Category: Latest News

The work of CAFOD is most important in the life of the church, so they deserve not only our gratitude but our financial support because they are serving us so well in doing something that should be most important in our lives.  Donate online at cafod.org.uk/give or by using one of our envelopes.  Thank you.

Easter Retreat:  Join the Wellspring Community, Monks of Worth Abbey, and young people from across the country in this interactive online retreat over the Easter Triduum.  With a mixture of prayer, small groups and talks there is a great opportunity to journey with others deeper into the mystery of Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We have created the timetable in such a way that you should be able to attend the liturgies in your local church and if this is not possible we will offer guidance in how to create a prayerful liturgy at home. Should one of the sessions clash with your local liturgy you will have access later so you can catch up.                           

Plenty of space will be given to allow for deep reflection and personal journeying with God.” http://www.wellspringbrighton.org.uk/the-virtual-easter-retreat/

Here is the facebook link for the retreat:   https://www.facebook.com/events/3623733677740460/

Heaven’s Road Catholic Online Radio www.heavensroadfm.com is an online radio broadcasting features like prayers, interviews and music to appeal to a Catholic audience – they also have many podcasts and broadcast over 40 daily live Masses from 15 churches in England and Ireland from their website www.heavensroadfm.com

The weekly Thursday conversation groups are now fully booked but the Monday videos can be viewed via our website www.abdiocese.org.uk Transcripts of Speakers and those giving testimony are also available.  Thank you to all who have signed up.

ONLINE RETREATS: The Open Cloister at Worth Abbey
led by Michael Woodward (member of the Lay Community of St Benedict)
12th-14th March:   Romero and the Salvadorian Martyrs:
Along with St Romero, we will look at his friend Rutilio Grande, the four US Churchwomen, the UCA Jesuits & the hundreds of lesser known Salvadorans who died from 1977-1992.
26th-28th March (Palm Sunday weekend)  The Holy Shroud:
Gospel beyond Words – What the Shroud Tells Us
Book your place on line at https://worth.co.uk/retreats/online-retreats     Further information available from E: [email protected]

On behalf of the Maryvale Institute, you are invited to participate in the Exploring the Directory for Catechesis Conference 2021.

To register: https://bit.ly/2Z2KqIX

For more info please visit: https://www.maryvale.ac.uk/conference-2021.html or contact [email protected]

About the Conference:

Maryvale Institute, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, is delighted to announce a free, virtual conference that will focus on the new Directory for Catechesis. The Directory, published in March 2020, makes clear the essential elements in teaching and personal formation required by the mission of catechesis. Building on the previous 2 catechetical directories (1971 and 1997), this new text is a vital resource for all those engaged in the Church’s work of proclaiming the Gospel.

This conference offers an opportunity for those either involved with or interested in catechesis, to explore the main themes and key emphases of this important text, and to reflect on its implications for their work in the Church and the world.

The conference will take place across 3 sessions, focusing on different aspects of the directory:

• Session 1, Friday 12th March, 2.00-4.00pm:‘Dynamic Continuity’: The Purpose and Distinctive Emphases of the New Directory. Speakers confirmed so far: Archbishop Rino Fisichella (Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation), Archbishop Bernard Longley (Archdiocese of Birmingham and Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation) and more.
• Session 2, Friday 16th April, 2.00-4.00pm:Key Emphases/Foci of the New Directory: a Closer Look. Speakers confirmed so far: Fr Jan Nowotnik (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and Archdiocese of Birmingham), Katherine Coolidge (Catherine of Siena Institute), Dr Tamra Fromm (Catholic Biblical School of Michigan and Maryvale Institute), Sr Hyacinthe Defos du Rau OP (Dominican Srs of St Joseph and Maryvale Institute) and more, followed by breakout sessions.
• Session 3, Friday 14th May, 2.00-4.00pm:Growing in Faith: A Lifelong Journey of Catechesis. Speakers confirmed so far: Angela Wood MA (Maryvale Institute), Sr Carino Hodder OP (Dominican Srs of St Joseph), Lianne Pap (Archdiocese of Birmingham and Maryvale Institute), Paul Northam (Archdiocese of Birmingham, Beccy Roseman (Kenelm Youth Trust, Archdiocese of Birmingham) and more, followed by breakout sessions.

There is no cost to register and attend all sessions of the Conference, although we would encourage delegates to consider a donation of £5 or £10 or more towards scholarships for those enrolling on Maryvale Institute’s adult formation courses, to help support and train the catechists of the future.

DO YOU WANT TO FAST THIS LENT?

In the words of Pope Francis

Fast from hurting words and say kind words. 

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and have trust in God.

Fast from complaints, contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness, fill your hearts with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words: be silent and listen.

The Diocesan Formation Team is hosting a mission for you this Lent.   It will be the first of five seasons of mission, helping you to explore God’s Invitation to live your life with him.

What is a mission? An opportunity for everyone in the parish to sit back and reflect on the content provided.  Season one is a series of programmes that help us to understand exactly how much we are loved by God, and features guest speakers such as David Wells, Eleanor Oliver and David Beresford. You will then be able to join a virtual conversation to meet like minded people and discuss what you have learnt. Visit www.abdiocese.org.uk/invited to find out more.   You, are Invited.

CAFOD:  Abdella lives in an extremely remote and mountainous part of Ethiopia.  It takes him ten hours a day to collect water.  He says his life is being wasted as he has no time for anything else.  Give today to reach vulnerable communities around the world with water and to provide other vital support.  Donate online at cafod.org.uk/give or  by using one of our envelopes.  Thank you.