Over the last weekend in November, nineteen Sisters (mostly Sisters of Mercy) gathered at St Mary’s Convent Handsworth for a Pre-Advent Retreat led by Fr David Smolira SJ.  The retreat was based on a letter written by Pope Francis in February 2022, concerning the Jubilee Year 2025.  Fr David highlighted themes from the letter for his talks each day with lots of scripture references for us to read and prayerfully ponder.  The fruits of this retreat will enable us to experience the coming Holy Year “Pilgrims of Hope” with much prayer, interest, joy and enthusiasm in our communities, homes, churches and places of ministry.
The community at St Mary’s warmly welcomed us all and their hospitality was just wonderful, delicious meals served, comfortable accommodation and beautiful reflective spaces.  The house and atmosphere of the place leant itself to the creation of a very prayerful and enriching retreat.


Sister Mary Horgan RSM
December 2024.

At 7pm on Wednesday 18th December, St Mary’s Convent will hold a Carols by Candlelight event in the Convent Chapel, followed by light refreshments.
Those who would like to join us for this event are kindly asked to contact us by phone (0121 554 3271) or email ([email protected]). 

It was with great joy we attended the award of Honorary Doctorate of Letters to Saeed, the lead organiser for Citizens UK Birmingham.
He is one of the top campaigners in the West Midlands.
Since 2012 he has built a powerful independent community organising alliance of City Civil Society Institutions, Co-Founded by Newman University. He has trained hundreds of local leaders to win notable campaigns on youth mental health, community safety, the real living wage, refugee resettlement and housing.
Saeed is currently overseeing the founding of a new civil society alliance in the Black country and the strengthening of Greater Manchester Citizens, supporting the training of more professional community organisers and local leaders.
As Citizens have their office here in St Mary’s, Saeed refers to the Sisters of Mercy as his BODY GUARDS!  We refer to him as our Catholic Moslem!