Weekly Newsletter - Olton Friary Church

Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Trinity Sunday

God has Friends in Low Places!

The Holy Trinity is more a story than a thing : it is a family story of the Love of a Father who sent his Son to bring hope to desperate men and women, and of the Spirit of Love that binds them together. But this family has a secret. The Spirit of Love has drawn people like us into the family, people with a history of betrayal, addiction, dishonesty and greed. It happens when we are baptised, a simple miracle that takes place hidden in plain sight.

We are not talking ideal families here! And this is what makes the work of Jesus so unique, and what astounds people when they realise the image of God implied. Men and women who have never known security, friends or peace of mind have been given a place in the Holy Family. Just like Jesus we have become beloved sons and daughters of the Father, by the gift of the Spirit of belonging.

So Trinity isn’t simply a mystery ‘up there’ it is a gift that touches us here on earth and assures us that we belong. The reason why we believe in the Trinity is that we have been caught up in it.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not just the names of persons for us, they are also a way of describing the mechanism that brings us into the family of God. If we weren’t brought into this family we would know absolutely nothing about the Trinity!

For the lonely, the castaways & separated this is good news indeed. Unbelievers who get this, often find it a scandal. The unseen all-powerful God who made heaven and earth takes people like us into his family! No other world faith speaks of God in this.

Fr.Austin scj

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

Weekly Diary

31st May - 7th June 2026	Week Nine
Trinity Sunday 31^st May Exod 34.4b-6,8-9 2 Cor 13.11-14 Jn 3.16-18 9.00 People of the Parish also Bridget McCabe RIP 11.00 George Everard RIP 6.00 Mass Barbara Hardwick RIP Exit Collection: SCJ School Project - Assam	Dear Brothers & Sisters, St.Justin (Monday) martyred just 2 generations after the apostles, is known as ‘The Apologist’ not because of anything he regretted but because he strove to make Christian faith reasonable in terms that even pagans could understand. Sts. Marcellinus & Peter (Tuesday) were martyrs who died 304, beheaded in Rome under Diocletian. Reputedly members of the Roman clergy, they are held in special honour in Rome itself, as a basilica was built over their tombs. St.Charles Lwanga & Ugandan Martyrs (Wednesday) included teenage converts, put to death in a savage persecution of the 1880’s. Pope Paul VI declared them saints in 1964 apologizing that it was beyond his remit to canonise the Anglican martyrs who also died with them. St Boniface (Friday) a Benedictine monk from Crediton, Devon, preached in Germany and later was consecrated bishop. He then was able to organise the Church in Germany and was martyred preaching among the Frisians *********************** Next Sunday we keep Corpus Christi a feast of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It has been called ‘Holy Thursday in happy times’. We feast the real presence of Jesus in our Eucharist in a way that is not possible during the sorrows of Holy Week. Corpus et Sanguis Christi (full title-the body & blood of Christ) began 800 yrs ago because of huge insecurity about the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, some related to the meaning of words, but in the end revolving round our worthiness to receive Jesus in communion.
Monday 1^st June St.Justin, martyr 2Pt 1:2-7 Mk 12:1-12 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Ann Letts RIP
Tuesday 2^st June Saints Marcellinus & Peter 2Pt 3:12-15,17-18 Mk 12:13-17 7.00 Mass Sarah Welsh 10.15 Mass Tony Davies RIP also Pat Bishop birthday intention 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday 3^rd June St.Charles Lwangwa & the Ugandan martyrs 2Tm 1:1-3,6-12 Mk 12;18-27 7.00 No Mass 10.15 Communion Service 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)
Thursday 4^th June 2Tm 2:8-15 Mk 12:28-34 7.00 Mass Graine McCabe & office staff 10.15 Mass Annie Mc Skeane RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament 4.30pm Vigil Margaret Mary Mc Hugh RIP
First Friday 5^th June St.Boniface 2Tm 3:10-17 Mk 12:35-37 7.00 Mass Margaret Myers RIP 10.15 Requiem Margaret Mary Mc Hugh RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Saturday 6^th June 2Tm 4:1-8 Mk 12:38-44 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Pat & Graham Bishop
Corpus Christi 7^th June Dt 8:2-3,14-16 1Co 10:16-17 Jn 6:51-58 9.00 June & James Eccles 11.00 Caroline Sparling RIP 6.00 Mass People of the Parish also Jason Evans Exit Collection: Organ Restoration Fund

31st May - 7th June 2026

Week Nine

Trinity Sunday 31^st May

Exod 34.4b-6,8-9 2 Cor 13.11-14 Jn 3.16-18

9.00 People of the Parish also Bridget McCabe RIP

11.00 George Everard RIP

6.00 Mass Barbara Hardwick RIP

Exit Collection: SCJ School Project - Assam

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

St.Justin (Monday) martyred just 2 generations after the apostles, is known as ‘The Apologist’ not because of anything he regretted but because he strove to make Christian faith reasonable in terms that even pagans could understand.

Sts. Marcellinus & Peter (Tuesday) were martyrs who died 304, beheaded in Rome under Diocletian. Reputedly members of the Roman clergy, they are held in special honour in Rome itself, as a basilica was built over their tombs.

St.Charles Lwanga & Ugandan Martyrs (Wednesday) included teenage converts, put to death in a savage persecution of the 1880’s. Pope Paul VI declared them saints in 1964 apologizing that it was beyond his remit to canonise the Anglican martyrs who also died with them.

St Boniface (Friday) a Benedictine monk from Crediton, Devon, preached in Germany and later was consecrated bishop. He then was able to organise the Church in Germany and was martyred preaching among the Frisians

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Next Sunday we keep Corpus Christi a feast of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It has been called ‘Holy Thursday in happy times’. We feast the real presence of Jesus in our Eucharist in a way that is not possible during the sorrows of Holy Week.

Corpus et Sanguis Christi (full title-the body & blood of Christ) began 800 yrs ago because of huge insecurity about the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, some related to the meaning of words, but in the end revolving round our worthiness to receive Jesus in communion.

Monday 1^st June

St.Justin, martyr

2Pt 1:2-7 Mk 12:1-12

7.00 Mass Private Intention

10.15 Mass Ann Letts RIP

Tuesday 2^st June

Saints Marcellinus & Peter

2Pt 3:12-15,17-18 Mk 12:13-17

7.00 Mass Sarah Welsh

10.15 Mass Tony Davies RIP

also Pat Bishop birthday intention

10.45 Rosary of the unborn

7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

Wednesday 3^rd June

St.Charles Lwangwa & the Ugandan martyrs

2Tm 1:1-3,6-12 Mk 12;18-27

7.00 No Mass

10.15 Communion Service

11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)

Thursday 4^th June

2Tm 2:8-15 Mk 12:28-34

7.00 Mass Graine McCabe & office staff

10.15 Mass Annie Mc Skeane RIP

11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament

4.30pm Vigil Margaret Mary Mc Hugh RIP

First Friday 5^th June

St.Boniface

2Tm 3:10-17 Mk 12:35-37

7.00 Mass Margaret Myers RIP

10.15 Requiem Margaret Mary Mc Hugh RIP

11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament

Saturday 6^th June

2Tm 4:1-8 Mk 12:38-44

9.30 Confessions

10.15 Mass Pat & Graham Bishop

Corpus Christi 7^th June

Dt 8:2-3,14-16 1Co 10:16-17 Jn 6:51-58

9.00 June & James Eccles

11.00 Caroline Sparling RIP

6.00 Mass People of the Parish also Jason Evans

Exit Collection: Organ Restoration Fund

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We thank God for the blessings of the school half term. With unusually warm weather many families had a break, as did hard-working teachers. God bless all our young people in the midst of exams. May he guide the steps they make for the future.

The month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, begins tomorrow (June 1), and on the feast of the Sacred Heart (June 12) we

have a parish mass in church at 10.15 with feast day coffee & tea & cakes in the Friary lounge afterwards.

Our Summer Fayre, a joint parish-school enterprise takes place Saturday June 20 and volunteer helpers are still needed. Just call the parish office to volunteer.

Summer Fayre gifts: Please can you continue to bring in donations of good quality toys, teddies, fancy goods, bottles, sweets & chocolates. They can be left in the basket in the narthex.

The Feast of the Visitation would normally be today May 31, the day Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth, after the Annunciation. But this year it is eclipsed by Sunday

Back in 2017 when I was in Paraguay for our General Chapter we took the Visitation as our model for mission. Mary rushed to tell Elizabeth the good news that she was to bear the messiah, but the Holy Spirit had got there before her and was already at work in Elizabeth.

So with us: we go to share the gospel with others, but God is always before us, moving hearts and minds ahead of us.

May Mary our Mother guide us this week and keep us safe

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News:

This week our Regional Council will meet in Simulugiri, Assam under the direction of Fr Wilfred. Fr Biju will also be there, as they bless the new extension of our Sacred Heart school, funded in part with generous help from Friary parishioners.

The St Michael Regional Council meets in Betharram, with delegates from France, Spain, Italy, Ivory Coast & Central Africa.

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Friary Snippets

Parish Hall Refurbishment Update

Phase One — new hall roof now complete Final cost £69.5k…£2k under budget

Phase Two now being planned..to include… Rewiring & new lighting all roundGeneral redecoration & new curtains, new ceiling & emergency lights- Refurb of heating & ventilation-New doors & hall floor- refurb of Ladies & Gents toilets,

Cost estimate of Phase Two: £80k (& VAT)

• (Hall & toilet £60k Hall floor £20k)

• So far £24k raised thanks to your gifts We’re actively seeking grants to help us.

* Thanks for your ongoing support.

Our Parish & School Summer Fayre will take place on Saturday 20^th June.

* Raffle Prizes needed

* Donations wanted the bottle stall

* Chocolates & Sweets needed

* Good quality toys & surplus gifts welcome

* Teddies for the tombola needed

* volunteers & helpers needed. Like to help? Call Emma or Annette via the parish office

Blessed are those who mourn

Bereavement Support Group meets each month for all seeking support after loss. All welcome no matter the kind of loss or when * Meet 1st Sunday each month for prayer conversation & encouragement of each other as we journey together.

**** Next Meeting Sunday 7^th June****

We aren’t a counselling group but promise good listening skills, respect for confidences and of course a cuppa. 3.00pm- 4.30 Friary Lounge. Info? call parish Office 0121-706-0505 or Noleen Walsh

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Marriage Matters: Trinity Sunday

Ex 34:4-6, 8-9 2 Cor 13:11-13 John 3:16-18

In today’s readings, God is revealed as full of compassion, tenderness and love for us all. Through the sacrament of marriage we are called to reflect these qualities through our relationship with each other. When we react angrily, it’s important we look at ourselves together, trying to recognise why, and seek to correct the causes.

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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 31^stMay: Group A

MARRIAGE CARE offers: Marriage Care Cert in Relationship Counselling (CRC), starting March 2027 Apply by 30 June 2026

Why not join our volunteer team and become a qualified Relationship Counsellor For info see: www.marriagecare.org.uk or email: volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk.

Birmingham Centre also needs Marriage Care Facilitators to work in groups in Yardley Wood for engaged couples. Info: birmingham.admin@marriagecare.org.

Please pray for Margaret Mary McHugh -funeral Fri 5^th June 10.15am, Vigil Thurs 4^th June and Paddy Benger-funeral 10.15 June 9; Mary Elizabeth O’Brien-Service Thurs 11 June 11.30am; Frederick George Brew (baby)June 1 3.15pm; Elsa Valentini-funeral-Thurs 18 June and Moira Kiely RIP.

+++++ May they rest in peace +++++

Health & Safety notice: Please obey 1-way system in our car park & 5 mph speed limit.

* Top gate (by cemetery) for entrance only

* All must exit via other gate (north end)

Monday Meditation Group At Holy Souls parish room 1pm: June 8& 22 & July 6. All are welcome.

MISSIO RED BOX NEWS Thanks to all who’ve returned boxes & received envelopes for future use. Thanks too for contributions online. Last year we raised £1,543.44.

* Still have a box needing emptying? please return to Church via Welcomers or the Sacristan. Return unused envelopes with contents of boxes for this collection.

* Latest Missio Magazine & annual report is available at back of Church. Another count due at end of June. If box/envelope not opened recently, please return soon. Thanks to all who support & help with this. Annette Eames ameames57@gmail.com

Our Lady of The Wayside Charity Golf Day last Thursday was a great success with 32 golfers taking part. £600 raised for 3 causes: Lourdes Youth, SVP & Fr.O’Mahony Trust. 1^st prize Allen Beirne- Olton Friary 2^nd Chris Elks Our Lady of the Wayside & 3^rd Michael McCarron Our Lady of Lourdes Our Lady of Lourdes took the team prize. Thanks everyone for your support

National Justice & Peace Network, 48^thAnnual Conference 24-26 July “Just Talk” at The Hayes Conference Centre Swanwick Details & booking info at NJPN website: https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference/

Friary Gift Aid Envelopes: will owners of envelopes nos. 11 & 16 please contact the Parish Secretary 0121 706 0505 to arrange collection of new boxes for this tax year.

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.