Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Twenty Eighth Sunday
Come To My Feast...
Matt 22.1-11
The parable of the wedding feast is puzzling because the friendly invitation is coupled with dire threats for those who refuse it. Then to cap it all Jesus invites us to hear it as a parable of God’s mercy!
It easily mirrors an image of an angry God that many of us struggled to shake off. But if we hear it instead as a parable of human nature and how defiance creates our own private misery, then it all makes sense.
We often act like the guests who refuse to come to the feast. Just think how frequently we misread the loving outreach of our brothers and sisters in everyday life! Likewise we often keep God at a distance too. The resultant loneliness is not God's punishment, but rather the harm we inflict upon ourselves. Luckily we have a God who keeps searching for us even if we end up desperate as beggars on street corners.
The strange postscript about the beggar arriving without a wedding suit, is a reminder that even beggars like ourselves have to want what is on offer.
Why do some folk refuse this offer of love, and turn their back on the call to the feast? The causes are many and varied, but we do ourselves no favour if we bristle over the ‘refusniks’.
Our call is to be humbly grateful for the good that God does in our lives, and recall the saying “There but for the grace of God go I”. Our love will be a better witness than our anger.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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11th October - 18th October 2026 |
Week Twenty Eight |
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Twenty Eighth Sunday 11th October Is 25.6-11a Phil 4.12-14, 19-20 Mt 22:1-14 9.00 Mass Patricia Ganderton RIP 1st anniversary 11.00 George Carmichael 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish also Jan Coxhead RIP Exit Appeal Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, The Second Vatican Council opened this day in 1962, when this was the feast of Mary Mother of God. Now it is the feast of Pope John XXIII - displaced by Sunday. St.Wilfred (Monday) took the roman side at the 664 Synod of Whitby and was bishop of Lindisfarne & York. St.Edward the Confessor (Tuesday) was English King before Harold Godwinson. ‘Confessor’ because he openly professed Christian faith in a cynical world. He is portrayed in the Bayeux Tapestry, now on show in the British Museum. St.Callistus (Wednesday) martyred in 222, like many early popes defended the principle of mercy against early Christian rigorists who wanted to see a purer more exclusive kind of church. St.Teresa of Avila (Thursday), was a 16th century mystic, spiritual guide & reformer who had a huge influence on the church. St.Margaret Mary (Friday) a nun in Paray-le-Monial, East France was famed for visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her Sacred Heart devotions stress the suffering Jesus & our duty to repair the harm our sins have done. Pope Francis added in 2024 that this must include repairing the damage men & woman have done to our world ...war...poverty.. the earth...the innocent etc..(Dilexit Nos on the 250th anniversary of St Margaret Mary) St.Ignatius of Antioch (Saturday) belongs to the second generation of the early Christians, and was martyred in Rome in 107 where he was brought for trial. *********************************************************
Prisoners Sunday is delayed 2 weeks as today we have an appeal for Holy Child Sisters. Then Oct 18th is Mission Sunday.
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Monday 12th October St.Wilfred Gal 4.22-24,26-27,31-5.1 Lk 11.29-32 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Joan & Tony Poole also Elsie Cooke |
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Tuesday 13th October St.Edward the Confessor Gal 5.1-6 Luke 11.37-41 7.00 Mass Christina Foley RIP 10.15 Mass Michael Kamalarjan RIP also Dawn Maxwell Patel & Shashi Patel-Wedding 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday 14th October St,Callistus Gal 5.18-25 Lk 11:42-46 7.00 No Mass 10.15 Communion Service |
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Thursday 15th October St.Theresa of Avila Rom 8.22-27 John 15.1-8 7.00 Mass Mary Anto 10.15 Mass Souls in Purgatory also Susan Byrne |
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Friday 16th October St.Margaret Mary Alacoque Eph 1.11-14 Luke 12.1-7 7.00 Mass Mrs Gallagher RIP 10.15 Mass Cunningham family-living & deceased also Bonnie Mc Gough 11.00 Interment of ashes of Stephen Griffin |
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Saturday 17th October St.Ignatius of Antioch Phil 3.17-4.1 John 12.24-26 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Dawn Thompson also Tommie Flemming |
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Mission Sunday (Twenty Ninth) 18th October Is 45.1,4-6 1 Thess 1.1-5b Mt 22:15-21 9.00 Mass Norah Phillis Sherlock 11.00 Stella Minihan RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish also Peggy Green Exit Appeal Annual MISSIO Collection |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus will be speaking at today’s masses. They are a small missionary society founded by Irish sister Mother Mary Charles Magdalen Walker, & now mainly Nigerian, working in Africa, West Indies and Southern England. Our exit collection today helps their work.
CAFOD sends thanks for supporting Family Fast Day! Generous donations have helped more children stay in school...e.g.Tayla in Zimbabwe, where CAFOD’s local partners worked with her community to install a solar-powered water supply. Now all the school has access to clean water.
Our Harvest Thanksgiving last Sunday was a reminder that we depend on so many people in so many different countries for the food we eat. Food on the table is a physical reminder that the human race is one family under God.
Our Sacred Heart School in Assam, whose new block was officially opened a few weeks ago, was made possible by generous donations from people in this parish, who show care for brothers & sisters in distant lands. May God bless your kindness.
Much nearer to home there are others who need our help. Solihull Stroke Club which meets weekly in our parish hall, is struggling to survive.
What they need isn’t money but people! Able-bodied volunteers are needed to carry on this support for those suffering the after effects of a stroke. Could this be your vocation? Could you help in a front line or background role?
October is the month of Our Lady, and you will have seen her statue in church on the sanctuary during this month.
May Mary our mother keep us safe this week and keep us close to her son Jesus.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News
Triuggio, Italy: Fr Enrico was in Triuggio recently for the Diamond Jubilee of Fr.Aurelio Riva scj, (a native of Triuggio)who had served for several decades in Brazil.
Fr.Gustavo Agin our Superior General was in Ivory Coast last month for an official visitation. This week he is in Paraguay.
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Friary Snippets
The diocese has now taken charge of developments on the Friary campus, so if you have any helpful input please contact Tom Stockwell rcaobproperty@rcaob.org.uk or Eric Kirwan eric.kirwan@rcaob.org.uk ( 0121 230 6221
World Mission Sunday comes soon 18 Oct. Pope Leo invites us all to support Missio – his charity for world mission. Donate via Missio envelopes or call 020 7821 9755 or see missio.org.uk to give a gift, set up a Direct Debit and Gift Aid your donation if possible
Solihull Stroke Club - in danger of closing due to lack of volunteers. We usually...
* meet Wednesdays in the parish hall
* socialise, play board games, crafts & bingo
* a physiotherapist takes exercises,
* make 2-course lunch for 20 people.
* helpers needed for the above or admin. Call Terry Terry.lloyd6@btopenworld.com
CHILDREN’S VOICES at 9.00am MASS
* We invite all children aged 7+ to join our choir at 9:00 am Family Mass.
* Singing with Childrens Voices is a wonderful way to encourage a child's faith via music
* builds confidence & teamwork.
* Short rehearsal 2nd Sunday of month, immediately after Mass.
* Just speak to any of our leaders, Anne, Claire, or Rose, after Mass, or email Rose holysingalong@gmail.com.
Oscott Blessing of the Graves 7 Nov. 3pm Family & friends of those buried at Oscott Cemetery invited to join seminary community for annual Service of the Blessing Graves.
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Marriage Matters: Twenty Eighth Sunday
Isaiah 25:6-10 Phil 4:12-14 Matt 22:1-4
God our Father invites us all to His great wedding feast in heaven! In living out our married life, we have been making our wedding garments! It is woven, sewn and stitched with all the little acts of loving kindness, long forgotten, the courtesies in every little action we show toward each other, our children, family and friends.
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Big thanks to our secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 11th October: Group B
Please pray for : Stephen Griffin-burial of ashes 11.00 Friday 16th Oct; Meryl Ashcroft RIP-funeral 10.15 Monday 19th October. +++++May they rest in peace+++++
Upcoming Parish hall events……...
* Bingo Night Saturday 17th October 7pm. See the posters in church & Friary!
* Christmas Market 11am-2pm Sat 14 Nov. To book a table email bkobic@aol.com
* HCPT Concert Night also 14 Nov 7.00pm
•for Special Need Children Lourdes Pilgrims
•talented local musicians
• entertainment & Bring your own drinks
•Chilli Con Carne (with a veg. option).
• Community Singalaong.
•Tickets a mere £12 incl. supper.
* Christmas Flower Workshops Friday 27th Nov. 6pm to 8pm, Saturday 28th Nov. 11am to 1pm. Sign up for workshops after mass! Don’t miss out on this popular event!
Monday Meditation at Holy Souls: 1pm in Parish Meeting Room, Oct 19, Nov 2, 16 & 30, Dec 14. All welcome
JOB OPPORTUNITY St.Paul’s School for Girls seek Examinations Officer Full-time £34k+ Application form: www.stpaulgl.bham.sch.uk
Jesuit Retreats at Stonyhurst 2026-7
(i) BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD,
led by Fr Roger Dawson SJ 20-23 Nov 2026 Weekend includes talks, walks, adoration contemplative prayer, Mass, and time to reflect in peaceful Stonyhurst estate. Info? https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god/.
(ii) MARRIAGE PREP WEEKEND 8-10 Jan 2027 Led by Stefan & Eleonora Kaminski,
Offers engaged couples time & space to explore the beauty of Christian teaching on Marriage. Scripture-based spiritual reflection & prayer, conversation and practical exercises for couples. book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/marriage-preparation/
(iii) MEN’S RETREAT: ignatian EXERCISES 26 Feb-3 March or 5-10 March 2027
5-day silent retreat for men (lay & clergy), led by Benedictine monks from St Joseph’s Abbey, Flavigny. Guided meditation, daily Mass, prayer and spiritual direction. Info https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/mens-retreat-spiritual-exercises-of-st-ignatius/
Journey in Faith our programme for those seeking to join the Catholic church resumes tomorrow Monday 12 Oct 7.30pm.
Oscott College Tours: 7 & 21 October. Come see College chapel, museum, library, grounds & more, with tea & cake to end. Also, 11 & 18 Oct, 5.45pm, Join students & staff..Sunday Holy Hour with sung Vespers & Benediction. No booking needed.
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.