Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Twenty Third Sunday

A Man Possessed

Luke 14.25-33

 Some tough talk in the gospel about ‘hating’ father & mother ..wife & children in order to be a good disciple, confuses us as we all try our best to love the people God has put into our lives! How do we make sense of this?      The key comes at the end with the plea to give up all our possessions, but even this won’t find an easy hearing in a consumer culture, where we are judged by the style of our car or the size of our salary.                                       

But it will make perfect sense if we’ve ever struggled with a diet or wrestled with an addiction. For the warning about possessions means: ‘get rid of possessions or they will possess you!’                                            

Anyone who has struggled with alcohol, cocaine or on-line gambling knows that he must learn to detest the ‘thing’ that controls him even if at a  deep level he knows that food & drink & money are gifts from God.

So anything that controls or possesses us (people?..places?..things?) even if basically good, must be brushed aside if they derail our quest to live an honest life. This explains Jesus’ strange words about ‘hating’ father, mother, brother & sister.  

Family & friends are truly god’s gift to us, but many of us will have known the pain of making choices that our nearest & dearest did not understand. We stood firm because we had to be true to ourselves. We didn’t literally ‘hate’ them but we had to very strongly resist their pressure.

     The good news is that the strength to do so is given to us by a Spirit that is greater than us. We don’t need to be strong: we just need to ask for strength and it is given.        

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

7th September - 14th September 2025	Week Twenty Three
Twenty Third Sunday 7th September Ws 9:13-18  Ph 9-10,12-17  Lk 14:25-33 9.00am -Patricia Oakes RIP 11.00am-Thomas Gilligan  12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass  People of the parish Exit Aid: Friary Gardens Maintenance	Dear Brothers & Sisters Birthday of Our Lady (Monday) a very ancient feast, is tradition’s to say that from her beginning Mary was holy, full of grace, destined for a special purpose. St.Peter Claver (Tuesday) an early Jesuit studied in Mallorca, where door keeper St.Alfonso Rodriguez advised him to go to the New World. So he was apostle of Columbia, defending slaves arriving on ships from Africa. Clerics & politicians opposed this work, but today his feast is a national holiday in Colombia. St Osburg (Tuesday) was an 11th century abbess of a Coventry monastery founded by king Cnut. The Catholic Church on the Coventry ring road bears her name. St.Ambrose Barlow (Wednesday) was a Lancashire man who became a catholic in the turbulent 17th cent. He joined the Benedictines in France & came to the English mission. Serving 24 yrs he was arrested in 1641 & executed at Lancaster. His feast is kept in Salford & Hall Green. The Holy Name of Mary (Friday) an optional memorial, kept for 400 years echoes the Holy Name of Jesus. St John Chrysostom (Saturday) the combative 4th century Bishop of Constantinople, won fame as a preacher. ‘Chrysostom’ means ‘golden mouth’. Exaltation of the Cross next Sunday is a ‘Good Friday feast in happy times’. We honour Jesus' victory over sin & death. Next Sunday is also Education Sunday. Blessed with requested Mass intentions at The Friary, we sometimes have to ‘pair’ intentions (due to numbers) on weekdays & occasionally Sundays too.    🌿 Gardeners' Maintenance Appeal🌿 After each Mass today Steve & Jenny will give a brief update on Friary Grounds. A dedicated team of unpaid volunteers care for our parish grounds. Exit collection today is for the materials they use.
Monday - 8th September Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary Micah 5.2-5a Matt 1.18-23 7.00am Mass -  Tony Holland 10.15 Mass Marie Maxwell  also  Fr Jose Rolando Fuentes Head
Tuesday - 9th  September St.Peter Claver St.Osburg Col 2.6-15 Lk 6:12-19 7.00am Mass Lynda Newsome & family 10.15 Mass  Shay Donohoe RIP also  David Madgwick RIP 1st Anniversary 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday - 10th September St.Ambrose Barlow Col 3:1-11  Luke 6:20-26 7.00 Mass - Fr Dominic Kavanagh 10.15 Mass Alice Mullen RIP 2nd Anniversary         also  Dawn Thompson (birthday)
Thursday - 11th  September Co 3:12-17 Lk 6:27-38 7.00 Mass Olton Friary Parish past, present & future 10.15 Mass Fr Sean Grady  also Claire Mc Kiernan 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Friday - 12th September Most Holy Name of Mary 1Tim 1.1-2,12-14 Lk 6:39-42 7.00 Mass - Daphne Kale  10.15 Mass Maureen Lowe also Graham Smith
Saturday 13th September St.John Chrysostom 1Tim 1:15-17 Lk 6:43-49 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Archbp.Mario, Mario Paul & Noel Minihan RIP
Exaltation of the Cross 14th September Num 21.4b-9  Phil 2.6-11  John 3.13-17 9.00am -Heidrun Ros Tempel RIP 11.00am-Pauline O’ Dowd RIP Anniversary 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass  People of the parish Exit Aid: Catholic Education Service

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Many thanks to all those who took part in our Friary Festival yesterday on the lawn. A wonderful afternoon of music, food and joyful companionship. So we thank God for the happiness shared.

We thank God too for the blessing of the animals earlier in the day, our beginning of the season of creation which began Sept 1.

In October our Friary Flower Festival will be our joyful celebration of the Season of Creation. Bishop David will celebrate mass with us on Friday October 10 at 6.00pm and all are warmly invited to join.🌸🌸 

Today in Rome Blessed Carlo Acutis will be canonised, the first ‘millennial’ to be declared a saint. Just 15 when he died, he is the patron of our parish youth club, which resumed after its summer break on Friday.

Also resuming after summer breaks are the parish choir at 11.00am mass and the tea & coffee teams after 11.00am & 6.00pm mass. Come & linger for coffee & chat after mass.

Our schoolchildren are all back at school this week after a staggered start last week. May God bless our children, their families & their teachers in this new academic year.

Prayer Groups have also resumed… …. Wednesday after 10.15 mass, and also Tuesday after 10.15 mass (see next column)

We also have a Vocations Mass in 12 days: The Deanery along with the Carlo Acutis Youth Group invites you to the Vocations Mass on Friday 19^th September in our Friary Church at 7.00pm.

The Birthday of Mother Mary tomorrow celebrates her special role in the story of salvation. Though her birth is not cited in the bible, Eastern Christians have been keeping this feast for over 1,500 years. 

Our Mother Mary was the first teacher of the child Jesus in ways of faith & prayer. May she be with us all this week and keep us safe and close to Jesus her son

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News: 

Solihull UK:  Olton community was blessed with a flying visit from Bishop Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga, South India, where two of our young priests serve in an SCJ parish. A friend of our community for many years, Bp.Robert is well known to Fr.Biju Fr. Austin, Bro.Gerard & Fr.Wilfred. He stopped on route to Manchester where he will meet Konkani-speaking Mangalore Christians for the feast of Our Lady's birthday.

Olton community & parish also threw a  surprise celebration for Fr.Austin's significant birthday on Thursday (55? -he is unsure-). He was humbly grateful for all the thoughtfulness, great kindness & generosity shown.

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Friary Snippets 

SCJ Sponsored Walk will take place on Saturday 27 September at Nottingham. See notice and sponsor forms at back of church.

New Prayer Group: Bev & Maria began a new prayer group “Saving Mary’s Babies”, praying Rosary of the Unborn. Join them  after tea/coffee every Tues after 10.15 mass

Olton Friary Presents “A Wonderful World” Saturday 4th October, 7.30pm

* A concert in aid of our Organ fund

* guest organist Pavlos Triantaris,

* our own fabulous Gerry Poole,

* Olton Friary Choir, and

* dance cabaret.

Tickets £12 on sale after Mass all September or email geraldine.gnych@oltonfriary.org.uk

Bingo Night – save the date, Sat 27 Sept.

Our parish social team is always at work planning events to suit all tastes!

Journey in Faith: our programme for those seeking to join the church begins Monday 22 Sept 7.30pm. Why not bring a curious friend for this first taster session?

Holy communion programme 2025-26 starts  soon. Is your child in Y3 in Sept, at a non-Catholic school? Wish to join our holy communion program? Contact Sarah Wood asap sarah.wood@oltonfriary.org.uk

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Marriage Matters: Twenty Third Sunday

Wisdom 9:13-18; Phil 9-10,12-17; Luke 14:25-33

Jesus sets out the cost of discipleship today: “no one can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions”. In His living & dying for us, Jesus modelled a self-emptying way of loving. As His disciples, our call is to fol-low Him by putting each other first; and so die to selfishness and set ourselves free.

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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 7^th September: Group E

Calling all church cleaners… If you’re on the church cleaning rota, or’d like to be please come along for cakes, teas & coffee,  * Wednesday 10 September in the lounge

* either at 2.00 pm or 7.00 pm

* talk about church cleaning in general,

* plan special clean before flower festival for w/e of October 11. Hope you can make afternoon or evening.

* Fresh cakes at both! Unable to make it? Just call Jenny on 01217051737, or email Steve.roper@oltonfriary.org.uk

Rest in Peace Jean Barrile-funeral Fri 26 Sept 12.00; Dr Luciano Petrucci-funeral service Mon 29 Sept 10.45 May they rest in peace

Blessed are those who mourn : Our Friary bereavement support group meets monthly for all seeking support after a loss. All wel-come 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.

** Meeting today Sunday 7^th September **
* 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 or Noleen Walsh on 0121-706-5184

August 200 Club winners: 1^st £125 74 Ms A King; 2^nd £50 119 Mrs V Lines; 3^rd £25 162 Mrs M Lloyd

St Peter’s Open Evening Year 6 parents, upcoming Open Evening on Thursday 18^th September, 5:30pm-8:00pm

Jubilee Tour to Knock Westport & Mayo 10 November 2025.  £799.00 pps. 

* includes flight from Birmingham, 10kg hold luggage,

* 4 nights in 4* Castlecourt Hotel Westport & Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

* Visit Knock Shrine, Ballintubber Abbey, Fr. Peyton Centre & Kylemore Abbey. Excursions & transport included.  

* Irish music nightly.  Single supp. extra

  Call 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or  email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com. 

Pilgrimage to Northumbria in the steps of the northern saints:20-24 October 2025

* Fr.Austin leads Companions of Betharram pilgrimage in paths of the Northern Saints.

* Saints like Aidan, Cuthbert & Hilda etc. brought faith to a sceptical world 1400 yrs ago, with synodality and missionary fire.

* Pilgrimage to seek their spirit & import  for today, visiting their shrines

* visit Durham cathedral, Lindisfarne, and a boat trip around the Farne islands.

* Cost £450, includes 4 nights B & B transport, entrance tickets & and boat trip.

* Only 1 place left …..

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.