Blessed Robert Grissold Catholic Church

A Community based on Faith, Altar and the Word

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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
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Through liturgy and worship, formation, evangelisation and social outreach, the Diocesan Vision calls us to work for the renewal of the Church. The then Cardinal Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, insisted that, “The true celebration of the Sacred Liturgy is the centre of any renewal of the Church whatever.” This is why the New Evangelisation must be founded on the faithful and fruitful celebration of the Sacred Liturgy as passed down and presented to us by the Church in her tradition. This is because it is in the Sacred Liturgy, especially in the Mass - the source and summit of the Church’s life, that we encounter the saving action of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most profound way. Liturgy for us in the Church is not just a series of actions or rituals but an encounter with the living Christ who alone offers perfect worship to God and who draws all people to himself through the Sacrifice of the Cross made present in the Eucharist.
October is the month of the Rosary, and we have prayed a decade of the Rosary at each Mass during October as a gentle reminder, if it is needed, of the great riches that are to be had in this form of prayer. Padre Pio, the holy saint who received the stigmata, loved to pray the Rosary. He always kept his Rosary beads in his hand. Because he prayed it almost constantly, he was known as the ‘living Rosary.’ One day his superior asked him how many Rosaries he had prayed that day. Wanting to be respectful and honest with his superior he told him: “I have prayed thirty-four Rosaries today.” On another occasion a follower asked him to teach him a prayer that was most pleasing to our Blessed Lady. Without hesitation, he insisted that none is more beautiful or pleasing than the Rosary. And he further instructed him: “Always say the Rosary. The Rosary is a weapon in our hands.” Near the end of his life, he didn’t talk much and when people sought his advice or help, he would simply show them the Rosary. Let us follow St Pio’s example and always have our Rosary with us.
October is the month of the Rosary, and the Rosary is Trinitarian and Christ-centred, but it is also a Marian prayer. In the Rosary, we are happy to praise the mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the words of the Archangel Gabriel and her cousin Elizabeth: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.” And in the Rosary, we meditate and reflect on the important events in Our Lord’s life through the eyes of Mary. Another prayer that makes the Rosary Marian is the concluding prayer - the “Hail Holy Queen.” But the two most important prayers of the Rosary are the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary. As St. Louis de Montfort said: “How could there possibly be any more pleasing prayers to Almighty God and the Blessed Virgin, or any that are easier, more precious or more helpful than these two prayers?”
October is the month of the Rosary, a rich and complete form of prayer. In the first place it is “Trinitarian”. We begin the Rosary with the sign of the Cross as we invoke the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity: “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” We then recite the Apostles Creed, which calls to mind each of the Divine Persons in turn: “I believe in God the Father Almighty…and in Jesus Christ his only-begotten Son…I believe in the Holy Spirit”. And each decade of the Rosary concludes with the Trinitarian prayer: “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit”. The Rosary is also Christ-centred, for the mysteries of the Rosary upon which we meditate are the mysteries of Christ’s life. And in every “Hail Mary” prayed, we honour Christ by saying: “Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus”.
October is the month of the Rosary, a rich and complete form of prayer. In the first place it is “Trinitarian”. We begin the Rosary with the sign of the Cross as we invoke the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity: “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” We then recite the Apostles Creed, which calls to mind each of the Divine Persons in turn: “I believe in God the Father Almighty…and in Jesus Christ his only-begotten Son…I believe in the Holy Spirit”. And each decade of the Rosary concludes with the Trinitarian prayer: “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit”. The Rosary is also Christ-centred, for the mysteries of the Rosary upon which we meditate are the mysteries of Christ’s life. And in every “Hail Mary” prayed, we honour Christ by saying: “Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus”.
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.”.
The Gospel today presents us with a lesson in humility. Whilst the disciples were arguing amongst themselves about who was “the greatest”, Jesus was arguing for being “last of all” and “servant of all” and Jesus backs up his words with his actions, for that is exactly what he became. He washes his disciples’ feet, the work of a slave, and he dies the death of an outcast criminal. And he wants us to share in his way of humility because it is the way of the God who stoops low to gather us into his kingdom.
“Who do people say I am?” - This is the question posed to his disciples by Jesus in today’s Gospel. But more important is the question he poses to Peter: “But you, who do you say I am?” for this is a question posed to all of us too. So who is Jesus for us? Is he just a fine example of what it means to be a thoroughly decent human being or is there more to him than that? Is he, in fact, divine, the Son of God, the Second Person of God, the Most Holy Trinity made flesh? How we answer this question will determine how we respond to him and his message. It will deeply affect the way we live our lives, for if we truly believe that he is the Messiah and Son of God then why wouldn’t we make every effort to get to know him and his will for us and strive to live accordingly?
St. James reminds us in our second reading today that we should not have a higher regard for those who are well-dressed and well-heeled. For him such an attitude is incompatible with faith in the one who washed the feet of his own disciples and who said: “Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your slave.” Discrimination against the poor, or partiality towards the wealthy, is seriously at odds with the teaching of Christ who, though equal with God, made himself poor so that we might be rich.
Whilst people are often caught up with appearances, God looks on the heart. That’s why when He began His preaching Jesus said: “Set your hearts first on the Kingdom of God.” Like the Prophets of old Jesus calls for conversion of the heart rather than mere conformity to external standards and laws. This is not to say that the external customs and tradition of the Church are unimportant – far from it – The Christian faith is Incarnational. The Gospel of Christ is an affair of the heart that must be fleshed out in our daily life.
The Gospel reading today points up the vital significance of the Eucharist. The fundamental importance of the Eucharist for the life of the Church can be seen in the words of St Irenaeus: “Our teaching is in accordance with the Eucharist, and the Eucharist, in turn, confirms our teaching.” The Fathers of the Church perceived the Eucharist as the revelation and fulfilment of the entire mystery of the salvation of the world by Christ and therefore of the entire content of the Christian faith. No wonder, therefore, that the Catechism teaches that the Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the Christian life.’
In today’s Gospel Jesus is teaching us what he wants us to know concerning the Eucharist and he says things that his followers find hard to accept. Nevertheless, this is his teaching and he insists that he is the “bread of life,” that “comes down from heaven,” that “anyone who eats this bread will live for ever,” and the “bread” he gives is his “flesh” which he gives “for the life of the world.” And Christ’s “flesh,” his Body, is the “bread from heaven” we feed on in the Mass today.
The journey to the God of life is not an easy task. We tend to get lost along the way and we are discouraged by the efforts we have to make. On their way to the promised land, the Jewish people turned against Moses - their difficulties made them yearn for a mediocre but familiar existence. Freedom frightened them, slavery being more familiar seemed more secure. This is the temptation of every believer and this is why Jesus says to his disciples: “Do not be afraid.”
After receiving Holy Communion, Mother Teresa prayed that God would give her the grace to radiate Christ to the people she moved among after being sent out from the Mass. This was her prayer: “Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that my life may only be a radiance of yours. Shine through me, and be so in me, that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me, but only Jesus!” In this prayer we can see what is at the heart of the Archbishop’s vision for the Diocese - the worship and prayer of the Eucharist, the source of our Christian life, forming us for mission, evangelisation and social outreach.
In the Gospel today Jesus says to his Apostles that they should come away to some lonely place all by themselves and rest for a while for there was so much coming and going that the Apostles had no time even to eat. So Jesus takes them off to a lonely place where they could be with Him by themselves. Jesus still invites us to find quiet and rest in His presence especially through Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Our Lord Jesus Christ is present in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. He invites us, He is waiting, He is longing for us to spend time with Him. Coming to Him just as we are. Love lives with Jesus present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Through this Sacrament Jesus shares with us all that belongs to Him.
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 focused wholly on their mission.
By referring to himself as a prophet in today’s Gospel, Jesus identifies himself with the long line of Old Testament prophets who suffered rejection or violence because of the unpopularity of their message. The failure of the people of his home town to accept him and his message anticipates the more general rejection of those who will hand him over to be crucified: “He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.”
Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Peter, the brother of Andrew, the Galilean fisherman who was called by the Lord to be the leader of the Twelve. Paul, the tent-maker from Tarsus, a Pharisee and a Roman citizen who was called to be the Apostle of the Gentiles. Jesus’ key question, addressed to Peter and the disciples in today’s Gospel, is addressed to all who are called to be Christ’s disciples. The key question is who Jesus is for us.
St Paul, in our second reading today, tells us that, “For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation: the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here.” St John in his Gospel puts it like this: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Those in Christ have been given the power to be children of God, because they have been re-born, created anew, born from above - born not by natural generation, nor by human choice, nor by man’s decision, but of God. Such is the nature of our supernatural life in Christ - a life which is a light to the world. A life we need to nurture if we are to be effective in evangelisation and mission.
In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus telling Parables of the Kingdom. The first declares that the growth of the Kingdom resembles the mysterious process of nature; so too the growth of the Kingdom is equally mysterious, as God’s ways always are. A second parable, that of the Mustard Seed, stresses the enormous potential of the Kingdom in spite of its tiny beginning. A parable, from the Greek word meaning “laid alongside,” can be seen as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
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.

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
TitleDescription
09.03.2025Job vacanciesThe 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.
07.03.2025World Day of PrayerThis 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.
02.03.2025Second Collection this Sunday for Cathedral MaintenanceToday 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.
02.03.2025Parish Events CommitteeWe 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.
23.02.2025First Holy CommunionAny parents with children aged 7 or above wishing to make their First Holy Communion should contact either Father Frank, Chris Mitchell or Eileen Selby.
23.02.2025Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of HopeJubilee 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
16.02.2025Recently deceasedJim Flynn (RIP), brother of Anne Stewart, passed away this week. Please remember Jim and his family and friends in your prayers.
16.02.2025CongratulationsCongratulations 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.
12.02.2025Coffee MorningThe 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.
11.02.2025Parish 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.
09.02.2025Baptism of Anya Grace PointerThe Baptism of Anya Grace Pointer will take place on Sunday 9th February at 1pm: Please pray for Anya, her parents, godparents, family and friends.
09.02.2025Snowdrop Sunday, today at Temple BalsallToday 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.
08.02.2025The Birmingham Lourdes HospitalitéThe 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
28.01.2025Tony 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
26.01.2025Recently deceasedRecently deceased - Isabel Cusack, parishioner of St George & St Teresa.
26.01.2025Father HudsonsFather 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.
26.01.2025Friends of the Holy LandFriends 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.
21.01.2025Requiem MassRequiem 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.
19.01.2025Churches Together Service for Christian UnityA 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.
18.01.2025Week of Prayer for Christian UnityThe 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.
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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.
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