Blessed Robert Grissold Catholic Church
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Welcome to the website of Blessed Robert Grissold Catholic Church in Balsall Common. Here you can find details of the parish, our latest newsletter, services and sacraments offered by the Church and, in our parish archive, the events we have held. As a parish we value your privacy. Please follow the link here to learn more about the privacy policy that covers all catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Birmingham,
Father Frank writes
The feast of Christ the King, which the holy Church throughout the world celebrates today, brings to a close the Church’s liturgical year. Our image of a monarch tends to be of one who lives a privileged life and lords it over others. Christ our King is not like that. He came to serve, not to be served and he wants us to imitate him in his loving service of others. That is why, as St. John of the Cross said: “In the evening of life we shall be examined on love.” If to love and to serve our neighbour is heavenly, hell is the suffering of one who can no longer love.
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| 25.09.2025 | Parish Pastoral Council | There will be a PPC meeting to discuss the Archbishop’s Planned Giving and Stewardship drive on Thursday 25th September at 7pm at BRG. |
| 21.09.2025 | Evangelii Gaudium Sunday (Home Mission Sunday | A message from Abbot Hugh Allan o.praem, Director of Mission at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference: Evangelii Gaudium Sunday calls us to be joyous in proclaiming our faith. “Evangelii Gaudium” is Latin for “Joy of the Gospel”. Commonly known as Home Mission Sunday, a day for us as the Catholic community to celebrate the beauty of our faith, and our shared commitment to witness to the fullness of life in Christ. Celebrating 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, the theme for this year is “I believe…”. For more details https://www.cbcew.org.uk/evangelii-gaudium-sunday. The second collection on the 21st is to support the work carried out by the Bishops’ Conference Mission Directorate to support our Church in a wide field of service and mission here in England and Wales. |
| 21.09.2025 | Churches Together in England invites you to support the call to pray for peace in the Middle East on | The coalition is coordinating an act of Christian witness that speaks to a shared commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the dignity of all people. The call to churches across Britain is to pray for peace and coincides with UN World Peace Day and the global call to prayer from the World Council of Churches |
| 21.09.2025 | 40 Days of Life event | Fr Toby Lees OP presents 'Saints and Bible Heroes Who Stood for Life - Inspiration for Today's Mission'. Birmingham Oratory, Upper Hall, 141 Hagley Rd, B16 8UE. 40 Days for Life event but all are welcome. Free entry. Contact Isabel for more details 07773501721 izzyvs@gmail.com |
| 10.09.2025 | Something Greater | Are you being called to be a catechist, or considering another area of ministry? Something Greater could help you to hear more of what God has for YOU! This 8 course session commences 10 September, 7.15pm at St Mary Immaculate, Warwick CV34 6AB. To register please contact canon.david.hartley@rcaob.org.uk |
| 07.09.2025 | Wardens / Welcomers required | We are updating our church wardens list of people who welcome parishioners to church every Sunday, and we need more helpers. Please consider helping, it only comes around every nine weeks. Please see Joe after Mass if you are willing to help or ring him on 01676534916. |
| 07.09.2025 | Saint John Henry Newman | We share in the Archbishop’s joy and celebration that Saint John Henry Newman Oratorian, Cardinal, Scholar, Teacher, Pastor, Prophet, Saint is now also to be a Doctor of the Church. This title is given to Saints who have made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study or writing. This is especially good news for us he had a close association with the Parish of St Francis. For more information on this announcement, please see the noticeboard. |
| 07.09.2025 | Harvington Hall Pilgrimage | Harvington Hall Pilgrimage will take place on the afternoon of Sunday 7 September. Archbishop Bernard is now the main celebrant for full information visit: https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/Event/harvington-hall-pilgrimage |
| 26.08.2025 | Diocesan Novena to pray for the Canonisation of Blessed Dominic Barberi | The Novena of Prayer lasts for nine days starting on 18 August and concluding on his Feast Day on 26 August. This Feast will be celebrated at the 7pm Mass at Blessed Robert Grissold on Tuesday 26th August. All are welcome. |
| 26.08.2025 | Novena Prayer for the Canonisation of Blessed Dominic Barberi | O God, who so lovingly raised Blessed Dominic to the heights of holiness, learning and apostolic zeal and made him a powerful minister of your mercy, listen to our humble request. We pray that you will in your goodness, grant a miracle through the intercession of Blessed Dominic, so that the Church may further honour him on earth and that many more people will come to know and invoke the help of this faithful servant of the Church. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Mary, Mother of Holy Hope, Pray for Us. Saint John Henry Newman, Pray for Us. Blessed Dominic Barberi, Pray for Us. |
| 24.08.2025 | Local mental health support | If you live in Birmingham or Solihull and you’re feeling sad, worried or lonely, we have a safe space to chat. Text the word ‘Space’ to 85258 to talk about your feelings with a mental health professional. |
| 24.08.2025 | Readers needed | Having lost several readers, we need to recruit new members urgently. Please speak with Godfrey Chesshire after Mass if you are willing to join the team. |
| 17.08.2025 | Martyrs’ Walk | The Martyrs Walk will take place in Warwick on Sunday 17th August, in commemoration of the Warwick Martyrs Blessed John Sugar, Blessed Robert Grissold and Blessed William Freeman. Please see the poster on the noticeboard for further details. |
| 15.08.2025 | Parish Office operation resumed | Parish office hours Parish office hours resumed on 15th August |
| 15.08.2025 | Marking the End of World War II in the Pacific: | On Friday 15th August, gatherings were held at 10am at Temple Balsall Cemetery Lych Gate and 11:30am at Berkswell War Memorial. |
| 10.08.2025 | New Appointments for Archbishop | Pope Leo has appointed Archbishop Bernard Longley as a member of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and as a member of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Archbishop Bernard is already Chair of the Bishops’ Conference Department of Dialogue and Unity, and in May was appointed Vice-President of the Bishops Conference of England & Wales. |
| 03.08.2025 | Foundation Governors | The Diocesan Education Service has launched a new promotional video to support recruitment of Foundation Governors or Directors for Catholic schools. Opportunities are available across the Archdiocese, and all skills and backgrounds are welcome. Visit the diocesan website for more information: https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/News/could-you-be-a-foundation-governor-or-director-at-your-local-catholic-school |
| 31.07.2025 | Doctor of the Church | On 31st July, Pope Leo made the announcement that the title Doctor of the Church has been conferred upon St John Henry Newman. This title is given to Saints who have made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study or writing. |
| 27.07.2025 | Thank You | Dominic and Teresa would like to extend their sincere thanks to all friends and parishoners for the prayers and kind words for ‘Baby Jack Green.’ Jack’s first surgery was successful and he is recovering well. |
| 25.07.2025 | WeBelieve | WeBelieve is a Catholic festival celebrating the Jubilee Year of Hope taking place from 25-28 July at Oscott College, Birmingham. It will be a mixture of talks, praise, worship, family activities, workshops and opportunities for mass, reconciliation and adoration. There are day tickets as well as weekend tickets available and looks to be a great event catering for everyone, from practising Catholics to those curious about the faith and wanting to know more. https://www.webelievefestival.com/ |
25.09.2025
There will be a PPC meeting to discuss the Archbishop’s Planned Giving and Stewardship drive on Thursday 25th September at 7pm at BRG.
|
21.09.2025
A message from Abbot Hugh Allan o.praem,
Director of Mission at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference: Evangelii Gaudium Sunday calls us to be joyous in
proclaiming our faith. “Evangelii Gaudium” is Latin for “Joy of the Gospel”. Commonly known as Home Mission
Sunday, a day for us as the Catholic community to celebrate the beauty of our faith, and our shared commitment to
witness to the fullness of life in Christ. Celebrating 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, the theme for this year is “I
believe…”. For more details https://www.cbcew.org.uk/evangelii-gaudium-sunday. The second collection on the 21st
is to support the work carried out by the Bishops’ Conference Mission Directorate to support our Church in a wide
field of service and mission here in England and Wales.
|
21.09.2025
The coalition is coordinating an act of Christian witness that speaks to a shared commitment to peace,
reconciliation, and the dignity of all people. The call to churches across Britain is to pray for peace and coincides
with UN World Peace Day and the global call to prayer from the World Council of Churches
|
21.09.2025
Fr Toby Lees OP presents 'Saints and Bible Heroes Who Stood for Life -
Inspiration for Today's Mission'. Birmingham Oratory, Upper Hall, 141 Hagley Rd, B16 8UE. 40 Days for Life event
but all are welcome. Free entry. Contact Isabel for more details 07773501721 izzyvs@gmail.com
|
10.09.2025
Are you being called to be a catechist, or considering another area of ministry? Something Greater could help you to hear more of what God has for YOU! This 8 course session commences 10 September, 7.15pm at St Mary Immaculate, Warwick CV34 6AB. To register please contact canon.david.hartley@rcaob.org.uk
|
07.09.2025
We are updating our church wardens list of people who welcome parishioners to church every Sunday, and we need more helpers. Please consider helping, it only comes around every nine weeks. Please see Joe after Mass if you are willing to help or ring him on 01676534916.
|
07.09.2025
We share in the Archbishop’s joy and celebration that Saint John Henry
Newman Oratorian, Cardinal, Scholar, Teacher, Pastor, Prophet, Saint is now also to be a Doctor of the
Church. This title is given to Saints who have made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine
through their research, study or writing. This is especially good news for us he had a close association with
the Parish of St Francis. For more information on this announcement, please see the noticeboard.
|
07.09.2025
Harvington Hall Pilgrimage will take place on the afternoon of Sunday 7 September. Archbishop Bernard is now the main celebrant for full information visit: https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/Event/harvington-hall-pilgrimage
|
26.08.2025
The Novena of Prayer lasts
for nine days starting on 18 August and concluding on his Feast Day on 26 August. This Feast will be celebrated at the 7pm Mass at Blessed Robert Grissold on Tuesday 26th August. All are welcome.
|
26.08.2025
O God, who so lovingly raised Blessed Dominic to the heights of holiness, learning and apostolic zeal and
made him a powerful minister of your mercy, listen to our humble request. We pray that you will in your
goodness, grant a miracle through the intercession of Blessed Dominic, so that the Church may further
honour him on earth and that many more people will come to know and invoke the help of this faithful
servant of the Church. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Holy Hope, Pray for Us. Saint John Henry Newman, Pray for Us. Blessed Dominic
Barberi, Pray for Us.
|
24.08.2025
If you live in Birmingham or Solihull and you’re feeling sad, worried or
lonely, we have a safe space to chat. Text the word ‘Space’ to 85258 to talk about your feelings with a
mental health professional.
|
24.08.2025
Having lost several readers, we need to recruit new members urgently. Please speak with Godfrey Chesshire after Mass if you are willing to join the team.
|
17.08.2025
The Martyrs Walk will take place in Warwick on Sunday 17th August, in commemoration of the Warwick Martyrs Blessed John Sugar, Blessed Robert Grissold and Blessed William Freeman. Please see the poster on the noticeboard for further details.
|
15.08.2025
Parish office hours Parish office hours resumed on 15th August
|
15.08.2025
On Friday 15th August, gatherings were held at 10am at Temple Balsall Cemetery Lych Gate and 11:30am at Berkswell War Memorial.
|
10.08.2025
Pope Leo has appointed Archbishop Bernard Longley as a member of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and as a member of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Archbishop Bernard is already Chair of the Bishops’ Conference Department of Dialogue and Unity, and in May was appointed Vice-President of the Bishops Conference of England & Wales.
|
03.08.2025
The Diocesan Education Service has launched a new promotional video to support recruitment of Foundation Governors or Directors for Catholic schools. Opportunities are available across the Archdiocese, and all skills and backgrounds are welcome. Visit the diocesan website for more information: https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/News/could-you-be-a-foundation-governor-or-director-at-your-local-catholic-school
|
31.07.2025
On 31st July, Pope Leo made the announcement that the title Doctor of the Church has been conferred upon St John Henry Newman. This title is given to Saints who have made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study or writing.
|
27.07.2025
Dominic and Teresa would like to extend their sincere thanks to all friends and parishoners for the prayers and kind words for ‘Baby Jack Green.’ Jack’s first surgery was successful and he is recovering well.
|
25.07.2025
WeBelieve is a Catholic festival celebrating the Jubilee Year of Hope taking place from 25-28 July at Oscott College, Birmingham. It will be a mixture of talks, praise, worship, family activities, workshops and opportunities for mass, reconciliation and adoration. There are day tickets as well as weekend tickets available and looks to be a great event catering for everyone, from practising Catholics to those curious about the faith and wanting to know more. https://www.webelievefestival.com/
|
Parish Calendar
