St James Catholic
Primary School
In the loving peace, justice and joy of Jesus, we achieve.
Sacramental Preparation and Celebrations
Parents who wish to have their children baptised should contact Father Srinu on 0121 453 3452 or Deacon John on 0121 448 8954 - please click on the document below
Couple who wish to marry should contact Father Srinu on 0121 453 3452.
Baptism Preparation Session: Our Next Baptismal Preparation will be on Saturday 21st February 2026 at 5:30 pm in Our Lady’s Church – Rednal. And another Preparation session will be on Saturday 25th April 2026 at 5:30 pm in St John Fisher Church – West Heath.
Dear Parishioners and Families of St James, St Columba and St John Fisher Schools, as we begin the New Year of 2026, we are also entering an important time of renewal and collaboration within our parishes. As part of the Archdiocesan Plan for 2030 and the formation of the New Area Cluster of five parishes, we will be reorganising and restructuring our Baptismal preparation and the celebration of the Sacraments. Our parishes are now part of the Northfield Cluster, working closely together with:
• St Brigid’s Parish – Northfield
• St Rose of Lima Parish – Weoley Castle
• St Peter’s Parish – Bartley Green
• Our Lady’s Parish – Rednal
• St John Fisher Parish – West Heath
This shared approach allows us to follow the same structure across the cluster and to support one another through the cooperation and encouragement of all the priests involved. I would like to share that this is the model already being used by Fr Cecil and Canon Gary Buckby, and they have found it to be very positive and fruitful. They have seen encouraging numbers, parishioners uplifted by the presence of new young families, and a genuine sense of joy and positive energy within parish life. Both Fr Cecil and Canon Gary have strongly encouraged and supported me in promoting this approach, having witnessed its many benefits firsthand.
New Baptismal Preparation Structure
From 2026 onwards, Baptism will be celebrated in three stages:
• Families who wish to have their child baptised in one of our parish churches will be asked to attend three Sunday Masses, or to participate every Sunday, as part of their preparation.
• This allows families to receive the Sacrament in stages, walking through this wonderful journey of faith with their child, alongside the wider Parish Family.
• On the third stage, families may invite relatives and friends to join them.
• The Baptism will take place during the Sunday Mass, without adding extra time to the celebration.
This approach reminds us that Baptism is not simply a private occasion, but a joyful moment celebrated within the life of the Church community. It also gives families the opportunity to grow in faith, form relationships, and feel truly welcomed into parish life. We hope and pray that this new structure will encourage more young families to join us regularly, helping our parishes to grow in faith, participation, and vitality for the future. Thank you for your understanding, prayerful support, and cooperation as we move forward together in this new chapter of parish life.
Sacrament of Confirmation: Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for children in Year 6 and older who are not in Catholic Schools please contact the Parish Office (Parish Office :ol.rednal.bham@rcaob.org.uk 0121 453 3452) or Julia McHugh 07830109047 for more information.
Confirmations at Our Lady’s. We extended a warm welcome to Rev Canon Jonathan Veassey (Vicar General) who confered the Sacrament of Confirmation on the Year 6 children of St. James’ School on Tuesday, 11th November at 6 pm. Please remember the pupils, their parents and teachers in your prayers after they prepared for this momentous event in their spiritual lives.