Sr Sabina, (aged 81), Daughter of St Paul, Selly Park was awarded an MBE on Tuesday 28 October for her work with Fireside a charity which works alongside those who are socially excluded or disadvantaged. Sr Sabina, now works in a fund raising and public relations role but is a founding member of the charity which addresses alcohol issues,  homelessness as well as empowering and supporting people to meet their short and long term goals.

Jeanne Jugan is the foundress and first Little Sister of the Poor. On October 11, 2009 she was canonized a Saint at St Peter’s in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI.

A wonderful mass of thanksgiving and an emotional goodbye for the visit of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux.

A donation to Bible Alive’s International Prison Outreach allows us to send a subscription of Bible Alive to prisoners both in the UK and Ireland and also abroad. We know that such a faith resource is very much appreciated behind prison walls, where great works of conversion take place. A donation to International Prison Outreach is a way of fulfilling Christ’s invitation to visit prisoners (Matt. 25:36).

Bishop Thomas McMahon, the Bishop of Brentwood, attended the launch of Take and Read: The Gospels which is an excellent new series designed to help people explore the Bible more deeply.

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bernard Longley, titular Bishop of Zarna and currently Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Westminster, to be the next Archbishop of Birmingham.

Catholic Today caught up with a number of runners just after they had run the 13.1 miles to capture their thoughts and feedback.

On Monday 21 September, the relics of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face arrived at Sacred Heart and St Thérèse’s Church in Coleshill.

The relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux, 1873-1897, Doctor of the Church, were venerated by more than 11,000 pilgrims during their visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral and Minor Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham, the Mother Church of the Diocese. At no time were there less than 200 people in the Cathedral even through the two all night vigils.

The Relics of St Therese of Lisieux visited the Archdiocese of Birmingham on 19th – 22nd September, click here to read the blog.

Abigail McMillan, CAFOD’s Diocesan Manager for the Birmingham Archdiocese recently visited the Rusitu Mission Hospital on the eastern border of Zimbabwe and reports for Catholic Today on her visit. Her moving feature brings us in direct contact with the challenges, sufferings and trials of the Zimbabean people but also their amazing faith, hope and gratitude.

Catholic Today is proud and honored that 25 runners have put themselves forward to run the Great North Run, the world’s largest half marathon (13.1 miles) in aid of our brothers and sisters suffering in Zimbabwe.

One of these runners is Yvonne McGregor MBE. Yvonne is an Olympic Cycle Champion taking a bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics aged 39 and establishing herself as Britain’s first ever women’s cycling medalist.

Blessing and Dedication of a Bench at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas in recognition of the work carried out by members of the Catholic Women’s League during both World Wars

On a lovely day,  80 plus  members of the Catholic Women’s League and friends gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum for the celebration of Holy Mass by Bishop David McGough, Auxiliary Bishop in Birmingham, and concelebrated by Father Jim Ward from Kingswinford (the first ever Sacrifice of Holy Mass celebrated in the Millennium Chapel) followed by a procession to the Bench on Millennium Avenue for prayers and dedication. The National President, Doreen Pooley, was joined by National Secretary, Jean Clarke; National Treasurer, Margaret Valentine together with Margaret Richards and June Collins, Chairman and Secretary of the Services Committee, Elizabeth McDonald President, with Branch Officers and members of Birmingham Branch Sections and Direct Members plus members from Nottingham and Shrewsbury Branches on this unique occasion.

One of the architectural jewels of the diocese will this month be celebrating the centenary of the founding of the parish.

In 1909 a French priest, Father Joseph Dospital, left Betharram in the south of France, very near Lourdes, to come to England. He was part of the Order of the Sacred Heart Fathers & Brothers of Betharram and his destiny was to found a parish in Droitwich. In those early days the first Masses were celebrated in various large houses in the Witton area of Droitwich before a small hall was built on the Worcester Road and used as a church. In 1919 the foundation stone was laid for the present church of the Sacred Heart with the building finally completed and opened in 1921.

St Anne's School, Solihull

Firstly, one of our Teaching Assistants, Mrs Joy Senanayake, won through to the National Finals of the Teaching Awards after winning her Regional West Midlands Final staged at the Heritage Motor Centre based at Gaydon in Warwickshire.  Joy is a very special character in that she is past retirement age and is still working full time with a class of Year 3 children.  She joins in all activities that go on in school.  This includes dancing around the classroom in the morning wake and shake session, taking part in extreme activities such as a class water fight we had recently and going on outward bound residential trips in North Staffordshire where she takes part in all outdoor activities.  She is an extremely creative person and our school is festooned with examples of her displays and artwork by children that she has inspired.  She was described at the Awards Ceremony as inspirational. Everyone in our school would agree that she is irreplaceable, unique, one of a kinz. She is extremely modest and although has been thrilled to receive the acolade she still carries on in her own calm and unruffled way.