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ARCHBISHOP LONGLEY COMMENDS THE NATIVITY TRAIL AT BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY
The Archbishop of Birmingham added: "The Nativity Trail helps people to follow the story of Christ's birth and also unfolds its deeper meaning in our own lives. The mosaic reminds us of the contribution that people of all faiths are making to the well-being of the City of Birmingham."
Among the civic dignitaries present were the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor, Len Gregory and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Gill Gregory, Councillor Alan Rudge, who coordinated the Papal Visit to Cofton Park on behalf of Birmingham City Council, together with Canon Catherine Ogle, Dean of St Philip's Anglican Cathedral, and Father Richard Duffield, Provost of the Birmingham Oratory and Postulator of the Newman Cause.
A number of Primary School choirs from around Birmingham, including Christ the King, Kingstanding, entertained the visitors with a selection of popular carols.
The Nativity Trail includes the following masterpieces depicting the Christmas story: The Star of Bethlehem (1887-1891), by Edward Burne-Jones (Gallery 14); The Annunciation (1858), by Arthur Hughes (Gallery 18); The Adoration of the Shepherds (c1520-40), by Bonifazio de’Pitati, called Veronese (Gallery 26); The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, (1615-20), by Orazio Gentileschi. (Gallery 25).
Visitors to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery will also have the opportunity to see a superb display of photographs documenting the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Birmingham on Sunday 19 September 2010 for the beatification of Blessed John Henry Newman at Cofton Park. Also on show (Gallery 28) is the specially reupholstered chair used by Pope Benedict during his visit to St Mary's College Oscott, the diocesan seminary.
Following his recent appointment as Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham, Father Gerry Breen, said: "How encouraging that so many religious and civic leaders gathered together for this initiative focusing on the true meaning of the Season, the Birth of Christ. In keeping with the City of Birmingham motto, I look 'Forward', to working with both the Civic and Religious Leaders for the benefit of all the people of our proud City."
Father Breen added: "The launch of the Nativity Trail at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery provided a good opportunity to meet with Catherine Ogle, newly appointed as Dean to Saint Philip's Anglican Cathedral."
*The Nativity Trail is open to the public at Birmingham Museum & Art Galley from 1 December 2010 until 6 January 2011. Admission is free.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
Friday 24th - Christmas Eve Vigil Mass 6.00 pm
Midnight Mass preceded by Carols 11.3 0pm
Saturday 25th Mass 9.00 am and 11.0 0am
Sunday 26th Mass 9.00 am and 11.00 am
Monday 27th - Friday 31st Mass 12.15 pm
JOB VACANCIES – EXAM INVIGILATORS
JOB VACANCIES – EXAM INVIGILATORS
St. Paul’s School for Girls, Vernon Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 9SL
Tel: 0121 454 0895
We are seeking to increase our team of Exam Invigilators, who supervise the administration of internal and external examinations. Rate of pay: £8.43 per hour
Invigilators will need to be CRB checked, have effective communication skills, pay attention to detail and be very flexible and reliable.
Training will be given.
Please phone school for further details.
Archbishop Surprises Former Cathedral Administrator
Archbishop Bernard Longley surprised Canon Patrick Browne, former Administrator of the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham, when he announced that Pope Benedict XVI had made him a Monsignor.
For once the popular Irish priest was almost speechless as members of the Archbishop’s Council – Mgr Browne served as a member – concelebrants, altar servers and friends greeted the news with warm and heartfelt applause.
Bishop David McGough, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham and Provost of the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter, presided at the special evening Mass of Farewell to Mgr Patrick Browne at St Chad’s Cathedral on Friday 21 January.
The Archbishop of Birmingham was in choir together with Bishop William Kenney, CP, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, and Mgr John Moran, the Vicar General.
Congratulations Monsignor Patrick Browne -Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, pictured with Mgr Patrick Browne (centre), former Administrator of St Chad's Cathedral Birmingham, after Mass at the Cathedral on Friday 21 January, with (left to right) Mgr John Moran, Vicar General; Bishop William Kenney, Auxiliary; Bishop David McGough, Auxiliary; Canon Gerry Breen, Cathedral Dean; Fr Dominic Cosslett, the Archbishop's new Secretary.
Blessed John Henry Newman set up the English Oratory of St Philip Neri in a disused gin factory in Alcester Street during February 1849 and began his mission to the poor people of inner city Birmingham.
Mgr Patrick Browne was appointed by Archbishop Longley last June as Local Co-ordinator for the Papal Visit to the Archdiocese of Birmingham and the Papal Mass and Beatification of Blessed John Henry Newman by Pope Benedict XVI at Cofton Park, Birmingham, on Sunday 19 September 2010. He fulfilled this challenging and complex task with great skill, diplomacy and good humour.
Mgr Browne followed in a distinguished line of Cathedral Administrators that included Bishop Leo McCartie, Bishop Emeritus of Northampton, Bishop Philip Pargeter, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, and Bishop Kieran Conroy, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.
Mgr Patrick Browne, who was born in Ireland, was ordained during June 1974. He has served in a number of parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Birmingham: Stechford, Birmingham, 1974-78; St Thomas More, Coventry, 1978-82, Sparkhill, Birmingham, 1982-86, Burton-on-Trent, 1986-97; Acocks Green, Birmingham, 1997-2001; West Heath, Birmingham, 2006-2007. He served as Episcopal Vicar for Birmingham & Solihull, 2001-2006.
Mgr Browne was appointed a Canon of the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter in 2001 by Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, 2000-2009.
Mgr Browne’s successor, Canon Gerry Breen, Cathedral Dean, and Fr Dominic Cosslett, the Archbishop’s new Secretary, were among the concelebrants at the Mass on this joyful and a memorable occasion that concluded with a buffet reception in the Grimshaw Room at Cathedral House.
Mgr Patrick Browne, former Administrator of St Chad's Cathedral Birmingham, pictured after Mass on Friday 21 January, with the Altar Servers who took part in his special farewell Mass at the Cathedral.
Mgr Patrick Browne pictured during his homily at his farewell Mass in St Chad's Cathedral.
Archbishop Bernard Longley announces that Pope Benedict XVI has made Canon Patrick Browne a Monsignor.
Mgr Patrick Browne listening to a tribute from his successor, Canon Gerry Breen, Cathedral Dean.
Mgr Patrick Browne pictured during his farewell Mass in St Chad's Cathedral.
Pictures and article by Peter Jennings.
ARCHBISHOP LONGLEY THANKS LOURDES DOCTORS
by Peter Jennings
Archbishop Bernard Longley spoke about his first Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2010 and warmly thanked the doctors, who regularly go to Lourdes, during his first address to the Lourdes Medical Association, conference.
"The lives of people were changed last year through the impact of the Apostolic Visit of Pope Benedict and in particular by the Beatification of Blessed John Henry Newman at Cofton Park.
Members of the Lourdes Medical Association pictured during the annual conference in Sutton Coldfield, 29 January 2011: (left to right) Canon Gerry Breen and Dr Patricia Crosby (Archdiocese of Birmingham), Dr Joe O'Dwyer, newly elected Secretary of the LMA (Diocese of Arundel & Brighton), Dr Angela Campbell (Diocese of Paisley), Dr Gerry Robertson (Archdiocese of Glasgow).
"I am very grateful to those of you who were involved in the Holy Father's visit, the Archbishop of Birmingham told more than 50 eminent Catholic doctors from throughout Great Britain who were attending the 37th weekend AGM and conference, held at the Ramada Hotel, Sutton Coldfield in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, on 29 January.
“In Lourdes we are conscious of those occasions when God’s power is at work in a particular and unusual way so as to bring about an otherwise inexplicable healing. The same stringent criteria that the Church requires in order to describe such a healing at Lourdes as miraculous, also come into play when it is claimed that a miraculous healing results from prayer to the saints," emphasised Archbishop Longley.
"No doubt you regularly go to Lourdes because of your particular professional expertise and because your presence can give a particular peace of mind to the pilgrims you serve. You are able to help restore physical well-being and to alleviate pain for those who suffer. In both of these you reflect the ministry of Our Lord and the work of the Holy Spirit.
"May Our Lady’s prayers help you to see more clearly the words and deeds of Christ the healer in your own professional skills and to experience the effects of his power acting through your vocation.
During the weekend the doctors attended a clinical session as well as a formal dinner during which they exchanged information and ideas.
Among the speakers was Mr Jim McManus, a Director of Public Health for the City of Birmingham, and Fr Dan Fitzpatrick from Scotland. A former doctor, Fr Fitzpatrick travelled to Lourdes with the Diocese of Paisley before becoming a priest ten years ago.
The local hosts included Dr Patricia Crosby from Nuneaton, Medical Director Birmingham Lourdes Pilgrimage and a founder member of the Association; and Canon Gerry Breen, Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham, Pilgrimage Director for the Birmingham Lourdes Pilgrimage, since 1997.
The Lourdes Medical Association was conceived by a group of 18 Catholic doctors over dinner in Lourdes while on diocesan pilgrimages in 1973. The first AGM of the new Association was held in 1974 at Penns Hall, Sutton Coldfield (now the Ramada Hotel).
Scottish Group of The Lourdes Medical Association, (left to right) Dr Tony Timmons, Dr Brian Stewart, Dr Angela Campbell, Fr Dan Fitzpatrick, Mrs Robertson, Dr Gerry Robertson, Dr John O'Brien.
- Archbishop Bernard Longley will celebrate Mass in the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham, at 4.30pm on Saturday 12 February 2011.
- The occasion is a joint celebration for the nineteenth World Day of the Sick and the Lourdes Hospitalite for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (11 February).
Pictures by Peter Jennings