Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Fourteenth Sunday

God's Sense of Humour

Zech 9.9-10                                                    Matt 11.25-30

Is scripture playing a practical joke on us today? The Zechariah prophecy is one we are used to hearing on Palm Sunday, as it speaks of the day the King will come into his city riding on a donkey. And the gospel is the same one we heard just 2 weeks ago on the feast of the Sacred Heart ‘these things are hidden from the learned & the wise and revealed to mere children.’

So what do we make of this in the middle of summer?

Firstly, it isn't unusual for deep truths to be hidden from the educated or those in authority. Just look at recent history in the Middle-East as key players in current events show an extraordinary lack of wisdom.

Secondly if we are the people of the Spirit St.Paul speaks of today we’ll be alive to the lessons being given to us in everyday living, especially the lessons of ’mere children’.

    It’s the second time  Jesus pointed to the wisdom of ‘mere children’. Can you recall when his disciples tried to turn away the parents bringing their children to him for blessing?

   ‘Let the children come to me’ (He said) ‘for it is to them that the kingdom of God belongs’. Saying this didn't mean Jesus was naive or over-sentimental about the young. He knew that children are hard work! And he knew that children, a source of great joy to their parents, could also bring sorrow too.

   Children are honest about their needs, whether that is just food & drink, or things like love, warmth, company, play, entertainment, exercise, laughter or sleep. This is exactly how Jesus wants us to be before our God: simply open and honest, without a pious face. People like that have not lost their inner child, and so are open to the mysteries of the kingdom. 

 

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

5th July - 12th July 2026	Week Fourteen
Fourteenth Sunday 5h July Zc 9:9-10 Rm 8:9,11-13 Mt 11:25-30 9.00 People of Parish also Joseph Mc Neill RIP 11.00 Ann Letts RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass Mary Savage  Exit Collection: Gardening Group Equipment	Dear Brothers & Sisters, Saint Maria Goretti (Monday) suffered a violent sexual attack in 1902 at Anzio, about 50 miles south of  Rome. Her attacker Alessandro Serenelli then served a long prison sentence and repented, and sat beside Maria’s mother when she was canonised by Pope Pius XII in 1950. St. Augustine Zhao Rong, (Thursday) was one of 120 Chinese martyrs who died for the faith over the space of three hundred years. They were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. St.Benedict (Saturday) is patron saint of Europe, author of the famous Monastic Rule, which bred a wonderful family of Benedictine monks all over the world. Benedictines had a big part in reviving Catholic faith in Britain in Victorian times. Some parishes in Warwickshire are still run by Benedictines as a result. Sunday 12 July is Sea Sunday when we pray for merchant seamen who work long hours in hard conditions away from home. People don't often pay them much attention ...until thousands become stranded in the Straits of Hormuz. Next Sunday’s exit collection supports Stella Maris-chaplains & lay ministers who support seamen & families Our Lady Star of the Sea…’Stella Maris’
Monday  6th July St.Maria Goretti Ho 2:14-16 Mt 9:18-26 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Jim & Annie Hussey RIP 7.30 pm Vigil Peter Congdon
Tuesday  7th  July Ho 8:4-7,11-13 Mt 9:32-38  7.00 Mass Geraldine Vince & family 10.15 Requiem Peter Congdon RIP   10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday 8th July 10:1-3,7-8,12 Mt 10:1-7 7.00 Mass Mary Gateley RIP 10.15 Mass Malani Morgan also Marian Healy 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)
Thursday 9th  July St.Augustine Zhao Rong & Companions   Ho 11:1-4,8-9 Mt 10:7-15 7.00 Mass Priests & Trainee priest in Cyprus 10.15 Mass Rita Fizgerald also Martin O’ Donnell 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
First Friday  10th July Ho 14:1-9 Mt 10:16-23 7.00 Mass Clare Curtis RIP 10.15 Mass Pat & Graham Bishop
Saturday 11th July St.Benedict Pr 2:1-9 Mt 19:27-29 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Marcella (Rita) Glendon also Mary O’Keefe RIP
Fifteenth Sunday-Sea Sunday 12h July Is 55:10-11 Rm 8:18-23 Mt 13:1-23 9.00 People of Parish also Aine Bunn RIP 11.00 Azmi Megally 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass Susan Burrow RIP Exit Collection: Apostleship of the Sea

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We thank God for the organisers of our inter-parish football games this afternoon, and also for the youth club leaders who care for the young each Friday night in our parish hall. They are truly a blessing.

We thank God too for our social & fund raising group who have another dozen events planned between now & Christmas. They help form a sense of community among us, and the events span a wide range of tastes.

We thank God for our Gardening Team as well. Their plant sale today generates a little more for parish funds, in addition to the free skilled labour they give all year round in all kinds of weather. The exit collection today helps buy the tools and supplies they need.

Next Sunday is Sea Sunday, 12^th July when the Church prays for all those who live & work at sea. Seafarers and fishermen play a vital role in all our lives, but often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. In this last year, more crews have been abandoned by their employers than ever before. Many are still unable to leave their ships for even a short break away from the relentless noise & pressure onboard.

This year as the Straits of Hormuz remain closed because of the war, and ships are trapped in the Persian Gulf, many people became aware of this for the first time. Many tanker crews report stress & poor mental health. Most are Asian in origin, working for low wages to support families back home and many are Catholics. Our second collection next week supports the church’s ministry to mariners, no matter what their faith or origin. One of our parishioners will make a short appeal for them at each mass.

May Mary, Star of the Sea continue to look after us all in these stormy times.

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News: 

India: We look forward to another ordination in September, as Bro.Stephen Rodriguez is to become a priest on Sept 10. Fr.Wilfred plans to be there for the occasion.

Thailand: A few weeks before that in August Bro. Bunyod will be ordained a Deacon in Chiang Mai cathedral on August 13.

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Friary Snippets 

 Summer blessing? House Mass or Blessing:  If you would like to have a Mass celebrated in your home or a House Blessing during the school summer break, please speak to Fr.Biju.

Parish hall refurbishment news                 

Phase 1 roof complete & paid for at £69.5k

Phase 2 total interior refurb. Estimate £80k So far £24k raised. Still seeking grant aid.

4-week work was due to start in school hol. But may be delayed due to Diocesan hiccups.

Thanks for ongoing support. Still needed! 

Friary Garden Group Plant Sale- Got weeds in your garden? Replace with Friary plants! The gardening team have surplus Perennial plants to sell after each mass Today 5^th July- (proceeds to Friary funds) plants to include Delphiniums, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Verbena.

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.

**** Meeting Today 5^th July ****

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? Parish Office ( 0121-706-0505 or Noleen Walsh 

Interested in diocesan history this summer?

Harvington History Festival 22-26 July talks, tours, & events at Harvington Hall, the historic moated manor house, known for its priest hides. Info harvingtonhall.co.uk 

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Marriage Matters: Fourteenth Sunday

Zech 9:9-10 Rom 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30 A ‘yoke’ keeps oxen together when carrying a heavy load or ploughing a field. The day we married we chose to be ‘yoked’ together ‘till death us do part’. The burdens of life can lower our spirits and create a barrier to intimacy in our relationship. But Jesus says: “Stay ‘yoked’ to me and I will help you, however heavy the load.”

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 need help with the load? Retrouvaille a lifeline for married couples has helped thousands of couples find hope & healing in their marriage over prayerful weekends.

Next dates: 2-4 Oct    ( 0788 7296983

Website;  www.retrouvaille.org.uk/info

Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 5^th July: Group F

Please pray for Peter Congdon-funeral 10.15am 7^th July Vigil 7.30pm 6^th July; Maeve Isla Mary Bevan (baby) funeral 14^th July 10.15; Stella Minihan-funeral July 22, and also Julie Agnew.  +++++ May they rest in peace +++++

Monday Meditation Group At Holy Souls parish room 1pm: July 6. All welcome.  

Opportunities for service

Columban Missionaries seek volunteers to support school groups using their grounds for Laudato Si'- themed retreat days.

* DBS checks and training given

* commit to 4-6 days, over a year.

* might suit ex-teacher who loves nature! More info?  education@columbans.co.uk

Mary’s Fund Raiser Afternoon Tea for Arctic Challenge for Acorns Children’s Hospice. Join Mary 12^th July 3pm to 5pm 136 Ulverley Gn Rd in back

garden. Please reserve ( 07963 011 142. 

 Football’s coming home! Olton’s

Alternative to mexico city

3^rd  annual inter-parish football Cup 

Today 2pm at The Friary. Holy Souls won in 2024. Our Lady of  Wayside in 2025      

2026 is our year! Supporters welcome. Refreshments aplenty include Irish Hot Dogs, lemonade and Ice Cream. 

Train to teach with Bishop Challoner - + Primary & Secondary post-grad courses

+ PGCE as well as QTS with all courses.

+ Future Catholic Leaders Programme. 

See https://www.bctsa.org/1275/directors-welcome

email: bctsa-admissions@bctsa.org or call Sarah, Elizabeth, Becky & Sabrin ( 0121 441 6175

200 CLUB JUNE 1^st £125 154 Ms J Heys; 2^nd £50 121 Mrs A Hall; 3^rd £25 77 Miss E Green

Need a summer cultural trip?

 * Three Choirs Festival Gloucester cathedral from July 25-August 1.

* varied menu of choral music to suit all

* incl. serious, sacred, comic & commercial

* Dream of Gerontius- last night-music by Edward Elgar-text  St.John Henry Newman

* ( 01452 768928 email info@3choirs.org

Annual sponsored walk for SCJ Missions

* Come and join for a fun afternoon in the Worcester countryside on September 19^th

* Meet 1.00pm Gateway car park by canal  Hanbury Rd. Droitwich and bring picnic!

* 2-hour walk on easy footpaths

* Good company with Fr.Biju & Fr.Austin  

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.