Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Praying with Mary
Acts 1.12-14 & John 17.1-11
Is it fanciful to compare the disciples in the upper room with the life we knew under lockdown a few years ago? Today Acts tells us how after the Ascension they all stayed locked in the upper room praying, along with several women including Mary, Jesus’ mother. And we know that she prayed with them there, until the day of Pentecost.
Covid was not the problem for them but rather protection from public opinion and fear of being associated with a public criminal. Today so many of us feel a deep need for protection … from illness … family tension … turbulent politics … financial stress .. lack of work … fear of war... etc,
So the Magnificat, the prayer of Mary who never left the disciples, is worth hearing once more, and we can compare it it with the Our Father, the prayer given to us by Jesus himself.
In the Our Father we are asking for things to happen: “Give us each day our daily bread ...Forgive us our trespasses ... Lead us not into temptation ...etc...”
But in the Magnificat that great prayer Mary prayed when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, these things were already happening. And they were happening in her...the bread ... the mercy ..and the deliverance!
Many of us know this prayer by heart, and pray it daily, but for those who don't, it’s easily found in prayer books, or in St.Luke’s gospel, chapter one. It is the ideal prayer to pray in times of fear or uncertainty. The political climate of the early church was no less febrile than our own.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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17th May - 24th May 2026 |
Seventh Week of Easter |
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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 |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, Our Going Forth Mass is at 9.00am today when we give thanks to God for bringing our children closer to him in Holy Communion, and we send them forth as ambassadors of Jesus. St.John I (Monday) pope in mid 6th cent tried to bring reconciliation with Arian heretics. The Emperor imprisoned him for his efforts and he died in gaol. St Dunstan (Tuesday)10th century Abbot of Glastonbury was by tradition a metal worker, who threatened the devil with red hot pinchers! He became Bishop of Worcester and then Canterbury just as England was becoming a unified state. The coronation rite he wrote for King Edgar in 973 was the same in outline as that used for King Charles in 2023. St.Bernardine of Siena (Wednesday) was a 15th century Italian Franciscan was a popular preacher who inspired devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. Christabel Magallenes (Thurs) born 1869 in Mexico took the gospel to indigenous Huichol people, so annoying European settlers. The Mexican revolution of 1912 launched a persecution against the church so he opened a secret seminary in response. He was arrested in May 1927 en route to celebrate mass in a local farmhouse, and executed on the spot. Before dying he gave all his possessions to the executioners and gave them absolution. St.Rita Cascia (Friday) was a mother of two, married to a violent husband in 15th century Italy. After he died in a gang fight she entered a convent & bore the stigmata. Along with St.Jude she is patron saint of hopeless cases. **************************** Next Sunday is Pentecost, and as this church is officially the Church of the Holy Ghost and Mary Immaculate, it is one of our two Friary church feast days.
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Monday - 18th May St.John I pope & martyr Act 19:1-8Jn 16:29-33 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass “Mary & Michael’s Breakfast Club” |
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Tuesday –19th May Saint Dunstan Act 20:17-27 Jn 17:1-11 7.00 Mass Mrs Maggie Duggan RIP 10.30 Requiem William Joseph Butler RIP 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament 6.00pm Vigil Pansy Pascoe |
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Wednesday - 20th May St.Bernardine of Sienna Act 20:28-38 Jn 17:11-19 7.00 Mass Brother John Dawson SCJ 10.15 Requiem Pansy Rita Pascoe RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel) 7.00pm Vigil Anthony Benjamin Davies RIP |
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Thursday - 21st May St.Cristobal Magellanes Act 22:30,23:6-11 Jn 17:20-26 7.00 Mass Jim Baynham RIP 10.00 Requiem Anthony Benjamin Davies RIP |
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Friday - 22nd May St.Rita of Cascia Act 25:13-21 Jn 21:15-19 7.00 Mass Margaret Finnegan 10.15 Mass Hazel Scott RIP |
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Saturday 23rd May Act 28:16-20,30-31 Jn 21:20-25 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Don O’ Donnell |
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Pentecost Sunday 24th May Act 2:1-11 1Co 12:3-7,12-13 Jn 20:19-23 9.00 Ellen Wilkinson, Nancy Forster, Irene Colleron 11.00 People of the Parish also Jim Noonan 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass Mary Bell Exit Collection Friary Building Fund |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Once again we give thanks to God for our First Communion children. It was a joy to receive our second group yesterday.
So today at 9.00am we celebrate a ’going forth mass’, as we send the children out as ambassadors for Christ. May God bless their parents, catechists & teachers who work so hard to prepare them.
Then at Pentecost next Sunday we have three more people to receive fully into the church, in addition to the dozen we received at Easter, plus one last Sunday. Praise God for the Holy Spirit at work in the hearts of his people.
With joy we welcomed Bishop David Evans last Thursday for the Feast of St.Michael Garicoits. Bishop David has always been willing to spend time with us, so we thank him for his generosity.
We pray for our young people this time of year, many of whom are in the middle of examinations. Our year six children have just finished SATS. Our year 11 children are in the middle of GCSEs, and the Y 13 children are sitting A-levels. May God bless them and give them clarity of vision. We also thank God for the teachers who support them and who are always prepared to walk the second mile.
And may our Mother Mary, always with the disciples from Easter to Pentecost, stay with our young people these days and keep them under her watchful care.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News:
Fr.Stervin our Novice master in Bethlehem writes: on February 28 the US-ISRAEL-IRAN war broke out, and turned our lives upside down. Civil war had been familiar to our novices from Ivory Coast and Central Africa, but it was entirely new to novices of India, Thailand & Vietnam.
For the people of Holy Land, it was nothing new but they too were worried.
What was new to our novices were missiles. We saw the trails in the sky of crossing of missiles ... interceptions & loud explosions ... the sound of the sirens …sleepless nights and disturbance in our daily programmes. We witnessed falling shrapnel from missiles intercepted over Bethlehem.
Bedsides that, free movement & travel were curtailed, schools and shops emptied, and soon there were shortages of fuel and food. Many persons came knocking at our door as a result, seeking support and help. With out exception all longed for peace. We did our best to help, and we all joined the Jerusalem church initiatives in praying for peace.
Throughout all this our novices (from Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, India, Thailand and Vietnam) were faithful to their daily programme and continued with their pastoral ministry to special needs children.
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Friary Snippets
Our Parish & School Summer Fayre will take place on Saturday 20th 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: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Act 1:12-14 1Pt 4:13-16 John 17:1-11
Acts of Apostles tells today of how the 12 apostles devoted their time to prayer, in company with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Today we have so many demands on our time ..work pressures ..care of children or of elderly parents....housework etc, that prayer can become squeezed out. How can we make prayer a priority?
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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 17th 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 7pm; Alfons Kvilums-funeral -Fri 29th May 10.15am, Vigil Thur 28 May 6pm; Margaret Mary McHugh-funeral Fri 5th June 10.15am, Vigil Thurs 4th June and Paddy Benger-funeral 10.15 June 9; Mary Elizabeth O’Brien-Service Thurs 11 June 11.30am; Frederick George Brew (baby)June 1st 3.15pm May they rest in peace +
***SPECIAL Friary Jubilee Event***
Tea at The Friary next Sunday May 24 to mark 100yrs since laying foundation stone.
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 to join their golf day at Fulford Heath Golf Club, Tanners Green Lane, Wythall B47 6BH on May 21. £60 pp Includes 18 holes & prizes & full buffet.
Buggy hire £35. Interested? Call Ray Hunt 07955 359242 or rayhunt47@btinternet.com
3 causes aided: (i) Lourdes youth (ii) SVP & (iii) Fr.O’Mahony Trust. Donors & sponsors welcome. Sponsor a hole @ £100.
Vocation News: See link to Vocations website from Diocesan Vocations Office. Website: https://www.vocations.org.uk/
Catholic Medical Association
* Annual Conference for doctors, students, nurses, professionals etc.. in UK & Ireland
* St Chad’s Cathedral 30 May 9.00-4.15
* Theme-Granting Protection-Offering care
* Current Catholic Challenges in Healthcare
* Practical Guide to Ethical Functioning in Secular Healthcare Environment UK & Eire
* for more information see below...
www.catholicmedicalassociation.org.uk/event
Monday Meditation Group At Holy Souls parish room - 1pm: May 25; June 8 & 22 & July 6. All welcome.
Fatima Saints ... apologies for wrong info given last month, due to using 2025 dates.
* relics of Saints Jacinta & Francesco are not coming to St.Chads Birmingham 2026
* 2026 dates: Cathedrals England & Wales: 20 June Lancaster; 12 Sept Brentwood; 26-27 Sept Clifton; 3 Oct Shrewsbury; 11-12 Oct Cardiff; 17-18 Oct East Anglia; 26 Oct Wrexham; 31 Oct Westminster
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.