The coronation of King Charles III will take place in Westminster Abbey. This will be the first coronation for 70 years in our countries; indeed, the first since our late Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, entered the ancient church as a young woman to take on the awesome responsibilities of monarchy. In his first address to our countries after the death of the Queen, His Majesty stated, in the context of the late Queen’s unwavering service, “that promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”
None of us can imagine the incredible burden that His Majesty will assume as he is crowned King alongside his wife and Queen, Camilla. The world has immeasurably changed since 1953 with many more opportunities and challenges in the lives of all. As faithful citizens of our countries, we now pray for our King as he assumes the fullness of the high office of monarch. From Wednesday 3 May until Friday 5 May, the Bishops of England and Wales ask each Catholic in our lands to pray for His Majesty and the Queen. We can do this in our daily prayer asking Almighty God to guide the King in his appointed tasks. We can also pray for him when we gather for prayer at Mass. This triduum of prayer will culminate on Friday evening when we have asked each Catholic community to offer a special Mass for the King before the Coronation on Saturday. It will be the culminating moment of our three days of prayer when we ask God’s continuing blessing on our new King and Queen.
As we look towards the Coronation Day, which will be marked with joy and celebration across England and Wales, and the Commonwealth, let us commend King Charles and Queen Camilla to our Heavenly Father, that he may sustain them in their duties all the days of their lives. May God bless His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort, preserve them both in health of mind and body and grant them every grace and blessing now and for the years to come.                 Cardinal Vincent Nichols

​​North Staffs Deanery invite you to join the Parishioners of St. Gregory, Longton to celebrate a Station Mass at St. Gregory, Longton, ST3 2JU on Thursday 27th April 2023 at 7.00pm, Celebrant Father David Newell.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, 30 April 2023, is kept as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. On this Sunday, parishes in our Archdiocese take a second collection for the Clergy Training Fund.

Why Support the Clergy Training Fund?
The CTF exists to pay for the formation of the future priests and permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Birmingham. It costs approximately £200,000 over seven years of formation for one new priest (£25,000 - £30,000 per seminarian each year). This is a substantial amount of money, but it is essential because it covers seminary fees, living costs, travel and study materials.
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We rely solely on your generosity. Anything you can give - whether big or small - will help to provide future priests and deacons for our parishes. See DONATE | Birmingham Vocations for ways in which you can support the fund.
Above all, we ask you to pray for an increase in vocations for the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
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Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of the Right Reverend David Christopher McGough Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese who died on Saturday 25 March 2023. Bishop McGough's body will be received into Sacred Heart RC Church, Queens Avenue, Tunstall, ST6 6EE, on Wednesday 19 April at 6pm, followed by the celebration of Holy Mass. The Funeral Mass will take place at St Chad's Cathedral on Thursday 20 April at 12 noon, Archbishop Bernard Longley presiding. Requiescat in Pace. 

''The Art of Holy Week' is a four-part art and culture series for the Paschal Triduum that runs from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday which can be viewed on the website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. Four famous works of art come under the scrutiny of two excellent contributors.
There is also the opportunity to join with Cardinal Vincent Nicholls as he prays the Stations of the Cross using he traditional text from Saint Alphonsus Liguori. As the Cardinal says: "It's written from the heart and it speaks to our hearts."

Art of Holy Week' is a four-part art and culture series for the Paschal Triduum that runs from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. Four famous works of art come under the scrutiny of two excellent contributors.