St Bernadette

Introduction

St Bernadette in Wombourne, within the Archdiocese of Birmingham, was opened in 1961 and soon after was given independence from St Michael's. The church was designed in a modern style by CV Mason of Mason & Richards, Wolverhampton, and is of brick with a thin fibre glass spire.

History

Before 1961, Wombourne was served by priests from St Michael's parish in Penn and Mass was said in the British Legion Hall of Maypole Street. The parish priest at St Michael's obtained a plot of land in Rennison Drive from Catholic builder William Whittingham, who erected the church at cost. A major reordering of the church installed the new permanent altar, baptismal font, lectern, and Blessed Sacrament chapel.

Parish life

St Bernadette's serves the village of Wombourne and the surrounding area. The Parish of St Carlo Acutis, comprising St Michael's, St Peter and Paul in Wolverhampton and St Bernadette, Wombourne, was founded in December 2020. The parish is the first in Britain to be dedicated to Carlo Acutis, with a shrine.

The SVP aims to tackle poverty in all its forms through practical assistance to those in need. The Catholic Women's League held a Care of Creation Stations of the Cross, attended and assisted by children from the schools of SS Peter and Paul, St Michael's, St Bernadette's Wombourne and St Bernadette's Brownhills. The parish youth group created a song for the Season of Creation. A candle was lit at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes for all parishioners of St Carlo Acutis Parish and their intentions.

St Bernadette's Hall is available for hall bookings. A parish party followed the canonisation Mass.

Children are prepared for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Communion and Confirmation by their parents and the parish. In the Jubilee Year, the Parish is one of the shrines of the Archdiocese of Birmingham for the jubilee indulgence.