Dear Brothers & Sisters
Easter is the season of new life and this week we give praise to God for all the signs of the risen Jesus everywhere. New growth and blossom are all around us.
We give thanks for our parish gardeners team who keep the grounds looking so fine, in good weather and bad.
We give thanks that First Communion celebrations are coming soon. (A little earlier this year because of the date of Easter) Our children make First Holy Communion on Saturday 4th May and Saturday 11th May at 11.00am. May God bless them & their families, & also our teachers at Our Lady of Compassion, and our ever generous parish catechists.
We thank too, our Social & Fundraising group whose work helps keep us afloat financially & brings us together socially. Friday brings us a Bingo night in the parish hall, while Saturday brings us a classical concert in church. Back again by popular request are Trio Capriccio with their delightful woodwind sound. Hearty thanks to the musicians, participants & organisers who make it possible.
In this time between Easter & Pentecost Our Mother Mary waited patiently with the apostles for the coming of the Spirit. May we know her presence among us as we too look forward to Pentecost
Fr.Biju scj Parish Priest
SCJ NEWS
CENTRAL AFRICA Fr. Simone Panzeri SCJ new Regional Superior of the European Region visited the Central Africa Vicariate from 5 to 26 March. Over 20 days he met all the religious of the four communities: Bimbo (near the capital Bangui); the parish of Our Lady of Fatima and communities of St. Michael (Bouar) and Niem.
Our Central Africa Republic missions focus on medical aid (with a hospital & dispensary) and include a trained doctor & dentist.
Fr.Simone has now completed his first official visit to all communities in his Region, which include those in Ivory Coast, France, Italy, Spain and Central African Republic.
Fr.Wilfred has also completed a similar task in our own St.Miriam Region, which includes UK, Vietnam, India & Thailand
Friary snippets
Bingo Night this Friday April 19 7.00pm Come and be a winner for just £5.
Trio capriccio Classical Music Concert for Friary Building Fund this Saturday April 20, 7.00pm in church. Get £15 ticket today!
CWL Monthly meeting Thursday 18th April, 2pm. Talk on “Blood Bikers”** to be held in the Friary Parish Hall
Church of Sanctuary Conference, a free event to share how we can respond to the call to offer sanctuary to those fleeing persecution and seeking asylum. Sat 8 June, Carrs Lane Church Centre Info on poster in Narthex. Lunch provided! Booking link below to register via eventbrite.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/church-of-sanctuary-conference-tickets-825115662157?aff=Churchofsanctuarynetwork
** Not a chapter of Hell’s Angels: Motor cyclists who rush a range of clinical products to people in dire and urgent need.
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Marriage matters: Third Sunday Easter Acts 3: 13-15, 17-19 1John 2: 1-5 Luke 24:35-48 There are times as couples when demands of work, concerns about money and care of the children can seem overwhelming. In times like these let’s acknowledge each other, take time out to clarify the issues and remind ourselves of the words of Jesus to the Apostles when they thought it was all over, “Peace be with you!”
Thanksgiving Mass for Marriage All married couples celebrating a milestone anniversary (& those preparing to marry this year) are invited to the annual Mass for Marriage at St Chad's Cathedral on Saturday 4th May at 12 Noon, followed by light refreshments. Please visit www.vocations.org.uk/marriage-mass.
Wedding bells rang yesterday for Frances Ward & Nicholas Melton here at the Friary Please remember them in your prayers.
ALSO REMEMBER IN PRAYER Jeffrey and Elizabeth Sherrington who celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary with a special blessing this Friday on 20th April.
Trustee Vacancy at ‘Marriage Care’ the Catholic organisation providing marriage prep & relationship counselling across England, Wales & Gibraltar. Trustees are needed to strengthen our board & help us continue to give relationship support services to Catholic community & beyond. For info see: www.marriagecare.org.uk or email: volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk
Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who unseen keep our church tidy during the year: Week beginning April 14th Group D
Please pray for Janet Joyner-funeral April 15 and also John Thomas Hoban-funeral May 2 + May they rest in peace +
Journey in Faith next April 15: 7.30pm
Authority & the Church Conference at Oscott College: Where does authority lie in the age of Whatsapp groups and Synodal pathway? Cost £55
(£35 concession for students & OAPs)
* Saturday 27 April 2024 Oscott College,
* Fr.Timothy Radcliffe OP Blackfriars
* Prof Em. Fr Vincent Twomey Maynouth
* Prof Jacob Phillips St Mary’s University
* Dr Mary McCaughey Oscott College
* Mr John Stayne Durham University
Info & tickets: www.oscott.net or visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theology-symposium authority-and-the-church-tickets-769791335607
Or email: academic.office@oscott.org
Diocesan Walsingham day pilgrimage May 11. Join local groups with Fr Philip Griffin. For info call 01384 395308 or olas.stourbridge@rcaob.org.uk
Meditation –this is one way to pray. An opportunity to be still & experience how we are loved by God. Monday Meditation on 15th April & 27th May & 1st July. It takes place at 1.00pm in Parish Meeting Room at Holy Souls Acocks Green. All welcome.
Father Hudson’s Care will partner with Medaille Trust for 2 face-to-face sessions this week on modern day slavery, (i) Wed 17 April 7-9pm, St Anne’s Parish Rooms, B12 9PB & (ii) Thu 18 April 11am-1pm, St Catherine of Siena, B5 7BE (Narthex poster)
Our Lady of the Wayside School has a vacancy: Assistant Headteacher fulltime. Start date September 2024. School Visit can be arranged. Info see https://www.ol-wayside.solihull.sch.uk/staff-vacancies/
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS & READERS…Please collect your new rotas from the trolley in the Narthex.
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REGULAR ACTIVITIES IN OUR PARISH HALL
Monday Zumba 1.30 to 2.30 & 7 to 8pm
Tuesday Latin & Ballroom Dancing 10 -12 noon & 7.30 - 9.30pm. Kung Fu. 6 - 7pm Tuesday U3a 2nd Tuesday monthly
Wednesday Stroke Club 9am - 1.30pm (starts 4 Oct) Slimming World 2.30 - 8.30
Thursday Zumba 11am to 12 Noon U3A Quiz 2nd Thursday monthly Fitness Pilates (term time) 6.30 - 8.30pm
Friday Yoga 10.45am - 12.15pm
Saturday monthly Menofit 10am -12 noon
PARISH CENSUS: Please fill in details online or manually. Info? Email:
martin.hayden@oltonfriary.org.uk or call office 0121 706 0505.
https://forms.office.com/e/dHWqGN3HG2
Safeguarding: Our Parish follows correct safeguarding policy & practice at all times. Safeguarding Parish Reps: Carol Foster & Maureen Treanor: sg.oltonfriary.solihull@rcaob.org.uk Diocese Rep: Claire Reay: safeguarding@rcaob.org.uk Call 0121 230 6240 for any concern or query
The Parish operates in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance and the National and Archdioceses policies & procedures at all times. Our Parish Safeguarding Representative is Carol Foster and Maureen Treanor. They can be contacted at: sg.oltonfriary.solihull@rcaob.org.uk or alternatively the Diocesan Safeguarding team can be contacted on 0121 230 6240
safeguarding@rcaob.org.uk if you have any concern.
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Security Please do not leave any belongings unattended in the benches while receiving Holy Communion as there has been a recent incident.
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PARISH GROUPS—Please check your information posted on the Parish website. Any updates/corrections/alterations, please email the parish office.
SOLIHULL/HEARTLANDS HOSPITAL Please ask hospital Switchboard for on-call Catholic Priest 0121 424 2000, & they will call the duty Priest. Catholic Chaplain at Solihull & Heartlands is Fr Roger Raven. Data Protection law means visit from priest must be actively sought. He doesn't have access to patient files.
CAR PARK - Please be considerate when parking/manoeuvring your car and please note the disabled parking bays are for the use of those with disabled badges, there is no parking in either the Community and Staff designated areas and the front & rear of The Friary Residential block. When parking on a Sunday, please do not park on or drive over the grass adjacent to the gate leading into the graveyard. Only authorised cars to park at other times, by arrangement with the Parish Priest.
HALL BOOKINGS from external groups, particularly regular users are a useful income toward the upkeep of the Church. If access is needed to hall or kitchen during these times, please liaise with the Parish office or Community first.
CREMATION PLOTS (newer area) Following previous notes re- borders & stones barred for H&S danger to graveyard volunteers; please also note that plots are set out in vertical strips, in plots for two. So borders & stones added around memorial tablets are encroaching on the space of a loved one, and should be removed.
GOING TO HOSPITAL -Please let your parish priest know if you’re going into hospital. On admission ask for the Catholic chaplain as Chaplains no longer receive names of Catholic patients unless they opt in.
SECURITY NOTICE - Please ensure Friary doors are kept closed & locked when necessary. If you attend a meeting please make sure that the last one out has secured the outside doors. The front door should not be left on the hook unattended. Besides Church security, the Friary is home to priests & brothers who need to know they are safe.
CHARITY COLLECTION BOXES for SVP and St Basil’s charities are built into the left and right hand sides, at the back of the Church. Built-in boxes can be found in the narthex for St Anthony’s bread (used to help the poor in the local area) and Holy Souls (used for Mass intentions for Holy Souls).
FLOODLIGHT DEDICATION—You are able to have the Church floodlit in memory of someone. A suggested donation is £10 a week, the name of the person in whose memory it is in would appear in the newsletter. Forms are available in narthex, or from parish office.
THE SICK OF OUR PARISH - If your name or the name of a friend or relative was on the parish list of prayers for the sick, and you would like that name to remain on the list, would you please contact the Parish Office on 0121 706 0505. Data protection law obliges us to ensure that you or your friend or family member has consented to being on the list, as it can be seen by many, (e.g. church notice board) and is available for anyone to pick up. We make great efforts to ensure the church abides by new data protection and privacy law.
VISITORS - If you wish to gift aid your offertory donation, white visitor envelopes are available in the narthex.
VEHICLE CRIME ALERT - The neighbourhood Policing Team would like to draw your attention to an increase in vehicle crime in the area. 5 crime reduction tips—ALWAYS close the windows and doors in your vehicle, DON'T leave any valuables on display and where possible do not leave ANY valuables in the vehicle such as Satnavs, Mobile Phones, Wallets, Purses, Bags or iPods, ENSURE your registration plates are fixed using 'anti tamper screws', KEEP your car keys in a safe place in your house.
SAFEGUARDING - In this parish there have been strict guidelines in place for several years for the protection of children and vulnerable persons. Anyone with a concern about safeguarding issues should ring the Diocesan Safeguarding Office on 0121 230 6240.
KEEP YOUR VALUABLES SAFE - Please do not leave bags unattended in Church, even at Communion time. Bags and valuables should not be left on display in cars as this can present a target for thieves.
OPEN HOUSE GROUP - Are you new to the Parish and aged 30+? Do you want to get more involved in Parish Life, but don't know where to start? The Open House Group has recently celebrated its tenth anniversary and its members are involved in various parish activities such as Traidcraft, Christian Aid, the Fast Supper, Welcome and Coffee Bar rotas. We also have regular meetings in parishioners' homes for spiritual reflection and discussion of topical issues. If you are interested in joining us please contact the Parish Office for more information.