Report by Bishop Timothy - Visitation 2026
Deanery of Lichfield and Walsall
Parish Visitation to St Peter, Bloxwich
Weekend of 17 / 18 January 2026
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Parish Priest: Fr David Doran
Bishop Timothy Menezes
In the weeks leading to the Parish Visitation at St Peter’s, I was grateful to receive a number of communications from individuals representing organisations, a Religious community, prisons and schools giving me a most helpful insight into the interaction of St Peter’s parish with these various bodies.
In them all, appreciation was expressed for the widespread and generous ministry of Fr David Doran.
Saturday Afternoon
After my arrival at the presbytery, I met with Fr David as Parish Priest.
This helped to set the scene for the weekend, outlining the demographic change in the parish since his arrival in 2017; changes both through natural changes and through the influx of new parishioners of different nationalities.
The St Peter’s Foodbank which has arisen out of local need previously being served from Blakenhall – in the parish – but which was seen to require something closer. Using the parish garage and being supported by parishioners and the local community, its purpose and need have increased.
The recent parish Planned Giving Diocesan campaign has gone well so far and people who are already generous when there is a presenting need have responded well once again.
I was also treated to a visit to the presbytery garden (AKA the farm) to meet Fr David’s extended family: the rabbits and the chickens!
Fr David then took me to visit some housebound parishioners.
I then met with Rachel, a parish employee and parishioner.
Lisa, Secretary of the Parish In-Council spoke with me about the life of the parish in its many expressions.
We discussed the suggested cluster leading to a parish identity of St Peter’s together with the Walsall parishes served by the Vocationist Fathers: St Mary the Mount, St Patrick’s and St Thomas of Canterbury. Throughout the weekend, the question of clustering of parishes and collaboration between local parishes was a subject raised by many people and I sought to reassure people that this was very much moving in the direction of parishes seeing themselves as something bigger.
Lisa spoke of an extensive recruitment drive within the parish tied to the Planned Giving Campaign so that it all connects as commitment to the mission of the Church in different ways.
The idea of gifts of practical items to the parish (stationery etc.) rather than simply money.
Spoke of need for more parish wardens.
Volunteers to paint and to arrange the parish archives.
The Parish Centre is a focus for many community as well as parish activities, often not seeking to charge a competitive fee, but to make people welcome: including Brownies, groups for the elderly, Slimming World, Women’s Probus and the Bloxwich Community Choir.
The fundraising for a new parish organ is something that divided opinion a little.
The money was requested and given.
Fr David promotes a strong spirit of Co-responsibility, and therefore many people become involved in different areas of the life of the parish and Fr David supports all such initiatives.
In turn, the parishioners recognise this both as taking their proper role in the life of their parish and as pastoral support for their parish priest.
Health and Safety as an issue about which people recognise the need to be more vigilant
I met with the Parish Finance Committee (which meets 4 times a year)
This was an opportunity to hear about how many of the Health and Safety issues from the Parish Quinquennial Report (5-yearly) had been addressed in an appropriate and timely fashion.
The parish finances are very healthy as a result of diligent and responsible stewardship over many years. This includes investments.
The parish gains income from a number of properties on the High Street and employs an agent to oversee these properties.
As a result, the parish does not depend solely on the weekly collection but such is the generosity and understanding of the people, that ‘you only have to ask’ for something specific by way of fundraising and people respond. This reflects not only an understanding of the cost of things, but of a community spirit that has been built up over many years.
The number of Standing Orders has increased following the recent Planned Giving campaign. It has been noted that simply outlining for parishioners the cost of opening and heating the church on a weekly basis has increased giving.
The Finance Committee raised the question of whether clustering of parishes might jeopardise the finances that the parish has worked hard to build up; whether there would be merging of bank accounts. I explained that the Common Good is a relevant factor; that the goods of one parish should be shared especially where local brothers and sisters are in need; that the finances of another parish being worse might not be a lack of responsible stewardship but often a lack of resources or expertise.
In turn, a parish that shares its resources with others also stands to benefit from other elements of parish life that might be stronger in other parishes.
Saturday evening Mass followed with organ music and congregational singing, altar servers and good participation.
Following the evening Mass, parishioners were invited and encouraged to come to the Parish Centre for a general meeting with me as part of the Parish Visitation. There was a very good attendance at this meeting.
A selection of parishioners had been invited to speak at the meeting covering such areas as: music, Christian Unity, St Peter’s Foodbank, parish finances, readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the piety stall, an appreciation by all of Fr David’s ministry in the parish and beyond, Missio Red Boxes, Parish Census and Book of Remembrance.
The subject of clustering of parishes was raised, and it provided an opportunity to reflect on its meaning, much more positive and forward-looking than a threat or a cause of anxiety as we meet the needs of the future, but prepare for them now.
After the meeting, Fr David kindly cooked an evening meal in the presbytery.
During the meal, we spoke about Fr David’s role as Dean of Lichfield and Walsall Deanery and about issues concerning the wider Deanery.
Sunday morning
A gentle start and breakfast in the presbytery led to Sunday morning Mass. This Mass was full, with organ music (recorded from the previous evening’s Mass), an army of altar servers, children’s Liturgy of the Word, a significant representation from St Peter’s Primary School (staff and pupils) and a Filipino Choir. This was a most vibrant celebration.
After Mass, there was another parish meeting in the Parish Centre, Again, this meeting was packed.
I would like to pay tribute to Fr David and to the whole parish on its engagement with the Parish Visitation weekend, for seeing its value for them and as a way of looking ahead.
At both meetings, parishioners stayed for an hour or more and showed great respect and patience with each other and demonstrated a real love for their parish community, and a sense of belonging
At this Sunday meeting, a number of people were invited to speak and they covered areas like: St Peter’s Primary School, St Thomas More Secondary School in Willenhall, the welcome given to the African community and other ethnic groups; those who have been in the parish for many years and those more recently arrived; St Peter’s Foodbank; Fr David’s Pastoral Care to many people at times of particular need; the place of children and young people in the life of the parish
Following the Sunday meeting I met with Liz who is the Parish Safeguarding Representative and fulfils a role as Parish Catechist.
Then, I was welcomed by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters for lunch at their convent.
This concluded a most enjoyable weekend in St Peter’s Parish.
Parish Visitation to St Peter, Bloxwich
Weekend of 17 / 18 January 2026
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Parish Priest: Fr David Doran
Bishop Timothy Menezes
In the weeks leading to the Parish Visitation at St Peter’s, I was grateful to receive a number of communications from individuals representing organisations, a Religious community, prisons and schools giving me a most helpful insight into the interaction of St Peter’s parish with these various bodies.
In them all, appreciation was expressed for the widespread and generous ministry of Fr David Doran.
Saturday Afternoon
After my arrival at the presbytery, I met with Fr David as Parish Priest.
This helped to set the scene for the weekend, outlining the demographic change in the parish since his arrival in 2017; changes both through natural changes and through the influx of new parishioners of different nationalities.
The St Peter’s Foodbank which has arisen out of local need previously being served from Blakenhall – in the parish – but which was seen to require something closer. Using the parish garage and being supported by parishioners and the local community, its purpose and need have increased.
The recent parish Planned Giving Diocesan campaign has gone well so far and people who are already generous when there is a presenting need have responded well once again.
I was also treated to a visit to the presbytery garden (AKA the farm) to meet Fr David’s extended family: the rabbits and the chickens!
Fr David then took me to visit some housebound parishioners.
I then met with Rachel, a parish employee and parishioner.
Lisa, Secretary of the Parish In-Council spoke with me about the life of the parish in its many expressions.
We discussed the suggested cluster leading to a parish identity of St Peter’s together with the Walsall parishes served by the Vocationist Fathers: St Mary the Mount, St Patrick’s and St Thomas of Canterbury. Throughout the weekend, the question of clustering of parishes and collaboration between local parishes was a subject raised by many people and I sought to reassure people that this was very much moving in the direction of parishes seeing themselves as something bigger.
Lisa spoke of an extensive recruitment drive within the parish tied to the Planned Giving Campaign so that it all connects as commitment to the mission of the Church in different ways.
The idea of gifts of practical items to the parish (stationery etc.) rather than simply money.
Spoke of need for more parish wardens.
Volunteers to paint and to arrange the parish archives.
The Parish Centre is a focus for many community as well as parish activities, often not seeking to charge a competitive fee, but to make people welcome: including Brownies, groups for the elderly, Slimming World, Women’s Probus and the Bloxwich Community Choir.
The fundraising for a new parish organ is something that divided opinion a little.
The money was requested and given.
Fr David promotes a strong spirit of Co-responsibility, and therefore many people become involved in different areas of the life of the parish and Fr David supports all such initiatives.
In turn, the parishioners recognise this both as taking their proper role in the life of their parish and as pastoral support for their parish priest.
Health and Safety as an issue about which people recognise the need to be more vigilant
I met with the Parish Finance Committee (which meets 4 times a year)
This was an opportunity to hear about how many of the Health and Safety issues from the Parish Quinquennial Report (5-yearly) had been addressed in an appropriate and timely fashion.
The parish finances are very healthy as a result of diligent and responsible stewardship over many years. This includes investments.
The parish gains income from a number of properties on the High Street and employs an agent to oversee these properties.
As a result, the parish does not depend solely on the weekly collection but such is the generosity and understanding of the people, that ‘you only have to ask’ for something specific by way of fundraising and people respond. This reflects not only an understanding of the cost of things, but of a community spirit that has been built up over many years.
The number of Standing Orders has increased following the recent Planned Giving campaign. It has been noted that simply outlining for parishioners the cost of opening and heating the church on a weekly basis has increased giving.
The Finance Committee raised the question of whether clustering of parishes might jeopardise the finances that the parish has worked hard to build up; whether there would be merging of bank accounts. I explained that the Common Good is a relevant factor; that the goods of one parish should be shared especially where local brothers and sisters are in need; that the finances of another parish being worse might not be a lack of responsible stewardship but often a lack of resources or expertise.
In turn, a parish that shares its resources with others also stands to benefit from other elements of parish life that might be stronger in other parishes.
Saturday evening Mass followed with organ music and congregational singing, altar servers and good participation.
Following the evening Mass, parishioners were invited and encouraged to come to the Parish Centre for a general meeting with me as part of the Parish Visitation. There was a very good attendance at this meeting.
A selection of parishioners had been invited to speak at the meeting covering such areas as: music, Christian Unity, St Peter’s Foodbank, parish finances, readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the piety stall, an appreciation by all of Fr David’s ministry in the parish and beyond, Missio Red Boxes, Parish Census and Book of Remembrance.
The subject of clustering of parishes was raised, and it provided an opportunity to reflect on its meaning, much more positive and forward-looking than a threat or a cause of anxiety as we meet the needs of the future, but prepare for them now.
After the meeting, Fr David kindly cooked an evening meal in the presbytery.
During the meal, we spoke about Fr David’s role as Dean of Lichfield and Walsall Deanery and about issues concerning the wider Deanery.
Sunday morning
A gentle start and breakfast in the presbytery led to Sunday morning Mass. This Mass was full, with organ music (recorded from the previous evening’s Mass), an army of altar servers, children’s Liturgy of the Word, a significant representation from St Peter’s Primary School (staff and pupils) and a Filipino Choir. This was a most vibrant celebration.
After Mass, there was another parish meeting in the Parish Centre, Again, this meeting was packed.
I would like to pay tribute to Fr David and to the whole parish on its engagement with the Parish Visitation weekend, for seeing its value for them and as a way of looking ahead.
At both meetings, parishioners stayed for an hour or more and showed great respect and patience with each other and demonstrated a real love for their parish community, and a sense of belonging
At this Sunday meeting, a number of people were invited to speak and they covered areas like: St Peter’s Primary School, St Thomas More Secondary School in Willenhall, the welcome given to the African community and other ethnic groups; those who have been in the parish for many years and those more recently arrived; St Peter’s Foodbank; Fr David’s Pastoral Care to many people at times of particular need; the place of children and young people in the life of the parish
Following the Sunday meeting I met with Liz who is the Parish Safeguarding Representative and fulfils a role as Parish Catechist.
Then, I was welcomed by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters for lunch at their convent.
This concluded a most enjoyable weekend in St Peter’s Parish.
|
St Peters Catholic Church
208 High Street, Walsall, WS3 3LA Part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham Registered Charity No. 234216 |
Website by Gabriel Media
|