Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Twenty First Sunday

Sollid Rock Foundation

Mt 16:13-20 

Did you ever wonder if Jesus called Peter a ‘rock’ with a twinkle in his eye? Was it an impish sense of humour that named someone ‘solid’ who had been more like quivering jelly or shifting sands? Peter’s track record was nothing to boast about! He was quick to profess loyalty but quick to run away on Holy Thursday night.

But Peter through the grace of God made amends for his past, and by accepting his weakness became open to a strength that only Jesus could give. This is good news for all of us, especially to those who build community.

Every parish owes a debt of gratitude to its community builders, people who generously give their love, their time and their energies to build up an extended Christian family.

In confusing & uncertain times they are our unsung heroes as they unselfishly support the family of Christ as it tries however clumsily to live out gospel values of love, forgiveness and justice.

Like St.Peter they are too well aware of their weakness and past failures. But it is precisely through accepting God’s loving mercy that they have become rocks on whom the rest of us can lean.

       In these trying times we often struggle to know how to witness to the gospel, as the gap between rich and poor grows wider, and climate change threatens us all. But those who build community show us a way. 

 

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

23rd - 30th August 2026	Week Twenty One
Twenty First Sunday 23rd August Is 22:15,19-23 Rm 11:33-36 Mt 16:13 9.00 Mary Martin (Birthday) 11.00 Catherine & James Murphy RIP also Edward Mc Dermott 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish Exit Collection: SCJ school project Assam	Dear Brothers & Sisters, St Bartholomew (Monday) one of the 12 apostles, a native of Cana in Galilee. In St John's gospel he is called Nathaniel, ‘a man without guile.’ St. Mary of Jesus Crucified, (Tuesday) is also from Galilee, and is honoured as a ‘cofounder’ by our Sacred Heart Community. Born Miriam Bouardie, she  became a Carmelite sister, founding convents in India & Palestine, and secured approval for our new Congregation from Pope Pius IX, before dying of a building site injury in Bethlehem in 1878. The house she helped build still welcomes Holy Land pilgrims today. Blessed Dominic Barberi (Wednesday) is honoured as an English saint, though he came from Viterbo, Italy, where he joined the Passionists. Inspired to join the English mission, he founded Passionist communities in several cities, and is famous for receiving John Henry Newman into the Catholic Church in 1845. St.Monica (Thursday) friend of Ambrose of Milan and mother of St.Augustine gave her tears & prayers for the conversion of her son during his wild youth. Many parents will identify with her. St Augustine (Friday) one of the great  saints of the early centuries left a mark that persists to modern times. By his own admission he had a wayward youth. But after conversion he used his gifts to shepherd god’s people, struggling against multiple heresies of the age. His sense that Christian leaders should be wary of sailing too close to any current political ideology is very apt today. St.John the Baptist’s death (Saturday) is  the story of a great perversion of justice. Sadly events leading to his death are echoed in the plight of political prisoners all over the world. But like John they never cease witnessing to the truth.
Monday 24th August St.Bartholomew Apostle Ez 24:15-24 Mt 19:16-22 7.00 Mass Mr Mike Finnegan RIP 10.15 Mass Flo Hughes also Patricia Margret RIP
Tuesday  25th  August   St.Louis of France St. Mary of Jesus Crucified Ez 28:1-10 Mt 19:23-30  7.00 Mass Adrian Sabell RIP 10.15 Mass Jeanette Walton (birthday)  also Clare Curtis RIP 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday 26th August Blessed Dominic Barberi Ez 34:1-11 Mt 20:1-16 7.00 Mass Holy Souls 10.15 Mass Souls in Purgatory also Paulette Hall
Thursday 27th August Saint Monica   Ez 36:23-28 Mt 22:1-14 7.00 Mass Brother Thang SCJ 10.15 Mass Patrick Gavin also Sr Susan Collins 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Friday  28th August Saint Augustine Ez 37:1-14 Mt 22:34-40 7.00 Mass Rachel O’ Donnell 10.15 Mass Lyn Kimberly RIP also Mary McCoy
Saturday 29th August   Beheading of St.John the Baptist Ez 43:1-7 Mt 23:1-12 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Fr Leon Pereira also Richard Donnelly RIP
Twenty Second Sunday 30th August Is 22:15,19-23 Rm 11:33-36 Mt 16:13 9.00 People of the Parish 11.00 Paddy Benger RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass Intentions of Sandy & Brian Faulkner Exit Collection: Parish Hall Refurbishment

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our big feast is of our own St Miriam on Tuesday. Our Day Chapel in the Friary is named after her St Miriam Bouardie who is considered as a co-founder of our own Sacred Heart Congregation.

She was instrumental in securing blessing from the Pope for our new society after the death of our founder St. Michael.

She encouraged us to go to the Holy Land and founded our houses in Bethlehem and Nazareth ... still operational today.

She came from a poor family of Lebanon, but was born in Ibillin in Galilee, and had little in the way of formal education.

Unable to read or write, her ‘letters’ were all dictated to one of her Sisters who was kind enough to write them for her.

Her family name ‘Bouardie’ means ‘maker of gunpowder’ … her father’s profession. And she was certainly aflame with the love of God in her heart, and a yearning to follow the promptings of the Spirit.

On one occasion she wrote to the Pope, asking that the Holy Spirit be taken more seriously in the training of young priests! We honour her and cherish her memory.

Meanwhile at home we thank God today for the wonderful exam results at GCSE  and A-level of our young people in our own & local parishes and at St Peter's school. A tribute to your hard work & the dedication of your hard-working teachers.

For those who suffered disappointment last week, always remember that our own St Miriam, who didn't excel in education, did wonderful things for Christ's sake.

Her father & mother made a pilgrimage to Bethlehem in thanksgiving after she was born, and dedicated her to the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

May this same Mother Mary watch over us this week and protect us all.

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News

Ivory Coast: Fr.Gustavo, Superior General begins his official visit to Ivory Coast this week. The French Province mission to Ivory Coast began in 1959. Today it is a thriving vicariate with about 20 young priests.

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Friary Snippets 

 Next PPC meeting will be on Wednesday 16^th Sept 7.30pm in Garicoits Room. Like to join PPC? Just speak to Fr Biju or Mike Murphy or fill in a form found in the Narthex. We hope some new folk  will join.

sponsored walk for SCJ Missions is in Droitwich this year: September 19 at 1.00pm

* Come and join Fr Biju & Fr Austin this year for a 2 hour stroll around the local canals.

* meet at Droitwich Gateway Car Park WR9 7DX Hanbury Rd. B4090, halfway between the Motorway bridge & the Eagle & Sun Inn.

Parish hall refurb 60% complete this week

* new ceiling installed & plastering complete

* walls now painted & new LED lights in place

* new flooring planned for this week….

N.B. no access to toilets through parish hall this week as the floor has been taken up.  Toilet access via door in Server’s Sacristy. 

Looking ahead our parish will be hosting a spiritual weekend in September. (Sept 18-19) The Flame of Love, a movement of Marian devotion from the USA, will put on a weekend of prayer, meditation and workshops. Please see the back page and also posters around the Friary for more info.

Journey in Faith our programme for those seeking to join the Catholic church starts on Monday 14^th September at 7.30pm Why not bring a curious friend? You would both be blessed. Sept 14 feast of the triumph of the cross. If anything is counter cultural, the triumph of the cross surely is! 

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Marriage Matters: Twenty First Sunday

Isaiah 22:19-23 Rom 11:33-36 Matt 16:13-20

Today’s Gospel places keys at the heart of the responsibility Jesus gives Peter. In spite of his weaknesses & failings, he is entrusted with ‘keys’ to God’s kingdom because of his faith. Our married love is entrusted with the ‘keys’ of our family life. We’re the rock on which the future of our family is built.

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 Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 23^rd August: Group A

Please pray for Henry O'Leary-burial ashes Sept 9 Robin Hood; Kathleen Comer funeral 2^nd Sept 10.15 ++May they rest in peace++

Flame of Love here at The Friary Sept 18-19

* Come and enjoy fellowship, talks, prayer praise,  worship & workshops

* Guest speakers Fr.Lawrence Carney (USA)

 Derek Williams, Mark McLean & others.

* come learn of the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

* spiritually uplifting with a healing service 

  JOBS FOR THE BOYS! AND THE GIRLS!

(i) JOB at THE FRIARY (as cook soon to retire)

* Involves cooking & some house-keeping

* part for SCJ community & part for parish

* 18 hours per week 9.30-1.00   Mon-Fri

* Diocesan living wage £13.45 per hour

* begins October 1^st 2026

* More info? Please contact parish office.  

 (ii) JOB for SCJ PROVINCE (not parish)

* safeguarding planner for SCJ UK members

* approx. 40 hours per month flexi-time

* church living wage plus expenses

* work 80% from home

* would suit someone with experience in education or social work or healthcare

* necessary training courses given

* More info from Fr.Biju.  

 Pilgrimage to Ignatian Places- lent 2027 * Fr Toby from Holy Souls to lead Ignatian places pilgrimage in Spain & Italy.

* explore the life of Ignatius, learning his lessons & spiritual wisdom

* Mobility needed? Enough to climb stairs and walk from church to church

* see https://pilgrimagepeople.org/book

or email fr.toby.duckworth@rcaob.org.uk

Fr Toby is also running Beloved Disciples * Based on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises 

* a programme to feed our spiritual lives

* meet fortnightly Tuesdays in term time

* share a meal &  our faith experience.  

* some input on prayer & theology

* evening ends with mass in the round

* helpful for those involved in parish life.

* Info night?  Tues 1 Sept at 6.30pm

* email fr.toby.duckworth@rcaob.org.uk

Meditation on Mondays at Holy Souls in Parish Meeting Room 1pm, Sept 7 & 21, Oct 5 & 19, Nov 2, 16 & 30, Dec 14. All parishes & parishioners welcome

March for LIFE in London Sat. September 5 Coach from Holy Souls - 6.50am Friary -  - 7.10am. Our Lady of the Wayside-7.30am
Parking at all churches  Call Ray 07827 894446 or Jacinta 07837501044 to book
Coach fare Adult- £25 Child - £10

House Mass -Blessing Like a Mass in your home or blessing during school summer break?  Just speak to Fr.Biju after mass

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.