Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
To Touch What is Real
Luke 1.39-56
Pope Leo touched a raw nerve in May this year with his message to the world: Magnifica Humanitas. In a world influenced by Artificial Intelligence he avowed that science only fulfils its goal by serving humanity, since only human beings are made in the image of God, not robots or microchips.
Pope Leo isn't anti-science or progress. As a science graduate of Villanova University Pennsylvania, he is keenly aware of the contribution scientific study has made to the wellbeing of the human family. His point is that science must serve and not dominate. In particular it shouldn't be used to enrich the few already-rich at the expense of the majority. And this is where he touched raw nerves!
He turns his attention to AI, much aware that new science can disable as well as enlighten. And he earnestly wants new technology to serve the many and not the few.
The Assumption of Mary may seem to have little to do with modern science, but it is our catholic tradition’s way of insisting that God’s grace works in a material world, the world of atoms molecules and electrons.
Mary of Nazareth was so powerfully touched by the strength of God’s grace that her body did not decay but was carried into heaven when her life ended. This is a bold statement about her destiny, and also about ours.
We men & women are not bound for a heap of molecules lost in space. Our destiny (because of God’s touch) is to be with all the saints who have gone before us, this magnificent humanity. And Mary is our assurance that it happens for real for all of us, and not just a pious few.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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16th - 23rd August 2026 |
Week Twenty |
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Assumption of our Blessed Lady 16th August Rev 11.19a, 12.1-6a,10ab Rm 9:1-5 Luke 1.39-56 9.00 John & Nora Eccles 11.00 John Larkin RIP (Anniversary) 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish also Agnes Keane Exit Collection: Parish Hall Refurbishment |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, On All Saints Day 1950 Pope Pius XII declared the Dogma of the Assumption, before a massive crowd of 700,000. The mystery of the Assumption means that Mary at the end of her earthly life was assumed body & soul into heaven. The Times claimed the pope was just inventing things. The World Council of Churches called it a ‘scandal’ as it wasn't in the bible. A great Lutheran theologian Reinhold Niebuhr even called it idolatry! But the Pope only defined what was believed for generations the world over, a result of years of prayerful reflection. Images of the Assumption in art go back many centuries esp. in medieval England Positive reactions surprised: Carl Jung pioneer of moder psychiatry enthused that the church valued the importance of the feminine. Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin said he wasn't a catholic but that if he was, he’d believe it too as it seemed quite logical to him. The Assumption is a public holiday in 60 nations even in France ...which insists on separation between church & state. Somehow they dimly perceive that the honour we give Mary infers dignity in our own flesh & blood. Exactly the point! St.John Eudes (Wednesday) founded the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity in 1641 and also the Congregation of Jesus & Mary, known as the Eudists in 1643. St.Bernard of Clairvaux (Thursday) was Bishop Ullathorne’s patron saint. This is why in 1873 The Friary was St.Bernards Seminary, hence St.Bernard's Road. St.Pius X (Friday) championed frequent & early communion. Till his time many people only received communion after age 16 and then only 3 or 4 times a year Our Lady Queen & Mother (Saturday) celebrates Mary as the greatest of all the saints, echoing the 5th glorious mystery.
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Monday 17th August Ez 24:15-24 Mt 19:16-22 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Simon Gallier RIP also Gabriel Lyons RIP |
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Tuesday 18th August Ez 28:1-10 Mt 19:23-30 7.00 Mass Souls In Purgatory 10.15 Mass Caroline Louise Sparling also Peter Congdon RIP 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday 19th August St.John Eudes Ez 34:1-11 Mt 20:1-16 7.00 Mass Father Pat Sayles 10.15 Mass Bill Fury RIP 4.30pm Vigil Susan Christine Byrne RIP |
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Thursday 20th August Saint Bernard Ez 36:23-28 Mt 22:1-14 7.00 Mass Brendan Joy RIP 10.15 Requiem Susan Christine Byrne 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Friday 21st August Saint Pius X Ez 37:1-14 Mt 22:34-40 7.00 Mass Brother Thang SCJ 10.15 Requiem Peter Christopher McNaughton |
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Saturday 22nd August Our Lady Queen and Mother Ez 43:1-7 Mt 23:1-12 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Pat & Esther Murphy RIP also Julie Agnew RIP |
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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 |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (normally 15th August) is moved to Sunday so we honour Mary in a feast that speaks of human destiny.
In this age of AI when we are unsure what is real or false, it is calming to know Mary Mother of Jesus really has space in heaven, and is a guarantee of our place too.
Congratulations to young people in our parish for good A-level results last week-fruit of hard work by students & teachers.
Education has always been a mission of our SCJ Congregation, and this week our prayers go with the GCSE group who must wait a few more anxious days.
Thank you all for the support for our new scj school in Assam, an ongoing Project.
An afternoon tea event will soon be hosted by a generous parishioner in aid of this project. (see next column)
Please enjoy this summer time with its un-usually find weather, and if you are going away somewhere please travel safely and come back safely too.
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.
Saturday’s feast of Mary Queen & Mother is a day to honour Mary as ‘the jewel in the crown’ of all saints, and also her role as mother of the church. May she watch over us all this week and keep us safe.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News
Nottingham Fr. Wilfred marked 15 years of priesthood with a mass & picnic for the England vicariate on Thursday. Outside temperatures reached 38c.
Paraguay: Coronel Oviedo: Deacon Óscar Alberto Mendoza Jiménez SCJ was ordained priest at the Parish of San Giuseppe Sposo in San José de los Arroyos August 10.
Two retired SCJ bishops presided: Mgr. Claudio Silvero Bp Emeritus of Encarnación, & Msgr. Ignacio Gogorza also Bp Emeritus of Encarnación. Fr.Davi Lara Regional Superior, was there plus Fr. Alberto Zaracho, head of Paraguay Vicariate. Our Paraguayan SCJs all speak Guarini, as well as Spanish.
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Friary Snippets
Next PPC meeting will be on Wednesday 16th 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.
Afternoon Tea Charity Event organised by Mona & Maureen for SCJ Assam School Project Sat 29 Aug 2pm-4pm £20.00 per ticket. At 263 Streetsbrook Rd. Places limited-please call Mona on 07796 772993 by 26 August.
Journey in Faith our programme for those seeking to join the Catholic church starts on Monday 14th 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: Assumption of Mary
Rev 11:19, 12:1-6, 10 1 Cor 15:20-26 Luke 1:39-56
Today we celebrate that Jesus exalted his mother in special way. As married couples we too can take heart from Mary. Though everything will be changed by the death of one of us, it isn’t the end! Our love for one another will not be lost, but as the Lord vowed, it will be made glorious in heaven.
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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 16th August: Group F
Please pray for Susan Christine Byrne- Funeral 20 Aug 10.15am, Vigil 19 Aug 4.30; Peter Christopher McNaughton- Funeral Friday 21 August 10.15am and also Henry O'Leary-burial of ashes Sept 9 Robin Hood; Kathleen Comer funeral 2nd Sept. 10.15 & Patrick Warren May they rest in peace ++
Adoremus National Eucharistic Congress 10 & 11 October. Our bishops ask us mark
Adoremus with Adoration in our parish.
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
House Mass -Blessing Like a Mass in your home or blessing during school summer break? Just speak to Fr.Biju after mass
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
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
* see https://pilgrimagepeople.org/book or email fr.toby.duckworth@rcaob.org.uk
* If you can climb a flight of stairs & amble church to church that’s enough mobility
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
* end 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 led by Sister Angela in Parish Meeting Room 1pm, Sept 7 & 21, Oct 5 & 19, Nov 2, 16 & 30, Dec 14, Jan 11 & 25 Feb 8 & 22, Mar 8, Apr 5 & 19, May 3, 17 & 31, Jun 14 & 28, July 12. All parishes & parishioners welcome
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.