New St. Gerard Website - The Mother's Saint

The Mother's Saint

Memorial of Blessed Methodius Dominic Trcka

 "The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. He is their helper in time of trial."
(Ps 36:39)

Blessed Methodius, Martyr.

Blessed Methodius was born in Frydlant (Czech Republic) in 1886. After ordination in 1910, he spent the early years of his ministry as a parish missioner. He was nominated first Vice-Provincial of the Greek Catholic vice-province of Michalovce in 1946. On the night of 13-14 April, 1950, all religious communities were suppressed by the Czech government. Fr. Methodius was arrested, tortured and condemned to twelve years imprisonment. He was put in solitary confinement for singing a Christmas carol, and in those harsh conditions, he contracted tuberculosis. He died 23 March, 1959 and was beatified by his Holiness Pope John Paul II, in 2001.

Prayer

Lord our God,
you gave to Blessed Methodius your priest and martyr
outstanding bravery in the face of trials and torture.
With the help of his prayers,
may we remain faithful to the Gospel of truth
and come with him to contemplate your face for all eternity.
We make this prayer through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God for ever and ever.

Amen.

Gerard

J.M.J.A.

Mission has come to an end!

Erdington Abbey: The parish of SS Thomas & Edmund of Canterbury

The two week mission at Erdington Abbey came to an end on Friday evening, with a wonderfully attended Mass for all parishioners, followed by a great barbecue!


What a fantastic experience for we students, and what an amazing effort by all the parishioners who faithfully attended each and every day, for two weeks!

Average attendance for Holy Mass and the Mission Services, was around the 500 mark, each day! Amazing!

Credit must go to the parish team, who worked tirelessly before and during the Mission itself, to promote and staff the events each day, also to the resident Redemptorists, Frs. McGuire & Dickinson. All involved can be very pleased with their efforts and the fruits of their labours.

The Mission Team have arrived at Erdington Abbey!!

Erdington Parish Mission: Saturday 12th to Friday 18th June

Young Peoples' Night Friday 11th June in The Abbey Parish Hall from 7pm

We've landed in Erdington for the parish mission! Between Saturday Evening and all day Sunday we met many of the parishioners of the Abbey. On Friday we'll be having an evening with the young people of the parish and Edmund Campion and Abbey Primary schools. This will be your opportunity to share your experiences as young Catholics.

Being a Christian in today's climate isn't easy. There are all sorts of challenges that we face. Perhaps we can talk on Friday about these issues? They might be to do with the Church's teaching or perhaps you find difficulty with the attitudes of the older generations of Catholics? Or maybe you have great experiences to share with others – pilgrimages or youth events you have attended. We'll open with a short prayer in thanksgiving to God for bringing us together during this fortnight.

We're also aware that it's rare to meet people who are considering a life in the priesthood. You may have thoughts or questions to share with us on that?!

Leave a comment to this message if you have questions, issues, or experiences you would like to share or explore on the night. Or simply just say hi and/or that you're coming on the night. That way, we may be better prepared this Friday to ensure you're not disappointed. Much like Frs. Ralph & Tim, who are leading the Mission, mentioned about the parish “Question Time” session, this coming Sunday Evening, we won't pretend to have all the answers. However, we know that talking through things and listening to each other is a great way to deal with the things that play mostly on our minds.

We don't want the evening to be too heavy – it's a Friday night after all! Let's bear in mind it is going to be a social event – a chance to meet up, make new friends and share fellowship.

There'll be music, pizza, and time to mix and chill out.

Looking forward to hearing from you, and seeing you there! :-)

Peter, Gerry, Fr.Ralph & Charles

REMEMBER TO LEAVE A COMMENT/QUESTION!!