Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Feast of Christ the King - Youth Sunday

Speaking From the Heart

Luke 23.35-43

If agnostic friends mock you for your faith be assured you are in good company. Jesus was mocked on Good Friday: ‘he saved others …. let him save himself if he really is the Son of God!’

Others go further and say that if there really was a God he would not let innocent children suffer in Gaza, and they point to the role of religion in sectarian killings everywhere.

There are no easy answers to this, only different ways of seeing.

Firstly we can’t argue anyone into believing in Jesus. Faith is a gift, with a strangely haphazard distribution system! It came to the Samaritan woman but not the rich young man; to Zacchaeus the tax-collector but not Barabbas the terrorist. Then on Good Friday faith came to ‘the good thief’ but not the mocking leaders.

Secondly our God isn't a spectator but someone deeply involved in human suffering. Jesus on the cross is our picture of God in the world. He is found with those who are lonely, those who struggle with their sexuality, those who have no home & all innocent victims of war.

      And thirdly Jesus spoke a language that was accessible to everyone. He spoke of our hope and fears, our joys & sufferings, our successes & failures: he didn’t use a special ‘godspeak’. His language of the heart was understood even by agnostics.       

 

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

23rd November - 30th November 2025	Week Thirty Four
Feast of Christ the King 23rd November 2Sam 5:1-3 Col 1:12-20 Lk 23:35-43 9.00 Jane & William Cunningham 11.00am Shay Donohoe RIP 12.30 Baptism   6.00pm Mass  People of the Parish Exit Collection KYT Catholic Youth Service	Dear Brothers & Sisters, Feast of Christ the King is the last Sunday of the church’s year and National Youth Sunday so we focus today on ministry to the young, & how we care for them. St.Andrew Dung-Lac & Vietnam martyrs (Monday) represent 200,000+ Christians put to death in persecution lasting 300 years. 117 of the best documented ones were canonised by Pope John Paul II in 1988. Vietnamese Christians still suffer today, but their church flourishes and sends missionaries all over the world. St.Catherine of Alexandria (Tuesday) died for the faith c.305 ad martyred on the infamous ’Catherine Wheel’ for protesting against the ill treatment of other innocent Christians. A heroine of African Christianity, she is patron of our Sacred Heart church in Droitwich. ¶¶Advent starts next Sunday¶¶ Churches Together Olton Advent Service is at St.Margaret’s church 4pm next Sunday, timed to avoid a clash with our 6.00 mass. Please come and share this Advent prayer with our fellow Christians.  Refreshments after the service. In Advent we also have Thursday night reflections in the Day Chapel styled ‘Getting to know Pope Leo’, on the new message of Pope Leo on the love of Jesus in our lives: Dilexi Te. 7.30pm. Fr.Austin will share over 3 Thursdays. Our 2025 parish Christmas card comes free today with the newsletter, with times of all our Christmas services. A big thankyou to OLC children who worked so hard for this year’s card designs. Confirmation 2026: Programme for Y6 children not at Catholic School or Y7 & Y8 children who’ve missed previously * 5 Sunday sessions after 9.00am mass * starts in 2 weeks; December 7 10.00am * to enrol your child, email Sarah Wood sarah.wood@oltonfriary.org.uk * Confirmations  Friday 6th Feb at 7pm.
Monday - 24th November St.Andrew Dung-Lac & Vietnamese martyrs 2Ch 24:18-22 2Mac 6:18,21,24-31 Mt 10:17-22 7.00 Mass  Marion Smyth 10.15 Mass Nancy D
Tuesday - 25th  November Saint Catherine of  Alexandria Dn 2:31-45 Lk 21:5-11 7.00 Archbishop Mario, Mario Paul & Noel Minihan RIP 10.15 Mass  Barry Hodges  also Maureen & Joseph McGeown 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday - 26th November Dn 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28 Lk 21:12-19 7.00 Mass  Holy Souls 10.15 Mass Wednesday prayer group also pilgrims to Garabandel 2025 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)
Thursday - 27th  November   Dn 6:12-28Lk 21:20-28 7.00 Mass   Muriel Lynam 10.15 Mass David Scott RIP  11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Friday - 28th November Dn 7:2-14 Lk 21:29-33  7.00 Mass Carol Roberts 10.15 Mass John Kiely RIP 1.00pm Funeral Sheila Griffin
Saturday 29th November Dn 7:15-27 Lk 21:34-36 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass  Peggy & Patrick Smythe, also Nora & Ken Lancaster RIP
First Sunday of Advent 30th November   Is 2:1-5 Rm 13:11-14 Mt 24:37-44 9.00 William  Jones 11.00am Brian, Billy & Frank Gaffey 12.30 Baptism   6.00pm Mass  People of the Parish Exit Collection Friends of the Holy Land

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today the Feast of Christ the King is also Youth Sunday, and we thank god for all the good work of our parents & catechists & teachers & youth club leaders who are apostles to the young. Today one of our Youth leaders will speak at all Masses about Kenelm Youth Trust. (KYT = youth ministry arm of the Diocese)

We thank God for our parish readers who daily proclaim God’s Word. We ask them to renew their pledge on December 7 (Bible Sunday) at their usual Sunday mass.

Welcome the Newborn King is our home-based Advent prayer service on December 10 in homes around the parish. Please speak with me or call our parish office if you can be a host. Thanks in advance!

We thank Bishop Evans who was with us on for the OLAAS mass last Thursday, and thank our teachers who walk the extra mile to support their children.

Thanks too to our volunteers who arranged the successful Christmas market yesterday, as well as the Bingo Night that followed.

All our parish volunteers are invited to a simple Buffet supper this Saturday November 29 at 7.00pm. This invitation is for all our volunteers (whether in church, garden, office or elsewhere), a way of saying ‘thank you’ for your dedicated service.

Many of our volunteers do quiet background work and are rarely in the public eye (e.g. teams who clean the church) so this is a small way of saying thankyou.

Our Flower Team Volunteers did terrific work for our Parish Flower Festival, and photos of  the different decoration have been turned into a beautiful parish calendar. On sale soon at the back of church.

We ask Mary our mother ever dedicated to God service to look upon all her children today with love & compassion and ask her to help us face a confused world with serenity.

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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

SCJ News: 

Italy: Last month the St.Miriam Regional Council met in Bangalore (incl. Fr Biju & Fr Wilfred). Last week it was the turn of the St.Michael Regional Council to meet at Monte Porzio 20 km south of Rome. This house was once the Italian Novitiate, and 40 years ago we converted it to a Hostel for AIDS sufferers. Region includes France, Spain, Italy, Holy Land, Ivory Coast & Central African Republic. In Africa there is great growth

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

Friary Snippets 

Children’s Christmas crafts display will be next Sunday after 9:00 am Mass in the Hall.

TRIPLE PARTY: SCJ community & parish invite you to celebrate Fr.Biju’s Thanksgiving Mass on Wednesday 3 December at 6.30pm.

¶¶¶ Twenty years of priesthood ¶¶¶

¶¶¶Silver Jubilee of Religious Life¶¶¶

¶¶¶ A special birthday too!¶¶¶

¶¶Mass followed by tea, coffee & cakes in the parish hall. All most welcome to join¶¶

The Christmas Fayre is at OLC school, Sat 6 Dec 12-3pm. Please bring in advance, donations of bottles, sweets & chocolate, unwanted gifts, good quality toys & teddys. Raffle tickets on sale today after each mass.

Advent’s near: Our Advent prayer service is in several parish homes: Wed 10 Dec 7.30pm ‘Welcoming the new born king’

Please speak to Fr Biju if you could host this beautiful event. First-timers welcome!

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

A big Thankyou from Mary Doherty both to Fr.Biju for letting me speak in the parish Hall last Saturday, and also to the folk who listened to my Sahara Challenge experience

* the amazing 50km trek in Moroccan Sahara helped support Acorns Children’s Hospices.

* We sweltered in 37°C day temperatures and slept under magical star-studded skies.

* No electricity, running water or internet, just beautiful silence of solitude. 

* to donate use https://www.justgiving.com/page/mary-doherty-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

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

Marriage Matters: Christ the King

2 Sam 5:1-3; Col 1:11-20; Luke 23:35-43

‘Today you will be with me in paradise’ – Jesus’ words as He hung on the cross; even in His agony, He still chose only to love. Through Him, we are given the strength to bear anything joyfully; with the saints we ‘inherit the light’. Today, let us radiate His life, light and goodness, acknowledging Him as our Lord and King.

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

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 23^rd November: D 

 Please Pray for Patricia Rogers-funeral 26 Nov 11.00am (at Boarbank Hall Cumbria) Sheila Griffin-funeral 28 Nov at 1.30pm; Marion Mullen-funeral 28 Nov at 10.00am (Our Lady Wayside) Vigil 4.00pm; Jacqueline O’Keefe-funeral December 4 at 10.15am. May they rest in peace …………….

blessing the graves continues November.

+ November Blessing of Graves +

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

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 

Please sign list in narthex. Friday now fully booked. Five places left for Saturday…... 

GIVING TREE Please select a gift label from the tree & buy a gift returning it by Sunday 7^th December at the latest so that the gifts may be distributed in time for Christmas.

Is there Autism in your family? or ADHD or Dyslexia or Dyspraxia or Tourette’s?

* Our bishops are trying to discern pastoral needs helped by Newman University via:

* ‘Neurodiversity & Catholic Faith Survey’ Adult neurodivergent Catholic? Caregiver?

* Your experience helps us become a more inclusive and responsive church.

* Aims: to know what helps or impedes neurodivergent Catholics.

* These short anonymous online surveys take 10-20 mins. Deadline 11.59pm 12 Jan.

* separate surveys for Adults & Caregivers

* more info? Email Dr Magdalena Smusz – m.smusz@staff.newman.ac.uk or Fleur Dorrell  fleur.dorrell@cbcew.org.uk or Neurodiversity and the Catholic Faith | Birmingham Diocesan Trust

DIOCESAN Justice and Peace Forum: preparing our Parishes for social action: this Tues 25 Nov 2025, 7pm. If not already booked  and plan to attend, please book now https://bit.ly/November2025Forum

MISSIO RED BOX NEWS

* Thanks to all who’ve returned boxes. 

* Still have a red box needing emptying? Return to church via Welcomers or Sacristan * Envelopes & contents can be returned. 

* Missio Magazine & report in narthex. 

* Thanks to all helpers. Annette Eames. Contact:  ameames57@gmail.com

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.