Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Coming out of the Closet...

 

John 2.13-22

          Not a lot of people know this, but St.Peter’s church in Rome where the Pope greets the crowds is not actually the pope’s cathedral. St.Peter’s is simply a church for big ceremonies and Councils. The real cathedral is the church of St.John Lateran three miles away on the other side of the Tiber.

        According to legend the Lateran site was gifted to the church when the Emperor Constantine became a Christian in 313 A.D., and a church built on the site. So  we keep the feast of its dedication today.

        But for us the church is firstly people not bricks & mortar. So this feast speaks to us of the wonders God works among his people: ordinary men and women.

       When the Emperor became a Christian he put an end to 300 years of harsh perse-cution. Then overnight the church-in-hiding became the open church. Christians every-where came out of the closet, and the church grew from strength to strength.

       For the first time Christians could publicly enter the professions, government and civil service. This meant that they had to grapple with the messy business of civil order, politics, trade and industry.      

   So the church had to move away from ‘protest movement’ status to a more mature position, and start taking responsibility for the formation of a decent society. This ‘coming of age’ is what we celebrate today.  

 

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

9th November - 16th November 2025	Week Thirty Two
Dedication of Lateran Basilica 9th November Ez 47:1-2,8-9,12 1Co 3:9-11,16-17 Jn 2:13-22 9.00 Peggy & Douglas Coshan 11.00am People of the Parish - Remembrance 12.30 Baptism  6.00pm Mass  Intentions of Pope Leo XIV Exit Collection Friary Cemetery upkeep	Dear Brothers & Sisters, Remembrance Sunday Today we honour the dead of two world wars. Our Parish Craft team have made a superb Remembrance Poppy display at St.Joseph’sAltar. Many thanks to them. Silence & Remembrance will be kept at the start of 11.00 mass today We recall with gratitude the sacrifices of so many overseas regiments in WWII who stood with the Allies: the Bengal Lancers, Madras Sappers, the West Indies regiment, the Ceylon Light Infantry, King’s African Rifles & the Gurkhas  etc. Their sacrifice is remembered too. St Leo the Great (Monday) a Pope of the 5th century worked hard to protect both church and people against barbarian invasions. His interventions prevented a serious massacre. He was the  very first ‘Pope Leo’. St. Martin of Tours (Tuesday) a soldier before his conversion, became Bishop of Tours, founding monasteries & churches. A famous story about him depicts him giving his cloak to a beggar. Died 397. St. Josaphat (Wednesday) a martyr for unity, popular in Poland & Ukraine. Ukrainian Orthodox born, he embraced unity of Catholic & Orthodox Churches. Made Bishop of Polotsk in 1617 but was murdered by dissidents opposing unity. St.Albert the Great (Saturday) the great 13th century Dominican theologian is  the patron saint of science, having himself pioneered the scientific method of laboratory experiments.  ********************************* Many will remember Miss Pat Rogers  who used to teach at Our Lady of Compassion school, and also ran our First Communion Programme for many years. Pat passed away peacefully in Cumbria on Thursday. May she rest in peace. Amen
Monday - 10th November St.Leo the Great, Pope & Doctor Sir 39:6-10 Mt 16:13-19 7.00 Mass  Health and Happiness 10.15 Mass  Intentions of Pope Leo XIV
Tuesday - 11th  November Saint Martin of Tours Is 61:1-3 Mt 25:31-40 7.00am Mass  Sick person & family  10.15 Mass –  Intentions of Pope Leo XIV 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday - 12th November St.Josaphat Ep 4:1-7,11-13 Jn 17:20-26 7.00 Mass  Health to recover after illness  10.15 Mass Intentions of Pope Leo XIV 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)
Thursday - 13th  November   Ws 7:22-8:1 Lk 17:20-25 7.00 Mass   Intentions of Pope Leo XIV 10.15 Requiem Anthony James Bower 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Friday - 14th November Ws 13:1-9 Lk 17:26-37 7.00 Mass Holy Souls 10.15 Mass Intentions of Pope Leo XIV also Olive Reavey
Saturday 15th November Saint Albert the Great Ws 18:14-16,19:6-9 Lk 18:1-8 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass  Intentions of Pope Leo XIV
Thirty Third Sunday 16th November Mal 4:1-2 2Th 3:7-12 Lk 21:5-19 9.00 June & James Eccles 11.00am People of the Parish also Barry Rudd 12.30 Baptism   6.00pm Mass  Mr Marwan Elcheikh RIP Exit Collection Parish Hall Roof

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This weekend we remembered the dead with honour. We thank Bishop David Evans for presiding yesterday at our mass for the faithful departed of the parish, as well as  our parish bereavement group who work so hard to bring hope to the bereaved.

We also thank Trio Capriccio for the wonderful ‘Lest we forget’ concert in our church last night. Many thanks to them  and our parish social & fundraiser group who worked so hard to organise this event. A fitting tribute on remembrance weekend, on a par with the Royal Albert Hall.

On this Remembrance Sunday we keep a silence at the start of 11.00am mass, to pay tribute to the sacrifices of so many during two world wars.

Our parish Crafts Group have made a beautiful poppy display at St.Joseph’s altar. Among the quotations in the display is the  1944 Kohima Epitaph honouring the dead of Kohima Nagaland by the India/Burma border

“When You Go Home,

Tell Them Of Us And Say,

For Your Tomorrow,

We Gave Our Today”

We pray for our dead daily in November If you would like a  relative of  yours to  be added to our prayer list, please take a leaflet from the Narthex & add the names of your those you wish to pray for this month & place them in the Remembrance box in church or chapel.

We turn to Mary Mother of the Church at this time of year, and ask her to comfort the bereaved. She is close to those who mourn, and gives hope to those who are suffering.

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News: 

England-Thailand: This week Brother Andrew will leave for Bangkok for a 6 month placement in our Thai communities in Bangkok & Chiang Mai. Among other things he will try to encourage vocations to the brotherhood as well as priesthood. May God bless and reward all his efforts.

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Friary Snippets 

Christmas Market will be held Saturday 22 Nov 2025 in the parish hall. 11.00-3.00, Entrance £1.00, children free. Teas, coffee & mince pies & burger baps for purchase. Much cheaper than the B’ham German market! All tables now fully booked!

The Christmas Fayre will take place at OLC school on Saturday 6 December. 12-3pm. Please can you bring in advance, donations of bottles, sweets & chocolate, unwanted gifts, good quality toys & teddys. Raffle tickets on sale today after each mass.

Bingo Night Saturday 22 November 7.15pm in our parish hall. £10 per person. Come along and enjoy! Our Parish Social & fundraiser group caters for all tastes.

Confirmation 2026 We run a Confirmation

Programme for Y6 children not at Catholic Primary School, or Y7 & Y8 children who may have missed out in previous years.

* 5 Sunday morning sessions after 9.00 mass

* starts December 7^th at 10.00am.

* to enrol your child? Just email Sarah Wood on sarah.wood@oltonfriary.org.uk

* Confirmations on Friday 6^th Feb at 7pm.

Advent is on the horizon, and we have our annual advent prayer service in homes: Wednesday 10^th December 2025 7.30pm ‘Welcoming the new born king’. Please speak to Fr Biju if you would like to host this beautiful event. First-timers always welcome, and will be given guidance.

Journey in Faith: our programme for those seeking to join the church or even just seeking...continues tomorrow Monday at 7.30pm

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Marriage Matters: Remembrance Sunday

Ez 47:1-2,8-9,12 1Co 3:9-11,16-17 Jn 2:13-22

Jesus astounds the opposition today by speaking of rebuilding the temple in just 3

days. But of course he was speaking of  the temple of his own body, the way people would draw closer to God from now on. Can we imagine ourselves drawing closer to God through the body of our partner? With trust, reverence and love? And could that reverence & love be example for others?

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Jubilee Mass Sunday 28 December 2025,  feast of The Holy Family this year.

* Jubilee Mass 11.00a.m. for couples with a significant Wedding Anniversary 2025. 

* 1^st anniversary? 25^th, 30^th, 35^th, 40^th, 45^th, 50^th, 55^th, 60^th ? ……….Please let us know.

* Spouse deceased? Can still mark the day. Please call Fr.Biju, parish office or Wedding Team weddings@oltonfriary.org.uk if you’d like to attend & receive a special blessing.

Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 9^th November: B

Please Pray for Marion Mullen, Anthony James Bower-funeral 13Nov 10.15;  Charles Bernoski-funeral 21 Nov 10.15 am; Sheila Griffin-funeral 28 Nov; & Pat Rogers  May they rest in peace.

Tradition of blessing the graves of our loved ones continues through November.

       + November Blessing of Graves +

* 9 Nov 2 pm: Lodge Hill, Quinton, Witton Cemetery, Widney Manor: Lawn nos. 001-673; 674-1411; 2353-3433 & children's graves (car park to roundabout by children's area, including 2353-3433)

* 16 Nov 2pm: Kings Norton , Widney Manor: nos-3450-3525; 3530-ongoing i.e. roundabout to railway line

* 23 Nov 2pm: Wythall, Robin Hood, & St Nicholas 

Exit Collection Today is for our own cemetery upkeep. For materials used only. (the grounds team give their labour free)

Christmas Grave Posies can be ordered from the flower team @ £10.   

Christmas workshops Parish Hall 6-8 pm Fri Nov 28 & Sat 11.00am-2.00pm Nov 29 

Limited space so please sign list in narthex

Solihull Choral Society concert Nov 15^th 7.30pm with  Sinfonia of Birmingham

* TO AN UNKNOWN SOLDIER -Jonathan Dove and  REQUIEM – Bob Chilcott.

* Choristers of Derby Cathedral, & tenor Ryan Vaughan Davies & soprano Rosamund Elias Turner. Solihull School Chapel

* Tickets from www.solihullchoral.org.uk

MAC Annual Mass will take place here on Thursday 20^th November at 10.30am in church with Bishop David Evans as main celebrant. MAC (Multi Academy Company) is the umbrella body for  all our 14 catholic schools in the Solihull Borough.

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.