Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Pentecost
Soft Power: the Kind that Matters
2000 years ago the spirit of God entered the hearts of a strange group of disciples, and from that day on, those people who’d been hiding in the upper room, were given courage, enthusiasm and power.
With confidence flair and bravery, they spoke of the power of the risen Jesus, operating through forgiveness & love, bringing healing between races. This power from above was not the power of the sword but power of the Spirit, a power that could change minds and move hearts and souls!
The ancient world knew no greater power than the mighty Roman army but that has long gone, while the power of the Holy Spirit still move hearts and minds of millions.
In May the Holy Spirit entered the hearts of an unusual group of Cardinals to give us a new Pope: Leo XIV. Some analysts conscious of perils facing the world spoke hopefully of the ‘soft power’ of the Pope, aware that in a world of ‘influencers’ the successor of St.Peter could use his influence to bring healing to a broken world.
It was a dim recognition that cold economics cannot save the world from climate disaster, nor will smarter missiles bring peace in Ukraine. And AI will not feed the hungry in Gaza.
None of us can know what influence our new Holy Father can bring to bear in world politics, but we do know with absolute certainty that the pathway to healing the world does not come through dollars & drones but through renewed hearts, minds & spirits. This is the miracle of the day of Pentecost, and we thank God for this great gift.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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8th June - 15th June 2025 |
Week of Pentecost 2025 |
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Pentecost Sunday 8th June Ac 2:1-11 1Co 12:3-7,12-13 Jn 20:19-23 9.00am -Patrick Mc Manus RIP 11.00am-People of the Parish 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass – Mervyn Darling RIP Exit Collection Brushstrokes |
Dear Brothers & Sisters This day the Holy Spirit came on the disciples hiding in the upper room, and gave them courage to witness to Jesus. This is the church’s birthday, blown into being by the wind of the Spirit. It’s our parish feast too: our church is dedicated to The Holy Ghost & Mary Immaculate Mary our Mother was with the apostles that day so we honour her on Monday as Mary Mother of the Church. She displaces two other saints who share a feast June 9: St.Columba & St.Ephraim. St.Barnabas (Wednesday) wasn’t one of the original twelve apostles, but accompanied St.Paul in his mission to the gentiles. A Cypriot by birth, his origins are commemorated in Limassol by a Catholic basilica and an Orthodox cathedral. Jesus Eternal High Priest (Thursday) is a new feast (2018) celebrating Jesus as mediator between God & Humanity. Always the Thursday after Pentecost. St. Anthony of Padua (Friday) a 13th century Franciscan is popular in devotions all over the world. We ask his intercession when things are lost, or for people who need healing, and to be closer to the child Jesus in our lives. Next Sunday is Trinity Sunday final feast of the Easter season. We honour our God as Father, Son & Spirit, a formula that means that in baptism we become part of God’s family, and that the Lord of creation touches our world. ******************* Exit collection today is for Brushstrokes the church project in Smethwick to aid refugees. We recall the address of Lucy Clark of Brushstrokes at our 2024 PPC AGM: Refugees in the UK have no friends in politics. Only the church supports, recalling that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were once refugees in Egypt.
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Monday - 9th June Mary Mother of the Church Gn 3:9-15 or Ac 1:12-14 Jn 19:25-34 7.00am Mass - Private Intention 10.15 Mass Amanda Lane |
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Tuesday - 10th June 2Co 1:18-22 Mt 5:13-16 7.00am Mass Sally Allsop 10.15 Mass Gerard Henry 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday - 11th June St.Barnabus-apostle Ac 11:21-26,13:1-3 Mt 5:17-19 7.00 Mass - Margaret Moores 10.15 Mass Francis & Nora Mc Greal 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (Day Chapel) |
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Thursday - 12th June Our Lord Jesus Christ-Eternal High Priest Is 6:1-4,8 or Heb 2:10-18 Jn 17:1-2,9, 14-26 7.00 Mass Roger Moores 10.15 Mass Fr Dominic Innamorati SCJ RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament 6.00 Evening Prayer & Exposition |
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Friday - 13th June St.Anthony of Padua 2Co 4:7-15 Mt 6:27-32 7.00 Mass - Una Chapman 10.15 Mass - Sr Angela – special birthday |
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Saturday 14th June 2Co 5:14-21 Mt 5:33-37 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Mary, Tom, Peggie & Martin Flemming RIP |
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Trinity Sunday 15th June Pr 8:22-31 Rm 5:1-5 Jn 16:12-15 9.00am -People of the Parish 11.00am-Tony & Barbara Eames RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass Margaret Darcy RIP & Patrick Diviney RIP Exit Collection Day for Life |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Yesterday we had our youth football tournament on the Friary lawn, hosted by KYT. A joyful occasion for young people from several places in the Diocese. And true to English football tradition, they did not let a few drops of rain spoil their fun!
Big thanks to The Friary Carlo Acutis Youth club & KYT for organising this venture.
Next month we have a 16+ 7-a-side football tournament for our own & neighbour parishes, with rolling substitutes...a repetition of last years successful contest. £2 per player. July 6. All profits to local parishes.
Two more July Dates:
(i) Cluster gathering at St George & St Theresa’s at 7.00 pm on the Tuesday 1st July. Focus on how local parishes can work together. Those who attended the previous meeting and any interested parishioners are most welcome to join.
(ii) The Friary Cemetery Mass will take place on the 12th July at 10.15 am with blessings of the graves afterwards
Looking ahead:
Our Parish Pastoral Council AGM – open meeting will be on Friday 27 June 7.45pm in the Parish Hall. All are most welcome.
Our Jubilee Flower Festival October 11 & 12 honouring the Jubilee & Season of Creation is in full planning. ‘Pilgrims in Hope’ is the theme, and parish groups will be invited to mount displays. (call parish office to help)
Mary Mother of Jesus was there on the day of Pentecost with the apostles. So tomorrow we celebrate Mary Mother of the Church. Trusting in her loving presence these days we ask her to bless us,and keep us close to her Son Jesus.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News: UK: Fr.Anton’s Golden jubilee comes 7.00pm on July 4 at Corpus Christi church Nottingham. Many have fond memories of his devoted service & wisdom here back in the 1990’s. If you would like an invitation, just contact Fr.Biju and we can give Fr Anton an idea of numbers.
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Friary Snippets
The Parish & School Summer Fayre will be held on Saturday 21 June in the Friary Grounds. If you would like to be involved, please contact Emma or Annette via the parish office. Donations for Prize draw needed also. Please support if you can! Volunteers needed to support & set up the stalls on the evening of Friday 20 June.
Huge thanks to the DOHERTY family for our new gates at the Friary carpark entrance in honour of their mother Lucy who died May 29, 2024. This helps alleviate the issue we have had with nocturnal disturbances. The gates will be open during the day, but closed after the last activity of the evening.
The Archdiocesan Clergy ongoing formation conference for priests will be at Birmingham University this Tuesday 10 June
Companions of Betharram gather every 1st Thursday of the month at 7.00 pm in the lounge. You are most welcome to join us and discover what it means to follow in the footsteps of St.Michael our founder. They are currently planning a mini-pilgrimage to Northumberland in October in the footsteps of the Northern saints.
Bingo Night Join us on Saturday 5 July for Bingo night in the parish hall!
Our brave parish cyclists Helena & Francis Madden give thanks to all who followed their journey to Compostela and supported them with prayers, encouragement & donations on the way. For parishioners who’ve asked about making cash donations, they’ll be available after each Sunday Mass 15 June the start of Refugee Week.
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Marriage matters: Pentecost
Acts 2:1-11; Romans 8:8-17; John 14:15-16,23-26
On our wedding day we were full of life & joy & visibly reflected the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. But He’s also been there at other times in our lives: hard times such as rejection by others, financial difficulties, mental & physical illness. By asking for His strength, He has kept us strong and close.
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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 8th June: Group D
Rest in Peace: Joseph Walker funeral 20 June Also John Larkin, a former parishioner and choir member -funeral 24 June 12.00. Also Lavinia Crowther another former choir member ….May they rest in peace.
WeBelieve, 25-28 July 2025, a festival for Jubilee Year of Hope, for parish & family
* 4 days of music, keynotes, conversation & worship, in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary’s College, Oscott, Sutton Coldfield
* Dr.Gianna Emanuela Molla (St.Gianna Molla’s daughter) Fr Paul Murray, AnMari, Fr Toby Lees, Mgr Michael Nazir-Ali etc
* Come for whole w/e or day. Camp out.. ..stay local.. or come from home
Early Bird rate £70 for w/e or £40 per day Tickets at www.webelievefestival.com
Day for Life 2025 Church in UK keeps the annual Day for Life on 15 June Trinity Sunday
* Exit collection goes to Day for Life Fund
* DFL allocates £200k to groups promoting respect for life from conception to death
* much local impact e.g. help providing mothers & children with necessities of life.
* You can donate by scanning QR code on Day for Life 2025 poster in church, or online via Catholic Bishops’ Conference website, where there is information on the Fund.
Right-to-life organisation alerted us last week to a possible amendment to the Crime & Policing Bill before parliament to allow abortions right up to the time of birth for any reason. Please contact your MP about this. MPs do take notice of their mailbag.
Heartfelt Thanks from Andrew Lockington to all who prayed for him and visited him during his recent 7-week hospital stay.
Inter-Church Football Tournament ….
>Sunday 6 July 2pm Friary Church Lawn
>Teams invited...Olton Friary, Holy Souls,
St Augustine’s, St Ambrose Barlow,
> 7-a-side / Rolling subs / Age 16+ /
> All abilities welcome
> Funds raised for your parish
> £2 per player– sign up with parish priest
> Spectators welcome... Refreshments
St.Peter’s Golden Jubilee 50 years since St.Peter’s School foundation to be marked with a Jubilee mass, June 30 in school at 6.00pm followed by refreshments. Call school office if you are coming. Also a fun fair in school July 4th 4pm-7pm. Allare welcome but booking needed. Email:
lakins@st-peters.solihull.sch.uk
GIFT AID……... Pennies from heaven!
* This simple system reclaims tax on all your donations to the parish via Gift Aid. * For every £1 you give, the parish gets an extra 25p back from the government.
* No charge to you, nor extra tax to pay
* All you need do is complete a Gift Aid Declaration form, available in the narthex.
* Give by standing order or via weekly envelopes or via our DONA card reader
* Should life change and you no longer pay tax? Just alert parish 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.