Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Seventeenth Sunday

Buried Treasure

Mt 13:44-52

          Like the Antiques Road Show the church often discovers old treasures hidden in the attic of tradition that suddenly become valuable in a new age. For many centuries Christian wisdom about caring for the earth, so important to St. Francis and St. Benedict, lay unappreciated & neglected, but today as fires rage in holiday hotspots, that wisdom is being rediscovered as we face a crisis of climate change.

         Similarly the words of Jesus to Mary of Bethany are heard with fresh ears in a world that seeks to value the dignity of women. When he told her that ‘she had chosen the better part’ he confirmed her standing in the community. She was not to be ignored.         

        Likewise during the pandemic a few years ago, the prison poems of St. John of the Cross found  new hearers during lockdown, likewise the wisdom of the desert hermit St. Anthony of Egypt. We are like the householder Jesus cites at the end of today’s gospel, who ‘brings out from his storeroom things both new and old'.

       The superb storeroom of our tradition has so many treasures that need to be brought out into the light so they can give glory to God. Those who unlock this store are the people who hunger & thirst for what is right.

        Those who work for racial equality open our ears to the message of St. Paul. Those who wrestle with addiction opened our minds to gospel patterns of recovery, while those who struggle to feed the hungry open our ears to the Sermon on the Mount.

 

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

26th July - 2nd August 2026	Week Seventeen
Seventeenth Sunday 26th July World Grandparents Day 1Kg 3:5-6,7-12 Rm 8:28-30 Mt 13:44-52 9.00 Peggy & Douglas Coshan RIP 11.00 Annette & Steve Howell 12.30 Baptism 2.00pm Wedding Luke & Autumn 6.00 Mass People of the Parish Exit Collection: Parish Hall Refurbishment	Dear Brothers & Sisters, The feast of  Saints Joachim & Anne the grandparents of the child Jesus is displaced today by  the Sunday, but this  is still World Grandparents Day, begun by  Pope Francis  in 2021. Blessed Robert Sutton (Monday) son of a carpenter from Burton-on-Trent was an Anglican priest but converted to Catholic faith 1577 inspired by a younger brother. Ordained at Douai he worked in Staffs for 10 yrs saying Mass secretly in catholic homes. Arrested in Stafford 1588, he was hung, drawn & quartered. His gallows speech told of his baptism candle which was still alight with the flame of faith. Our Lady of Betharram's feast comes on Tuesday, always an important day for our Sacred Heart Community. Many people know the ancient story of the little girl nearly drowning in the nearby river who called on Mother Mary to help. She duly appeared holding a branch and pulled the little girl to safety. Hence the name Beth-Ram meaning ‘beautiful branch’ in the Bearn dialect. Sts.Martha, Mary & Lazarus (Wednesday) were Jesus' great friends of Bethany and were a second home for Jesus who loved to relax in their company. *(11.00 Prayer Group has break in August) St Ignatius (Friday) Born to a wealthy family in Loyola, Spain, he became a soldier. Following a conversion he studied theology in Paris, and gathered his first followers. He founded the Society of Jesus in Rome dedicated to the greater glory of God and to the service of the Church, in total obedience to the Pope. St.Alphonsus Ligouri (Saturday) was a lawyer, but later became a priest. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), and was given the title Doctor of the Church for his writings on Moral Theology.
Monday 27th July   Blessed Robert Sutton Jr 13:1-11 Mt 13:31-35 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass John & Muriel Lloyd diamond wedding 11.30am Requiem - Stella Minihan RIP
Tuesday  28th  July  Our Lady of Betharram Jr 14:17-22 Mt 13:36-43  7.00 Mass Anne Letts RIP  10.15 Mass Caroline Louise Sparling  also John Hull RIP   10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday 29th July Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus Jr 15:10,126-21 Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42 7.00 Mass Brother Thang SCJ Thanksgiving 10.15 Mass Pope Leo XIV, priests & seminarists also Ros Mc Mullan (special birthday) 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)*
Thursday 30th  July   St.Peter Chrysologus   Jr 18:1-6 Mt 13:47-53 7.00 Mass Daniel Kelly 10.15 Mass James Fay also Unborn Babies 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Friday  31st July   Saint Ignatius Loyola Jr 26:1-9 Mt 13:54-58 7.00 Mass Nancie D & Lucy D  10.15 Mass Marys Honour Group also John Gillen
Saturday 1st August   St.Alphonsus Liguori Jr 26:11-16,24 Mt 14:1-12 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Andrew Lockington RIP 1st Anniversary & Lockington family (Cemetery blessing after)
Eighteenth Sunday 2nd August Is 55:1-3 Rm 8:35,37-39 Mt 14:13-21 9.00 Deceased of McNeil & Gallagher families  11.00 Caroline Sparling  6.00 Mass People of the Parish  also Christine Lynch Exit Collection: SCJ School Project Assam

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we honour Grandparents, lauded by Pope Francis in 2021 as always showing the face of God to their grandchildren, because their love is unconditional

Our Lady of Betharram feast comes on Tuesday, a major feast for our Congregation of the Sacred Heart, and for all the communities we serve.

St.Michael our founder was praying at this  shrine of Our Lady in 1835 when he felt inspired to found our Congregation. Our trainees always visit Betharram during their formation years. By a coincidence this week Fr.Austin will be at Betharram on Tuesday & will pray for us at the shrine

The feast of St.Ignatius follows on Friday, another holy coincidence, as he was an influence on St.Michael, who’d toyed with being a Jesuit before founding our Society.

Today our Congregation has gone to great lengths to retrieve our Ignatian heritage. As Novice master in Bangalore I took the Novices to a retreat centre for a 30-day Ignatian Spiritual Exercises retreat.

The third holy coincidence is that Fr Toby from Holy Souls parish is running a 2027 pilgrimage to Ignatian sites in Spain & Italy (more info in back page)

Finally St.Alphonsus Liguori founder of the Redemptorists is celebrated on Saturday. So many people in our parish  have come under the influence of the Redemptorists in Erdington, as well as on parish retreats, and we thank god for St.Alphonsus.

All 3 saints had a deep devotion to Mary Mother of God, and we ask her blessing on the week ahead again, that she may keep us close to the paths & purposes of her Son Jesus.

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News

Brazil: Last our South American communities held their Regional Chapter at Passo Quatro Brazil, and all 4 countries of this Etchecopar Region were represented: Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina &  Brazil. In South America it is not difficult to get all countries’ representatives together.

Our St.Miriam region chose a cheaper option: rolling Assemblies in each country, whose deliberations will be amalgamated.

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Friary Snippets 

Next PPC meeting will be on Wednesday 16^th 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.

Parish hall refurbishment news: Phase 2 Interior refurb. to start tomorrow at last! (ceiling..floor..toilets..electrics..etc) so will be out of use till end of August. A sincere thank you to all who helped clear the parish hall on Thursday in advance of the refurb, and to our sacristans for their hard work in cleaning and organising the sacristy.

Blessing of Graves: Our Annual cemetery mass will by outside next Saturday 1^st August 10.15. Blessing of the graves to follow.

Blessed are those who mourn: Our Friary bereavement support group sits each month for all seeking support after a loss. All welcome no matter the kind of loss or time ago.
* We gather 1^st Sunday of the 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.

* Next Meeting ..next Sunday 2^nd August 3.00pm to 4.30 in Friary Lounge
* For info call parish Office 0121-706-0505 

Journey in Faith: our programme for those seeking to join the Catholic church starts on Monday 14^th September at 7.30pm. Why not bring a curious friend?

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Marriage Matters: Seventeenth Sunday

1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 Rom 8:28-30 Matt 13:44-52

King Solomon prayed for wisdom ‘to disc-ern good from evil’. When discerning what ‘loving’ really means you find ‘hidden trea-sure’ in these weekly scripture reflections. They also help you to find the ‘hidden treasure’ in each other. Sharing this, you sow ‘seeds’ of love in minds & hearts of others.

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Hearty Congratulations to Edwin & Lydia married here yesterday, and to Autumn & Luke married here this afternoon.

Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 26^th July: Group C

Please pray for Stella Minihan-funeral 27 July at 11.30am; Patricia Ann Hastie-funeral August 13 ++ May they rest in peace ++

The family of Julie Agnew wish to express deep thanks to parishioners, Companions, SCJ members & Julie's friends for the love, care & support shown her while she was housebound & in hospital. They also thank all who helped take care of refreshments in the parish hall after her funeral.

St. Columban’s Summer Family Open Day

Wed 19 Aug, 10.30–2.30pm. Eco-spiritual day in Rewilded grounds & Solar plant & nature activities, arts, games, & mission tales from Columban priests Bring picnic.! Info: https://columbans.co.uk/justice-peace/18567/join-us-for-our-st-columban-summer-open-day/

We Believe Festival Oscott 24-27 July 2026

* come join 600 campers & 2500 visitors

* festival of the True, the Good & Beautiful‍

* discover charisms alive in the Church. See www.webelievefestival.com/tickets

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 a time  of prayer, praise & fellowship with workshops. With evangelists Derek Williams & Mark Mclean

House Mass -Blessing Like a Mass in your home or a House Blessing during school summer break?  Just speak to me after mass

Kenelm and Life Teen UK summer camp for people aged 12-18 Aug 16-20.

*camp for a week at Alton Castle, with fun & adventure! Explore prayer & faith

* So if you’re aged 12-18, and you’d like to join, we can't wait to see you there!

Birmingham Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference: “Return. Receive. Rejoice.”  August 10-14 at St John’s Hotel, Solihull, with Bp Timothy Menzies, & deacon Larry from USA. Prayer, praise, healing ministry Seminars & Confessions & groups for young. 

Book via https://www.bccrc.org.uk/New Booking Form 2026 Double.pdf

Friary Justice & Peace, Outreach group Seeks new volunteers to join the Justice and Peace, Outreach Group. If interested or would like to know more, please speak to Fr Biju or Stephen Awre after Mass or send email to info@oltonfriary.org.uk

Pilgrimage to Ignatian Places 2027. Fr Toby (Holy Souls) to lead Pilgrimage to Ignatian Places in Spain & Italy next year. email fr.toby.duckworth@rcaob.org.uk 

GIFT AID ENVELOPES please would holders of green envelopes nos. 11 & 16 call Parish Office 0121 706 0505 & talk to the Secretary

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.