Together – Gathering of the People of God and the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil presided over by Pope Francis
This Saturday (30th September) from 4pm, Christians from around the world are invited to join Pope Francis and other Christian leaders, seeking the blessing and guidance of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the Synod.
Together – Gathering of the People of God is an ecumenical prayer vigil in Rome. Join on YouTube
The Synod starts on Wednesday 4 October and is focused on the theme ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission’.
The Synod of Bishops will, for the first time, include non-Bishop voting members, comprising of a number of laymen and laywomen.
In a preview videoFr Jan Nowotnik (a priest of the Archdiocese and Director of Mission at the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales) discusses what’s to come with theologian Professor Anna Rowlands.
On 23-24 September the second collection is for Father Hudson’s Care.
Father Hudson’s mission is to provide Catholic Social Care in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, reaching out to support vulnerable people in need in communities near you. As inflation rises the challenges faced by those with the least are multiplied. Please give generously to support those with nowhere else to turn.
Below are some examples of Fr Hudson’s work.
A new home for Tabor Living
This year Father Hudson’s Care and the parish of St Catherine of Sienna in Birmingham worked together to provide a new home for Tabor Living. Tabor Living works with people affected by homelessness offering them a home and the support they need to move on from a life on the street. Our wonderful new home will double the number of people that can be supported, offering both first stage and move on accommodation for adults in the heart of Birmingham. Each guest has a room of their own and is offered the support they need to access medical care, replace lost documents, set up a bank account, search for work and reach out to family and friends.
Through Tabor Living, Father Hudson’s care is able to provide more than just home, the dedicated staff and volunteers work with guests to make a permanent positive change. Your donation are helping our guests are able to move forward in their life, finding a home, finding work and connecting with their family.
Nicolas Barré House – A new partnership between a Parish and Father Hudson’s Care
Father Hudson’s Care is working with St John Henry Newman Parish to bring new life to an otherwise unused Parish Building. The Parish and Parishioners of St John Henry Newman decided to dedicate the building and their time to support refugees overcoming the trauma that forced them to leave their country of origin and build a new life in the UK by offering them a safe first home in the West Midlands. With expert support and management provided by Father Hudson’s Care through the Brushstrokes Community Project this partnership will provide a new start for people who have fled war and persecution. Our experienced staff and volunteers will provide residents with the comprehensive support they need to build a successful life in Wolverhampton.
Your support of this work will enable people who have lost everything, including vital support networks to rebuild their lives. This is just one example of how the Father Hudson’s Care Annual Parish Collection enables our experts to be there for people communities across the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
Working to improve the lives of Children across the Archdiocese
Our Family Support Service and New Routes Fostering Service work to improve the lives of children across the Archdiocese. The Family Support Service is based in schools to support families that are facing challenges that can impact a child’s wellbeing and educational attainment. In the last year the challenges faced by families across the Archdiocese have become clear, our Family Support Service Crisis Fund has provided almost four times as many grants to families, overwhelmingly to purchase food to feed the family, while they receive the support they need to improve their situation and reduce the impact of crises on children.
Children who cannot remain with their family of origin are offered temporary shelter, support, love and care through our New Routes Fostering Service. Our Foster Carers are supported every step of the way, by experienced and compassionate Social Workers and through regular training and guidance.
Although children often have little control over their situation your support of our work means that they can receive the love and support they need to thrive in school and beyond. Thank you for supporting those that can not help themselves.
Evangelii Gaudium Sunday calls us to be joyous in proclaiming our faith. “Evangelii Gaudium” is Latin for “Joy of the Gospel”. The day supports the work carried out by the Mission Directorate on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference.
A key focus of work for the next few years is responding to Pope Francis’ calling of a Jubilee Year in 2025 with the theme Pilgrims of Hope. The Holy Father has invited the whole Church to prepare for the Jubilee in the two years prior through:
Reflecting on the four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council in 2023.
Deepening our prayer life, with a special focus on the Lord’s Prayer, in 2024.
To support the Church in England and Wales in this important initiative the Mission Directorate has produced a series of videos on the four Constitutions which reflect on the Liturgy, the Word of God, the Church and on its role in the modern world. (NB These are not yet on the CBCEW website. Advice is thaey are to be posted on Friday 15th September.)
Year 6 pupils and their families are welcome to visit Bishop Walsh Catholic School for its annual open evening on Wednesday 20th September 2023 from 5.30pm – 7.30pm.
You will be able to attend a presentation, meet pupils and staff, and take a tour of the school.