Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Third Sunday of the Year - Word of God Sunday

The New Normal

Mt 4.12-23

With conflict in Ukraine still simmering, and Britain still shivering, and so much bellicose talk from the White House, many of us wish that we could live in more settled times. Poor people yearn for the means to live. And even the rich look askance at what political turmoil does to the stock market! How we long for a time of stability when the world would ‘get back to normal’.

But the time we are living in now is the only time we’ve got, so we have to make the most of it.

Jesus’ contemporaries shared our longing: How better it would have been if the messiah could have come when their land was free …. when fishermen didn’t pay tax to a foreign emperor …and absentee landlords didn’t exploit the farmers… and the iron fist of the roman army didn’t strike terror in the hearts of the innocent.

But Jesus knew that ‘settled times’ would never come. The only time he had was now! So when he heard that John the Baptist had been imprisoned  he began calling disciples to begin his great mission of healing.

God’s Kingdom begins in the here and now. We do not have to wait for better days, for in God’s eyes normal is now.

      We needn't wait for quiet times for our country, our city, or our culture. The Spirit is at work in our time, and when Jesus says ‘follow me’, we have to seize the moment.            

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

25th January - 1st February 2026	Third Week in Ordinary Time
Third Sunday- Word of God day- 25th January   Is 9:1-4 1Co 1:10-13,17 Mt 4:12-23 9.00 The Carter Families  11.00 Maureen McGeown & Joseph McGeown   6.00pm Mass  People of the Parish Exit Collection: LEPRA for World Leprosy Day	Dear Brothers & Sisters, Today is Word of God Sunday a day to encourage Christians all over the world to focus on the Word of God ...to read & understand scripture, & let our lives  be guided by the inspired Word of God Saints Titus & Timothy were co-workers with St.Paul, and letters St.Paul wrote to them form part of the new testament. Timothy was possibly still in his late teens when St.Paul placed him in charge of one of the local churches. Tuesday’s feast.. St Edward Oldcorne, honours a local saint who worked in the midlands in highly dangerous post-reformation times. The Catholic High School in Worcester carries his name. Rosary of the Unborn will follow 10.15  Mass each Tuesday. All welcome to join St.Thomas Aquinas (Wednesday) was one of the greatest theologians of the church. He famously spelt out the relation between faith & reason. Faith, he said, though revealed by God, is not illogical or stupid but rather goes hand in hand with logic much as a key turns inside a lock. A useful image for our age St.John Bosco (Saturday) responded to the disruption of family life during the Italian industrial revolution by bringing education to the young poor in the big cities. Young homeless people would often collect around railway stations, and today many of the works of the Salesian order (which he founded) are centred around rail hubs. John Bradburne Memorial Society (JBMS) asks us to support World Leprosy Day, today, which highlights challenges faced by people enduring leprosy, a  disease that still impacts thousands. Bradburne  was a lay  missionary  who worked among lepers in Zimbabwe before independence. He was abducted and killed by guerillas in 1979, and moves are afoot to declare him a saint.
Monday - 26th January Saints Timothy & Titus 2Tm 1-8 or Tt 1:1-5 Mk 3:22-30 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15  Mass Mary Philpott also Clive Harris
Tuesday - 27th  January Blessed Edward Oldcorne 2Sam 6:12-15,17-19 Mk 3:31-35 7.00 Mass Elizabeth Kelly RIP 10.15 Mass  Paul Williamson               also Ray & Bernie Ryan 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday - 28th January St.Thomas Aquinas 2Sam 7:4-17 Mk 4:1-20 7.00 Mass Richard Lovegrove 10.15 Mass The Friary Gardening team            also Mary’s Honour Prayer Group 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)
Thursday - 29th  January     2Sam 7:18-19,24-29 Mk 4:21-25 7.00 Mass Irene Mc Namara RIP  10.15 Mass Priests of Japan & China           also Maria Hartigan  11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Friday - 30th January 2Sam 11:1-10,13-17 Mk 4:26-34 7.00 Mass Beverley Wilkes 10.15 Mass Alan Fullard also  Michelle, Joe, David, Niamh Costella
Saturday 31st January St. John Bosco 2Sam 12:1-7,10-17 Mk 4:35-41 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Barbara Watters RIP
Fourth Sunday 1st February   Zep 2:3,3:12-13 1Co 1:26-31 Mt 5:1-12 9.00 People of the Parish 11.00 Jean & George Carmichael RIP  6.00pm Mass  Bridget Green Exit Collection Catholic Association for Racial Justice

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We welcome engaged couples today at 9.00 mass the day we hear Jesus calling the disciples. May God bless them all as they answer a call to commit to one another and prepare for their weddings this year.

Today is also Word of God Sunday, when we thank God for his presence among us in holy scripture, and pledge to spend time reflecting on God’s Word in the bible. Lent begins in just 3 weeks so why not plan a Lenten project for bible reflection this year?

Parish Confirmations will take place in less than two weeks: February 6^th at 7.00pm, with Bishop David Evans. May God bless our teachers & catechists who work to hard to prepare our young people.

Our ‘Coffee with a Copper’ time yesterday was a great success, and we thank all who participated, as well as our special guests: Solihull Mayor - Annette McKenzie, and Solihull MP - Dr. Neil Shastri Hurst.

2026 is a Jubilee year for us! the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone of our Friary church on 21^st April. On that day, we are planning a 6.30pm mass, with Capuchin friars as principal celebrants. Then on Sunday 26^th April our Archbishop will preside at 9.00am & 11.00am Masses.

We plan to mark the occasion with a display. So please could you help by providing any photos or info relating to the Friary over the last 100 years? Perhaps of Weddings, Baptisms or other big events that have taken place here. As with last year’s ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ display there will be a box in the narthex for contributions.

As today is Sunday, it eclipses the feast of the Conversion of St.Paul (January 25^th) but we still pray for all newcomers to the Catholic faith currently progressing through our Journey in faith programme. May God bless and protect them.

May our Mother Mary  draw us all closer to Jesus this special year in awe & wonder.

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News: 

Paraguay. At the beginning of Advent the SCJ Youth of Asuncion made a pilgrimage to Caacupé, the national shrine of Our Lady. They joined thousands more young people at the Seminary of Caacupé. A day with songs of praise, faith, commitment, friendship, music, prayer, and hope…

The Madonna of Caacupé statue has curly hair just like the native Guarini women.

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Friary Snippets 

Hey Mr.Tambourine man! Many folk love our exuberant children’s choir at 9.00 mass on Sundays. Today they are appealing for more tambourines. So if you have an old tambourine at home that needs to be put to use, please give it to one of our 9.00 am music team members on Sunday.

Friends of the Holy Land would like to thank all parishioners for £369.21 raised for Christians in the Holy Land, at a time when they are most vulnerable. Please continue to remember our work in your prayers, giving our brothers & sisters strength to continue.

HCPT concert advance notice: We plan to organise a concert in support of the Lourdes Special Needs Children's Pilgrimage on Saturday March 21^st. More details next week. 

Blessed are those who mourn: Our  Bereavement Support Group meets here each  month for all seeking support after a loss. All welcome no matter the kind of loss or when.
* Meet 1^st Sunday each month for prayer conversation & encouragement of one another as we journey together.

* Next Meeting Sunday 1^st February
* We aren’t a counselling group but promise good listening skills, respect for confidentiality and of course a cuppa. 3.00pm to 4.30 in Friary Lounge
* For info call parish Office 0121-706-0505 

Many people knew Fr.Simon Bishop SJ who sadly died on January 4. His funeral will be at St. Mary's Harborne, 11am 3^rd February

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Marriage Matters: Third Sunday

Isaiah 8:23-9:3  1 Cor 1:10-13, 17  Matt 4:12-23

Today, we see two aspects of God’s plan for our marriage: ‘ (I will make) their joy increase’ (Isaiah) & ‘I will make you fishers of men’ (Matt). God wants us to make our love for each other as near to Jesus’ love for us as possible, so all whose lives we touch might know how much God loves them.

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Engaged Couples: Today at 9.00 Mass, we welcome all engaged couples to be married here in 2026 to receive a special blessing. Meet after Mass in the Lounge.

Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 25^th January: A

Please pray for Michael Anthony Bernard O’Reilly-funeral Jan 30-Robin Hood 1.00pm; Bernadette McCormack-funeral 3 Feb 12.15; Philip Cannell-funeral 9  Feb 10.15am; Roisin Gilligan-funeral 9 Feb (St.Thomas More)  Brenda Anderson-funeral 10 Feb 10.15am; Fr. Simon Bishop SJ & Paulina Samathar. ++++++ May they rest in peace +++++

Meditation Group Upcoming 2026 dates at 1.00pm Holy Souls parish meeting room.

Jan 26^th; Feb 9^th & 23^rd: March 9^th & 23^rd April 13^th and 27^th; May11^th and 25^th; June 8^th & 22^nd and July 6^th. All welcome.

All Ministers & Readers are warmly invited to the retreat for Ministers & Readers led by Fr Allan Morris here on Sat, 28^th February.

* Retreat begins with Holy Mass  10.15am

* coffee in hall & first conference follows.

* lunch at 1:00 pm & continue with session

* Evening Prayer at 3:30pm, ends the day.

* Fr.Biju writes: I strongly encourage all Ministers & Readers to attend this retreat without fail, a vital day for reflection, renewal, & growth in ministry. I look forward to seeing you.

Diocesan LOURDES PILGRIMAGE Monday 25 May to Saturday 30 May 2026.  

* led by Archbp Longley & Bp David Evans

* By Air. 5 nights from £986pp incl flights, accommodation, transfers & meals.

* By Coach 4 nights from £716pp incl transport, accommodation, & meals.

* Single Room Supplements both sections.

* Apply for info to Kath White: admin.lourdes@rcaob.org.uk 0121 230 6288

Red Box Appeal thanks: “Thank you from Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries. .... Thank you for your time, your gifts & prayers for our brothers & sisters across the world. As a member of the Red Box family you will be held in prayer at Mass each day by the Mill Hill community and at Missio’s chapel in London”

Racial Justice Sunday 2026, comes next week and Bishop Paul McAleenan, lead Bp for Racial Justice, hails the 2026 theme - "Whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:21) Bp McAleenan said: “ ...we must never tire of repeating what’s been said before, though we  seek new ways to convey our message.” Racial Justice Sunday promotes racial justice in our parishes across England & Wales and society, an encouragement to be conscious of the need for justice in all its forms.

GIFT AID…. Pennies from heaven!

* We can reclaim tax on all gifts to parish

* Each £1 given nets the parish an extra 25p

* No charge or extra tax. Just complete a Gift Aid Declaration in narthex

* Give by standing order, weekly envelope or DONA card reader.

* If you no longer pay tax, just alert the office

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REGULAR ACTIVITIES IN OUR PARISH HALL

Monday Zumba 1.30 - 2.30 & 7 - 8pm

Tuesday Latin & Ballroom Dancing 10.30 -12 noon & 7.30 - 9.30pm. Yoga 5:45 - 7:00pm

Tuesday U3A (2nd Tuesday, monthly)

Wednesday Stroke Club 9am - 1.30pm. Slimming World 2.30 - 8.30

Thursday Zumba 11am - 12 Noon.  U3A Quiz (2nd Thursday monthly) Fitness Pilates (term time) 6.30 - 8.30pm

Friday Yoga 10.45am - 12.00 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

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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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.