March 2025 brought the 20th anniversary of the re-opening of St Mary’s convent.  The re-opening happened after extensive renovations and re-imagining how the convent would function.  Consultation with the Sisters in the late 1990s over the future of St Mary’s led to the building works beginning in 2002.  St Mary’s would now be a Heritage, Retreat and Spirituality Centre, whilst remaining a lived-in Convent.
The reopening of the convent happened with great fanfare on Thursday 3rd March 2005, and many Sisters of Mercy and other guests travelled from convents across the country.  Archbishop Vincent Nichols presided and preached at the special Mass in the convent chapel.  After the Mass he blessed the statues which had been unveiled by Sister Mary Leonard who first entered St Mary’s in 1942 and had been there for the years of the renovations.
Since 2005, St Mary’s has welcomed countless people for spiritual time, retreats, heritage tours and assistance in many ways.
May this wonderful building continue to be blessed over the next 20 years to carry out Mercy work for the 21st century.

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]).