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
October is the month of the Rosary - a form of prayer which has been practiced and encouraged by saints and Popes down through the ages. More importantly, it is a prayer that has been urged by Our Blessed Lady herself. Mary appeared to St Dominic and instructed him to use the Rosary in combating heresy. In the apparitions in Lourdes in 1858, Our Lady appeared with the Rosary in her hand and recited it together with Bernadette. And in Fatima, in 1917, she appeared again holding the Rosary and encouraged the faithful to be diligent in praying the Rosary. It was at Fatima that Mary identified herself as “the Lady of the Rosary” and asked for the “Fatima prayer” to be said after each decade: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.”.
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| 10.09.2024 | New Parish Clusters | It has been recommended that Parishes form new clusters with neighbouring Churches in order to offer mutual support, encouragement and to pool the many strong resources we have of skills and abilities. BRG has been clustered with Dorridge. The Parish Council will meet to discuss this on Tuesday 10th September after the 7.00pm Mass. |
| 01.09.2024 | The annual Pilgrimage to Harvington Hall | The annual Pilgrimage to Harvington Hall, Shrine of the English Martyrs, will take place on Sun 1st September 2024. This year the principal celebrant will be The Right Reverend Paul Gunter OSB, Abbot of Douai Abbey. Mass: 3.00pm. Confessions: 1.45pm – 2.30pm. It is essential that you bring your own chairs and packed lunch. |
| 18.08.2024 | New Lectionaries | We are required to purchase new Lectionaries in time for Autumn this year. The new Lectionaries come as a four-volume set and cost £695. Donations towards the cost or the purchase of a volume for dedication to a loved one would be very welcome. Please see Fr Frank if you are interested in contributing to the cost in either of these ways. Thank you |
| 18.08.2024 | Martyrs’ Walk | There will be a walk in commemoration of the Warwick Martyrs: Blessed John Sugar, Blessed Robert Grissold and Blessed William Freeman leaving from St Mary Immaculate Catholic church, West Street, Warwick at 2.30pm on Sunday 18th August 2024. |
| 18.08.2024 | Midweek Mass w/c 19th August 2024 | There is no weekday Mass this week whilst Fr Frank is on holiday. Please note that Thurs 15th August (Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), is a Holy Day of Obligation |
| 18.08.2024 | Parish Office | Please be aware that Sara’s hours will reduce and vary over the school summer holidays. |
| 18.08.2024 | Save the Children ‘Café Jazz’ | This is a fundraiser for Save the Children next Sunday 18th August 2-4pm at the Old Hall, Temple Balsall. All welcome to drop in for tea/coffee, cake and traditional jazz performed by ‘Jazz on Tap’. Tickets only £6 (£1 for children). Pay on the door or call 01676 533181. |
| 11.08.2024 | Volunteer Rota Vacancies | A huge thank you to those parishioners who have put their names forwards for parish volunteering roles over recent weeks. We still do have some vacancies, including a new Treasurer, more people for the cleaning rota, volunteers for the Maintenance Committee and another editor for the rota for this weekly bulletin! For more information please contact Fr Frank at fr.frank.smith@rcaob.org.uk |
| 04.08.2024 | Scam Alert | There is a warning out that fraudsters are currently targeting people who have been on tours to religious sites, with a scam pretending to be from the travel company and asking for donations, claiming they have fallen on hard times. If you are approached like this or have fallen victim to it please report to the police at Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk and report it to your bank |
| 16.07.2024 | Episcopal Ordinations | Please could we remember in our prayers this week Mons. Timothy Menezes and Canon Richard Walker as their Episcopal Ordination to become Auxiliary Bishops of Birmingham takes place on Tuesday 16th July at St Chad’s Cathedral. The live stream can be found at: https://www.stchadscathedral.org.uk/. |
| 07.07.2024 | Urgently needed – New Treasurer | From the end of the month, Mike Fairbrother will be standing down as Treasurer. We therefore urgently require a new treasurer to step forward. The Parish cannot function without a treasurer. Full training and support will be given. Our thanks to Mike who has completed more than one stint in this role and has proven to be an invaluable member of our community |
| 07.07.2024 | Parish Coffee Morning | There will be no Parish Coffee morning this month, or next, due to summer holidays. We hope to be back to normal in September. |
| 07.07.2024 | Banbury & Warwick Deanery | First meeting of the Deanery Pastoral Council (DPC) meeting – Weds 8 May 2024: Over 40 lay representatives and parish priests/ deacons met for the first meeting in Bicester. The minutes are available on the Deanery website (address at the end of the newsletter). Meanwhile, the main agenda item was around the grouping of the parishes into 5 possible clusters, known as Leamington, Rugby, Bicester & Banbury, Stratford and Kenilworth. It was agreed that the representatives of the parishes on the Deanery PC should meet with the parish priests before the next meeting on 19th September, to discuss the proposed clusters, recommend any improvements and share how parishes within the cluster can support each other in fulfilling the Diocesan Vision. |
| 07.07.2024 | Urgent need for volunteers | There is an urgent need for volunteers to come forward to assist the small team who are currently managing all aspects of Church maintenance, finance, hall hire, cleaning etc. We would be so grateful to anyone who can offer their time or skills to lighten their load. Many thanks to those who have responded to this call. If anyone is still interested, please email Fr Frank at fr.frank.smith@rcaob.org.uk if you are able to help |
| 06.07.2024 | Marriage | The marriage of Michael and Heather will take place at BRG on Saturday 6th July. Please pray for Michael, Heather and their families at this joyous time. |
| 04.07.2024 | General Election 2024 | Please see https://www.cbcew.org.uk/election24/ where you will find information and guidance on key issues of importance to us, as Catholics, to help inform how we vote |
| 04.07.2024 | SVP and CAFOD working together in the run up to the General Election | As Catholics, we know that tackling poverty and injustice are among the most important issues politicians should act on. St Vincent de Paul Society and CAFOD have produced a guide for Catholics for the Election, with suggested questions to ask candidates. Please see cafod.org.uk/encounter or svp.org.uk/encounter for more information. |
| 30.06.2024 | Message from Maureen Carroll | Maureen has some religious artefacts and books in boxes in the Narthex that she is no longer in need of. Please help yourself - all donations for HCPT will be gratefully accepted. |
| 27.06.2024 | Closing of Deanery Visitations Meeting | Canon John would like to invite you all the Closing of Deanery Visitations Meeting which will commence with Vespers at the church of the Immaculate Conception, Bicester, OX26 1UN, followed by a meeting in the St John Paul II Centre (next door to the church) on Thursday, 27th June at 7pm. His Grace Archbishop Bernard Longley and Episcopal Vicar Canon Paul Fitzpatrick will report on the current parish visitations taking place in our Deanery. |
| 16.06.2024 | Confirmation Commitment Mass | Today is a ‘Commitment Mass’ for the young people of our parish who are currently preparing for Confirmation. We welcome our candidates together with their parents, families and friends as they make their commitment to their ongoing preparation for Confirmation later in the year. Please keep them in your prayers as they deepen the understanding of their faith and prepare for this important Sacrament. |
10.09.2024
It has been recommended that Parishes form new clusters with neighbouring Churches in order to offer mutual support, encouragement and to pool the many strong resources we have of skills and abilities. BRG has been clustered with Dorridge. The Parish Council will meet to discuss this on Tuesday 10th September after the 7.00pm Mass.
|
01.09.2024
The annual Pilgrimage to Harvington Hall, Shrine of the English Martyrs, will take place on Sun 1st September 2024. This year the principal celebrant will be The Right Reverend Paul Gunter OSB, Abbot of Douai Abbey. Mass: 3.00pm. Confessions: 1.45pm – 2.30pm. It is essential that you bring your own chairs and packed lunch.
|
18.08.2024
We are required to purchase new Lectionaries in time for Autumn this year. The new Lectionaries come as a four-volume set and cost £695. Donations towards the cost or the purchase of a volume for dedication to a loved one would be very welcome. Please see Fr Frank if you are interested in contributing to the cost in either of these ways. Thank you
|
18.08.2024
There will be a walk in commemoration of the Warwick Martyrs: Blessed John Sugar, Blessed Robert Grissold and Blessed William Freeman leaving from St Mary Immaculate Catholic church, West Street, Warwick at 2.30pm on Sunday 18th August 2024.
|
18.08.2024
There is no weekday Mass this week whilst Fr Frank is on holiday. Please note that Thurs 15th August (Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), is a Holy Day of Obligation
|
18.08.2024
Please be aware that Sara’s hours will reduce and vary over the school summer holidays.
|
18.08.2024
This is a fundraiser for Save the Children next Sunday 18th August 2-4pm at the Old Hall, Temple Balsall. All welcome to drop in for tea/coffee, cake and traditional jazz performed by ‘Jazz on Tap’. Tickets only £6 (£1 for children). Pay on the door or call 01676 533181.
|
11.08.2024
A huge thank you to those parishioners who have put their names forwards for parish volunteering roles over recent weeks. We still do have some vacancies, including a new Treasurer, more people for the cleaning rota, volunteers for the Maintenance Committee and another editor for the rota for this weekly bulletin! For more information please contact Fr Frank at fr.frank.smith@rcaob.org.uk
|
04.08.2024
There is a warning out that fraudsters are currently targeting people who have been on tours to religious sites, with a scam pretending to be from the travel company and asking for donations, claiming they have fallen on hard times. If you are approached like this or have fallen victim to it please report to the police at Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk and report it to your bank
|
16.07.2024
Please could we remember in our prayers this week Mons. Timothy Menezes and Canon Richard Walker as their Episcopal Ordination to become Auxiliary Bishops of Birmingham takes place on Tuesday 16th July at St Chad’s Cathedral. The live stream can be found at: https://www.stchadscathedral.org.uk/.
|
07.07.2024
From the end of the month, Mike Fairbrother will be standing down as Treasurer. We therefore urgently require a new treasurer to step forward. The Parish cannot function without a treasurer. Full training and support will be given. Our thanks to Mike who has completed more than one stint in this role and has proven to be an invaluable member of our community
|
07.07.2024
There will be no Parish Coffee morning this month, or next, due to summer holidays. We hope to be back to normal in September.
|
07.07.2024
First meeting of the Deanery Pastoral Council (DPC) meeting – Weds 8 May 2024: Over 40 lay representatives and parish priests/ deacons met for the first meeting in Bicester. The minutes are available on the Deanery website (address at the end of the newsletter). Meanwhile, the main agenda item was around the grouping of the parishes into 5 possible clusters, known as Leamington, Rugby, Bicester & Banbury, Stratford and Kenilworth. It was agreed that the representatives of the parishes on the Deanery PC should meet with the parish priests before the next meeting on 19th September, to discuss the proposed clusters, recommend any improvements and share how parishes within the cluster can support each other in fulfilling the Diocesan Vision.
|
07.07.2024
There is an urgent need for volunteers to come forward to assist the small team who are currently managing all aspects of Church maintenance, finance, hall hire, cleaning etc. We would be so grateful to anyone who can offer their time or skills to lighten their load. Many thanks to those who have responded to this call. If anyone is still interested, please email Fr Frank at fr.frank.smith@rcaob.org.uk if you are able to help
|
06.07.2024
The marriage of Michael and Heather will take place at BRG on Saturday 6th July. Please pray for Michael, Heather and their families at this joyous time.
|
04.07.2024
Please see https://www.cbcew.org.uk/election24/ where you will find information and guidance on key issues of importance to us, as Catholics, to help inform how we vote
|
04.07.2024
As Catholics, we know that tackling poverty and injustice are among the most important issues politicians should act on. St Vincent de Paul Society and CAFOD have produced a guide for Catholics for the Election, with suggested questions to ask candidates. Please see cafod.org.uk/encounter or svp.org.uk/encounter for more information.
|
30.06.2024
Maureen has some religious artefacts and books in boxes in the Narthex that she is no longer in need of. Please help yourself - all donations for HCPT will be gratefully accepted.
|
27.06.2024
Canon John would like to invite you all the Closing of Deanery Visitations Meeting which will commence with Vespers at the church of the Immaculate Conception, Bicester, OX26 1UN, followed by a meeting in the St John Paul II Centre (next door to the church) on Thursday, 27th June at 7pm. His Grace Archbishop Bernard Longley and Episcopal Vicar Canon Paul Fitzpatrick will report on the current parish visitations taking place in our Deanery.
|
16.06.2024
Today is a ‘Commitment Mass’ for the young people of our parish who are currently preparing for Confirmation. We welcome our candidates together with their parents, families and friends as they make their commitment to their ongoing preparation for Confirmation later in the year. Please keep them in your prayers as they deepen the understanding of their faith and prepare for this important Sacrament.
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