Blessed Robert Grissold Catholic Church
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Welcome to the website of Blessed Robert Grissold Catholic Church in Balsall Common. Here you can find details of the parish, our latest newsletter, services and sacraments offered by the Church and, in our parish archive, the events we have held. As a parish we value your privacy. Please follow the link here to learn more about the privacy policy that covers all catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Birmingham,
Father Frank writes
The invitation to welcome the God who comes to us in Christ and to cast away empty living is repeated in the liturgy of the Second Sunday of Advent. The Opening Prayer of the Mass asks that no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet Christ. And today we hear the lonely voice of John the Baptist who exhorts us to prepare a way for the Lord. May our faithfulness to the spirit of Advent create a space so that the Lord can come to us.
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Safeguarding
The Parish follows the safeguarding standards advised by The Archdiocese of Birmingham. You can view these standards by following the link here.
A link to the Archdiocese safeguarding website can be found here.
Safespaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger. To contact Safespaces, please follow the link to their website here.
The Isaiah Journey The Isaiah Journey is a working group of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales which has grown out of the need for a pastoral-spiritual response to the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse in the Church. It provides A Guide for Survivors of Abuse that can be found here.
The Safeguarding Rep for our Parish is Monica Green and she can be contacted via email at sg.brg.balsallcommon@rcaob.org.uk.
The Parish follows the safeguarding standards advised by The Archdiocese of Birmingham. You can view these standards by following the link here.
A link to the Archdiocese safeguarding website can be found here.
Safespaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger. To contact Safespaces, please follow the link to their website here.
The Isaiah Journey The Isaiah Journey is a working group of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales which has grown out of the need for a pastoral-spiritual response to the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse in the Church. It provides A Guide for Survivors of Abuse that can be found here.
The Safeguarding Rep for our Parish is Monica Green and she can be contacted via email at sg.brg.balsallcommon@rcaob.org.uk.
Parish Events
Looking for the rest of the Parish Event List? We have archived the list from our old site but you can still view them here.
Date
| Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 18.01.2026 | Week of Prayer for Christian Unity | A service for Christian Unity will be held on Sunday 18th January at 4pm at St John the Baptist Church Berkswell. All welcome, light refreshments will be served. |
| 20.12.2025 | Christmas Draw | A Christmas fund-raiser with a difference. Please support the Parish Christmas Draw and, hopefully, win the bag of mystery prizes! All proceeds are to go to Parish funds so your participation will be greatly appreciated |
| 14.12.2025 | Carol Service | Please join us at our carol service on Sunday 14th December at 6.00 pm for traditional carols, readings and music from the choir. There will be mulled wine and mince pies served in the parish room after the service. Everyone is welcome! |
| 10.12.2025 | Fr. Hudsons Carol Service | We are invited to the charity’s carol service, led by Archbishop Bernard Longley, at 11.30am on Wednesday 10th December. Further details on the noticeboard. |
| 09.12.2025 | Weekday mass | Weekday Mass at BRG: Tuesday 9th December at 10.00 am. |
| 07.12.2025 | Parish Planned Giving | Following last week’s presentation by Ian Clarke about Planned Giving, our volunteers will be available after Mass today to assist with standing order and Gift Aid forms. |
| 07.12.2025 | 100 Club | Stefan Hunka and Ken Higgins will be in the Narthex after Mass today if you wish to sign up for the 100 Club. The next draw will take place on 10th December |
| 07.12.2025 | Christmas Masses | The masses at our church are on Wednesday 24th December (Christmas Eve) at 6.00 pm and Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day) at 09.30 am. |
| 07.12.2025 | Collection in memory of Maureen Carroll | We are collecting donations for Fr. Hudsons Caritas in memory of Maureen, who died earlier this year. Envelopes will be available on 7th December; donations will be collected after mass on 14th December. There will also be a collection at the Carol Service. |
| 07.12.2025 | Healthcare Volunteers in Lourdes | If you are a doctor, nurse or carer and would consider donating your time and expertise on next year’s Lourdes Pilgrimage, please see the Volunteer Pilgrimage Pack at https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/lourdes-pilgrimage. |
| 07.12.2025 | Second Collection today | There will be a collection today for the poor parishes of the diocese. |
| 07.12.2025 | Reception of Adults into full Communion with the Church | If any adults are interested in entering into full Communion with the Catholic Church, please contact Fr Frank ASAP as formation will begin shortly |
| 07.12.2025 | Sacrament of Confirmation (for young people) | If any young people in our Parish, from Year 6 upwards, are interested in preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, please contact Teresa Green on 07583 540060 or speak to Fr. Frank. |
| 30.11.2025 | Tuesday Masses | Please note the new start time for Tuesday masses – 10.00 am. Mass on the First Tuesday of each month will be followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction at 11:00am |
| 30.11.2025 | Thank You | Thank you to all those who supported the Save the Children Fayre last week. A total of £1,668 was raised, including £47.50 from the sale of cakes after Mass. Julia Greensall |
| 29.11.2025 | Quiet Morning | Churches Together in Balsall and Berkswell are holding a Quiet Morning, led by Rev’d Kathryn Darby, Methodist Minister on Saturday 29th November, 10am to 12 noon (coffee available from 9.30 am) at The Old Hall, Temple Balsall (adjacent to the church). If you wish to attend, please contact Doug Timmis on 01676 543346 – limited places available. |
| 23.11.2025 | Knitted Prayer Cloths | There are some small, knitted prayer cloths at the back of the church, that have been knitted by a member of our congregation. Each one has a blessing for you in every stitch. The church hopes you can find comfort in using these whenever you feel the need. There is no charge, but donations are welcome |
| 22.11.2025 | Quiz Night | Kathy and Bob will be taking names and money after mass today and next Sunday for the quiz night which is on 22nd November. The cost is £10 which includes hot dogs and mince pies. Teams of 6 or less or join others on the night. Kathy will also be taking names of those willing to help with the food. |
| 22.11.2025 | Save the Children Christmas Fayre | This will be held in our Parish Room on Saturday 22nd November from 10.00am to 2.30pm. Hand-crafted items and gifts will be on sale. Refreshments available. Entry is free. If you would like to donate cakes, raffle or tombola prizes (or help in any way), please contact Julia Greensall on 07855 843 914. |
| 16.11.2025 | Holy Souls | Throughout November Masses for the Holy Souls will be offered, and we will pray for those whose names have been placed before the altar. |
18.01.2026
A service for Christian Unity will be held on Sunday 18th January at 4pm at St John the Baptist Church Berkswell. All welcome, light refreshments will be served.
|
20.12.2025
A Christmas fund-raiser with a difference. Please support the Parish Christmas Draw and, hopefully, win the bag of mystery prizes! All proceeds are to go to Parish funds so your participation will be greatly appreciated
|
14.12.2025
Please join us at our carol service on Sunday 14th December at 6.00 pm for traditional carols, readings and music from the choir. There will be mulled wine and mince pies served in the parish room after the service. Everyone is welcome!
|
10.12.2025
We are invited to the charity’s carol service, led by Archbishop Bernard Longley, at 11.30am on Wednesday 10th December. Further details on the noticeboard.
|
09.12.2025
Weekday Mass at BRG: Tuesday 9th December at 10.00 am.
|
07.12.2025
Following last week’s presentation by Ian Clarke about Planned Giving, our volunteers will be available after Mass today to assist with standing order and Gift Aid forms.
|
07.12.2025
Stefan Hunka and Ken Higgins will be in the Narthex after Mass today if you wish to sign up for the 100 Club. The next draw will take place on 10th December
|
07.12.2025
The masses at our church are on Wednesday 24th December (Christmas Eve) at 6.00 pm and Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day) at 09.30 am.
|
07.12.2025
We are collecting donations for Fr. Hudsons Caritas in memory of Maureen, who died earlier this year. Envelopes will be available on 7th December; donations will be collected after mass on 14th December. There will also be a collection at the Carol Service.
|
07.12.2025
If you are a doctor, nurse or carer and would consider donating your time and expertise on next year’s Lourdes Pilgrimage, please see the Volunteer Pilgrimage Pack at https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/lourdes-pilgrimage.
|
07.12.2025
There will be a collection today for the poor parishes of the diocese.
|
07.12.2025
If any adults are interested in entering into full Communion with the Catholic Church, please contact Fr Frank ASAP as formation will begin shortly
|
07.12.2025
If any young people in our Parish, from Year 6 upwards, are interested in preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, please contact Teresa Green on 07583 540060 or speak to Fr. Frank.
|
30.11.2025
Please note the new start time for Tuesday masses – 10.00 am. Mass on the First Tuesday of each month will be followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction at 11:00am
|
30.11.2025
Thank you to all those who supported the Save the Children Fayre last week. A total of £1,668 was raised, including £47.50 from the sale of cakes after Mass. Julia Greensall
|
29.11.2025
Churches Together in Balsall and Berkswell are holding a Quiet Morning, led by Rev’d Kathryn Darby, Methodist Minister on Saturday 29th November, 10am to 12 noon (coffee available from 9.30 am) at The Old Hall, Temple Balsall (adjacent to the church). If you wish to attend, please contact Doug Timmis on 01676 543346 – limited places available.
|
23.11.2025
There are some small, knitted prayer cloths at the back of the church, that have been knitted by a member of our congregation. Each one has a blessing for you in every stitch. The church hopes you can find comfort in using these whenever you feel the need. There is no charge, but donations are welcome
|
22.11.2025
Kathy and Bob will be taking names and money after mass today and next Sunday for the quiz night which is on 22nd November. The cost is £10 which includes hot dogs and mince pies. Teams of 6 or less or join others on the night. Kathy will also be taking names of those willing to help with the food.
|
22.11.2025
This will be held in our Parish Room on Saturday 22nd November from 10.00am to 2.30pm. Hand-crafted items and gifts will be on sale. Refreshments available. Entry is free. If you would like to donate cakes, raffle or tombola prizes (or help in any way), please contact Julia Greensall on 07855 843 914.
|
16.11.2025
Throughout November Masses for the Holy Souls will be offered, and we will pray for those whose names have been placed before the altar.
|
Parish Calendar
