The month of May heralded in the celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the foundation of our Home in Birmingham. It was on 1st May, the feast of St Joseph the Worker, that the Little Sisters arrived in that City, from Manchester, in 1864. To mark this important milestone Bishop David McGough gladly accepted an invitation to come to the Home to offer Mass for the Associates and Staff members and their families. On Friday the 2nd May and ‘Open Day’ was held for anyone who wished to come to visit the Home.
On Sunday 4th May Archbishop Bernard Longley concelebrated a Mass of thanksgiving along with nine other priests and our own resident Bishop Leo McCartie.
Guests began to arrive early, including Little Sisters from the nearby Homes, London and Bristol. Two seminarians from Oscott were also happy to share in the day’s celebrations.
The entrance hymn was most most appropriately chosen, based on the Gospel of the day, and fitted in perfectly with the theme of hospitality and the journey of the Little Sisters over the past 150 years. He spoke of the devotedness of Father Ernest Lelievre, and of Sister Emmanuel, the first English Little Sister, who was given the mission to establish the Foundation. The Mass of Providence in honour of St. Jeanne Jugan was also very fitting for the occasion.
At the Offertory of the Mass the gifts were carried to the Altar by six members of staff who, between them, have worked 150 years at the Home! They carried in procession a picture of St. Jeanne Jugan, the first Foundation Books, a basket of fruit and vegetables, representing the collecting, a picture of the Home with a replica key of the front door, and the bread and wine.
Before the last blessing Mother Provincial Caroline Emmanuel read this message from Mother Celine, Superior General:
«The the Little Sisters, Residents, Friends and Benefactors of our Home in Birmingham: It is with great pleasure that on the occasion of the Celebration commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Little Sisters in Birmingham. Together with Mother Provincial Caroline Emmanuel, as well as all the Little Sisters and Residents, I wish to express my special gratitude to Archbishop, Most Reverend Bernard Longley, who is the principal celebrant for the Eucharistic celebration. Our gratitude extends also to all the Priests, Religious, Association Jeanne Jugan members, Staff, Benefactors, and Friends present at this Celebration. We thank God for so many people who in different ways, during the past 150 years, have been or who remain the instruments of Providence in maintaining the Home and enabling the Little Sisters to provide comfort and security to the elderly. With gratitude we recall Mother Emmanuel, the first English Little Sister of the Poor, who in March 1864 arrived in Birmingham for the foundation. Together with the collecting Little Sister from Manchester, they received a warm welcome to the Diocese from Bishop Ullathorne and were given hospitality by the Sisters of Mercy. Today, in gratitude for the past, we go forward with confidence, as we ask St. Joseph, Protector of the Congregation and Patron of this Home, to send us ‘Postulants’ so that the apostolic mission of the Congregation may continue in Birmingham, as also on the five continents where the Congregation is implanted. I ask God to bless you and your families, and I entrust all your intentions to Saint Jeanne Jugan.