Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Twenty Second Sunday
Taking up Our Cross
Mt 16:21-27
Climate change became ever harder to deny this year, as fire storms enveloped holiday hotspots and now disaster engulfs Nepal, with terrible loss of life. Fear of death weighs on our minds for other reasons too… the ongoing war in Ukraine and the slow motion tragedy of the middle east.
It touches a raw nerve in a world that fondly imagines we can control our destiny and are loath to talk about death. So when upsets in nature or politics decide differently we are at a loss to know how to cope.
But here we are not so different from the world of Jesus and the apostles. Just look at Peter’s reaction today to Jesus’ talk about his own death: ‘Lord, this can’t happen to you!’
But as Jesus explained, no one could be his follower if he were not prepared to take up his cross and accept his own death. For Jesus, death was the gateway to a new life, and couldn't be shirked.
We have to watch our language here: ‘the cross’ in Christian terms means primarily the suffering that comes our way because we bear witness to Jesus. It doesn't mean natural disasters. But by extension it can include any suffering we have to bear if we choose to identify with the suffering Jesus.
Pope John Paul II visiting a friend in hospital back in 1980 who said he was unable to pray told him: ‘your suffering is your prayer’.
St.Michael our founder had a unique angle on the cross. He said that for each of us there is a cross to bear, but we do not have to seek it out. If we are faithfully trying to love and serve the people God has put into our lives then a cross will come our way automatically.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
|
30th August - 6th September 2026 |
Week Twenty Two |
|---|---|
|
Twenty Second Sunday 30th August Jr 20:7-9 Rm 12:1-2 Mt 16:21-27 9.00 Mass People of the Parish 11.00 Mass Paddy Benger RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass Intentions of Sandy & Brian Faulkner Exit Collection: Parish Hall Refurbishment |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, St.Aidan (Monday) was sent from Iona in 597 by St Columba to evangelise the Northumbrians. After missionaries had earlier returned from Northumbria disheartened he famously said ‘that when you feed a child you offer first milk and not meat.’ St.Columba then gave him the job, and Aidan established the missionary monastery of Lindisfarne. The saints of Lindisfarne include Finan, Colman, Eata, Tuda, Cuthbert, Eadbert, Eadfrith & Aethelwold. Saints who studied there include Chad, Cedd & Wilfred. St.Gregory the Great (Thursday) was the pope who sent Saint Augustine to Canterbury in Southern England while Aidan was a missionary to the North. Moved by the sight of young ‘Angles’ in a roman slave market he was inspired to send a Christian mission to England. St Cuthbert (Friday) was the hero of the Lindisfarne saints in 7th century Northumbria. St.Bede tells how he became bishop of Hexham, then Lindisfarne, a beacon of light & hope in a fragile world After he died his monks searched for a suitable burial place stopping at Durham after many wanderings, where his body is now enshrined in the cathedral, along with other relics including the beautiful cross of St Cuthbert with its mixture of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon metal work. The Bishop of Hexham & Newcastle + Stephen Wright wears a replica of this cross today. St.Teresa of Calcutta (Saturday) aka Mother Teresa, was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Albania, & devoted her life to caring for sick, destitute, & marginalised. She began hospices, homes & centres for the needy. She founded the Missionaries of Charity who serve the "poorest of the poor" in India & the world & she was canonized in 2016
|
|
Monday 31st August St.Aidan & the Saints of Lindisfarne 1Co 2:1-5 Lk 4:16-30 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Elizabeth Lynch & family also Charles Rear |
|
|
Tuesday 1st September 1Co 2:10-16 Lk 4:31-37 7.00 Mass Caroline Louise Sparling RIP 10.15 Mass Kit Morton RIP 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament |
|
|
Wednesday 2nd September 1Co 3:1-9 Lk 4:38-44 7.00 Mass Folk in Donetsk, Kramatorsk & Sloviansk 10.15 Requiem Kathleen Comer RIP |
|
|
Thursday 3rd September St Gregory the Great 2Co 4:1-2,5-7 Lk 22:24-30 7.00 Mass John Loach 10.15 Mass Mr. Michael Finnegan also George Carmichael 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
|
|
First Friday 4th September St Cuthbert 1Co 4:1-5 Lk 5:33-39 7.00 Mass Thankyou-Ints. of Fr.Paddy Stanley 10.15 Mass Ann Donohoe & family also Mrs Sui Lin Clare Leung -Special Birthday also Fr.Austin SCJ - birthday 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
|
|
Saturday 5th September St.Theresa of Calcutta 1Co 4:6-15 Lk 6:1-5 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Roisin Gilligan RIP |
|
|
Twenty Third Sunday 6th September Ez 33:7-9 Rm 13:8-10 Mt 18:15-20 9.00 Deceased of Morton & McGarry families 11.00 Jean Barrile RIP 1st anniversary 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish Exit Collection: Parish Hall Refurbishment |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The dry season has ended with a Splash and now the autumn school term is due to start. The excellent GCSE & A-level results these last two weeks bear witness to the hard work of our pupils and the dedication of that teachers. May God bless all their future plans.
Our Lady of Compassion School begins a new term on Thursday, but on Tuesday teachers will join our 10.15 mass in church and renew their promise of dedication to the teaching ministry.
We pray for all our teachers & pupils this week as they begin a new season of hope & promise. Our teaching staff are devoted to the search for truth, a precious gift in a world of rumour, uncertainty & false news
St Peter's school also restarts this week, and after their superlative OFSTED report last year, the school is now heavily oversubscribed. Parents of all faiths and types appreciate the Education we offer.
The same is true in Assam, where our new Sacred Heart Mission School attracts Muslims & Christians & Hindus & Animists alike. Fr.Wilfred will be there for the official opening on Sept 2. We thank people in Olton who’ve supported this mission.
Thanks to Mona Moutran for the afternoon tea hosted yesterday helped by Maureen & Eddy others in aid of this project. Advance thanks to Shirley Fernando who will host a similar afternoon at her house on September 12. (see back page)
Many will have seen the tragedy in Nepal where schools were washed away in catastrophic floods with great loss of life. We hold all the victims & survivors in prayer this week, especially the schoolchildren.
Meanwhile may our Mother Mary watch over us and keep us safe this week and grant us her maternal protection.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
**********************
SCJ News
Ivory Coast: Fr.Gustavo, Superior General will receive final vows of 2 of our young students at Adiapodoumé, our House of Formation on Sept 12: Bro. Henri Joel scj & Bro. Antoine scj. God bless them both.
**********************
Friary Snippets
Next PPC meeting will be on Wednesday 16th Sept 7.30pm in Garicoits Room. Like to join PPC? Just speak to Fr Biju or Mike Murphy or fill in a form found in the Narthex.
sponsored walk for SCJ Missions is in Droitwich this year: September 19 1.00pm
* Come and join Fr Biju & Fr Austin this year for a 2 hour stroll around the local canals.
* meet at Droitwich Gateway Car Park WR9 7DX Hanbury Rd. B4090, halfway between the Motorway bridge & the Eagle & Sun Inn.
Parish hall refurb 99% complete today!
* new ceiling installed & plastering complete
* walls now painted & new LED lights in place
* new flooring ready for use
* Toilets to be refurbished at a later date
* Deep thanks to Paul Gray who supervised, & generous parishioners who contributed.
Looking ahead our parish will be hosting a spiritual weekend in September. (Sept 18-19) The Flame of Love, a movement of Marian devotion from the USA, will put on a weekend of prayer, meditation and workshops. Please see the back page and also posters around the Friary for more info.
Blessed are those who mourn: Our Friary Bereavement support group sits each month for all seeking support after a loss. All welcome no matter what kind of loss or when.
* We gather 1st Sunday of the month for prayer, conversation & encouragement of one another as we journey together.
* We aren’t a counselling group but promise good listening skills, respect for confidentiality and of course a cuppa.
* Next Meeting ..next Sunday 6th September 3.00pm to 4.30 in the Friary Lounge
* For info call parish Office 0121-706-0505 or Noleen Walsh
**********************
Marriage Matters: Twenty Second Sunday
Jer 20:7-9 Romans 12:1-2 Matt 16:21-27
St.Paul urges us to think of God’s mercy & change the way we behave, so the will of God is visible in us. As spouses we can aid each other in this task, so that a renewed & deeper love is revealed in our relation-ship, which in turn, shines out to our family, friends & community.
**********************
Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 30th August: Group B
Please pray for Henry O'Leary-burial ashes Sept 9 Robin Hood; Kathleen Comer funeral 2nd Sept 10.15 ++May they rest in peace++
Flame of Love here at The Friary Sept 18-19
* Come enjoy fellowship-talks-prayer-praise-healing service-worship-workshops
* Guest speakers Fr.Lawrence Carney (USA), Derek Williams, Mark McLean & others.
* come learn of the Flame of Love
Monday Meditation at Holy Souls: 1pm in Parish Meeting Room, Sept 7 & 21, Oct 5 & 19, Nov 2, 16 & 30, Dec. All welcome
JOBS FOR THE BOYS! AND THE GIRLS!
(i) JOB at THE FRIARY (as cook soon to retire) * Involves cooking & some house-keeping * part for SCJ community & part for parish
* 18 hours per week 9.30-1.00 Mon-Fri
* Diocesan living wage £13.45 per hour
* begins October 1st 2026
* More info? Please contact parish office.
(ii) JOB for SCJ PROVINCE (not parish)
* Safeguarding Planner for SCJ UK members
* approx. 40 hours per month flexi-time
* church living wage plus all expenses
* work 80% from home
* would suit someone with experience in education or social work or healthcare
* training courses given. Info? from Fr.Biju.
Assam School Project Tea, Coffee & cake at Shirley’s house: Sat 12 Sept.
9 Tudor Grange House
Blossomfield Rd B91 1FN
2pm-4pm. Raffle & donations
Pilgrimage to Ignatian Places- lent 2027 * Fr Toby from Holy Souls to lead Ignatian places pilgrimage in Spain & Italy. Explore life of Ignatius & his spiritual wisdom
* Mobility needed? Enough to climb stairs and walk from church to church
* see https://pilgrimagepeople.org/book or email fr.toby.duckworth@rcaob.org.uk
Fr Toby also runs Beloved Disciples
* Ignatian Spiritual Exercises to feed our spiritual lives. Fortnightly Tues. term time
* share meal & our faith experience & tips on prayer & theology & mass in the round.
* helpful for those involved in parish life.
* Taster night….. Tues 1 Sept at 6.30pm
* email fr.toby.duckworth@rcaob.org.uk
March for LIFE in London Sat. September 5 Coach from Holy Souls - 6.50am Friary - - 7.10am. Our Lady of the Wayside-7.30am
Parking at all churches Call Ray 07827 894446 or Jacinta 07837501044 to book
Coach fare Adult- £25 Child - £10
Journey in Faith our programme for those seeking to join the Catholic church starts on Monday 14th September 7.30pm. Why not bring a curious friend? You’d both be blessed. Sept 14 is the feast of the triumph of the cross. If anything is counter cultural, Triumph of the cross surely is!
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
**********************
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
**********************
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.
**********************
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.