Pastoral Letter for Education Sunday, Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, on Education Sunday, we celebrate the gift of Catholic education in our Archdiocese. This year, our celebration falls on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The physical Cross reminds us that Our Lord Jesus Christ transforms suffering into hope, weakness into strength, and death into life. In our Catholic schools, the Cross stands at the heart of our mission, shaping young lives in faith, knowledge, and service.

The mission of our Diocesan Education Service is “To form Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice.” This mission flows directly from the Cross, which is the greatest sign of God’s love and the foundation of our hope. As we hear in today’s Gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Every day, in our 236 flourishing Catholic state schools and academies, and in our 5 excellent Catholic independent schools, children encounter this love through prayer, learning, and acts of service. Today I want to express my deep gratitude to our school leaders, teachers, and support staff for the dedication and love they bring to their vocation. Their commitment to our young people not only in nurturing their minds but also in guiding their hearts towards Christ is a living witness to the hope and joy of the Gospel. Their service is a vital part of the Church’s mission, and I thank them sincerely for all that they do.

Alongside this daily dedication, our schools also rely on the service of volunteers who guide and support them in their mission. Many of our schools are part of multi-academy companies, each led by a Board of Directors, with local governing bodies serving individual schools. Our voluntary-aided schools have Boards of Governors that also play a vital role. In each case, Foundation Directors and Governors, appointed by the Archdiocese on my behalf, ensure that the Catholic mission of the school remains at its heart. I am deeply grateful for their vocation and leadership.

I wish now to appeal to you directly: we need more Foundation Directors and Governors. This is not simply an administrative duty – it is a true vocation and a practical way to serve Christ and His Church. By giving your time and skills, and by sharing your faith, you can help shape the present and future of Catholic education for thousands of children and young people.

The Holy Cross shows us that in Christ, God has made an everlasting promise to us - one that opens the door to a fresh beginning. This gift is pure grace: not something we could earn, but freely given by God’s

mercy. We receive this grace most profoundly in the Blessed Sacrament, and indeed in all the sacraments of the Church. Having received so much ourselves, the Lord calls us to share what we have been given, letting His mercy shape our relationships and offering others the same forgiveness and the compassion that Christ has shown to us.

What matters most is a commitment to our Catholic mission and a willingness to serve. We welcome those with experience in Catholic life and mission, education, finance, law, human resources, estates

management, or any field that could strengthen our schools. You will receive full training and support to help you flourish in the role.

If you are a practising Catholic, demonstrated through regular Sunday Mass attendance, and your Parish Priest supports your application, I would ask you to consider this calling. Through your service, you can help our schools become the very best they can be, ensuring they remain Christ-centred communities of learning, compassion, and hope. Directors and governors typically spend around 10 hours each month undertaking their duties.

As Our Lord says in today’s Gospel: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” The Cross teaches us that service is not always easy, but it is always fruitful when it is rooted in love. Therefore I ask you prayerfully to consider offering your gifts to Catholic education. If you feel prompted to respond, please speak to your Parish Priest whom I have asked to share details of the application process in the parish newsletter.

May the Lord bless you for considering this opportunity – may the Cross of Christ inspire you to respond generously to this invitation – and may the prayers of the great educator, St John Henry Newman, soon to be named a Doctor of the Church, encourage and inspire us all.

Yours devotedly in Christ

- Bernard Longley -

Archbishop of Birmingham