Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Third Sunday of Easter
Our Hearts Burned Within Us
Luke 24.13-35
Do you wonder why the two disciples didn't recognise Jesus as he walked with them on the road to Emmaus? Was he disguised? A false beard or make-up maybe? Or were they simply too lost in their own anxiety to take much notice of this unusual stranger?
In these days, under the threat of war we too can be lost in anxiety. For many families this is the most stressful period they have ever known. Gas bills? Food prices? Hint of a Third World War? All part of the mix. And today this gospel is especially poignant, because like those two disciples we anxiously struggle to recognise Jesus in our midst.
Where is the Lord when bombs fall on innocent children? Where is he when we can’t pay the electric bill? Or where is he when a president publicly insults the Good Shepherd of the Catholic Church?
Some clues can be seen in the scriptures we heard over these last few weeks. On Good Friday Jesus kept silent before the insults of Pilate. Nor did he reply to the taunts of the priests. And on Calvary he prayed ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do’
And on the road to Emmaus he reminded the disciples of their true history and the ways in which the past pointed to himself. It made ‘their hearts burn within them’. So who makes our hearts burn within us today?
Crucially they failed to recognise him on the road. Jesus is always with us on our journey in faith, but he may be hard to spot. Could it be that Our Lord is asking us to learn to see him at work in the unexpected stranger? The unexpected personality? The unexpected group of friends? His presence will rarely be conventional. But if we sense that ‘our hearts burn within us’, it should give us a clue.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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19th April - 26th April 2026 |
Third Week of Easter |
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Third Sunday of Easter 19th April Acts 2:14,22-33 1Pt 1:17-21 Lk 24:13-35 9.00 People of the Parish also Thomas Sherlock RIP 11.00 Grazia De Feo 12.30 baptism 6.00pm Mass James & Mary Mc Namee Exit Collection Friends of the Holy Land FHL |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, Our major event is on Tuesday exactly 100yrs since the foundation of our Friary church was laid. Evening mass Tuesday will be led by Fr John Cavanagh OFM (cap) of the Capuchin Franciscans who was once a student here at Olton Friary. By holy coincidence Tuesday is the feast of St.Anselm the great theologian who became Archbishop of Canterbury 40 yrs after the Norman conquest of 1066. Besides being a good and holy Bishop he was famous for his definition of theology ‘fides quaerens intellectum’ (faith seeking understanding).. which has not been bettered in a 1,000 years. He also wrote an important essay on why God chose to become a human being: Cur Deus Homo. Thursday is the feast day of Saint George patron saint of England. St George’s day doesn’t have quite the same emotional appeal as St. Patrick’s Day. And the proliferation of St.George’s flags on estates across the country has a slightly sinister air to it, but we still celebrate him with due honour and reverence. Saint George was Turkish by birth, an early Christian martyr whose cult is kept in several countries including Albania, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Portugal and even Catalonia. If you’ve ever holidayed in Greece you’ll have seen churches dedicated to Saint George almost everywhere. He is even famous in South India, were statues of St George slaying the dragon are invoked for protection against snake bite. Saturday is the feast of St.Mark, writer of the first gospel. Little is known for sure about him, but early tradition suggests he was born in Cyrene (now Libya) and became bishop of Alexandria. He may also be ‘John Mark’ known to St.Paul (Acts 12.25). A winged lion is his symbol. *This week 10.15 mass will be in church from Tuesday onwards,
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Monday - 20th April Act 6:8-15 Jn 6:22-29 7.00 Mass Special Intention 10.15 Mass Laura Crouch, Elliott, Phobe & James |
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Tuesday –21st April St.Anselm Bishop & Doctor Act 7:51-8:1 Jn 6:30-35 7.00 Mass Bridie Dillon *10.15 Mass Mrs Stella Prystan 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 6.15pm Laying the Foundation stone- 100 yrs |
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Wednesday - 22nd April Act 8:1-8 Jn 6:35-40 7.00 Mass Gavin Morrice RIP *10.15 Mass Angela Geraghty also Mark Hurley RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel) |
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Thursday - 23rd April St.George patron saint of England Rev 12:10-12 2Tm 2:8-13,3:10-12 Lk 9:23-26 7.00 Mass Bridget McCabe RIP *10.15 Mass Piotr Jan Sawiciki RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Friday - 24th April Act 9:1-20 Jn 6:52-59 7.00 Mass P.V Joseph RIP *10.15 Mass Pat & Graham Bishop Golden Wedding anniversary |
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Saturday 25th April St.Mark Evangelist 1Pt 5:5-14 Mk 16:15-20 9.30 Confessions *10.15 Mass Gerry Eustace RIP |
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Fourth Sunday of Easter 26th April Act 2:14,36-41 1Pt 2:20-25 Jn 10:1-10 9.00 People of the parish living and deceased 11.00 Danielle Mc Skeane RIP & People of the parish living and deceased 6.00 Mass People of the parish living & deceased Exit Collection Diocesan Clergy Training Fund |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
2026 is our Parish Jubilee Year -100 years since the church foundation stone was laid, and we celebrate Tuesday night, exactly a century after the event, at a mass presided over by Fr John Cavanagh OFM cap
Tuesday Jubilee Celebration Programme
¤ 6:15pm Church Opening of Celebration
¤ Readings of the History of the Parish
¤ Jubilee hymns between readings
¤ Procession into church with banners, cross and candles
¤ Welcome by Fr Biju
¤ Holy Mass led by Fr.John Cavanagh ofm
¤ readers from St.Peter’s & OLC
¤ Children to sing & sign Hail Mary
¤ Parish reps to bring offertory gifts
¤ Cutting of Jubilee Cake by Fr John
For Jubilee events next Sunday, when we welcome our Archbishop Longley plus our Solihull mayor Annette McKenzie, and our Solihull MP Dr.Neil Shastri Hurst. (see the column on the right.)
On Saturday Night we have a Jubilee Quiz night in our parish hall, a fun way of celebrating the Jubilee. Do join us for a light hearted night that includes all the family, and you can bring your own drinks
And may our Mother Mary, who stayed with the apostles after Easter until Pentecost, stay with us in these anxious times and give us her maternal care
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News:
Betharram: Group 204 HCPT (including 5 from Solihull) visited Betharram in Easter week and made the Way of the Cross there: 15 stations up a Calvary hill. They are unlike our usual 14, in that each one is a marble relief based on scripture.
Alexander Renoir (brother of more famous Auguste Renoir) was the sculptor, and each station fills a small unique chapel. The most grand, the 5th station, was given by Emperor Napoleon III, (nephew of Bonaparte) who was actually living in exile in Leamington Spa at the time. Strange!
The Pope & the President: The unpleasant behaviour of Mr.Trump may have actually worked to the Pope’s advantage. Like Jesus on Good Friday, Pope Leo does not reply in kind to insults. But at times he struggles to make his message heard, not having that media presence of Pope Francis.
But the president has drawn attention to the Pope’s message that the gospel is not about making war, but about making peace, and that it’s always the poor & the innocent who suffer most. Pope Leo also decried the abuse of Christian images & scriptures to try to justify war. And now the world takes notice!
Movie buffs also realised pretty quickly that the war ‘prayer’ of U.S. Minister Peter Hegseth was actually a cut & paste job from a 1994 Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction. Not exactly the Word of God.
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Friary Snippets
** Friary Church Jubilee Celebrations **
∆ Sunday 26th April: 9.00 Celebration Mass with Archbp Longley. Tea & coffee afterward
∆ 11.00am Celebration Mass with Archbishop Longley along with our local Solihull Mayor Annette McKenzie & local Solihull MP Dr. Neil Shastri-Hurst. Buffet afterwards in hall.
∆ Tours of the church & Friary in afternoon
∆ 6.00pm Mass with Fr Jonathan Veasey Vicar General. Tea, coffee & cakes after mass
∆ All are welcome with family and friends.
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Marriage Matters: Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14, 22-28 1 Peter 1:17-21 Luke 24:13-35 As Jesus walked to Emmaus, he listened carefully to His disciples and experienced their grief. An important part of our relationship is listening. We may disagree with our partner’s thoughts and judgments but they are part of who they are. We need to experience them and convey the joy of discovering they really are.
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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 19th April: Group A
Please pray for April; Jimmy Gavin, Vigil 5th May, Funeral 6th May, Anne Letts- Funeral 7th May Vigil 6th May, Hazel Scott, and Tony Davies.
++++May they rest in peace ++++++++
Meditation Group at Holy Souls parish meeting room 1pm: April 27; May 11 & 25; June 8 & 22 & July 6. All welcome.
Diocesan Vocations Discernment Day for young men (Y9-13) sensing call to priest- -hood. Young Discerners Group meets Sat May 9 at Oscott College, Discover about priesthood & seminary life. Prayer & meet seminarians & explore discernment. Parents also invited in parallel programme. Info? Deacon Owen deacon.owen@vocations.org.uk Call 0121 321 5135 for more info or sign up.
Jubilee Mass-Good Shepherd Sunday-April 26
* 9.00am with Archbishop Bernard Longley & Reading of Friary History before mass. After Mass: Tea, coffee, cakes & in hall. (Please bring homemade cakes in advance)
* 11.00 am Solemn Jubilee Mass
* with our Archbishop Bernard Longley.
* Bless Foundation Stone outside 10.45 am
* memorial tree planting ceremony.
* Procession to the church with banners
* Reading Parish History & Jubilee hymns
* Presentations & Vote of Thanks
* Refreshments in Hall-Cutting Jubilee cake
* 6.00 pm Mass similar to 9.00am but with Canon Jonathan Veasey. Foundation Stone poem to be read
FOUR SPECIAL Friary Jubilee Events
* Quiz Night Saturday April 25th 6.30pm. ‘How well do you know your parish’. Fun night for all the family in parish hall. Bring your own drinks-Tea & cakes provided. For all levels of knowlege- £5 per person .
* Guided Tour of Church & Friary Building Sunday 26th April. Tours at 12:30 & 1:30. Hear the fascinating history of the Friary End with tea & homemade cakes in hall. Donations for parish hall refurb.
* Friary Centenary Draw. Boxes for each of the 100 years since 1926 . Choose a box for £10. Grand draw on Sunday 26th of April. 1st prize £100. 2nd prize £50. 3rd prize £25
* Tea at The Friary May 24 to mark 100yrs. Afternoon tea for only £15, 2.00-5.00pm. Delicious homemade cakes & sandwiches, Scones with strawberry and cream. Live music from across the decades.
Health & Safety notice: Please respect 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)
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.