Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Twenty Fifth Sunday
Late Arrivals in the Vineyard
Mt 20:1-16a
The vineyard workers’ resentment over the generosity shown to late-comers finds echoes among us all: Why should a young high-flyer at work be promoted above me with my 15 years’ solid service?
Why should recent arrivals from overseas receive housing benefit before long standing UK taxpayers? Why should a refugee child get a school place before mine? This parable, more about resentment than wages, echoes many a sore feeling.
The original meaning for early Christians was that no race, class or ethnic group catches God’s eye before any other. The ‘late-comers’ in the story stand for the non-Jews who hadn’t figured in Hebrew history, but were now being given immediate equal standing in the church, to the irritation of the Jewish old guard!
2,000 years on there are many lessons, but here are just 3:
(i) We are an inclusive community, and for us all races are equal.
(ii) We should jump for joy when we see God at work in the hearts of ‘newcomers’, especially the marginalised. The grace of conversion can come any time any place.
(iii) The ‘late-comers’ in our own communities have in fact been a wonderful source of new life & creative energy for which we give God thanks & praise.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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20th September - 27th September 2026 |
Week Twenty Five |
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Twenty Fifth Sunday 20th September Home Mission Sunday Is 55:6-9 Phil 1:20-24,27 Mt 20:1-6 9.00 Mass People of the Parish also Gaynor & Kevin Mc Garry & family 11.00 Mass Pauline O’Dowd 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass Carol Badrick RIP Exit Collection: Catholic Evangelisation Fund |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, St.Matthew (Monday) aka Levi, was a tax collector called by Jesus as an apostle. By tradition he’s also author of Matthew’s gospel giving us that huge body of Jesus’ teaching known as the Sermon on the Mount. His gospel also gives us many parables, as well as St.Joseph’s role in the nativity story. Padre Pio (Wednesday) the famous Capuchin Friar who also carried the stigmata is venerated all over the world & invoked for healing. He lived well into the television age (d.1968) so there are still films & documentaries that carry authentic original footage of his life. Our Lady of Walsingham (Thursday) is celebrated at her shrine in Norfolk our own national shrine of Our Lady. Saints Cosmas & Damian (Saturday) are unofficial patrons of our nhs. Famed as doctors in their native Syria they ruffled establishment feathers by providing services free of charge to the poor and were martyred around 300 AD in the time of Diocletian. **************************************************** A message from our bishops: Today is Home Mission Sunday, a day we celebrate our faith in these lands and a commitment to share the beauty & joy of knowing Jesus Christ. Pope Leo’s first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas” gives us a call to authentic humanity which finds it’s fullness in Christ. The retiring Collection today supports the work of the Bishops’ Conference Mission Directorate. Through Mission Directorate, we support a wide field of service & mission in England & Wales. Please hold this work in your prayers and give as generously as you can.
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Monday 21st September St.Matthew Eph 4:1-7,11-13 Mt 9:9-13 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Iris Williams RIP also Beverley Wilkes |
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Tuesday 22nd September Prv 21:1-6,10-13 Lk 8:19-21 7.00 Mass Priests also Anna 10.15 Mass Claire & family also Laurie Jones RIP 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday 23rd September St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) Prv 30:5-9 Lk 9:1-6 7.00 Mass Susan Hardy 10.15 Mass Piotr Jan Sawicki RIP also Zoe Beavon Retirement |
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Thursday 24th September Our Lady of Walsingham Is 7:10-14,8:10 Lk 1:26-38 7.00 Mass Special Intention C.L. 10.15 Mass Patrick Glendon also Mark Hurley RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Friday 25th September Eccl 3:1-11 Lk 9:18-22 7.00 Mass Patrick Kavanagh 10.15 Mass Julie Agnew RIP also Alan Craigen RIP 7.00pm Deanery Vocations mass |
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Saturday 26th September Saints Cosmas & Damian Eccl 11:9-12:8 Lk 9:43-45 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Fr Wilfred Pereppadan also Brother Gerard Sutherland |
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Twenty Sixth Sunday 27th September Ez 18:25-28 Phil 2:1-11 Mt 21:28-32 9.00 Mass People of the Parish 11.00 Adriana Wheatley RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass Steve Roper Exit Collection: Father Hudson's Society |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle tomorrow tells us that Jesus called a tax collector, who was despised by faithful Israelites, and made him one of his 12 chosen disciples, who later went on to write a beautiful gospel.
In 2013 Pope Francis was inspired by this scene to make Saint Matthew the patron of the Year of Mercy.
Today Jesus calls us no matter what our past and asks us to serve him and share his mercy and forgiveness with the world in so many different ways.
Last week our Archbishop asked people to volunteer to serve as school governors and help guide our young people. (See the link next column for details how to do this.)
On Friday we have a Deanery vocations mass here at the Friary, and we invite young people to hear the gospel of Jesus as personally addressed to them, and to know where Jesus is calling them.
Kenelm Youth Trust the youth ministry of the diocese, is also looking for apostles to help guide the Young. (Again please see the link next column and also back page.)
Several Olton parishioners yesterday came for our annual sponsored walk for Sacred Heart missions, a way of answering the call with their feet. Many thanks to all who supported this venture.
Meanwhile this coming Thursday is the feast of Our Lady of Walsingham, the feast of Mother Mary's national shrine in England. We ask her blessing on us all this week and that she keep us close to following the call of Jesus her son.
May this mother watch over all her children this week.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News
Bethlehem: Twice a week, our Novices visit Homes for Abandoned Children, and Disabled Children. They are a small sign of God's tenderness for the little people of this world. They don't fully understand Arabic, but thanks to good teachers they’re learning a little that allows allow them to communicate better & understand. They also often help the local people who work in the shelter, especially when they have to feed their younger children.
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Friary Snippets
CHILDREN’S VOICES at 9.00am MASS
* Does your child love to sing?
* We invite all children aged 7+ to join our choir at 9:00 am Family Mass.
* Singing with Childrens Voices is a wonderful way to encourage a child's faith via music
* builds confidence & teamwork.
* Short rehearsal 2nd Sunday of month, immediately after Mass.
* Just speak to any of our leaders, Anne, Claire, or Rose, after Mass, or email Rose holysingalong@gmail.com.
Season of Creation Our Harvest Festival will be on Sunday 4th October at 9am Mass. Gifts of non-perishable foods will be brought and offered at Mass, then later distributed to people in need locally.
A Centenary Celebration Concert led by parish choir Saturday 3rd Oct 7.30pm.
* Celebrating music from the last 100 years,
* in aid of the Organ fund
* guest organist Pavlos Triantaris,
* Olton Friary Choir, and dance cabaret.
* Tickets £12 per person...on sale after Mass. or email geraldine.gnych@oltonfriary.org.uk
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Could you be a school governor? Info at https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=9e69eeb7-c3bb-4085-ae0d-33030818e3cd
Could you be a leader of the Young? KYT seeks apostles www.kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk/kenelmvacancies
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Marriage Matters: Twenty Fifth Sunday
Isaiah 55:6-9 Phil 1:20-24, 27 Matt 20:1-16
God can put thoughts into our minds, but how do we ensure these make a difference to our lives? St Paul says, “Avoid anything in your everyday lives unworthy of the Gospel of Christ”: for example, the need to measure what we give in a relationship. Our Sacrament isn’t a 50/50 deal but a 100%/100% unconditional commitment!
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Please remember in your prayers Thomas Sutton & Casey Dean getting married on Friday 25th September at 12.30pm and David Akam and Annette Antony getting married on 26th September at 1.00pm. Many congratulations to both couples and best wishes for their future happiness.
Big thanks to our secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 20th September: Group E
Please pray for Charlotte Rose Angelina Severn-funeral 9 October & Patrick Quinn ++++ May they rest in peace ++++
JOBS FOR THE BOYS! AND THE GIRLS!
(i) 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.
* Deadline 26 Sept. Info? from Fr.Biju.
(ii) St.peter’s School seeks new head … A new headteacher is sought for our school from September 2027 due to impending retirement of our current head teacher. Interested applicants please follow link: https://mynewterm.com/jobs/148094/EDV-2026-SPCS-33226 Deadline October 6
Cluster Parishes to gather at the Friary October 3 starting with 10.15am Mass in church & then in the hall until 12.30pm. All invited to join esp. parish group leaders
Monday Meditation at Holy Souls: 1pm in Parish Meeting Room, Sept 21, Oct 5 & 19, Nov 2, 16 & 30, Dec 14. All welcome
Journey in Faith our programme for those seeking to join the Catholic church resumes tomorrow Monday 21 Sept 7.30pm in the Friary library. We tune in to the $64,000 question Jesus put to the disciples: “Who do people say I am?”
Healthy Bones Our Lady of the Wayside will host a one-off bone health education session. University Hospitals Birmingham to give a free session to aid access to bone health info, & osteoporosis & exercise and fracture prevention. Saturday 24 October 14:00 – 17:00 in OLW Parish Function Hall
Young apostles sought Kenelm Youth Trust seeks committed individuals to join the team as Programme Leaders.
* Deliver retreat & outdoor learning programmes for children & young people
* Passionate about youth ministry, and helping young people grow in faith?
* Info at: www.kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk/kenelmvacancies
Why Kenelm? St.Kenelm was a very young Christian martyr of Anglo Saxon times who gave his life for Jesus on the Clent Hills. On his July 17 feast day St.John Henry Newman used to make a pilgrimage to his shrine.
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.