Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Reading Between the Lines
John 13.31-33a, 34-35
The sharp-eyed will notice that our gospel omits half a verse. Verse 33 begins “My dear children yet a little while I am with you”. But somehow the lectionary misses the next bit “and where I go now you cannot come”.
Perhaps the editor didn't want to see a line that looked confusing. But it's often the throwaway line that tells all.
Jesus sensed at this point that the next day he would give his life on a cross at Golgotha, but that the disciples weren't ready to follow him just yet. After all Judas had betrayed him, Peter would deny him and the others would run away in Gethsemane.
But after he rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples and gave them
them strength, they would learn to follow him any-where. Could this be a lesson for us too? Has our track record been one of mistakes and failures? Have there been times when we let Jesus down? Afraid to follow where he led? The good news is that none of this matters! If like Peter we are prepared to say “Yes Lord I love you”, then this same Lord will give us work to do and overlook our past.
He will also help us read between the lines. When our brothers and sisters express their needs to us, it is often the unspoken needs that are the most important. We meet them with a word of affirmation ...a spiritual uplift …a look of recognition ...a hand of forgiveness...and a word of acceptance. Reading between the lines is a holy science,
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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18th May - 25th May 2025 |
Fifth Week of Easter 2025 |
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Fifth Sunday of Easter 18th May Ac 14:21-27 Rv 21:1-5 Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35 9.00am -1st Holy Communion-Going Forth 11.00am-Catherine & James Murphy RIP Anniversary 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass – People of the Parish Exit Collection Parish Hall Roof |
Dear Brothers & Sisters What a gift to us is Pope Leo, our new Holy Father! Though the press made much of his Chicago origins, his formative years were spent as a missionary in Peru (see next page) where he spent his ministry among impoverished people. He continues the mission of Pope Francis to people on the edges. By holy coincidence some parishioners were in Rome last week, on pilgrimage, and they were able to see Pope Leo our new Holy Father. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God too for our first communions yesterday, the catechists and teachers who instruct the children, and the parents and guardians who take care of them. They do the work of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Our teachers deserve our thanks and praise. OLC school children have just taken their SATS tests, and at St.Peter’s our children are sitting GCSE & A-level exams after a wonderful Ofsted result. Our Going Forth Mass is at 9.00am today, when we give thanks to God for bringing our children closer to him in Holy Communion, and we ‘send them forth’ as ambassadors of Jesus. The time from Easter to Pentecost was when Our Mother Mary waited patiently with the apostles for the coming of the Spirit. May we know her presence with us now as we look forward to Pentecost. Fr.Biju Parish Priest ******************** St.Dunstan (Monday) bp. of Worcester before becoming Archbp. of Canterbury over 1,000 years ago. He encouraged the unity of the fledgling English state, and wrote the Coronation rite for King Edgar in 973…the same rite used in 2023 for the coronation of King Charles
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Monday - 19th May Saint Dunstan Ac 14:5-18 Jn 14:21-26 7.00am Mass - Private Intention 10.15 Mass Catherine Foley RIP 4th Anniversary |
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Tuesday - 20th May Ac 14:19-28 Jn 14:27-31 7.00am Mass Barry Taylor RIP 10.15 Mass Fr Dominic Innamorati SCJ RIP 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday - 21st May Saint Christopher Magallanes Ac 15:1-6 Jn 15:1-8 7.00 Mass - Andrew Cunningham RIP 10.15 Mass Patricia Tubbs RIP & Victoria Phoenix 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (Day Chapel) |
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Thursday - 22nd May Saint Rita of Cascia Ac 15:7-21 Jn 15:9-11 7.00 Mass Tom Wagner & Tom Brady 10.15 Mass Fr Paul Johnson 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament 6.00-7.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Friday - 23rd May Ac 15:22-31 Jn 15:12-17 7.00 Mass - Special Intention B.F. (RIP) 10.15 Mass - Mrs Ros Sherman (birthday) |
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Saturday 24th May Ac 16:1-10 Jn 15:18-21 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Billy Gaffey RIP |
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Sixth Sunday of Easter 25th May Ac 15:1-2,22-29 Rv 21:10-14,22-23 Jn 14:23-29 9.00am -Nora & John Eccles 11.00am-Jean Daint RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass – People of the Parish Exit Collection Friary Building Fund |
Notices
Our new pope, Leo XIV Grew up in Chicago, but was really shaped by his years as a missionary in Peru. There he reached people in the margins, and fearlessly defended the rights of the lowly.
Violence and killing were common back then, and Bp.Prevost denounced both the actions of President Fujimori’s soldiers, as well as the cruelty of Sendero Luminoso the extremist guerilla group, at some peril to himself. He is no stranger to the divisions in the church in the USA, and perceives it as his duty to try and heal the polarisation that so bedevils the American church, as well as its knock-on effects elsewhere.
He is proud of the immigrant status of his roots: on his father’s side French & Italian, and on his mother’s side Spanish & Creole ..which implies some African heritage too.
His name: Leo XIV is a tribute to Pope Leo XIII the pope of the industrial revolution who championed workers rights in an age of economic upheaval. Pope Leo XIV sees our age of AI & robots as just as great a challenge to the dignity of human beings, and insists that men women & children must take centre stage in any debate about the future of technology, and not profit-margins. May God bless our new pope and sustain his courage.
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SCJ News: Fr.Biju is back from the Regional Council meeting in Chiang Mai. And meanwhile Fr Wilfred continues to India for the final profession of Bro.Stephen Rodriguez one of our younger brothers in India. Like most Mangalorean Christians Bro.Stephen’s first language is Konkani.
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Friary Snippets
A football contest run by KYT (the diocesan youth service) will take place on The Friary lawn in three weeks time. (remember last year’s successful tournament?) This one-June 7, 10.00am-4.00pm-will see teams from different age groups (Y6-8 & Y9-12) compete in friendly fashion ending with mass and meditation at 3.00pm. Time to organise your own team! Register at: https://www.tfaforms.com/5178172
Mission Accomplished: our intrepid parish cyclists Francis & Helena Madden arrived in Santiago de Compostela last week after 2000km on the road. See them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/francis.madden.399
Like to support their refugee project? See: https://www.justgiving.com/page/francis-madden-vezelay-santiago
Olton U3A (University of the Third Age)invite parishioners to a presentation on Macular Degeneration This Thurs 22 May, 1-3pm in our parish hall. Like to attend? Please advise Parish Office by tomorrow. Coffee & tea provided but bring own mug!
Thank you to all who sponsored new tables for the hall. We’ve been able to buy 20 new user-friendly & wheelchair friendly light-weight tables. They carry a 5-year warranty. Many thanks again for your generosity.
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Marriage matters: FifthSunday of Easter
Acts 14:21-27; Rev 21:1-5; John 13:31-35
We as a couple are unique - a one off! No other couple is quite like us. We can share the load, lighten the burden, and double the joys! Jesus said ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. Just as I care for myself, I must care for you too in the same way. Let us celebrate our ‘coupleness’.
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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 18th May: Group A
Rest in Peace: : Eileen Teresa Curley-funeral Wed 28 May 10.30am; also Joseph Walker funeral 20 June. May they rest in peace ++
new diocesan trustee: B’ham Diocese seeks Catholic volunteer with trained experience of safeguarding to join Trustees Board and chair Safeguarding Sub-Committee. Want to know more? We’d welcome discussion. - See www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/Pages/FAQs/Category/safeguarding
Ukulele concert for Christian Aid
* by Olton Amazing Pluckers
* Saturday 31 May 7.30pm
* Acocks green Methodist Church.
1 Botteville Rd, B27 7YE
* a keen talented & modest ukulele band
* favourite songs old and new;
* interval refreshments (cash only)
* tickets £5 (under 16 free with paying adult) * ring 0121 711 2362
personal pastoral skills without charge: We Find Any Learner a non-profit group, offers six free online courses
* Counselling Skills
* Understanding Autism
* Mental Health First Aid
* Children's Mental Health
* Understanding Cancer Support
* Safeguarding & Prevent
No fees-Flexible study-Online self-paced
See https://www.wefindanylearner.com
Or Call 01226 958 888.
Our new Pope Leo XIV in his first address to the College of Cardinals on May 10, made a bold claim: "Just as Pope Leo XIII read the signs of the Industrial Revolution and responded with Rerum Novarum, we must now respond to a digital revolution that places not machines in factories, but algorithms in hearts, minds, and lives." With these words, he positioned AI at the very centre of modern moral concern. Pope Leo who once taught Maths & Physics in Chicago is determined to face the serious challenge of artificial intelligence. He isn't a technophobe but a voice bridging a gap between tradition and innovation. His formation in mathematical logic gives a clarity to his moral reasoning, while his pastoral experience grounds his moral concerns in lived human realities. He sees AI not just as a tool or a threat, but as a mirror in which humanity must face itself.
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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.