Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Defender of the Faith
John 14.1-12
All eyes were on King Charles last week during his state visit to the USA in a tricky political climate. The new coins for King Charles still carry the old initials F.D. Fidei Defensor -Defender of the Faith, a badge of honour given to King Henry VIII in 1521 by Pope Leo X for his Defence of the Seven Sacraments.
Henry's little book was an answer to Protestant reformers who attacked the sacraments as lacking a scriptural pedigree. And King Charles III, a direct descendant of Henry's sister Margaret, inherits the title.
Some 34 years ago he spoke to Jonathan Dimbleby of his wish to be seen not as Defender of the Faith in a sectarian fashion but as a defender of faith in general. He wanted to be seen (in a secular age) as the defender of anybody who had any faith at all.
People questioned at the time whether this included the faith of the Flat Earth Society, the faith of Suicide Bombers, or the stubborn creed of atheists (questions still unanswered) but the desire to be inclusive is honourable in an age where divisions are rife.
It echoes the gospel words of Jesus today “in my Father's house there are many rooms”. It also echoes the instincts of King Charles’ mother the late Queen Elizabeth II who made the historic trip to Dublin in May 2011, and bravely tried to heal the wounds of history.
Pope Leo XIV, heir of Leo X made his own brave gesture of peace when he prayed side by side with King Charles in the Sistine Chapel in October last year. Both drew criticism from hard-line royalists & hard-line ‘papalists’, but their simple witness showed the world that harmony was possible, when people of faith work together.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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3rd May - 10th May 2026 |
Fifth Week of Easter |
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Fifth Sunday of Easter 3rd May Act 6:1-7 1Pt 2:4-9 Jn 14:1-12 9.00 May Mary Walsh RIP (100th birthday) 11.00 Norah & Francis McGreal 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the parish also Bridget Green Exit Collection Carlo Acutis Youth Leaders training |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, English Martyrs (Monday) This is the feast of the many men and women who suffered for the Faith in England between 1535 and 1680 and many have been recognised by the Church. They included priests & religious, & laity who were prepared to shelter them, to arrange secret Masses. They came from all ages &backgrounds, and their heroic witness help us have a greater love for Christ and his Church. Besides better known priests & monks there are three married women among them: Margaret Clitheroe, Margaret Ward & Anne Line, who all gave their lives for Christ’s sake. Well known country houses in the midlands were often their unofficial mission centres, and several have ‘priest holes’ designed by Jesuit carpenter Nicholas Owen. Among them: Harvington Hall, Baddesley Clinton and Coughton Court. Tuesday is a day of Prayers for all survivors of sexual abuse. Please remember them in your prayers. This year the focus is on domestic abuse, by far the most common form of abuse, but we still remember other victims & survivors, especially those who have survived church-related abuse. The Archbishop commends the Durham University report on church-related abuse The Cross of the Moment which may be a grim read for some, but honestly tries to get at the truth of a tragic situation. It is free on the internet: https://www.durham.ac.uk/media/durham-university/research-/research-centres/catholic-studies-centre-for-ccs/The-Cross-of-the-Moment_digital.pdf On a happier note First Communions begin on Saturday, May 9 at 11.00 am, the first of two Communion Saturdays. Due to numbers, places are reserved for the first Communicants & their families
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Monday - 4th May Feast of the English Martyrs Heb 11:32-40 Mt 10:17-22 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass George Carmichael |
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Tuesday –5th May Act 14:19-28 Jn 14:27-31 7.00 No Mass 10.15 Communion Service 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 5.00pm Vigil James Kevin Gavin RIP |
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Wednesday - 6th May Act 15:1-6 Jn 15:1-8 7.00 Mass Parish St Michaels RC Birmingham 10.15 Requiem James Kevin Gavin RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel) 6.00pm Vigil Anne Letts |
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Thursday - 7th May Act 15:7-21 Jn 15:9-11 7.00 Mass James Fay RIP 10.15 Requiem Anne Letts 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Friday - 8th May Act 15:22-31 Jn 15:12-17 7.00 Mass Special Intention B .B 10.15 Mass Stanislawa & Leon Dochon RIP |
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Saturday 9th May Act 16:1-10 Jn 15:18-21 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Danielle Mc Skeane – Sturch RIP (in day chapel) 11.00 First Communion Mass (in church) |
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Fifth Sunday of Easter 10th May Act 8:5-8,14-17 1Pt 3:15-18 Jn 14:15-21 9.00 People of the Parish also Kevin Gavin 11.00 Maureen & Eddie Treanor 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass George Carmichael Exit Collection Poor Parishes Fund |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
What a joy we had last weekend for the celebration of our church Jubilee. It was a time of thanksgiving a time of sharing our faith and time for mutual encouragement.
It was a special joy to have our special visitors...our Archbishop Bernard Longley..our Vicar General Jonathan Veasey ….our Mayor Annette Mckenzie ...and our local MP Neil Shastri Hurst who all gave generously of their time and attention.
Praise the Lord for all who worked so hard to make this a joyous occasion.. the children.. the musicians the flower arrangers.. the servers.. the readers … special ministers ...office staff and welcomers too. All worked to make it a joyful weekend.
Conducted tours of the Friary were the surprising success. We had expected a couple of dozen people, but received over 100. There is so much interest in our Friary, our church and our history. Thank you to those involved.
On Saturday at 11.00am we welcome our first communion children and also on the following Saturday at the same time. May God bless their parents, catechists & teachers who work so hard to prepare them.
Then at Pentecost we still have a few people to receive fully into the church, in addition to the dozen we received at Easter. And we thank God’s Holy Spirit for his work in the hearts of his people.
And may our Mother Mary, always with the disciples from Easter to Pentecost, stay with us these days and give us her maternal care.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News:
Assam: Pobitro Minj scj ordained 2024, our first priest from Assam, speaks of his background and vocational journey.
∆ I was brought up in Ranipur, Assam in the Oraon tribe, a branch of the Adivasis and my native tongue is Kurukh.
∆ My parents were poor. My mother died when I was 6, so my Dad raised 3 boys and a girl, with much help from my aunt.
∆ Tribal warfare plagued my area in those days, and we lived 10 yrs in refugee camps.
∆ My tribe have a traditional harvest festival
Karam – where people worship tree spirits
∆ Superstition was common in the villages. And witchcraft caused missionaries problems
∆ My village was the first one to receive the Christian faith, so I was raised catholic.
∆ My early schooling was in a Parish school, then in a place of Higher Secondary studies.
∆ In 2012, I joined the Betharram family. I believe that it was God’s plan for me to join
∆ But going to South India for formation was huge...adapting to food, language & customs
∆ Today as a Priest, I can see God’s guiding hand was always with me especially in times of difficulty or crisis. For that I am so grateful
Feast of St.Michael on the horizon…
May 14, a week on Thursday is the feast of our founder Saint Michael Garicoits, and also the Ascension. We plan a 7.00pm mass to celebrate both, with Bishop David Evans.
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Friary Snippets
Blessed are those who mourn…...
Our Bereavement Support Group meets here each month for all seeking support after a loss. All are welcome no matter the kind of loss or when.
* Meet 1st Sunday each 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 Today 3rd May **** 3.00pm to 4.30 in the Friary Lounge
* For info call parish Office 0121-706-0505
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Marriage Matters: Fifth Sunday of Easter
(Acts 6:1-7 1 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12)
Jesus says ‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father’. In our married life, through the visible sign of the way we love each other, when people meet one of us we can be a sign that ‘when seeing me, you see the one I love, in me and with me’, thus echoing Jesus’ bond with His Father
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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 3rd May: Group C
Please pray for James Gavin –funeral Wed 6 May 10.15; Vigil 7pm 5 May; Ann Letts – Thur 7 May, 10.15a.m, Vigil 6 May 6pm; William Joseph Butler-funeral May 19; Tony Davies Funeral Thurs 21 May 10.00am Pansy Pascoe (Tolster) Funeral Wed 20 May, Anthony Benjamin Davies-Funeral Thurs - 21 May; Alfons Kvilums-Funeral Fri 29 May Mary Margaret McHugh-funeral June 5. Also Paddy Benger May they rest in peace
Meditation Group at Holy Souls parish meeting room 1pm May 11 & 25; All welcome.
Diocesan Vocations Discernment Day for young men (Y9-13) sensing call to priest- hood. Young Discerners Group meets Sat May 9 at Oscott College. Learn about priesthood & seminary life. Prayer & meet seminarians & explore discernment. Parents also invited in parallel programme. Info? Deacon Owen deacon.owen@vocations.org.uk Call 0121 321 5135 for more info or sign up.
SPECIAL Friary Jubilee Event
Tea at The Friary May 24 to mark 100yrs
Afternoon tea for only £15, 2.00-5.00pm. Delicious homemade cakes & sandwiches
Scones with strawberry and cream.
Live music from across the decades.
Health & Safety notice: Please obey 1-way system in our car park & 5 mph speed limit.
* Top gate (by cemetery) for entrance only * All must exit via other gate (north end)golf by the wayside! Our Lady of Wayside invites Olton Friary golfers to join their annual golf day at Fulford Heath Golf Club, Tanners Green Lane, Wythall B47 6BH on May 21. Cost? £60 per head includes 18 holes, afternoon buffet, tea, coffee, and prizes & bacon rolls, Buggy hire £35. Interested? Call Ray Hunt 07955 359242 or rayhunt47@btinternet.com for info. Three charities this year: (i) funds to take young adults to Lourdes; (ii) SVP Society & (iii) Father O’Mahony Trust. Donations or sponsorship much appreciated. Businesses can sponsor a hole for £100.
Vocation News: Please find attached a link to the Vocations website and the Vocations Sunday newsletter from the Diocesan Vocations Office. This can also be found on the Diocesan Vocations website: https://www.vocations.org.uk/
St Paul’s School for Girls has vacancies
(i)Examinations Officer full time,
(ii) Reprographics Technician Part Time, 7:30am – 12pm. required asap
Info or application pack: call 0121 454 0895
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.