Blessed Robert Grissold Catholic Church
A Community based on Faith, Altar and the WordQuick Links
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The disciples had already responded to the Lord’s call to them to “Come” and follow him, now Christ commands them to “Go.” The kingdom of God is at hand and the call is urgent. They are instructed to travel light. They were not to rely on their own resources but on the bountiful providence of God. Their simplicity of life would help them to remain unencumbered by distractions and help them to stay focussed wholly on their mission.
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A Summary of the Guidance from the Bishop’s Conference concerning Step 4 of the Government’s Covid-19 roadmap which comes into effect on Monday 19th July
At this stage it is important for us all to remember that although legislation is being relaxed, the pandemic is not yet over and there continues to be a duty of care for all who use our churches.
The guidance seeks to ensure there remains a cautious approach that encourages the continuation of social distancing, mask wearing and cleaning regimes in order to help to minimise risk and provide comfort and confidence to our people.
Churches should continue to provide hand sanitiser at entrances and exits and face coverings are strongly recommended to be worn by those in church. General cleaning should be to a high standard with special attention to frequent touch points.
Buildings should be well ventilated and as long as the NHS Test, Track and Trace system is in operation, churches should continue to make available the means for people to sign in for acts of worship using the NHS app and the associated QR codes or by other means of attendee identification.
In the light of the Bishop’s Guidance and the Government’s call for caution and with a care for the most vulnerable among us, I propose that we should continue in exactly the same way as we have been until the end of August. This will help to protect the vulnerable among us at a time when infections are expected to surge and it will also give confidence to people who are hesitant about attending Mass.
So, no changes at Blessed Robert Grissold church until the end of August when we will review the situation. Please see below the restrictions which remain in place for the time being.
Thanks to all the volunteers who are making Mass possible. There are a limited number of seats available due to the continued need for distancing. A booking system will be introduced if it proves necessary but until then the seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis. I will continue to post a weekly Spiritual Communion and guidance for prayer, online.
We gather together, in the main body of the church for Mass. The restrictions, appropriate to the Government’s road map, and our risk assessment, still apply. See below for details. Thanks to all the volunteers who are making this possible. There are a limited number of seats available due to the continued need for distancing. A booking system will be introduced if it proves necessary but until then the seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The Sunday obligation remains suspended. I will continue to post a weekly Spiritual Communion and guidance for prayer, online.
Spiritual Communion
I will continue to post a weekly spiritual communion for Sundays on this parish website together with a meditation. This also provides a framework for daily prayer and meditation throughout the week as I will supply the references for the daily Gospel readings.
A Prayer for Spiritual Communion
Please find below a prayer which you can join in praying during the Mass online as you make your Spiritual Communion. This prayer was written by St Alphonsus Liguori:
My Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as being already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. We make this, and all our prayers through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Take care and stay safe.
With all good wishes and every blessing
Fr Frank
Making a Spiritual Communion *
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Frank Clements (RIP)
18th July 2021
Create a prayerful setting through the placing of a crucifix, Bible, statues, icons, etc Then follow this order of service:
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Read the Entrance Antiphon
See, I have God for my help.
The Lord sustains my soul.
I will sacrifice to you with willing heart,
and praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.
In silent prayer call to mind your sins then make the following penitential act:
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord have mercy
You came to call sinners: Christ have mercy
You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:
Lord have mercy
Gloria
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Pray the Collect (the Opening Prayer of the Mass of the day)
Show favour, O Lord, to your servants
and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace,
that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity,
they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
First Reading: From the prophet Jeremiah 23: 1-6
Responsorial Psalm:
R. The Lord is my shepherd:
there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit. R.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort. R.
You have spread a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. R.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever. R.
Second Reading: From the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 1: 3-14
Gospel: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6: 30-34
Reflection
Our responsorial psalm today is very well known and begins with the words:
‘The Lord is my shepherd’ and so the very first word “The Lord”
is the very first word, thought and desire of the Psalmist in this psalm
just as it should be the very first word, thought and desire for us.
Then the Psalmist goes on to speak of the Lord as a ‘shepherd.’ The Psalmist would have known, that in the Bible, the term ‘shepherd’ is often used
to mean king, sovereign, lord, authority, - the one who directs, the one to whom I am answerable - the one whom I trust and serve and follow.
So in this simple opening line the Psalmist is making it clear that the goal and focus, the centre and purpose of his life is God and no other. There is to be
no rival loyalty, no competing claim - God has to be King of our hearts and minds if the rest promised in the Psalm is to follow.
The Psalmist then draws a stunning conclusion from his opening statement: “The Lord is my Shepherd” which is: ‘There is nothing I shall want.’
And the reason for his confident claim that he shall want for nothing is that he has no yearnings or desires that fall outside of God. What God
gives is more than enough for him. He has set his heart and mind wholly on God and thereby he has found rest for his soul for God made us for himself
and our hearts are restless until they find rest in him alone.
The Psalm goes on to speak of journeying through dangerous territory
and, on our journey through life, each of us can feel threatened by valleys of darkness, but the Psalmist has confidence - ‘no evil would I fear’ - even in the most threatening places, because he is accompanied and protected - ‘You are there with your crook and staff - The presence of God leading and accompanying us on our journey through life transforms threatening places and tough circumstances. With the Lord as our shepherd the shadow of the Cross serves to remind us of the light of the resurrection That’s why the Psalmist can joyfully sing- ‘If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear for you are there - you prepare a banquet for me in the sight of my foes - my cup is overflowing.’ That is how it is with the life of faith - where the Lord is first in our heart and minds
- where he is our shepherd.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us
Immaculate Heart of Mary, have mercy on us
Saints Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, pray for us
St Mary Magdalene, pray for us
St Bridget, pray for us
Blessed Robert Grissold, pray for us
All holy Guardian Angels watch over, guard and protect us.
Pray the Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen
Offer up Prayers of Intercession for the Church, for the world, for our community, for the sick and for those who have died - and offer up your own intentions.
A Prayer in time of sickness and disease:
All powerful and merciful God,
our refuge and our shield,
bring healing to all those suffering as a result of sickness and disease.
Guard and protect us from all harm
and assist those whose skill and art can put an end to this affliction.
Through Christ our Lord.
Ask for Our Lady’s prayers, saying the Hail Mary…
Pray the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father…
Pray the Agnus Dei:
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Make a Spiritual Communion* - asking Our Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart and feed you with heavenly grace so that you might be one with Him. You can use the following prayer of St Alphonsus Liguori:
My Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as being already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Ask for God’s blessing and protection:
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
Make the sign of the Cross saying:
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Finish with the Prayer to St Michael:
Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defence against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust down into hell Satan and all other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen
+++
* A Spiritual Communion can be made if one has a deep desire to receive Our Lord and to be one with him - even if one cannot, for whatever reason, receive him sacramentally. Spiritual Communion is an act of love and desire to be united with Christ and is a means of drawing on the life of the Holy Spirit dwelling within our souls.
The Church teaches us that we can receive Our Lord Jesus Christ in spiritual communion if we have a great desire to receive him and to feed on him, the spiritual heavenly bread, through our longing for the Blessed Sacrament. In spiritual communion we invite Our Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts.
In this way we can receive the graces and blessings of the Blessed Sacrament even in those circumstances where we are unable to receive Christ in Holy Communion. And the good news is that we can make a spiritual communion several times a day. Indeed, St Maximillian Kolbe endeavoured to make a spiritual communion - asking Our Eucharistic Lord - to come to him every fifteen minutes - every time his clock chimed.
St Teresa said: “Spiritual Communion is very profitable, therefore do not omit it for by it the Lord learns how much you love him.”
I will post the Sunday Collects, and Readings week by week on the parish website.
I hope this has proved helpful. Please don’t feel bound by these suggestions
- if you have your own better way of staying in prayerful and close spiritual communion with Our Lord then, of course, follow it.
Be assured of my prayers - please keep me in yours. Remember that the Rosary is a most powerful means of prayer.
With all good wishes and every blessing
Fr Frank
***
Weekday Spiritual Communion
You can use the format for Sunday’s Spiritual Communion for daily worship and prayer. The Sunday Collect and scripture readings can be used throughout the week but if you prefer you might like to use the Gospel of the day - I will supply the scripture references for these. Also, please don’t forget the supreme value of praying the Rosary daily.
Gospel readings for Week 16 in Ordinary Time
Mon 19 Matthew 12: 38-42
Tues 20 Matthew 12: 46-50
Wed 21 Matthew 13: 1-9
Thurs 22 St Mary Magdalene
John 20: 1-2, 11-18
Fri 23 St Bridget
John 15: 1-8
Sat 24 Matthew 13: 24-30
Please note these important directions:
+ Attendees to wear a mask to protect themselves and others
+ Remain 2 metres apart
+ Sanitise hands on entering and exiting the Church
+ Follow the signs
+ Always follow the stewards’ instructions
Holy Communion:
+ All responses during the Mass to be whispered
+ Single file queue for Holy Communion (in one kind only) - please follow Steward’s guidance.
+ The Host to be received in silence, on outstretched hand
+ Masks to be worn to receive the Host
+ Leave the church immediately after the the Mass is finished
Please do not congregate in the car park after leaving the church
During Mass there will be no:
+ Children’s liturgy
+ Offertory procession
+ Sign of peace
+ Parish missals, misalettes or hymn books
+ Congregational, choral or group singing
+ Passing of collection bags
+ No flowers
Please stay at home if...
+ You are feeling ill or show any symptoms
+ You suspect you may be ill or have been exposed to Covid 19
+ You have a sick family member at home
+ You have come into contact with someone who is infected
Those attending will be asked to supply contact details for track and trace
Please Note:
+ In the first instance, attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Once capacity has been reached the stewards will prevent entry
+ Wrap up warm - doors and windows will be left open to increase ventilation wherever possible
Toilets in the church:
In order to avoid possible spread of infection and to reduce the need for further cleaning we are trying to keep the toilets closed, but the toilet may be used in the case of emergency. If you need to use the toilet, you are asked to carefully clean and wipe down all surfaces you have touched.
Many congratulations to parishioner Maureen Carroll who has been awarded the British Empire Medal in Her Majesty the Queen's 2021 Birthday Honours List. Maureen was awarded this honour for services to the community of Balsall Common.
You may recall a Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Bernard Longley was read out at Mass a few weeks ago. It outlined the vision for the Archdiocese as we move forward. Leaflets explaining The Diocesan Vision: Unfolding God’s Plan will be available to take away this weekend. Please pick up a copy for yourself, and take copies for those who are unable to come to Mass. More information on the Vision is available on the Diocesan website here.
As part of Coventry Central Hall’s City of Culture “Artists in Residence Programme” (AiR), Seb is starting a brand new orchestra. The AiR programme is funded by Coventry and Nuneaton Methodist circuit and supported by Methodist Church at Coventry Central Hall. Membership of the orchestra is open to all and rehearsals begin in September 2021, working towards a large-scale celebration concert in April 2022 at Central Hall.
While the orchestra won’t be for complete beginners, those who have perhaps let their instrument collect dust for many years are encouraged to sign up and come along, as well as those who are more up-to-date with their skills. We also welcome players of instruments which don’t normally feature in an orchestra.
The repertoire of the concert will be celebrating Coventry, and will be inspired by reaching out to the people of Coventry themselves. The concert repertoire will be wide-reaching, encompassing both the traditional Orchestral works linked to Coventry, but also some songs from the Pop/Rock genre:
The celebration concert will feature a ‘Festival Chorus’, amalgamating local choirs and singers, as well as featuring already existing ensembles performing in their own right who perhaps normally wouldn’t get the opportunity to perform on the big stage.
To encourage up-and-coming composers, we are also hosting a composition competition, with the winning work being premiered at the concert. There are two categories: Open and Youth, with prizes of £1500 and £500.
All information is available on the website, and is the place to go to ‘Get involved’ with any of the aspects of the orchestra: www.coventryorchestra.co.uk
If you have any questions then please feel free to contact Seb: mailbox@coventryorchestra.co.uk
Although there have been no services during lockdown, the usual expenses of maintaining the church have had to be met. Having been unable to attend church during this time, it has not been possible for those of us using envelopes or loose cash to contribute in the usual way. Standing orders have, however, continued as before and we are very grateful to those contributors for their ongoing support.
Envelopes/ Cash
When church attendance is possible again you may wish , but only if your circumstances permit, to catch up on missed offertory donations. You can do this by putting your cash/ cheque in your envelope or the loose plate. If you prefer you can pass a cheque to any of those listed below or post it in the church post box. If you bank on-line you could catch up with a one-off transfer on-line using the bank details shown below.
Standing Orders
In view of the continuing uncertain times and possibility of further lockdowns, you may consider switching to a standing order and not have to worry about having cash etc when coming to church or if ,perhaps, we are again unable to attend Mass. If you bank on-line, then it is probably easier and quicker to set up a standing order on-line. The parish bank account details are:
- Natwest Bank
- Sort Code 60- 19 – 14 Account No. 05960711
- showing Blessed Robert Grissold (236) as recipient.
It does help if you let Bob Jones, Ciaran McSorley or John McLellan know what you have done, to make sure your standing order is reaching us alright. Alternatively you can download and complete the Standing Order/Gift Aid form here. Only complete the Gift Aid section if you pay income tax and you are not already registered for Gift Aid Donations. When completed please pass the form to any of us listed below.
Finally
If you have any questions about church giving whether by envelope ,cash or standing order or if you need more information about Gift Aid, please don’t hesitate to contact any of us. Thank you for your past support of the parish and in anticipation of the future!
John McLellan (07908 089816)
Bob Jones (01676 532475)
Ciaran McSorley ( 01676 534784)
Mass can be streamed directly from the internet. A number of churches in England and Ireland are available. Please visit this link to find out more.
Parish Events
Date
| Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 14.02.2021 | A Prayer for Spiritual Communion | Please find below a prayer which you can join in praying during the Mass online as you make your Spiritual Communion: My Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as being already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. We make this, and all our prayers through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. |
| 08.02.2021 | COVID 19 vaccination newsflash for the over 70s | Are you over 70 and not got a Covid vaccine appointment yet? The Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group have vaccination spots available to all those over 70 years of age who have not yet had their covid vaccination and who do not yet have an appointment. You will probably have to travel outside of Balsall Common to have the jab but you might gain several days. To book an appointment then do one of the following 1. Copy this address into your browser: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ and follow the instructions or 2. Call 119 |
| 07.02.2021 | Fr Sebastian 75th Birthday and Golden Jubilee as a Priest | This year Fr. Sebastian celebrates his 7th birthday and his golden jubilee as a priest. Read more about it here |
| 03.01.2021 | Post for Fr Frank | Please hand to one of the stewards at Mass. They will see that Fr Frank receives all post, including Mass cards, after Mass. Fr Frank will respond to you during the week. |
| 03.01.2021 | “Giving Tree” Collection | Thank you to everyone who donated to our parish collection before Christmas to replace our usual Christmas Giving Tree. The total of money and vouchers donated was £410 – a wonderful result, especially with current restrictions on numbers able to attend mass. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to deliver a small gift and Christmas card to 21 of our older, more isolated parishioners, as well as a gratefully received donation to Father Hudson’s Care, which will be used to help those in need in our diocese. If you missed our parish collection, you can still donate to Father Hudson’s directly, via bank transfer, cheque or online – see their website for details: https://www.fatherhudsons.org.uk/getinvolved/donate/3.htm. |
| 03.01.2021 | Focus Group volunteers needed | The Joint Working Group of Balsall Common and Berkswell Parish Councils has invited local churches to form their own focus group to provide their views on the future development of Balsall Common centre, as part of their project to obtain community input. The group would consist of one or two people from each church who regularly use Balsall Common centre, and would “meet” via Zoom for a session of about 2 hours in January – probably in the early evening. If you are interested in representing Blessed Robert Grissold in this way, please email Ian Clarke at iehclarke@btinternet.com. This “Churches Focus Group” is just one of a number of groups that the Joint Working Group hopes to establish to discuss plans – there is a link to their general request for volunteers for focus groups especially on the home page of our parish website. The general groups are open to everyone – the Parish Councils are particularly keen to see that the views of all age groups are represented. |
| 03.01.2021 | Thanks from Fr. Frank | Fr Frank would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your cards, offerings, gifts and for all your generosity and support and to wish you and your loved ones a happy and blessed New Year. |
| 20.12.2020 | Christmas offering for the Parish Priest | It is traditional for the offering at the Christmas masses to go tothe Parish Priest. This year, there will be a box at church on the next two Sundays and at the Christmas Masses for your Christmas offering to Fr. Frank. Alternatively, you can drop it off at 12 Priors Close Balsall Common CV7 7FJ and Joe will ensure that Fr Frank receives it. |
| 13.12.2020 | 100 Club Draw | John McLellan and Chris Burleigh have just done the final 100 club draw for the year, over Zoom using a random number generator. here are the results: 1st, £75 No. 99 Eileen Selby, 2nd, £45 No. 62 Jean Henser and 3rd, £30 No. 40 Megan Westall. Congratulations to the winners! |
| 29.11.2020 | Parish Giving Tree 2020 | Our annual giving tree has to take a different form this year. Rather than buying and wrapping gifts for different age groups, Fr Hudson’s society has asked that we donate cash or store vouchers instead. COVID has hit us all this year but, as with any crisis, the people who were already disadvantaged will have been most affected. We are therefore asking the parish to come together, in a safely socially distanced way, to make a Christmas offering for this. We will be collecting cash, cheques, or store vouchers (please include a receipt with these) outside the church between 9.00am and 9.30am on Sunday 6th and 13th December. There will be an additional collection in the car park on Saturday 12th December 10.00am-11.00am. Some of the funds collected will be used to send Christmas cheer to members of the parish who are unable to come to church during the pandemic. If you would like to help with distributing a local gift please leave your contact details for Kathryn Driffield at one of the collections |
| 22.11.2020 | Normal Weekly Offering | The Finance committee would like to let any parishioners who wish to catch up with their normal weekly offering know that this can be done safely and easily by dropping a cheque payable to Blessed Robert Grissold Church to Bob Jones at 58 Balsall Street East or give it to one the Finance team who will pass it on. Bob will always ensure that you have a receipt. If you prefer to provide cash that is no problem. |
| 04.11.2020 | Sunday Mass will not be available for the next four weeks | As I am sure you now realise with the latest government announcement, we will not be holding Mass for at least the next four weeks. We would like to thank all members of the parish for offering to help with the cleaning and opening the church for mass for the last two Sundays which went very well. We had over 20 helpers and considering the size of our congregation we so lucky to have so much help thank you. We will keep you all informed what is happening as soon as more information becomes available. A weekly Spiritual Communion will be available on this website if you wish to use it. |
| 31.10.2020 | Balsall Common Coronavirus Community Help | Please be aware of the following service available in Balsall Common. Please use the phone number or email address if you need any support. |
| 17.10.2020 | St George and St Teresa Catholic Primary School Virtual Open Day | Notification of virtual open mornings at St George and St Teresa Catholic Primary School in Bentley Heath, Solihull. You can find out more at www.stgandt.solihull.sch.uk |
| 10.10.2020 | Midland Charities Association Christmas card shops | Due to the ongoing Covid19 situation, we have reluctantly decided not to open the Midland Charities Association Christmas card shop in Balsall Common or Allesley Park libraries this year. We are hoping to be able to sell cards from home for a limited number of charities as well as some sundry items such as wrapping paper, gift tags, money wallets etc. In order to do this, we would need to take orders in advance. If you would be interested in buying your cards in this way, please speak to Janice or Bob on 01676 534407 or email mcacards20@yahoo.com. I would like to thank both volunteers and customers for all your support over the years. We will make every effort to open the shops as normal in 2021 if the situation allows. Best wishes, Janice |
| 06.09.2020 | 100 Club | John McLellan and Chris Burleigh have just done a Zoom draw for the 100 Club, the results of the 3rd 100 Club draw for 2020, conducted using a random generator on a Zoom call with John McLellan, as follows: 1st 19 Tracey McAtammney (£75), 2nd 78 Kathy Jones (£45), 3rd 82 Judith Gibbs (£30). Congratulations to the winners! |
| 17.03.2020 | Solemnity of St Joseph | On Thursday at 10:00 am we celebrate the Feast of a very great saint of the Church: St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Mass will be followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 11:00am. |
| 15.03.2020 | Coronavirus Diocesean response - please read | Please make every effort to read about the changes that the Diocese have asked us to make in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. You can click the link to the left or use the one at the top of this page. |
| 15.03.2020 | 100 Club | Thank you to all who have renewed or taken out a subscription this year. The first draw of 2020 will take place after Mass today. Prizes are £75, £45 and £30. |
| 15.03.2020 | Please pray for Eleanor Rose Orme | Please pray for Eleanor Rose Orme who is to be baptised here today, for her parents and godparents, her friends and family - that together with them we will grow ever more faithful to our baptismal promises. |
14.02.2021
Please find below a prayer which you can join in praying during the Mass online as you make your Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as being already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. We make this, and all our prayers through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
|
08.02.2021
Are you over 70 and not got a Covid vaccine appointment yet? The Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group have vaccination spots available to all those over 70 years of age who have not yet had their covid vaccination and who do not yet have an appointment.
You will probably have to travel outside of Balsall Common to have the jab but you might gain several days. To book an appointment then do one of the following
1. Copy this address into your browser: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ and follow the instructions or 2. Call 119
|
07.02.2021
This year Fr. Sebastian celebrates his 7th birthday and his golden jubilee as a priest. Read more about it here
|
03.01.2021
Please hand to one of the stewards at Mass. They will see that Fr Frank receives all post, including Mass cards, after Mass. Fr Frank will respond to you during the week.
|
03.01.2021
Thank you to everyone who donated to our parish collection before Christmas to replace our usual Christmas Giving Tree. The total of money and vouchers donated was £410 – a wonderful result, especially with current restrictions on numbers able to attend mass. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to deliver a small gift and Christmas card to 21 of our older, more isolated parishioners, as well as a gratefully received donation to Father Hudson’s Care, which will be used to help those in need in our diocese. If you missed our parish collection, you can still donate to Father Hudson’s directly, via bank transfer, cheque or online – see their website for details: https://www.fatherhudsons.org.uk/getinvolved/donate/3.htm.
|
03.01.2021
The Joint Working Group of Balsall Common and Berkswell Parish Councils has invited local churches to form their own focus group to provide their views on the future development of Balsall Common centre, as part of their project to obtain community input. The group would consist of one or two people from each church who regularly use Balsall Common centre, and would “meet” via Zoom for a session of about 2 hours in January – probably in the early evening. If you are interested in representing Blessed Robert Grissold in this way, please email Ian Clarke at iehclarke@btinternet.com.
This “Churches Focus Group” is just one of a number of groups that the Joint Working Group hopes to establish to discuss plans – there is a link to their general request for volunteers for focus groups especially on the home page of our parish website. The general groups are open to everyone – the Parish Councils are particularly keen to see that the views of all age groups are represented.
|
03.01.2021
Fr Frank would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your cards, offerings, gifts and for all your generosity and support and to wish you and your loved ones a happy and blessed New Year.
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20.12.2020
It is traditional for the offering at the Christmas masses to go tothe Parish Priest. This year, there will be a box at church on the next two Sundays and at the Christmas Masses for your Christmas offering to Fr. Frank. Alternatively, you can drop it off at 12 Priors Close
Balsall Common CV7 7FJ and Joe will ensure that Fr Frank receives it.
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13.12.2020
John McLellan and Chris Burleigh have just done the final 100 club draw for the year, over Zoom using a random number generator. here are the results: 1st, £75 No. 99 Eileen Selby, 2nd, £45 No. 62 Jean Henser and 3rd, £30 No. 40 Megan Westall. Congratulations to the winners!
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29.11.2020
Our annual giving tree has to take a different form this year. Rather than buying and wrapping gifts for different age groups, Fr Hudson’s society has asked that we donate cash or store vouchers instead. COVID has hit us all this year but, as with any crisis, the people who were already disadvantaged will have been most affected. We are therefore asking the parish to come together, in a safely socially distanced way, to make a Christmas offering for this. We will be collecting cash, cheques, or store vouchers (please include a receipt with these) outside the church between 9.00am and 9.30am on Sunday 6th and 13th December. There will be an additional collection in the car park on Saturday 12th December 10.00am-11.00am. Some of the funds collected will be used to send Christmas cheer to members of the parish who are unable to come to church during the pandemic. If you would like to help with distributing a local gift please leave your contact details for Kathryn Driffield at one of the collections
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22.11.2020
The Finance committee would like to let any parishioners who wish to catch up with their normal weekly offering know that this can be done safely and easily by dropping a cheque payable to Blessed Robert Grissold Church to Bob Jones at 58 Balsall Street East or give it to one the Finance team who will pass it on. Bob will always ensure that you have a receipt. If you prefer to provide cash that is no problem.
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04.11.2020
As I am sure you now realise with the latest government announcement, we will not be holding Mass for at least the next four weeks. We would like to thank all members of the parish for offering to help with the cleaning and opening the church for mass for the last two Sundays which went very well. We had over 20 helpers and considering the size of our congregation we so lucky to have so much help thank you. We will keep you all informed what is happening as soon as more information becomes available. A weekly Spiritual Communion will be available on this website if you wish to use it.
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31.10.2020
Please be aware of the following service available in Balsall Common. Please use the phone number or email address if you need any support.
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17.10.2020
Notification of virtual open mornings at St George and St Teresa Catholic Primary School in Bentley Heath, Solihull. You can find out more at www.stgandt.solihull.sch.uk
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10.10.2020
Due to the ongoing Covid19 situation, we have reluctantly decided not to open the Midland Charities Association Christmas card shop in Balsall Common or Allesley Park libraries this year. We are hoping to be able to sell cards from home for a limited number of charities as well as some sundry items such as wrapping paper, gift tags, money wallets etc. In order to do this, we would need to take orders in advance. If you would be interested in buying your cards in this way, please speak to Janice or Bob on 01676 534407 or email mcacards20@yahoo.com.
I would like to thank both volunteers and customers for all your support over the years. We will make every effort to open the shops as normal in 2021 if the situation allows. Best wishes, Janice
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06.09.2020
John McLellan and Chris Burleigh have just done a Zoom draw for the 100 Club, the results of the 3rd 100 Club draw for 2020, conducted using a random generator on a Zoom call with John McLellan, as follows:
1st 19 Tracey McAtammney (£75), 2nd 78 Kathy Jones (£45), 3rd 82 Judith Gibbs (£30). Congratulations to the winners!
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17.03.2020
On Thursday at 10:00 am we celebrate the Feast of a very great saint of the Church: St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Mass will be followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 11:00am.
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15.03.2020
Please make every effort to read about the changes that the Diocese have asked us to make in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. You can click the link to the left or use the one at the top of this page.
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15.03.2020
Thank you to all who have renewed or taken out a subscription this year. The first draw of 2020 will take place after Mass today. Prizes are £75, £45 and £30.
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15.03.2020
Please pray for Eleanor Rose Orme who is to be baptised here today, for her parents and godparents, her friends and family - that together with them we will grow ever more faithful to our baptismal promises.
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Parish Calendar
