Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Sixth Sunday of Easter 

I Will Not Leave You Orphans

 John 14:15-21          

           Many of us know the pain of losing a parent, and mourn the loss of a father or mother. Here at The Friary it is often very moving at funerals to see the grief of grown-up children who have painstakingly looked after an elderly mother or father for years, often at some personal cost.

           But some of us never knew our own parents, and have mourning of a different kind to do, while others have painful or bitter memories of parents that remain unresolved. It is a sad truth in Gaza that Hamas finds father-less children to be a very easy recruiting ground for young jihadis.

            Whatever our truth, we hear gladly the promise of Jesus: ‘I will not leave you orphans’ as he promises to send us a Spirit who will always be on our side and always take our part.

            We discover this spirit in different ways, but it often happens when we reach an impasse or a place of fear, and have to learn to trust and hand things over.           

           Handing our will and our lives over to the care of our God as we understand him feels counter-intuitive. But when we do it, we discover to our surprise a secret hidden strength and a calmness we  never knew we had.

          This was the hidden secret stumbled on by St.Michael Garicoits founder of the Sacred Heart communities. It can feel strange to do it in practice, but if we try it, then somehow we feel the presence of a Father who is always watching over us. We are no longer orphans.   

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

10th May - 17th May 2026	Sixth Week of Easter
Sixth Sunday of Easter 10th May Act 8:5-8,14-17 1Pt 3:15-18 Jn 14:15-21 9.00 People of the Parish also Kevin Gavin 11.00 Maureen & Eddie Treanor 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass George Carmichael Exit Collection Poor Parishes Fund	Dear Brothers & Sisters, Sts. Achilleus & Nereus (Tues) were roman soldiers who became Christian, and refused to offer sacrifice to pagan Gods. For this they were executed c.300AD. St.Pancras was a teenager around the same time in Rome, who also proudly professed his Christian faith, and paid the ultimate price. The old St.Pancras church in London lent its name to the nearby railway station. Our Lady of Fatima (Wednesday) is an optional feast, but we keep it, as many people in our parish have been blessed by the Fatima tradition, and by Jacinta, Francisco & Lucia, the three children granted the apparitions. The Ascension (Thursday) marks the point at which the early disciples had to accept that they could no longer cling to the earthly Jesus as they had known him. From now on they would know a different kind of presence. We have three masses: 7.00, 10.15 & 7.00pm The Evening Mass is combined with the feast of St.Michael Garicoits, and Bishop David Evans will preside. Tea & coffee to follow in the Friary Lounge.  Saint Michael was born in 1797 a few years after the French Revolution when atheism became a fashionable trend. With his little band of followers he set about building up the body of Christ with an accent on love of the Heart of Jesus. His humble Band of followers still try to do the same today.           ****************** First communion mass is 11.00 Saturday: Because of the sheer numbers involved benches are reserved for children and families.But the celebration Mass at 9.00am next Sunday is open to all
Monday - 11th May Act 16:11-15 Jn 15:26-16:4 7.00 Mass Joseph Mano (birthday) 10.15 Mass  Bridget McCabe also Maggie Duggan RIP
Tuesday –12th  May Saints Nereus & Achilleus also St.Pancras Act 16:22-34 Jn 16:5-11 7.00 Mass Patricia Ganderton RIP  & Ganderton family 10.15 Mass Jill Baynham RIP also Michael Cunningham 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday - 13th May Our Lady of Fatima Act 17:15,22-18:1 Jn 16:12-15 7.00 Mass Kathryn Oakley 10.15 Mass Catherine Foley RIP also Fr Krysztofkita & Fr Jerzy Garda 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)
Thursday - 14th  May Ascension of the Lord and St.Michael Garicoits     Act 1:1-11 Eph 1:16-23 Mt 28:16-20 7.00 Mass Nancy D. &Danny C. 10.15 Mass Deborah Jones  7.00pm Mass Sacred Heart Frs & Bros of Betharram
Friday - 15th May Act 18:9-18 Jn 16:20-23 7.00 Mass John Trinham RIP 10.15 Mass Jan & Mark Hurley RIP
Saturday 16th May Act 18:23-28 jn 16:23-28 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Jan & Mark Hurley RIP  also Brendan Mc Inerney RIP (in day chapel) 11.00 First Communion Mass (in church)
Seventh Sunday of Easter 17th May Act 1:12-14 1Pt 4:13-16 Jn 17:1-11 9.00 Peggy & Douglas Coshan 11.00 Catherine & James Murphy RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish also Peggy & Sammy Lee RIP Exit Collection Catholic Communications

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It was joy to see the first communions yesterday ... the longing in the children to be participating members of the Lord’s Supper, the pride in the eyes of parents and grandparents, and the results of hard work by teachers and catechists.

Next Saturday at 11.00am we welcome our second group of first communion children.  May God bless their parents, catechists & teachers who work so hard to prepare them.

Then at Pentecost we still  have a few people to receive fully into the church,  in addition to the dozen we received at Easter.  And we thank God’s Holy Spirit for his work in the hearts of his people.

Thursday is the Feast of St.Michael founder of our Sacred Heart Congregation, but it is also the feast of the Ascension, a holy day. This is actually fitting as St.Michael died on Ascension Day in 1863.

So in the morning we have Ascension Day masses at 7.00 & 10.15 while in the evening we plan a 7.00pm mass to celebrate both, with Bishop David Evans. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will follow in the Friary lounge afterwards, and all are invited.

St.Michael founded our society in 1835 to spread the love of the heart of Jesus, with special emphasis on marginalized people. He combined this with a spirit of loving obedience to God’s purposes for us.

And may our Mother Mary, always with the disciples from Easter to Pentecost, stay with us these days and give us her maternal care.    

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News: 

India This last week Fr Wilfred  has been in Bangalore with priests and brothers of our Indian Vicariate to help direct their special Assembly.  Delegates came from Assam, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala,  as well as from our Formation Houses in Mangalore and Bangalore.

The Assembly concluded with the first vows of Bro.Antony Jijoe Kurusu, a young brother from Tamil Nadu.

Our Indian Vicariate is going from strength to strength, having started a little more than 30 years ago. Fr.Xavier, who spent 3 years in Olton was our first Indian priest. In 1995 our Bangalore Formation House was begun by Bro.Michael, Bro.Gerard and Fr.Enrico.

Our Betharram School in Assam, begun by Fr.Pascal in 2015 has recently been extended

thanks to kind donors from abroad, including generous people from The Friary parish.

Fr.Wilfred & Fr Biju will be there on the feast of the Sacred Heart (June 15) for the blessing of the new wing.

This school in Simuluguri is mainly for the children of tribal people. The ethnic identity of tribal peoples, long ignored by central government, is greatly honoured by all our Christian missionaries.

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Friary Snippets 

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

* Prizes needed for the raffle,

* Donations wanted for the bottle stall

* volunteers, helpers & supporters needed  on the day and beforehand

* Please let us know if you help. Just contact Emma or Annette via the office.

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Marriage Matters: Sixth Sunday of Easter 

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 1 Peter 3:15-18 John 14:15-21 Jesus is in me and in you! In marriage we are called to honour that presence in our spouse every day. There may be times when we hurt each other or take each other for granted, leading to feelings of jealousy and resentment, often to arguments. At times like this the call is for forgiveness, for healing, for affirmation.

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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 10^th May: Group D

Please pray for William Joseph Butler funeral-Tuesday 19 May 10.30am; Pansy Rita Pasco-funeral Wed 20 May 10.15am, Vigil Tues 19 May 6pm; Anthony Benjamin Davies-funeral Thurs 21 May 10.00am, Vigil Wed 20 May 6pm; Alfons Kvilums-funeral -Fri 29^th May 10.15am, Vigil Thur 28 May  6pm; Margaret Mary McHugh-funeral Fri 5^th June 10.15am, Vigil Thurs 4^th June – +++++ May they rest in peace ++++++

Meditation Group at Holy Souls parish meeting Room, Mondays 1pm May 11 & 25; All welcome. 

SPECIAL Friary Jubilee Event

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 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)

golf by the wayside! Our Lady of Wayside invites Olton Friary golfers to join their annual golf day at Fulford Heath Golf Club, Tanners Green Lane, Wythall B47 6BH on May 21. Cost? £60 per head includes afternoon buffet, 18 holes and tea, coffee, bacon rolls, prizes. Buggy hire £35. Interested? Call Ray Hunt 07955 359242 or rayhunt47@btinternet.com for info. Three charities this year: (i) funds to take young adults to Lourdes; (ii) SVP Society & (iii) Father O’Mahony Trust. Donations or sponsorship much appreciated. Businesses can sponsor a hole for £100.

Vocation News: Please find attached a link to the Vocations website and the Vocations Sunday newsletter from the Diocesan Vocations Office. This can also be found on the Diocesan Vocations website: https://www.vocations.org.uk/ 

Catholic Medical Association

* Annual Conference for all medics

* St Chad’s Cathedral 30 May 9.00-4.15

* Theme-Granting Protection-Offering care

* Current Catholic Challenges in Healthcare

* Conference for Medical Students, Trainee Doctors, Senior Doctors, Nurses & all Healthcare Professionals in UK & Ireland

* Practical Guide to Ethical Functioning  in Secular Healthcare Environment UK & Eire

* for more information see below...

www.catholicmedicalassociation.org.uk/event

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.