Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Twenty Third Sunday

Uncomfortable Words

Mt 18:15-20

 

Jesus speaks difficult words today about correcting the faults of others. Other people’s sins are easy to spot, but we bristle with indignation when someone draws attention to our faults. (How dare you criticise me .. just look at yourself in the mirror!) So Jesus’ words on fraternal correction are disturbing. We’d rather hear words of comfort.

And yet ..we feel pain when a family member loses direction, and their life turns sour. The daughter who drifts into a dead-end relationship … the son mired in debt & drugs  … the uncle totally isolated from the family ..  We love them all dearly but what can we do?

Firstly we must tread warily! The emotional space around a human being is like holy ground. And just as Moses did centuries ago, we must learn to take our boots off!

Secondly we must be honest about our own needs. We all need healing, and we can never talk down to another person. Telling the story of our own journey can be a great help here; so can the admission that the ideal helper may be someone other than us!

    Then thirdly we can’t control another human being. We can clearly & tactfully point out the direction their life will take them, but then hand them over lovingly & prayerfully to the God who loves us all. And if God uses us to bring healing to one of his children we give thanks & praise.  And if we fail in our efforts then we give Him thanks & praise  anyway for keeping us safe in his love.                                  

 

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

6th September - 13th September 2026	Week Twenty Three
Twenty Third Sunday 6th September Ez 33:7-9 Rm 13:8-10 Mt 18:15-20 9.00 Deceased of Morton & McGarry families 11.00 Jean Barrile RIP 1st anniversary 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish Exit Collection: Parish Hall Refurbishment	Dear Brothers & Sisters, Birthday of Our Lady (Tuesday) a very ancient feast that is tradition’s way of saying that from the very first moment of her life Mary was holy, full of grace and destined for a special purpose. In catholic tradition we usually celebrate the day a holy person dies, but with Mary we mark the day she was born. In our Friary Church we also honour her parents St.Joachim & St.Anne. Though not named in scripture they are cited in the apochryphal gospel of Saint James. St Peter Claver (Wednesday) was an early Jesuit who studied in Mallorca, where door keeper St.Alfonso Rodriguez  advised him to go to the New World. So he became the apostle of Columbia, be-friending & defending slaves arriving on ships from Africa. Churchmen & politicians opposed this work, but today his feast is a national holiday in Colombia. St.Osburg (Wednesday) was an 11th century abbess of a Coventry monastery founded by King Cnut after he became a Christian. The Catholic Church on the Coventry ring road bears her name. St.Ambrose Barlow (Thursday) was a Lancashire man who converted to the catholic faith in the turbulent 17th cent. He joined the Benedictines in France & volunteered for the English mission. Serving 24 yrs in Lancashire he was arrested in 1641 & executed at Lancaster. His feast is kept in Salford & Hall Green. The Holy Name of Mary (Saturday) an optional memorial, is a counterpart of the Holy Name of Jesus, and has been celebrated for centuries. St John Chrysostom (Sept. 13) is eclipsed this year by next Sunday, but he was a spirited and combative 4th century Bishop of Constantinople, who won fame as an able and distinguished preacher. ‘Chrysostom’ means ‘golden mouth’.
Monday 7th September  1Co 5:1-8 Lk 6:6-11 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Fr.Andrew Franklin-ordination anniv. also Ann Elliot RIP
Tuesday  8th  September Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary  Mi 5:2-5 or Rm 8:28-30 Mt 1:1-16,18-23  7.00 Mass Jo Duffield 10.15 Mass Patricia Ganderton RIP also Jack Hogan 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday 9th September St.Peter Claver & St.Osburg 1Co 7:25-31 Lk 6:20-26 7.00 Mass Folk in Enerhodar & Dnipro Oblast 10.15 Mass Shay Donohoe RIP also Henry O’Leary 12.15 Ashes burial Henry O'Leary-Robin Hood
Thursday 10th September St.Ambrose Barlow 1 Co 8:1-7,11-13 Lk 6:27-38 7.00 Mass Adam Carl Breeze (birthday)  10.15 Mass Caroline Louise Sparling also Danny C  11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Friday  11th September 1Co 9:16-19,22-27 Lk 6:39-42 7.00 Mass Our Lady Of Medjugorje  10.15 Mass Stella Minihan RIP also Fenola Whittle
Saturday 12th September Most Holy Name of Mary 1Co 10:14-22 Lk 6:43-49 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Paula Fish RIP also Ann Elliot RIP
Twenty Fourth Sunday 13th September Ez 33:7-9 Rm 13:8-10 Mt 18:15-20 9.00 Mass Fr Peter Eccles 11.00 Mass  Alistair Plummer RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish also Robert Hardy RIP (anniversary) Exit Collection: Catholic Education Service

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have much to thank God for at home and abroad. This week the refurbishment of our parish hall was completed, on time and within budget. It now looks so very beautiful and stylish …. a complete change from the sorry interior of 2 months ago.

We will bless our new parish hall today after 9.00 am mass, and welcome everybody for tea and coffee and toast as we usually do on a Sunday morning.

Then after 11.00 am and 6.00pm masses everyone is invited to come and see the transformation, as well as to take tea and coffee. We have a Hall to be proud of.

My hearty thanks go to everyone involved...to Paul Gray who acted as project manager, to our team of helpers who cleared the hall before the decorators got to work, and to those who made alternative arrangements for regular users.

Thanks also to the fundraising group who worked hard to support the project, but above all to generous donors in our Parish who made the task possible. It wouldn't have seen the Light of Day without you.

People around the diocese have been impressed by the way we all worked together with such a generous spirit, so thank you once again.

Then in India on Wednesday Fr.Wilfred was in Assam for the official opening of our new school building in Simuluguri, in Guwahati Diocese, in the presence of the local Bishop John Moolichira.

This again was helped by generous people in our parish. May God bless your kindness.

Tuesday is the birthday of our Mother Mary model of all generosity and kindness. May she watch over us this week and keep us safe in answer to her prayers.

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

**********************

SCJ News

India: next Thursday (Sept 10) sees the ordination of Stevan Rodriguez scj at Kasaragod in the Mangalore Diocese. He was one of Fr.Biju’s novices a few years ago, and is a fluent Konkani speaker. (Language of Christians in Mangalore and Goa)

**********************

Friary Snippets 

 Next PPC meeting will be on Wednesday 16^th Sept 7.30pm in Garicoits Room. Like to join PPC? Just speak to Fr Biju or Mike Murphy or fill in a form found in the Narthex.

sponsored walk for SCJ Missions is in Droitwich this year: September 19 1.00pm

* Come and join Fr.George & Fr.Austin this year for a 2 hr stroll around the local canals.

* meet at Droitwich Gateway Car Park WR9 7DX Hanbury Rd. B4090, halfway between the Motorway bridge & the Eagle & Sun Inn.

Fr.Biju invites all to see newly refurbished parish hall after 9am,11am & 6pm Masses. Huge thanks to all parishioners for support & encouragement, especially to Paul Gray who project-managed the refurb. & Brendan Walsh who oversaw the electrics. Thanks to the Fundraising group, Parish Council & Finance Committee & parish staff. We pray for all who worked so hard to finish this on time. Tea & Coffee now resume after Mass.

Carlo Acutis Youth Club also resumes in the hall this Friday September 11@ 6.30pm. God bless and protect our young people.

Blessed are those who mourn: Our Friary Bereavement support group sits each month for all seeking support after a loss. All welcome no matter what kind of loss or when.
* We gather 1^st Sunday of the 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 6^th September 3.00pm to 4.30 in the Friary Lounge
* For info call parish Office 0121-706-0505 or Noleen Walsh  

**********************

Marriage Matters: Twenty Third Sunday

Ezek 33:7-9 Rom 13:8-10 Matthew 18:15-20

We hear Jesus’ promise ‘where two or more meet in my name I will be with them’. In  the practical ways we look after each other we are saying; ‘your concerns are mine’. Nothing is too small or insignificant in our marriage. And my beloved is beside me to call me back to our life together.

**********************

Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 6^th September: Group C

Please pray for Henry O'Leary-burial ashes Sept 9 Robin Hood, & also Noel McMahon   ++May they rest in peace++

Monday Meditation at Holy Souls: 1pm in Parish Meeting Room, Sept 7 & 21, Oct 5 & 19, Nov 2, 16 & 30, Dec. All welcome

JOBS FOR THE BOYS!  AND THE GIRLS!

(i) JOB at THE FRIARY (as cook soon to retire)

* Involves cooking & some house-keeping

* part for SCJ community & part for parish

* 18 hours per week 9.30-1.00   Mon-Fri

* Diocesan living wage £13.45 per hour

* begins October 1^st 2026

* More info? Please contact parish office.

 (ii) 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. Info? from Fr.Biju.

 (iii) Diocesan Job Safeguarding Advisor, 35 hrs per week. Salary plus benefits. Closing date: 21^st Sept2026, See Diocesan website and notice in Narthex for details. For informal discussion about role, contact Claire Reay claire.reay@rcaob.org.uk 

 Assam School Project Tea, Coffee & cake at Shirley’s house: Sat 12 Sept.

9 Tudor Grange House

Blossomfield Rd B91 1FN

2pm-4pm. Raffle & donations

200 CLUB winners July: 1^st £125 115 Mrs L Carmichael; 2^nd £50 101 Mrs L Travasso; 3^rd £25 164  Ms Linda Bowen.

August: 1^st £125 210 Mrs C.Troth; 2^nd £50 55 Mrs. M.Cunningham; 3^rd £25 185 Ms.H.O’ Dwyer

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 

 Flame of Love here at The Friary Sept 18-19

* Come enjoy fellowship-talks-prayer-praise-healing service-worship-workshops

* Guest speakers Fr.Lawrence Carney (USA), Derek Williams, Mark McLean & others.

* come learn of the Flame of Love

Parlez-vous celtic? Conversational Irish classes for beginners or intermediates, start Wed 9 Sept, Holy Cross & St.Francis B76 2RS or Wed 16 Sept. Intermediates at 7.10pm. Beginners 6.00pm. (Gerard 07929 873828

Journey in Faith our programme for those seeking to join the Catholic church starts  on Monday 14^th  September  7.30pm

Why not bring a curious friend? You’d both be blessed. Sept 14 is the feast of the triumph of the cross. If anything is counter cultural, Triumph of the cross surely is! 

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

**********************

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

**********************

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.

**********************

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.