By Mgr Daniel McHugh, the Co-ordinator for Ethnic Chaplaincies in the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Fr Cecil Rogerson, Parish Priest of Our Lady and St Brigid, Northfield, Birmingham, hosted this year’s Diocesan Intercultural Mass on the Vigil of the Feast of Pentecost on Saturday 7 June.

At the Homily he said: “as a Parish, we are honoured to host this event in the Diocesan Calendar. This is a parish, like many others in the Archdiocese which has received immigrants from the beginning of our Catholic Presence in Northfield. It was Irish immigrants who have built and shaped the spirituality of the parish over many years, creating a nurturing, serving and witnessing community from which others can learn through engagement with us, and so deepen their own discipleship.

"Into that community, many others have followed from Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa, bringing your own vitality and customs which continue to enrich our own – THANK YOU.

"Each group has demonstrated great courage, leaving the country of their birth and ancestors, and beginning afresh in a different land, culture and among different people and ways of doing things. You have demonstrated great perseverance and faithfulness in the practice of your faith in a way and language that you have had to adapt to…

"At Pentecost the disciples spoke in the language of every nation. At Pentecost God chose this means to indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit: whoever had received the Spirit spoke in every kind of tongue.

"What else did the presence of the Holy Spirit indicate at Pentecost, except that God’s Church was to speak in the language of every people? …

"That our Archdiocese makes provision for the Lord to be encountered in the languages of your Mother Tongue, will no doubt enable you to HEAR the Spirit’s voice, RESPOND to His call and be empowered to WITNESS…"

To the main Celebrant Bishop Evans, Fr Cecil said: "Bishop David, please express our Gratitude to the Archbishop for enabling such provision.

"And Mgr McHugh, thank you for your tireless and generous service through the Ethnic Chaplaincies to ensure Ordered and Consistent Pastoral care for their communities.

"Though you may be far from the place of your birth, the LIFEGIVING LORD, through His Holy Spirit, is ever close to you – TO HIM ALL GLORY; FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.”

At the beginning of the Mass the different ethnic communities were introduced to Bishop David Evans with their flags and banners.

The Prayer of the Faithful was read by St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School pupils in the following languages: Cantonese, Filipino, Polish, Gambia – Wolef, Igbo – Nigeria, English and Sri Lanka.

The following were represented at the Mass: 
West Indian Chaplaincy
Zimbabwean Chaplaincy
Cameroonian Chaplaincy
Chaldean Chaplaincy
Punjabi Chaplaincy
Hong Kong Community
French Chaplaincy
Ukrainian Catholic Church
African Community
Francophone/Congolese Community
The Filipino Community
Uganda Chaplaincy
Irish Chaplaincy
Tamil Chaplaincy

Before concluding the Mass, the Vocationist Fathers gave testimony to the joy of priestly life and the importance of the family in nurturing priestly vocations:

Father McDonald SDV said: “I am McDonald Ibekwe, SDV, a religious priest of the Society of Divine Vocations. I was ordained on the 8th of December 2022. I consider that day one of the best days of my life.

"The journey to the priesthood wasn't an easy one, but in the end, it is very fulfilling."

While talking about the Priestly Joys, he encouraged young adults not to be scared to discern their vocation to the priesthood and religious life. For it is a less risky business (spiritual). For if one discerns and doesn't feel called, he or she still continues to live a holy life, which is a general vocation.

He metaphorically expressed that the Priestly life is good business. For Our Lord rewards handsomely all those who persevere. It is a privileged ministry to serve God's people from the beginning of their lives to the end of their lives through the sacraments.

"This accompaniment is a source of great joy for the priest as he brings the people closer to God."

Father Fretch SDV spoke of the family having a key part in fostering the priestly vocation. He quoted Blessed Justin Russolillo, Founder of the Vocationist Fathers who said: “The Vocationist parish priest pays special attention to the care of families, both for their sanctification and for the great contribution of support to the possible vocation of “their children”.

Bishop David Evans concluding the Mass, gave a special thanks to the many priest chaplains to the Ethnic Communities who concelebrated. He acknowledged the vital role they play in bringing the different Catholic Communities together to celebrate their Faith in the Mass, and through this play a greater role in their local parishes.

The Mass ended but the festivity continued with the sharing of food typical of the different communities: different dishes were enjoyed by all.

Thanks to all those who came from the Ethnic Chaplaincies and Eastern Churches to celebrate Pentecost. We look forward to the next occasion. Meanwhile, with help from St Mary's College, Oscott, our Diocesan Seminary and the Vocations Office, we will continue to pray for and nurture priestly vocations from our Ethnic Communities with family visits to Oscott, arranged by the Seminary, and Priestly Vocation Discernment Days arranged by the Vocations Office.

Mass Booklet

Ethnic Chaplaincies in the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Photo Gallery by Con McHugh

Watch! Highlights from the Intercultural Mass