Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Twenty Seventh Sunday
Absentee Landlords
Mt 21:33-43
Jesus’ story of the vineyard & the absentee landlord still stirs strong feelings after 2,000 years. Locals from Cumbria to Catalunya will spot the figure of the absent property owner, and tune in to the resentment it causes. So will the bonded labourers of India & Indonesia who will never get to possess farms of their own. And is there an echo of today’s billionaire tax-exiles, who pull political strings from distant sunny havens?
At home others will hear echoes of the violence that accompanies supply of illegal drugs. The tenants’ decision to rough up the messenger, kill the debt collectors, and then the heir, is like a ‘turf war’ in a UK city in 2026.
For its original audience the parable was a coded history of Israel with a provocative punch at the end. The vineyard was code for the people of Israel, a familiar Old Testament image. The servants & messengers are the prophets who were rejected. And the Son represents Jesus himself, who was killed.
Jesus told the story as a powerful hint that if the Chosen People rejected him, others would take their place. So good news for the Gentiles!
But there is a second lesson that impacts upon the Chosen, the Gentiles, the Debt collectors and even the Catalans. And it is simply that God chooses unlikely people (‘rejected stones’) to do his work.
So if we feel among the broken, the rejected or the eccentric, we still have a crucial part to play in the healing of our world, and that is good news for all of us.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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4th October - 11th October 2026 |
Week Twenty Seven |
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Twenty Seventh Sunday 4th October Is 5.1-7 Phil 4.6-9 Mt 21:33-43 9.00 Mass People of the Parish also Patrick Quinn RIP 11.00 Sean Ward RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass Alex Doherty & family Exit Collection: Harvest Fast (CAFOD) |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, Sister Faustina Kowalska (Monday) died of TB in 1938 aged only 33. But devotion to Divine Mercy she inspired (because of revelations given) stir millions all over the world. Much respected by the young Fr. Karol Wojtila She was canonised by him as Pope John Paul II in 2000 St.Bruno (Tuesday) scandalised by messy church politics in 1084, founded the Carthusians, a commune of hermits in bleak hill country to protest against power politics. But he was much in demand from bishops & popes as adviser. A later generation of his monks earned a living by making Chartreuse. Our Lady of the Rosary (Wednesday) marks October as month of the Rosary. We always have rosary daily in chapel before 10.15 mass. St. John Henry Newman (Friday) who was often maligned by jealous contemporaries, but his goodness & clear mind gave the church a precious legacy. Against prevailing winds of the day, he insisted that catholic doctrine should develop to be faithful to Christ and that lay people must have a voice in this movement. A much respected preacher, he was invited by Bishop Ullathorne to give the homily at the official opening of St.Bernards Seminary on October 2nd 1873. This took place in the house chapel which is now the upstairs library here at the Friary. St.Paulinus (Friday) 1st Bp. of York was sent by Pope Gregory in 601 as apostle to the Anglo-Saxons. He baptised King Edwin of Northumbria, and also his niece, St.Hilda of Whitby.
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Monday 5th October St.Faustina Kowalska JGal 1.6-12 Lk 10.25-37 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Mary Eames & family also Andrew Cole |
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Tuesday 6th October St.Bruno Gal 1.13-24 Luke 10.38-42 7.00 No Mass 10.15 Communion Service 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday 7th October Our Lady of the Rosary Acts 1.12-14 Lk 1:26-38 7.00 No Mass 10.15 Communion Service |
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Thursday 8th October Gal 3.1-5 Lk 11:5-13 7.00 No Mass 10.15 Communion service 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Friday 9th October St.John Henry Newman 2Cor 2.10b-16 John 15.9-17 7.00 No Mass 10.15 Requiem Charlotte Rose Severn |
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Saturday 10th October St.Paulinus Isaiah 52.7-10 Matt 28:16-20 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mr Jake & Mrs Georgina Wrightman also Mary Savage RIP |
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Twenty Eighth Sunday 11th October Is 25.6-11a Phil 4.12-14, 19-20 Mt 22:1-14 9.00 Mass Patricia Ganderton RIP 1st anniversary 11.00 George Carmichael 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish also Jan Coxhead RIP Exit Appeal Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Friary is not for sale! Some recent speculation on social media about Olton Friary has created quite a bit of confusion! Since before the pandemic we have been trying to find a way to reduce the expense of caring for an ageing crumbling building, as the cost is too much for our parish. It is estimated that the cost of overdue repairs and bringing the Friary to modern safety & insulation standards would be £2m plus.
Various schemes were proposed but none of them ticked all the boxes, so the Archdiocese has taken charge of the project. With Savills as an estate agent, the Diocese proposes sale of the 1873 Friary building at the rear of the parish hall, plus a portion of the car park for ‘new build’, and for which offers have been invited.
The Church & parish hall are not included in the scope of any development and are definitely not for sale.
We hope this sale will fund parish offices, a house for the religious community and pay at least part of the £1m debt due to the Diocese arising from the 2019 purchase of the whole campus from the Franciscans. The Diocese is trying to secure the future and sustainability of all the Friary buildings and Church, and it is hoped a partial sale of the land would help to achieve this. If you have any suggestions that might help, then please contact the Diocesan team dealing with this. (see next column)
This is the month of the holy rosary, and we always pray the rosary every day before 10.15 mass in the day chapel. May Mary queen of the rosary keep us safe this week and keep us close to her Son Jesus.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News
OLTON: Since 2019 the parish has been seeking a more economic way of managing parish assets, in particular the old 1873 Friary Building. The Archdiocese plans to sell the old Friary building plus some land, to raise funds offices & living quarters, & pay off parish debt. If you’ve any good ideas please contact the Diocesan team dealing with property: either Tom Stockwell rcaobproperty@rcaob.org.uk or Eric Kirwan eric.kirwan@rcaob.org.uk ( 0121 230 6221
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Message from the Diocesan Office
The Diocese is trying to secure the long-term future of Olton Friary Church & Parish by selling part of the surrounding site.
* Partners sought to redevelop the 3-storey 1873 former seminary (aka The Friary) plus new build in areas now used for parking
* Please be assured the church, chapel, parish hall & front car park are not for sale.
* Diocese needs to raise funds to reinvest in long-term future of church & community.
* Currently being marketed by Savills Estate Agents. See https://search.savills.com/property-detail/9e3bffbc-2979-41c3-a2f5-d0335fe185a3
* The Diocese has fielded similar schemes in recent years: (a) Aston Hall sold to The St Barnabas Society (b) St John the Evangelist church, presbytery & school in Kidsgove, Staffordshire, sold to the Coptic Orthodox.
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Friary Snippets
A big thankyou to all who supported last night’s concert in church for the organ fund. Huge thanks to patrons, musicians, singers and performers.
Thanks for support of Harvest Thanksgiving today as well. Food donated will be distributed to needy people over the coming week.
CHILDREN’S VOICES at 9.00am MASS
* We invite all children aged 7+ to join our choir at 9:00 am Family Mass.
* Just speak to any of our leaders, Anne, Claire, or Rose, after Mass, or email Rose holysingalong@gmail.com.
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Marriage Matters: Twenty Seventh Sunday
Isaiah 5:1-7 Phil 4:6-9 Matt 21:33-43
When we married we took each other for better, for worse. God experienced the ‘worse’ when his ‘bride’ the Jewish people, rejected him by worshipping other gods. The ‘worse’ for us may be when a spouse mocks our beliefs. Have we shared our hurt, let them know our pain? But recall that God has loved the ‘worst’ in all of us.
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Big thanks to our secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 4th October: Group A
Please pray for Charlotte Rose Angelina Severn-funeral 9 Oct 10.15 & Patrick Quinn:
Stephen Griffin-burial of ashes 11.00 Friday 16th Oct; Meryl Ashcroft RIP-funeral 10.15 Monday 19th Oct +May they rest in peace+
Parish Hall Refurbishment... Total raised to date is £109k so we’re nearly there!
* The new hall roof cost £69.5k and the
* Hall Refurb £50k (incl. new floor)
* so we just need a final £10.5k.
* Fr Biju gives huge thanks to everyone for their prayers, donations, fundraising and time given to complete this project.
Upcoming Parish hall events……...
* Bingo Night Saturday 17th October 7pm
* Christmas Market 11am-2pm Sat 14 Nov
To book a table email bkobic@aol.com We’d be grateful for bottle gifts- anything from wine to shampoo, for the tombola!
* HCPT Concert Night also November 14 for Special Needs Children Lourdes Pilgrims
Music, entertainment and Chilli Con Carne (with a veg. option). More details soon.
* Christmas Flower Workshops Please sign up for workshops after mass!
Friday 27th November, 6pm to 8pm
Saturday 28th November 11am to 1pm.
St.peter’s School seeks new head……….
A new headteacher is sought for our school from September 2027 as our current head takes up a new challenge. We’re a popular, outstanding, oversubscribed Catholic High School. Applicants please follow link:
https://mynewterm.com/jobs/148094/EDV-2026-SPCS-33226 Deadline soon: October 6
Monday Meditation at Holy Souls: 1pm in Parish Meeting Room, Oct 5 & 19, Nov 2, 16 & 30, Dec 14. All welcome
Journey in Faith our programme for those seeking to join the Catholic church resumes tomorrow Monday 5 Oct 7.30pm in the Friary library. This week we tune in to Prayer, something we all need, to nourish ourselves, and our hungry spirits.
Blessed are those who mourn:
* Our Friary Bereavement support group meets each month for all who are seeking support after a loss.
* All are welcome no matter the kind of loss or how long ago.
* We gather 1st Sunday of each month for prayer, conversation & encouragement of one another as we journey together.
* We aren’t a counselling group but promise good listening skills, respect for confidentiality and of course a cuppa.
* Meeting today Sunday.. 4th October 3.00pm to 4.30 in the Friary Lounge
* For info call parish Office 0121-706-0505 or Noleen Walsh
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.