Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Fifteenth Sunday

The Sower and the Seed

Matthew 13.1-23

       With football in the news today, it was tempting to change the scripture to ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race’ (2 Tim 4.7) but we stuck with the Sower & the Seed, because it speaks about the choices we make. Both on the pitch and in the field of ordinary living there are choices we make that determine our goals.

       Should this parable carry a government health warning? Maybe. It tempts us to point the finger at others, confident that we know where the cap fits! Ah...Those folk who never listen to what's good for them...They’re the stony ground. And those so easily addicted to ‘Love Island’ or TV soaps, they're the ones prey to the birds of the air. And those who profess care of the earth but do little about it, they’re shallow soil … etc. It’s so easy to see how this parable fits other people, especially our politicians who are an easy target.

       But could we also hear this parable as an examination of conscience? Is it a part of our life story that there were phases when we were just not receptive to Jesus’ message? Times when we let business or ambition dictate our day? Times when we were quick to profess faith in words but slow to follow  with action? Did our lives  show much evidence of being fertile soil?

      If we hear it like this, we are less inclined to point the finger, and more inclined to say Mea Culpa! 

      To this I’d add a personal note: Over many years people have given me fertile soil in which to blossom… spaces.. places.. graces ..so many chances to serve God’s people, without which I couldn't have flourished.  For this I give thanks to God today.                               

 

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

12th July - 19th July 2026	Week Fifteen
Fifteenth Sunday-Sea Sunday 12h July Is 55:10-11 Rm 8:18-23 Mt 13:1-23 9.00 People of Parish also Aine Bunn RIP 11.00 Azmi Megally 6.00 Mass Susan Burrow RIP Exit Collection: Apostleship of the Sea	Dear Brothers & Sisters, St. Camillus de Lellis (Tuesday) was a soldier of fortune in 16th century Italy. After a Damascus-like conversion, he pledged to devote his life in service of the sick, working tirelessly to improve the treatment and care of hospital patients. The Camillan Order that bears his name has branches all over the world. Saint Bonaventure (Wednesday) a 13th cent Franciscan theologian became superior general of the Franciscans and then a cardinal. He is commemorated in the Friary church at our Franciscan altar. Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Thursday) is the patron of the Carmelite order, and also patron of seafarers. Carmelite spirituality teaches that God is within. Three local saints come on Friday:   (i) Kenelm son of King Kenwulf of Mercia. He was martyred on the Clent Hills as a teenager for his refusal to play power politics, and hence is patron saint of our Diocesan Youth Service. St.John Henry Newman used to make a walking pilgrimage to Clent this day each year. Year 6 children from OLC will join the 10.15 mass in church today (ii) Blessed John Sugar was born 1558 at Wombourne & became a C.of E. priest serving in Cannock. He became a Catholic, studied at Douai & was ordained priest 1601 He served  in Warks, Staffs & Worcs, going on foot serving the “poorer & meaner sort of Catholics”. (iii) Blessed Robert Grissold of Rowington Warwickshire was the son of a weaver with great reverence for Catholic priests. He & Sugar were arrested July 8 1603 after a raid on the Grissold house. Robert refused his chance to escape & leave the priest behind. Both were offered a pardon if they’d conform but were hung at Warwick 16 July 1604. Balsall Common catholic church bears his name.
Monday 13th July St.Henry Is 1:10-17 Mt 10:34-11:1 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Nuala Jones RIP also Monika & Stefan Sawicki
Tuesday  14th  July St.Camillus de Lellis Is 7:1-9 Mt 11:20-24  7.00 Mass Lydia & Joe Tallon 10.15 Requiem Maeve Isla Mary Bevan RIP   10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday 15th July St.Bonaventure Is 10:5-7,13-16 Mt 11:25-27 7.00 Mass Dr John O’ Donnell 10.15 Mass Mother Mary Ministries Medjugorje also David Khan 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)
Thursday 16th  July Our Lady of Mount Carmel   Is 26:7-9,12,16-19 Mt 11:28-30 7.00 Mass Bernadette O’ Mara Winison 10.15 Mass Ron & Gladys Simmons RIP also  Caroline Gaffey Gormley 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Friday  17th July Saints Kenelm, John Sugar & Robert Grissold Is 38:1-6,21-22,7-8 Mt 12:1-8 7.00 Mass Danny C 10.15 Mass (in church with OLC Y6 leavers)Piotr Jan Sawicki RIP also  Mary O’Keefe RIP
Saturday 18th July Mc 2:1-5 Mt 12:14-21 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass David Scott
Sixteenth Sunday 19h July Ws 12:13,16-19 Rm 8:26-27 Mt 13:24-43 9.00 Mary Gateley RIP 11.00 Tony Mc Skeane RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish Exit Collection: Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Appeal (Cafod)

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are nearing the end of the school year and there is much to thank God for over these last 12  months … the superb Ofsted verdict at St.Peter’s followed by a great RE Ofsted … the wonderful record of OLC in catering for special needs children .. And the success of the Solihull catholic MAC (OLAAS) in helping all children thrive no matter what their background.

 

Friday is the feast of St.Kenelm, patron saint of the Diocesan Youth Service, and at 10.15 mass our Y6 leavers from OLC will join for a special celebration and thanksgiving for all they have received from a wonderful dedicated group of teachers over the last six years.

 

Today is Sea Sunday, we pray for all those who live & work at sea. Seamen & fishermen play a vital role in all our lives, working in hazardous conditions. They’re mostly ‘under the radar’ unless fiasco (eg ship stuck in the Suez Canal or tankers in the Straits of Hormuz) exposes their vulnerability.

 

Many tanker crews report stress & poor mental health. Mostly Asian in origin who work for low wages to support families back home, many are Catholics. Our Exit  collection today supports the church’s ministry to mariners, no matter what faith or origin. One of our parishioners will make a short appeal for them at each mass

 

Thursday is feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel

patron saint of mariners. Ancient tradition connects Our Lady with a vision of Elijah (1Kings 18.41-45). Looking out to sea Elijah saw a tiny cloud that brought with it rain & new life to a dry earth. Christian belief saw this as a sign of Mary who brings the ‘rain’ of Christ to a spiritually dry world.

 

May Mary, Star of the Sea continue to shower the ‘rain’ of Jesus on all of us, in these times of dryness.

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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Friary Snippets 

Summer blessing? House Mass or Blessing:  If you would like to have a Mass celebrated in your home or a House Blessing during the school summer break, please speak to Fr.Biju.

Football’s coming home A big thanks to all participants in last Sunday’s inter parish football tournament. 2026 is our year!

‘Friends of the Holy Land’ say thanks to all for £249.34 raised for Christians in the Holy Land at a time when they’re most vulnerable. Please remember our work in your prayers. Give our brothers & sisters strength to endure

Friary Plant Sale Last Sunday: Thanks to all who helped. £500+ raised for parish funds.

Parish hall refurbishment news                 

Phase 1 roof complete & paid for at £69.5k

Phase 2 total interior refurb. Estimate £80k So far £40k raised. Still seeking grant aid.

4-week work due to start in school holiday but may be delayed due to Diocesan hiccups.

Fr.Biju is working with Diocesan reps to cure these hiccups. So please keep up the prayers.

Thanks for ongoing support. Still needed! 

A message from the Minihan Family: Our dear mother Stella passed away on June 25. Her funeral is at The Friary July 27, 11.30am. A member of this parish since the 1960s, she gave years of faithful service as organist, choir mistress, reader & Eucharistic minister. She greatly encouraged the young, playing piano for the Lumen Mundi musicals of the 1980s The parish gave her & Noel great companionship and support in their faith. The family extend a welcome to all parishioners to give thanks to God for her life with us.

Sea Sunday Your support makes a difference to seafarers in need. Give via today’s Exit collection or www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate or text SEA’ to 70460 & give £5. It helps Stella Maris in its work. Thanks for your generosity

Journey in Faith: our programme for those seeking to join the Catholic church starts Monday 14 Sept at 7.30pm. Why not bring a curious friend?

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Marriage Matters: Fifteenth Sunday

Isaiah 55:10-11 Rom 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23

The stony ground is when we are too engrossed in the telly, reading or working on the computer to listen to our partner. The thorny ground is where we disengage with it but don’t want real involvement .. suggest a cuppa as a diversion. We’re called to be fertile ground by real listening – hold hands, look in each other’s eyes.

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need help with the load? Retrouvaille a lifeline for married couples has helped thousands of couples find hope & healing in their marriage over prayerful weekends. Next dates: 2-4 Oct    ( 0788 7296983  Website;  www.retrouvaille.org.uk/info

Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 12^th July: Group A

Please pray for Maeve Isla Mary Bevan (baby) funeral 14^th July 10.15; Julie Agnew funeral 10.15 July 22  Vigil 21 July 5.00pm  Stella Minihan-funeral July 27 at 11.30am. +++++ May they rest in peace +++++

St. Columban’s Summer Open Day

Wed 19 August 2026, 10.30am – 2.30pm.

* Columbans open day for family fun

* We make eco-spirituality a priority.

* Includes pond dipping, nature activities

* arts & crafts, games, beekeeping talks

* stories of mission from Columban priests

* explore rewilded grounds & solar plant

* bring picnic & enjoy a day of creation.

See Columban website for info

Mary’s Fund Raiser Afternoon Tea for Arctic Challenge for Acorns Children’s Hospice. 3-5pm 136 Ulverley Gn Rd

in back garden today July 12^th

Book: ( 07963 011 142

You can give directly via...https://www.justgiving.com/page/mary-doherty-136-healy?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_fundraiser_page_donation_received_-_nth_donation

king billy’s day & god’s sense of humour

* All with Irish roots know July 12 as the anniversary of 1609 Battle of the Boyne as William of Orange defeated King James II.

* The loyalist marching season begins in earnest in Northern Ireland today

* but weirdly William’s army was financed by the pope, as he was an ally in church struggles against French King Louis XIV

* In 1982 security for the UK visit of Pope John Paul II was run by the late General James Majury, an Ulster protestant of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. History is strange!

Monday Meditation Group At Holy Souls parish room: To resume after

summer break in September

7 & 21 at 1pm. All welcome.

We Believe Festival Oscott 24-27 July 2026

* come join 600 campers & 2500 visitors

* festival of the True, the Good & Beautiful‍

* discover the traditions & charisms that flow through the Church

* find authentic community

* encounter the transforming love of God. Day tickets & group savers  still available, see www.webelievefestival.com/tickets

 Annual sponsored walk for SCJ Missions

* Come and join for a fun afternoon in the Worcester countryside on September 19^th

* Meet 1.00pm Gateway car park by canal  Hanbury Rd. Droitwich and bring picnic!

* 2-hour walk on easy footpaths

* Good company with Fr.Biju & Fr.Austin 

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.