Jesus chose Peter to lead his Church that continues 2000 years later; what is he calling us to do? |
 Feast of Blessed Dominic Barberi We are part way through the Novena to pray for the Canonisation of Blessed Dominic Barberi, which concludes on his feast day this Saturday, 26 August. The annual Novena of Prayer for the Cause of Blessed Dominic Barberi is a moment to pause and to appreciate the work of this holy Passionist in our Archdiocese and to pray for his Canonisation. O God, who so lovingly raised Blessed Dominic to the heights of holiness, learning and apostolic zeal and made him a powerful minister of your mercy, listen to our humble request. We pray that you will in your goodness, grant a miracle through the intercession of Blessed Dominic, so that the Church may further honour him on earth and that many more people will come to know and invoke the help of this faithful servant of the Church. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Mary, Mother of Holy Hope, Pray for Us. Saint John Henry Newman, Pray for Us. Blessed Dominic Barberi, Pray for Us. Diocesan Novena for Blessed Dominic Barberi |
 Life’s Pregnancy Test Appeal Join the team creating a world where no one faces pregnancy or pregnancy loss alone! Life is one of the UK’s largest pregnancy support charities delivering life-affirming care that promotes the value of human life. Through their services, they help more than 45,000 people each year meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish. Life’s Pregnancy Test Appeal is running this September. They’re calling on you to stand with women in difficult pregnancies by selling pin badges for £1 each and running fundraising events for Life throughout the Archdiocese. The money raised through the appeal will provide a woman who is unsure if she is pregnant a free pregnancy test and access to pregnancy support services. £1, one test, one woman helped. Please visit the Life website to find out more and order your badges. Life Pregnancy Test Appeal |
 How can we protect our common home? Part of the Season of Creation: 1 September – 4 October A panel discussion on the ‘Call of Creation’ Tuesday 12 September, 7pm This September marks a year since the Bishops of England and Wales republished The Call of Creation, a document that encourages us to repair our relationship with God’s creation. It recognises the interconnectedness of the biggest challenges of our times and urges each of us to ask ourselves how we can protect our common home. You are invited to join this event hosted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, CAFOD and St. Mary’s University in conversation with Archbishop Peter Loy Chong of Fiji and Sr Margaret Atkins. CAFOD’s Director Christine Allen will host and we will also be welcomed by Bishop John Arnold. How can we protect our common home? |
 Online Monthly Maintenance Surgery, Thursday 31 August Looking after our buildings, the tools of our ministry. Trees and Hedges The natural landscape around parish buildings never stops growing. Now is the time to be considering what works might need to be done on any trees and large hedges at the parish. This session will look at getting a tree risk assessment undertaken, how to go about appointing appropriate contractors to undertake the works and where permissions are required before works are undertaken. This month’s online surgery is on Thursday 31 August at 2pm. To sign up to the surgeries please email [email protected] As always, Tom and Tarnia from the Diocesan Property Team are on hand to help. Just email them at: Tom – [email protected] Tarnia – [email protected] For a full list of the maintenance surgery topics this year please visit the Property Resoources section of the Diocesan website. Property Resources |
 Harvington Pilgrimage This year’s pilgrimage, held on Sunday 3 September, is extra special as it marks the centenary of Harvington Hall’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 |
 Cursillo events: Stafford and Walsall This September there’s an opportunity to learn more about Cursillo – for “an encounter with God, others and self” – and to hear talks and testimonies from Catholics like you in our Archdiocese, who are taking the lead in renewing this apostolate in Birmingham. There is an evening event at St Austin’s Church, Stafford on Thursday 7 September 7-9pm and a daytime event at St Mary the Mount Parish Centre, Walsall from 10.45am to 2.30pm on Saturday 16 September. Please contact Paul Northam in the Diocesan Office for Mission if you’d like to know more: [email protected] Cursillo |
 Prisons Week Campaign Preview Prisons Week is 8-14 October 2023. The 2023 Campaign Preview on Monday 4 September, 6.30pm, is an opportunity for voluntary organisations, church leaders and prison chaplains to gather to consider the new 2023 Prisons Week campaign and resources. For more than forty years Prisons Week has prepared prayer literature to enable the Christian community, through individuals and churches, to pray for the needs of all those affected by prisons: prisoners and their families, victims of crime and their communities, those working in the criminal justice system and the many people who are involved in caring for those affected by crime on the inside and outside of our prisons. Prisons Week Campaign Preview |
 Free Online Workshop- Imprisonment Pact (Prison Advice & Care Trust) invites you to join them at a free online JustPeople Workshop on Friday 15 September OR Wednesday 25 October, 9am – 1pm. Discern the Lord’s call to social justice as we join together to promote the Common Good in our communities, reflecting upon Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching through the lens of people affected by imprisonment. All are welcome. A participant pack will be posted out ahead of the event. Pact JustPeople Workshop |
 Being a Welcoming Church Action Group Day This year Father Hudson’s Care worked with groups and local parishes to provide online sessions to deepen our understanding of the needs of those who are homeless, refugees, older people, and individuals and families living with the experience of disability. We focused on what the Church is doing and could do in these four areas, all to be more welcoming. The focus remains very much on action. What can we do, and in particular what can we do together at parish, deanery and Diocesan level to ensure that all members of the Church and beyond feel welcome within the Church and can participate fully and contribute fully within the Church community. If you are interested in being part of a group who wish to make an impact, then please join us on Saturday 16 September at St Catherine of Siena Church, Bristol Street in Birmingham. Welcoming Church Action Group |
 Webinar: World Day of Migrants and Refugees This year the World Day of Migrants & Refugees is on Sunday 24 September. To mark the occasion a webinar is taking place on Wednesday 20 September, 6pm to 7.30pm to discuss this year’s theme and how we can help people to flourish in their homelands as well as what we can do here in the UK to ensure we are supporting the stranger. The webinar is hosted by Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW). This year’s World Day theme is ‘Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay’. It is the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Webinar: World Day of Migrants and Refugees |
 3 Ways to Kill Evangelisation in Your Parish An online Divine Renovation event. Wednesday 20 September, 7pm Running an evangelisation tool such as Alpha enables your parish to go on mission. But just like any other tool, it’s only as effective as how you use it! The truth is, as leaders we can unintentionally kill our evangelisation efforts by misusing the tools we have. If you feel like your evangelisation tool isn’t making the impact you hoped it would, join Fr Joe Owusu-Ansah (Holy Family, Kent), Fatima Wesson (Alpha), Catherine Fielding (St Mary’s, Aberdeen), Mike Roche and Hannah Vaughan-Spruce for our online event: 3 Ways to Kill Evangelisation in Your Parish and discover ways to effectively run Alpha that brings people to Jesus! 3 Ways to Kill Evangelisation |
 Online Lecture: St Therese of Lisieux – Her final September Part of a series of online vigil lectures in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This lecture takes place on Saturday 30 September 7.30pm. Fr Liam Finnerty OCD, is currently Sub-Prior of the Carmelite Priory Boars Hill, Oxford. Fr Liam is also part of the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality (CACS) team and assists in facilitating the Spiritual Direction Course. In this lecture he will reflect on the last conversations of Therese and leading into her death. St Therese of Liseux: Vigil Lecture |
 Invitation to join a Diocesan Worship Collective Catholic Charismatic Renewal Birmingham (the CHARIS group) invites all established and potential Worship Leaders and Worship Musicians to become a part of a Diocesan Worship Collective. Any musicians, singers or those who have a desire or a call to help lead worship and would like to step out and grow this ministry are invited to express their interest. “All are welcome. God loves us to sing His praises.” The CHARIS group would like to help grow this ministry and foster a community of like-minded people across the Archdiocese who love to give praise. Diocesan Worship Collective |
 Book now: LOUDfence ribbon workshop Saturday 9 September Join talented fibre artist Mahawa Keita for a special day of creativity – responding to recent LOUDfence initiatives at St Chad’s Cathedral and Birmingham Cathedral St Philip’s. Mahawa will be using special ribbons; which were originally dedicated and placed on the railings at both cathedrals, as a sign of solidarity with those who have suffered abuse; to create a memorable piece of art. LOUDfence is a survivor-led initiative which encourages people to tie brightly coloured ribbons and messages in public spaces. Sign up for ribbon workshop |
 Take survey and have your say The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) want to hear from as many people as possible to help shape the future of safeguarding within the Catholic Church. It wants to hear from people across all areas and levels within dioceses, parishes, religious life groups (RLGs), the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS), and victims and survivors. Closing date is Thursday 31 August. CSSA safeguarding survey |
| Dates for your diary: the month ahead Thu 31 Aug: Free Organ Recital with Anthony Pinel – St Chad’s Cathedral Fri 1 Sept – Wed 4 Oct: Season of Creation Sat 2 Sept: March for Life Sun 3 Sept: Harvington Pilgrimage Mon 4 Sept: Prisons Week Resource Preview Tue 5 Sept: CAFOD Legacy Event Thu 7 Sept: Free Organ Recital with Claudia Grinnel – St Chad’s Cathedral Thu 7 Sept: Cursillo Encounter Evening, Stafford Fri 8 Sept: Heritage Open Day – St Chad’s Cathedral (Fully Booked) Sat 9 Sept: ‘Monastery Day’ hosted by YouCAN Sat 9 Sept: LOUDfence Ribbon Workshop Sat 9 Sept: Heritage Open Day – St Chad’s Cathedral (Fully Booked) Sun 10 Sept: Education Sunday Tues 12 Sept: Call of Creation:Reading the signs of the times Fri 15 Sept: Online JustPeople Workshop, hosted by Pact Sat 16 Sept: Volunteer recruitment drive, Tabor Living Sat 16 Sept: Being a Welcoming Church Action Group Day Sat 16 Sept: Heritage Open Day – St Chad’s Cathedral (Fully Booked) Sat 16 Sept: Cursillo Encounter Day, Walsall Wed 20 Sept: Webinar to mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees Wed 20 Sept: 3 Ways to Kill Evangelisation in your Parish Sat 23 Sept: SVP Annual Festival Mass and Gathering |
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