This year at Holy Trinity we are supporting Ride & Stride. This is the annual fundraising event which enables the Trust to make grants for church maintenance. We were fortunate to secure a grant for Holy Trinity during the first phase of the renovation, when we had major work done on the roof and stained-glass windows. 

We are unable to open our church to Ride & Stride visitors this year, owing to the disruption from investigative works for the new heating system. However, one intrepid parishioner, Richard, is cycling from Holy Trinity to Lichfield Cathedral and back (around 60 miles) on Ride & Stride day. Half the sponsor money goes to SHCT and half is returned to the parish. Money raised for Holy Trinity will go to the Heating Fund. Your support would be greatly appreciated. 
Fundraiser by Richard Holy Trinity : Cycle ride in aid of Staffordshire Historic Churches Trust

 Ride and Stride Current Year – SHCT

Access to water in the West Bank is severely restricted. In Bethlehem, mains water supply runs on average two days a month, often lasting 4 or 5 weeks at without running water. Residents are forced to use stored water or buy in water from a tanker at more than 4 times the price of tap water - with some families spending  25% of their income just to purchase water. This leads to economic as well as health challenges. Old water tanks are no longer hygienic and fail to hold water properly. Families cannot flush their toilets, they need to boil water before drinking it, they cannot shower. 

Imagine your family having to drink or wash in dirty or infected water. 
 
Friends of the Holy Land are working to replace these with new, clean tanks. We have a waiting list of up to 50 families who need our help.
 
This World Water Week, help us to provide more Christian communities with reliable access to clean water.
To find out more visit World Water Week 2025 | Friends of the Holy Land

An invitation to anyone who would like to find out more about the Catholic Faith. Our adult programme to explore and learn more begins on Wednesday 1st October. These interesting and enjoyable sessions are also open to Catholics who want to deepen their faith or to support family and friends in their exploration of faith. Anyone is welcome to join some or all of the evenings - coming to the introductory session does not commit you to anything, and should allow you to consider if this is something that would help you on your journey at this time.

The sessions are called RCIA which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. For those people who decide they wish to become Catholic, the course is part of the journey to being baptised (or received into the Church if you have already been baptised) at Easter. 

Sessions will take place on Wednesday evenings 7.30-9pm at Coolock, part of the convent on the other side of the A34 from Holy Trinity. The entrance is on Stubbs gate. 

If you are interested in taking part or would like more information please speak to Canon Paul or contact Barbara Davies, catechist, 07401 201272 or email [email protected] 
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The Archdiocese of Birmingham is rejoicing following the news St John Henry Newman will be declared a Doctor of the Church. The title of Doctor of the Church is given to Saints who have made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study or writing.

We celebrate St John Henry Newman’s Feast Day on 9 October. The much-loved educationalist has significant links to the Archdiocese and has many followers.
In Littlemore, Oxfordshire, is ‘the college’ where St John Henry Newman lived from 1842 to 1846 and was received into the Catholic Church by Blessed Dominic Barberi.
Maryvale was Newman’s first home as a Catholic and he was confirmed in the Chapel at St Mary’s College, Oscott, and preached his famous Second Spring sermon there.
He was the founder of the Birmingham and Oxford Oratories, The Oratory School and The Oratory Preparatory School in South Oxfordshire.
John Henry Newman Catholic College, Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham and Cardinal Newman Catholic School, Coventry are named after him; along with The Newman Catholic Collegiate (made up of nine schools in Stoke-on-Trent). 
The Archdiocese has a Parish of St John Henry Newman, made up of four churches; St Joseph, Darlaston; St Joseph, Wolverhampton; Holy Trinity, Bilston; St Mary, Willenhall. The Parish of Maryvale in Birmingham is also part of the Newman Cluster of Churches.
Birmingham Newman University has St John Henry Newman as its patron saint and Birmingham University Catholic Chaplaincy also has Newman as its patron.
Newman (1801-1890) was ordained as a Church of England priest and soon became the leader of the Oxford Movement but converted to Catholicism in 1845.
When he died at the age of 89, more than 15,000 people lined the streets of Birmingham for his funeral.
He is widely considered to be one of the most significant figures of the 19th century.