Blessed Robert Grissold Catholic Church
A Community based on Faith, Altar and the WordQuick Links
Parish Registration Form
Regular Giving Form
Quick Links
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
Today in the Gospel we hear how the apostles Peter, James and John were given a glimpse of Christ’s glory on the Mount of the Transfiguration - the same glimpse of glory that we are all given when we gather for the Mass, for in and through the sacred mysteries of the Eucharist we ascend to the heavenly places where, with Angels and Archangels and all the host of heaven, we worship the Beloved Son of God who sits at the right hand of the Father. God, the Holy Spirit, gathers us into the cloud of his glory. We listen to him in the scriptures. We feed on him in the Sacrament of the altar. No wonder the disciples “kept silence.” “Master,
it is wonderful for us to be here.”
|
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 09.03.2025 | Job vacancies | The Archdiocese is recruiting for the following four positions, which will all be closing for applications shortly: Operations Director, IT Manager, Finance Manager and Gift Aid Officer. Full details and closing dates can be found at www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/jobs. |
| 07.03.2025 | World Day of Prayer | This year’s theme is “I made you Wonderful”. This year’s Churches Together service will be held at St Peter’s at 7:30pm on Friday 7th March. The service has been written by women from the Cook Islands and is based on Psalm 139 and woven around the story of three Christian women who live in the islands. This tiny island nation is only two thirds the size of the Isle of Wight. 84% of the population identify with one of the major Christian denominations. Religion is important and Sundays are widely observed as days of worship and rest. Flowers and fruit are prolific and we are invited to wear flowers in our hair, behind our ears or on our clothing when we attend the service. (Please note this used to be the Women’s World Day of Prayer but this was changed a few years ago and it is now renamed World Day of Prayer). Churches Together take turns to host the service. If you require more information please ask John & Louise Perry jlgperry@btinternet.com . All are welcome to attend, and refreshments will be served after the service. |
| 02.03.2025 | Second Collection this Sunday for Cathedral Maintenance | Today the Solemnity of St Chad will be celebrated in the Cathedral. St Chad was born in the 7th century and was educated in Lindisfarne. As a bishop he established his See at Lichfield. His reputation spread quickly and favourably as a kind pastor who sought out the lost and cared for the sick. He died in 672 and his shrine is located in St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham. He is the patron saint of the Archdiocese. |
| 02.03.2025 | Parish Events Committee | We are looking for volunteers to help organise fund raising and social events in the coming year. If you are willing to help please give your name to Joe Martin after Mass. |
| 23.02.2025 | First Holy Communion | Any parents with children aged 7 or above wishing to make their First Holy Communion should contact either Father Frank, Chris Mitchell or Eileen Selby. |
| 23.02.2025 | Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope | Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope: To find out more about how your parish, family or school can celebrate the Jubilee Year in our Archdiocese, and how you can participate in events nationally and internationally, visit our Diocesan website: www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/jubilee-year |
| 16.02.2025 | Recently deceased | Jim Flynn (RIP), brother of Anne Stewart, passed away this week. Please remember Jim and his family and friends in your prayers. |
| 16.02.2025 | Congratulations | Congratulations to two of our younger parishioners, Emmy Chesshire-Ramon and Felicia Stinner, who have both recently received the Lions Young Leaders in Service Silver Award for work in our local community. Well done to both of you. |
| 12.02.2025 | Coffee Morning | The next parish coffee morning will take place at 10.30 am this Wed 12th February, in the Parish Room. Join us for tea, coffee, scones, cakes and good conversation in abundance! All welcome. |
| 11.02.2025 | Parish Pastoral Council meeting | There will be a Parish Pastoral Council meeting on Tuesday 11th February after the 7.00pm Mass. Please forward to Fr Frank suggested items for the agenda. |
| 09.02.2025 | Baptism of Anya Grace Pointer | The Baptism of Anya Grace Pointer will take place on Sunday 9th February at 1pm: Please pray for Anya, her parents, godparents, family and friends. |
| 09.02.2025 | Snowdrop Sunday, today at Temple Balsall | Today from 2-5pm at St. Mary’s, Temple Balsall there is an opportunity to visit the churchyard, gardens and adjoining woods abundant with wild snowdrops. Homemade teas between 2-4pm. Free entrance, donations welcome. |
| 08.02.2025 | The Birmingham Lourdes Hospitalité | The Birmingham Lourdes Hospitalité: warmly invites you to a special Mass celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Saturday, 8th February 2025, at 4:30 pm, in St. Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham. This celebration is a wonderful opportunity to come together in prayer, honour Our Lady, and seek her intercession for the sick and their carers. Special invitation is sent to all who have served in Lourdes, and schools, students, and Pilgrims planning to join our Diocesan Pilgrimage in May 2025. Refreshments will be served after Mass. For more information, please contact treas.hosp.lourdes@rcaob.org.uk |
| 28.01.2025 | Tony Cotterill (RIP) | Tony Cotterill (RIP), who many parishioners will remember from his attending BRG for many years, passed away just after Christmas. His funeral Mass will be on Tuesday 28th January at 11am at Christ the King in Coventry, and afterwards at the Church Social Club next door. Please remember Tony and his family and friends in your prayers |
| 26.01.2025 | Recently deceased | Recently deceased - Isabel Cusack, parishioner of St George & St Teresa. |
| 26.01.2025 | Father Hudsons | Father Hudsons have asked us to pass on their thanks for the many gifts (over 50) that were donated via the Christmas Giving Tree and which were distributed to those less fortunate than ourselves. |
| 26.01.2025 | Friends of the Holy Land | Friends of the Holy Land: Thank you for all who donated to the collection at the Carol Service to the Friends of the Holy Land. The amount collected for this charity was £82. |
| 21.01.2025 | Requiem Mass | Requiem Mass will be held for Martin Sheehy (RIP) this Tuesday 21st January at 10.45am. Please keep Martin, his family and friends in your prayers. |
| 19.01.2025 | Churches Together Service for Christian Unity | A service of prayer for Christian Unity is to be held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Temple Balsall on Sunday 19th January at 4pm. All are welcome. |
| 18.01.2025 | Week of Prayer for Christian Unity | The week of prayer is traditionally observed from the 18- 25 January – the octave of St. Peter and St. Paul. At the heart of our reflections for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is the question posed by Jesus to Martha: ‘Do you believe this?’ (John 11:26). Please visit www.cbcew.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity/ for resources and prayers for this week of prayer. |
09.03.2025
The Archdiocese is recruiting for the following four positions, which will all be closing for applications
shortly: Operations Director, IT Manager, Finance Manager and Gift Aid Officer. Full details and closing dates can be
found at www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/jobs.
|
07.03.2025
This year’s theme is “I made you Wonderful”. This year’s Churches Together service will be held at St Peter’s at 7:30pm on Friday 7th March. The service has been written by women from the Cook Islands and is based on Psalm 139 and woven around the story of three Christian women who live in the islands. This tiny island nation is only two thirds the size of the Isle of Wight. 84% of the population identify with one of the major Christian denominations. Religion is important and Sundays are widely observed as days of worship and rest. Flowers and fruit are prolific and we are invited to wear flowers in our hair, behind our ears or on our clothing when we attend the service. (Please note this used to be the Women’s World Day of Prayer but this was changed a few years ago and it is now renamed World Day of Prayer). Churches Together take turns to host the service. If you require more information please ask John & Louise Perry jlgperry@btinternet.com . All are welcome to attend, and refreshments will
be served after the service.
|
02.03.2025
Today the Solemnity of St Chad will be celebrated in the Cathedral. St Chad was born in the 7th century and was educated in Lindisfarne. As a bishop he established his See at Lichfield. His reputation spread quickly and favourably as a kind pastor who sought out the lost and cared for the sick. He died in 672 and his shrine is located in St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham. He is the patron saint of the Archdiocese.
|
02.03.2025
We are looking for volunteers to help organise fund raising and social events in the coming year. If you are willing to help please give your name to Joe Martin after Mass.
|
23.02.2025
Any parents with children aged 7 or above wishing to make their First Holy Communion should contact either Father Frank, Chris Mitchell or Eileen Selby.
|
23.02.2025
Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope: To find out more about how your parish, family or school can celebrate the Jubilee Year in our Archdiocese, and how you can participate in events nationally and internationally, visit our Diocesan website: www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/jubilee-year
|
16.02.2025
Jim Flynn (RIP), brother of Anne Stewart, passed away this week. Please remember Jim
and his family and friends in your prayers.
|
16.02.2025
Congratulations to two of our younger parishioners, Emmy Chesshire-Ramon and Felicia Stinner, who have both recently received the Lions Young Leaders in Service Silver Award for work in our local community. Well done to both of you.
|
12.02.2025
The next parish coffee morning will take place at 10.30 am this Wed 12th February, in the Parish Room. Join us for tea, coffee, scones, cakes and good conversation in abundance! All welcome.
|
11.02.2025
There will be a Parish Pastoral Council meeting on Tuesday 11th February after the 7.00pm Mass. Please forward to Fr Frank
suggested items for the agenda.
|
09.02.2025
The Baptism of Anya Grace Pointer will take place on Sunday 9th February at 1pm: Please pray for Anya, her parents, godparents,
family and friends.
|
09.02.2025
Today from 2-5pm at St. Mary’s, Temple Balsall there is an opportunity to visit the churchyard, gardens and adjoining woods abundant with wild snowdrops. Homemade teas between 2-4pm. Free entrance, donations welcome.
|
08.02.2025
The Birmingham Lourdes Hospitalité: warmly invites you to a special Mass celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Saturday, 8th February 2025, at 4:30 pm, in St. Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham. This celebration is a wonderful opportunity to come together in prayer, honour Our Lady, and seek her intercession for the sick and their carers. Special invitation is sent to all who have served in Lourdes, and schools, students, and Pilgrims planning to join our Diocesan Pilgrimage in May 2025. Refreshments will be served after Mass. For more information, please contact treas.hosp.lourdes@rcaob.org.uk
|
28.01.2025
Tony Cotterill (RIP), who many parishioners will remember from his attending BRG for many years, passed away just after Christmas. His funeral Mass will be on Tuesday 28th January at 11am at Christ the King in Coventry, and afterwards at the Church Social Club next door. Please remember Tony and his family and friends in your prayers
|
26.01.2025
Recently deceased - Isabel Cusack, parishioner of St George & St Teresa.
|
26.01.2025
Father Hudsons have asked us to pass on their thanks for the many gifts (over 50) that were donated via the Christmas Giving Tree and which were distributed to those less fortunate than ourselves.
|
26.01.2025
Friends of the Holy Land: Thank you for all who donated to the collection at the Carol Service to the Friends of the Holy Land. The amount collected for this charity was £82.
|
21.01.2025
Requiem Mass will be held for Martin Sheehy (RIP) this Tuesday 21st January at 10.45am. Please keep Martin, his family and friends in your prayers.
|
19.01.2025
A service of prayer for Christian Unity is to be held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Temple Balsall on Sunday 19th January at 4pm. All are welcome.
|
18.01.2025
The week of prayer is traditionally observed from the 18- 25 January – the octave of St. Peter and St. Paul. At the heart of our reflections for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is the question posed by Jesus to Martha: ‘Do you believe this?’ (John 11:26). Please visit www.cbcew.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity/ for resources and prayers for this week of prayer.
|
Parish Calendar
