New Archdiocesan Vocations Team launched

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham recently launched a new team for vocations and mission. The team, which comes under the leadership of Fr Craig Szmidt, is available to offer support across the Archdiocese from its base at the Diocesan Vocations Office in the grounds of St Mary’s College, Oscott. Pictured are Natalie Orefice, Deacon Owen Gresty and Paul Northam.

Natalie Orefice, Diocesan Advisor for Formation and Mission, has worked for the Archdiocese for seven years and is a parishioner at St Chad and All Saints Catholic Church, Sedgley. In her new role, she will be supporting the ongoing formation of clergy alongside Fr Craig and developing formation for the lay faithful. ‘Our recent Synodal ‘Walking Together’ journey highlighted that people are eager to be formed in the Archdiocese, said Natalie. ‘They are hungry for spiritual and intellectual formation. Support should not just be for sacramental preparation but there to enhance people’s spiritual lives at every stage. Formation is for everybody, at every stage of their spiritual journey, in every parish.

Deacon Owen Gresty is the new Diocesan Promoter for Vocations. His focus is to develop and foster a culture of vocations. He will support parishes and deaneries, schools and universities. Deacon Owen, who assists at Holy Trinity Parish in Sutton Coldfield, has worked in the Vocations Office for almost four years. He says, ‘We are at the beginning of a new journey – a new team working together. We have so much to develop for the mission of the Church. Have you thought about where God is calling you? Married, single, deacon, priest, religious – that is the culture of vocation. We will be making even more resources available to support people in discerning their vocation.’

Paul Northam, newly-appointed Diocesan Advisor for Evangelisation and Marriage and Family Life, has also worked for the Archdiocese for seven years and is a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Gregory the Great in Bearwood. Paul hopes the new team will be able to accompany people on their continuing faith journey, and all three are eager to serve the faithful of the Archdiocese to become true missionary disciples. ‘We want to help people encounter Christ and embrace the mission of the Church,’ said Paul. ‘It is time to reflect on what we have done and where we are going. We, the team, are in a period of discernment too. What does the Holy Spirit want us to do?’

Read the full announcement HERE. Find out more about Natalie’s role HERE, Deacon Owen’s HERE and Paul’s HERE.