Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Nineteenth Sunday
No Need to be Afraid?
Luke 12.32-48
Jesus said ‘Do not be afraid’ nine times over to his many disciples. Angels said the same to apostles at Easter, to the shepherds at Christmas and to Mary at Nazareth.
We are all fearful human beings, and we need this constant reassurance.
Jesus understood our deepest fears, especially those of the lonely, the weak, the blind and the bereaved, and that is why he so often repeated today’s injunction ‘Do not be afraid’.
But he also knew that the rich and powerful could be equally fearful. For elsewhere the gospel highlights the paranoia of Herod, the insecurity of Pilate, and the anxious jealousy of the Scribes. Powerful rulers back then, (and in modern times!) were not immune from paranoia! Billions of dollars and powerful weapons cannot free us from fear.
For ourselves, fear is real whether its causes are reasonable or not, and we have to deal with it or else it derails us. The good news is that we don’t have to deal with it by ourselves. There is an age-old Christian tradition of sharing our fears with trusted friends and soul-mates, and handing them over to the Lord.
A useful exercise that many people find helpful is to spend a few minutes at the start of each day in a prayer of ‘handing over’ and asking the Lord who is our good shepherd to take away our fears just for today.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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10th August - 17th August 2025 |
Week Nineteen |
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Nineteenth Sunday 10th August Wisdom 18.6-9 Heb11.1-2, 8-19 Lk 13:32-48 9.00am -Mark Singal 11.00am-Ronald Charles Jones RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass People of the parish Exit Aid: SCJ Sick and Elderly |
Dear Brothers & Sisters Today is the feast of St. Lawrence (but displaced by the Sunday) the patron saint of deacons. But we can still pray for all the deacons in our local parishes. St.Clare (Monday) follower of St.Francis of Assisi was inspired by his simple lifestyle. So as Francis gathered followers around himself, she also gathered followers who became the ‘Poor Clares’ St. Jane Francis de Chantal (Tues) was a happy mother of 4 children till her husband died in an accident. Aided by St. Francis de Sales she founded the Visitation nuns to work with the poor & sick. St.Hippolytus (Wed) a theologian in 3rd century Rome in penal times, was a critic of the pope, and set himself up as anti- Pope. But when sent to a hard labour camp met the real Pope. Reconciled in prison he wrote Eucharistic Prayer II. Blessed William Freeman (Wed) though born in Yorkshire, worked secretly as a priest in Warwickshire in penal times and was executed at Warwick in 1595. St.Maximillian Kolbe (Thurs) an educated Franciscan embraced new media & was known for radio work. In WWII he was a target for the Nazis who sent him to the Auschwitz death camp. Fellow prisoner Franciszek Gajowniczek married with children, faced execution so Kolbe opted to take his place, dying by lethal injection. Gajowniczek survived Auschwitz, and was in Rome in 1982 to see Kolbe declared a saint. The Assumption of Our Lady (Fri) into heaven, is tradition’s way of saying that the grace of Christ was so effective in Mary, that death no longer had power over her. 3 Holy Day masses this day. St.Stephen of Hungary patron saint of Hungary was king of Hungary 1,000 yrs ago & famed for justice & devotion. He organised the evangelisation of Hungary
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Monday - 11th August St.Clare Deut 10.12-22 Matthew 17.22-27 7.00am Mass - Private Intention 10.15 Mass Mary & Ken Dyson RIP & Kay Smith RIP |
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Tuesday - 12th August St.Jane Frances de Chantal Deut 31.1-8 Matthew 18.1-5,10,12-14 7.00am Mass Mrs Maureen O’Reilly RIP 10.15 Mass Norman Curran RIP plus Mr & Mrs.M.Gerarty & Deceased Gerarty family 6.00pm Vigil Philip O’Brien RIP 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday - 13th August St.Hippolytus St.William Freeman Deut 34.1-12 Matthew 18.15-20 7.00 Mass - Bro Patrick SCJ-special intention 10.15 Requiem Philip Noel O’Brien |
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Thursday - 14th August St.Maximilian Kolbe Joshua 3.7-10a,11,13-17 Matthew 18.21-19.1 7.00 Mass Brother Patrick Leighton SCJ 10.15 Mass Maureen O’Meara & Ian Gerarty, Anna, Mary, Diana, Braydan, Connor Masterson 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Friday - 15th August Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Rev 11.19a, 12.1-6a,10ab; 1Cor 15.20-27; Luke 1.39-56 7.00 Mass - Brother Patrick SCJ birthday 10.15 Mass - Peter & Karen Briggs 7.30 Mass Maureen O’Leary RIP 10th Anniv. |
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Saturday 16th August St.Stephen of Hungary Joshua 24.14-29 Matthew 19.13-15 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass John McKenna RIP |
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Twentieth Sunday 17th August Jeremiah 38.4-6,8-10 Heb 12.1-4 Lk 12:49-53 9.00am -Nuala Jones RIP 11.00am-Alan Fullard RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass People of the parish Exit Aid: Parish Organ Fund |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is a joy that St John Henry Newman has been declared a doctor of the church. As a Doctor (= teacher) he joins the ranks of 37 great Saints including St. Augustine St. Thomas Aquinas and Saint Teresa of Avila.
Doctor of the church means that his life & teaching have implications for the whole Christian people, and not just those in the Birmingham diocese.
Fr. Newman (as he was) gave a famous address to open St.Bernard’s seminary (later Olton Friary) on October 2 1873 in the upstairs Chapel, now the library. He visited Olton several times over the years.
He was ahead of his time in pioneering an image of development of doctrine, the role of lay people in this development, and his idea of what a university should look like.
Many important churchmen opposed him back then, accusing him of “grandstanding” but time & the Holy Spirit were on his side.
He was misunderstood by Bp. Ullathorne, misunderstood by Fr Faber at the Oratory, misunderstood by Cardinal Manning. Even Pius IX was swayed by jealous gossip from his English secretary Cardinal Merry del Val. So praise God for this holy far sighted man!
On a more sober note: we were all so sad to hear of the death of Fr Paul Johnson a good & holy, humble priest, our neighbour at St.Ambrose Barlow parish, and a friend and guide to so many people. Fr.Paul will be much missed here on earth but quickly welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The feast of the Assumption on Friday is the church’s way of honouring Mary the Mother of Jesus, and attesting that God’s grace was so effective in her that death no longer had power over her. We have three Holy Day masses this day
May our Mother Mary be with us all this week and keep us safe and close to Jesus her son.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News:
PARAGUAY From July 15 to 16, the ELAB (Latin American Betharramite Meeting) was held in San Bernardino Paraguay. Religious & laypeople from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay & Uruguay took part in the event. The meeting in which Superior General Fr. Gustavo Agín SCJ also took part was held in a fraternal atmosphere to deepen the Betharramite charism and share life.
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Friary Snippets
New Prayer Group Bev & Maria are starting a new prayer group “Saving Mary’s Babies”, to pray the Rosary of the Unborn. Please join us after tea/coffee every Tuesday after 10.15 mass, commencing 19th August.
September events at The friary
1. Blessing of Pets Season of Creation Mass on Saturday 6 September at 10.15am. An old Franciscan tradition.
The Season of Creation runs 1 Sept to 4 Oct. See : Seasonofcreation.org for details. The theme is “Peace with Justice”.
2. Jubilee Festival join us on Saturday 6th September in the Friary garden for a festival of music and food, Details to follow.
3. SCJ Sponsored Walk will take place on Saturday 27th September at Nottingham.
4. Vocations Mass: The Deanery along with the Carlo Acutis Youth Group invites you to attend the Vocations Mass on Friday 19th September at Olton Friary Church at 7pm.
5. Bingo Night – save the date, Sat 27 Sept.
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Marriage matters: Nineteenth Sunday
Wisdom 18:6-9; Heb 11:1-2, 8-9; Luke 12:32-48
Where your treasure is, there will be your heart. It’s easy to get life out of balance & let other activities get in the way of loving our spouse, and then falling into bed too tired to talk or make love. If our love is the most important thing in our lives, we must spend prime time together daily.
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Please remember in your prayers Aidan Hearney & Eirinn Friel to be wed here on Friday 15 August 1.00pm. Congrats to the happy couple & good wishes for the future.
Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 3rd August: Group A
Rest in Peace Pray for Philip O’Brien-funeral
10.15 Aug 13. & Andrew Lockington-funeral 10.30 Aug 21. May they all rest in peace
Mini-Pilgrimage to Rome 4-8 Jan 2026
* Visit all 4 Basilicas & tomb of Pope Francis * Plus General Audience with Pope Leo.
* Out from Stansted. Back to Birmingham.
* 4 nights full board @ 4 star Cardinal Hotel
* Cost: £850 (sharing) or £975 (single)
* Extras? Tourist tax & Travel Insurance
* Info & booking? contact Bernadette at St. Augustine’s 0121 705 0228 or email staugustine.solihull@rcaob.org.uk
MARRIAGE HELP- Retrouvaille helps couples find hope and healing for their marriage. Next In Person Weekend Focolare Centre, Welwyn Garden City Herts 17-19 Oct 2025
www.retrouvaille.org.uk 0788 729698
March for Life Parliament Square London on Saturday 6 September 2025. Coach to run from Our Lady of the Wayside. Please book. Children welcome: activities for them in morning. 9 bishops to attend (7 RC & 2 C.of E.) & many priests. Contact Stephanie Pyne or www.marchforlife.co.uk if coming.
Our Jubilee Flower Festival Oct 11 & 12
to honour the Jubilee & Season of Creation, is themed on Pilgrims in Hope.
B’ham Catholic Charismatic Renewal This week! 11-15 Aug, St John’s Hotel B91 1AT. Day visitors welcome! Call Ray 07818 851964 to book day/week info@bccrc.org.uk booking form www.bcccrc.org.uk
If any family would like to have a house blessing in August then please get in touch with Fr.Biju so that a time can be arranged
Pilgrimage to Northumbria in the steps of the northern saints:20-24 October 2025
* Fr.Austin leads Companions of Betharram pilgrimage in paths of the Northern Saints.
* These holy men & women (Aidan, Cuthbert & Hilda.etc.) brought faith to a sceptical world nearly a 1400 yrs ago, with synodality and missionary fire.
* Pilgrimage to seek their spirit & import for today, visiting shrines of St Hilda, St Wilfred St Aidan & St Cuthbert & St Benet * visit Durham cathedral, Lindisfarne, and a boat trip to the Farne islands.
* Cost £450, includes 4 nights B & B transport, entrance tickets & and boat trip.
* Numbers limited but still a couple of places left for interested parishioners
Journey in Faith our programme for those seeking to join the church begins Monday 22 Sept 7.30pm. Why not bring a curious friend for this first taster session?
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.