Mgr Canon Patrick, Browne, the Parish Priest, welcomed the Archbishop of Birmingham on his first official visit to the parish, situated near the Irish Community Centre in Digbeth.
He also welcomed the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory, the Lady Mayoress, and Mr John McCullagh, Counsellor at the Irish Embassy, London, and members of the Birmingham St Patrick’s Day Parade organising committee to St Anne’s for the Mass.
Mgr Browne, Fr Eamonn Corduff, Parish Priest of St Patrick’s, Wolverhampton, and Fr Dominic Cosslett, the Archbishop’s Secretary and Master of Ceremonies, con-celebrated the Mass with the Archbishop.
As we begin the holy season of Lent we have a chance to reflect on what lies at the very heart of our Lord’s workDuring his homily Archbishop Bernard Longley said: ‘I am delighted to be with you today because this is such a special week in Birmingham for the Irish community and Digbeth is the historic centre of that community.
‘The parish of St Anne’s has played a significant role in enabling generations of Irish men and women to feel at home in Birmingham.’
The Archbishop of Birmingham continued: ‘Birmingham’s Irish festival and today’s parade take place at this time because next Thursday (17 March) is the Feast of St Patrick. So it is important that we recall the Patron Saint of Ireland and the significance of his faith in Jesus Christ both for his own mission and for the legacy that he left to the Irish people. This is particularly important during theses difficult days for the Irish nation and for the Church in Ireland. It is helpful to recall that so often from adversity good things can grow.
‘As we begin the holy season of Lent we have a chance to reflect on what lies at the very heart of our Lord’s work and the mission that he has shared with us. We must first repent and believe the Good News so that we are able to share that Good News with others. This was also the first lesson that St Patrick learnt and it enabled him to preach the Gospel with such confidence.’
Archbishop Longley concluded: ‘Our own Catholic community in Birmingham has its roots in the witness and vision of Irish Catholics who made Birmingham their home in the nineteenth century and in the years that followed.
‘Thank you for the friendships and partnerships that you have developed with other faith communities here in the city. May this St Patrick’s Day bring many blessings to you and through your prayers to all the citizens of Birmingham.’ 
Above: Archbishop Bernard Longley pictured receiving his shamrock from Catherine Maher, Birmingham Rose 2010, together with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory, and Mr John McCullagh, Counsellor at the Irish Embassy, London, during a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor, at the Council House, Birmingham, on 11 March. Picture by Peter Jennings
