Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Second Sunday of Easter

Divine Mercy Sunday

         Yesterday Pope Francis was laid to rest in the basilica of St. Mary Major, where he prayed on becoming Pope in 2013, and prayed so often before a foreign trip or major project. It was the first Western church to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary, after the 431 Council of Ephesus declared her Mother of God, and Pope Francis always entrusted God’s children to her loving care.

        Love was the quality for which people will remember him most, and no pope in modern times has ever shown such a warm love of his people. He saw himself as an outsider, never curial official, never Vatican diplomat and never part of a pressure group, and certainly not a careerist. On becoming pope, he joked that the Cardinals had to go to the ends of the earth to find a bishop for Rome… the first pope from the Southern hemisphere, and first Jesuit too.

       People loved him for his down-to-earth qualities, and his fervent belief that a good shepherd should always have ‘the smell of the sheep’ about him.

Our Sacred Heart Brethren loved him because his spirituality was very close to our own, and because of his Argentine origins (where we have several schools) the first pope to actually know who we were!

       His legacy will  bear fruit for decades to come… the espousal of the refugee… defence of mother earth … launch of the synodal  movement …love of popular devotions… love of the folk on the edges… his insistence that serving God must involve serving our neighbour, and his quest for peace between nations. His more recent stress on the love of the Heart of Jesus, springs from his insight that our world has made huge scientific progress, but has lost its heart along the way.

       He never claimed to be a theologian, but in fact had a great command of holy scholarship, scripture and spirituality, as all his letters show. And just like Jesus, he had a great gift for re-framing longstanding difficult problems that set us free from seeking simple yes-or-no solutions.

       May the love that he showed to our God, and the love he showed for God's people inspire us to follow that same pathway of love. And may he bless us all from his certain place in heaven.                                  

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

Weekly Diary

Notices

Dear Brothers & Sisters

 Pope Francis RIP 

'Well done, good and faithful servant.

Enter into the joy of your master.'

Pope Francis was a great ambassador for the Church, he led the Church with clarity and simplicity. Allowing the Church to grow by listening through the synodal process. 

The Church over the last few days may seem  very different with all the cardinals arriving in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral yesterday. I ask you to keep the Cardinals in your prayers and allow the Holy Spirit to breathe through the Conclave.

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, 21 April, at the age of 88, just days after his final public appearance on Easter Sunday. Despite visible frailty, he delivered his Easter message and blessing from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, greeting the world with the words: “Happy Easter.” His enduring commitment, even in weakness, deeply moved the faithful.

Throughout Holy Week, he continued his ministry with courage—celebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in a prison, as he had done each year of his papacy. His death, though not entirely unexpected due to recent illness, came as a surprise and reminds us of the mystery and timing of God’s call to eternal life.

The Church mourns his loss during the Octave of Easter, yet remains rooted in the hope of the Resurrection. Pope Francis’ legacy: his focus on The Joy of the Gospel, care for creation, the dignity of every person, youth, and refugees. A lasting image of his papacy is his solitary blessing of the world during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

As we mark Divine Mercy Sunday—the same feast day on which Pope St John Paul II died—we commend Pope Francis to God’s mercy, praying that he may awaken to the Resurrection.

May Pope Francis rest in peace. Amen. Alleluia!

And may Mary our Mother who stood by  the cross Good Friday, stand by us as we embrace the risen Jesus. God bless you all. 

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News: India Diaconate ordination of Alwyn Crasta SCJ - On March 31, 2025, the Indian Vicariate celebrated the Diaconate Ordination of Bro. Alwyn Crasta SCJ at the Kristu Jyoti College Chapel, in a ceremony led by Archbishop Peter Machado of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Bro Alwyn Crasta was ordained alongside other candidates from various religious congregations. This significant milestone marked their transition into the ministry of the Church.

Betharram France: Fr.Austin visited our mother house at Betharram on Thursday, while part of the Lourdes HCPT pilgrimage last week. Woderful welcome from Fr. Jcky Moura (recently returned from a year in Nazareth), Fr Fulgence (from Ivory Coast) and from Fr.Jean-Marie Ruspil (from the  Basque country). He also managed to see  Fr Grech our old Superior General, who back in 1980 gave the green light for our SCJ community to move from Worcester to Olton Friary

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Assisted Dying Bill.. Now the next reading of the Bill has been postponed till May, it is still very important to write to your MP to express an opinion, especially as nearly all the original promised safeguards have been dropped. Your MP’s address is simple: House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA 

Second Collection today is for Friends of the Holy Land The Christian community needs your ongoing prayers for peace, but also they need your financial support. The FHL based in Kenilworth and working with local parishes throughout the Holyland continue to provide support to the most vulnerable , including education, local training and Job creation. With 80% of income derived from Tourism in  Bethlehem unemployment and trauma because of the war is having a real impact. Please support this collection.

The School & Parish Summer Fayre will be held on Saturday 21 June in the Friary Grounds. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Emma or Annette via the parish office. Donations for Prize draw needed also. Please support if you can.

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Marriage matters: 2nd Sunday of Easter Year C

Acts 5:12-16; Revelation 1: 9-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31. Taking time out for our relationship. On Easter Sunday night the risen Jesus greets the Apostles saying ‘Peace be with you’. How can we find peace in such a hectic world?  We are called to make time for our relationship with God, and make a diary entry for our personal relationship. Listening and dialogue build intimacy and peace – with each other and with God.

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 Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 27th April. Group D

Rest in Peace:  3 former parishioners who died recently Diana Turnbull (Wales), Barry Taylor (Derbyshire), Peter Cullen (Lincs.) Eileen Teresa Curley and Pope Francis (Rome)

Jubilee year: Sincere thanks to Pat Bishop for the Symbols of Hope by the baptism font, made by the children. Thanks too, to Siobahn Brassil for the new Jubilee banner in church, and thanks also to Andrew Lockington for Jubilee prayer cards

Guild of St.Stephen National Mass for Altar Servers Saturday 17 May 12.15pm at Lancaster cathedral coincides with 100yrs of Lancaster Diocese & the Holy Year. Light refreshments after, and chance to meet servers from different Dioceses. Confirm attendance by Sunday 27 April

Pilgrimage to Pentecost: A new course to be launched by the Southwark Diocese on Zoom after Easter. Aim? To follow in foot-steps of Mary & the Apostles and come to a deeper relationship with Christ. Starts week beginning 27 April. For more info: https://aec.rcaos.org.uk/p2p  

Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6Q4uv_76zLiUHOjoALWzhUP0DlAYunjZxQ_4mG_P-achr7A/viewform  

Blessed are those who mourn Our bereavement support group is a monthly gathering for anyone seeking support following a loss .All are welcome, regardless of how long ago the loss has occurred or what kind of loss one is facing. We gather the first Sunday of the month for prayer conversation and encouragement of one another as we continue our grief journey. We are not a counselling group but promise good listening skills, respect for confidentiality and of course a cuppa. Next meeting Sunday 4th of May, 3pm – 4.30pm, Friary Lounge. For information you can contact Parish Office on 0121 706 0505 or Noleen Walsh on 0121 706 5184.

Father Hudsons Caritas online talks For the Jubilee year, Father Hudson's Caritas are going to be providing online talks to discuss their work within the Archdiocese of Birmingham and how we provide hope to vulnerable people in our local area. The first talks will be based on our disability work and are on Monday, 28th April at 12:30-1:30, and Tuesday, 29th April at 6pm-7pm. The talks will be by the staff who work within our theme of disability. We will also be discussing how people can support Father Hudson's Caritas and how you can support people with disabilities in your own communities. To register, click the link below or scan the QR code on the poster. Events - Father Hudson's Caritas

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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.