A new prayer book aimed at young people, their priests, chaplains and teachers has been published to commemorate this Year of Prayer.

Former work colleagues Fr Michael Beattie SJ and Fr Simon Ellis, parish priest at St Margaret Mary in Perry Common, Birmingham, have been collaborating on prayer materials for over a decade.

It was deemed fitting to publish this latest, adapted resource - Watch and Pray - during the Year of Prayer and so it is now available.

“In this new resource we mix traditional with contemporary prayers,” said Fr Simon (pictured). “There are a number of simple morning and evening prayers which could be used privately or in collective worship in schools and colleges and the chaplaincies. 

“There is a large section of devotional prayers centred around the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools’ Pupil Profile which highlights gospel values and gives scriptural material to bring them alive. 

“The Foreword is written by Archbishop Bernard Longley.”

The new book costs £8, plus P&P, with all profits going to the St Margaret Mary Church Centenary fund. The Centenary will be celebrated in 2026.

The book includes an Introduction with Fr Simon; Prayers of Adoration; Novena Prayer for the Canonisation of Blessed Dominic Barberi; Prayer to St Chad, Patron of the Archdiocese of Birmingham; reflections and much more.

Accompanying illustrations are the work of a Ukrainian artist, whose family lived with Fr Simon and his family after they moved from Ukraine.

Order form and details for Watch and Pray

Fr Simon can be contacted at [email protected]