Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Twelfth Sunday
Truth Shall Make Us Free
Matthew 10.26-33
"What I say to you in the dark say in the daylight"….Jesus’ call to speak the truth no matter how much we fear to do so. And Jesus repeated the instruction ‘do not be afraid’, a line echoed several times in the gospel, very much aware that those who speak the truth often find themselves in danger.
Jesus spoke truth to power, whether the powerful were the wealthy, the rulers or the religious bureaucracy, and he paid for this with his life. We all recall that tense exchange with Pilate on Good Friday, when he spoke of truth as something sacred, but Pilate just scoffed at the very idea.
Pope Leo wrote important lines about truth in Magnifica Humanitas last month : Truth, he said, is a common good and is vital to democracy, but those who control the public dialogue are masters at spreading falsehood & disinformation to suit their own ends. Falsehood didn't begin with AI, but AI can be powerful amplifier.
Quoting Pope Francis he said 'If Society is to have a future, it must respect the truth of our human dignity and submit to that truth. .... Society is noble & decent... when it supports the pursuit of Truth... and adherence to the most basic truths'
So who are the truth promoters in 21st century Britain? The list could include..parents who bring up their children to tell the truth…politicians who level with those who elect them ...adults free from the habit of scrolling on mobile phones … people who never gossip … youngsters who develop a healthy scepticism about angry internet memes… and teachers dedicated to honesty in education. You can surely add more.
They may have a public position, or they may just be our quiet and unassuming next door neighbor, but if they are safeguarding the truth, then they are doing God’s work, no matter what their faith or religion.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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21st June - 28th June 2026 |
Week Twelve |
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Twelfth Sunday 21st June - Fathers’ Day Jr 20:10-13 Rm5:12-15 Mt 10:26-33 9.00 Margaret Rose Walsh RIP 11.00 Mark Jan Hurley RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass People of the Parish also Matthew Gallagher RIP Exit Collection: Day for Life |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, Today is Father’s Day! In March we had Mothers day & honoured the mothers in our parish. Today we honour Fathers on their special day, & grandfathers too, plus those who like St.Joseph have taken on the role of step-father or foster-father or guardian. Saint Thomas More & Saint John Fisher (Monday) were the first to resist Henry VIII’s 1534 ‘power grab’, refusing the oath of supremacy & paying with their lives. John Fisher was Bishop of Rochester, while More was King’s Chancellor– equivalent of Prime Minister. Today he is patron saint of lawyers devoted to truth. St Ethelreda (Tuesday) 8th century Saxon princess was twice married in political unions before founding Ely Abbey where she is now buried. Popular in the Middle Ages, Audrey is a form of her name. St John the Baptist (Wednesday) is one of 3 Saints whose birthday we keep as well as their date of death. (The others are Jesus & Mary) Keeping his birthday is a way of saying that he was chosen right from the very beginning of his life. Cyril of Alexandria (Saturday) came to the Council of Ephesus (431) with 50 supporters carrying baseball bats (or 5th century equivalent!) to support belief in divinity of Christ. His opponents came just as well armed. Out of this unholy conflict came the Council’s pronouncement that Jesus is both fully human & fully divine, the only way of doing justice to the mystery of his person. Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (also Sat) linked with a famous 15th century icon that inspired a popular devotion, is much revered under that title by millions today over the whole world.
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Monday 22nd June Saints John Fisher & Thomas More 2Mc 6:18,21,24-31 Mt 10:34-39 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Nancie D. also Val Mullins RIP |
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Tuesday 23rd June St.Ethelreda 2Kg 19:9-11,14-21,31-35,36 Mt 7.00 Mass Margaret Gateley RIP 10.15 Mass Aine Bunn RIP also Thelma Gearty 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday 24th June Nativity of St.John the Baptist Is 49:1-6 Act 13:22-26 Lk 1:57-66,80 7.00 Mass Matt, Alicia & Edward (special int.) 10.15 Mass Mary Savage also Mrs.Martina Flaherty 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel) |
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Thursday 25th June 2Kg 24:8-17 Mt 7:21-29 7.00 Mass Okane Family 10.15 Mass Katryn Oakley also Maureen Farrell |
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Friday 26th June 2Kg 25:1-12 Mt 8:1-4 7.00 Mass Michael Bolger 11.30 Solemn Profession of Bro.Thang scj |
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Saturday 27th June St.Cyril of Alexandria Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Lam 2:2,10-14.18-19 Mt 8:5-17 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Pat & Graham Bishop |
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Saints Peter & Paul - Sunday 28th June Act 12:1-11 2Tm 4:6-8,17-18 Mt 16:13-19 9.00 People of the Parish also Peggy & Richard Stacey RIP 11.00 John Byrne 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass John Larkin RIP Exit Collection: Peter’s Pence |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is a joy to be back among you after my visits to family and our SCJ communities. Fr Wilfred & I witnessed the blessing of our school in Assam, the first profession of Brother Pia in Thailand, the ordination of Bros Prapad & Hung in Chiang Mai, then Fr.Hung’s first Vietnamese mass in Hanoi.
This Friday at The Friary we shall have the solemn profession of Brother Thang at 11.30am on 26 June, to which you are all invited. God willing, he will be soon be our second priest from Vietnam. (NB No 10.15 mass this day)
A big thankyou to the Summer Fayre team for yesterday’s happy event. It was good to see so many people there, and many welcomed the chance to meet our new Mayor of Solihull Sardul Singh Marwa MBE and our Solihull MP Dr.Neil Shastri Hurst. Though a Summer Fayre is a significant fundraiser, it raises more than cash, as it also generates community, goodwill and can be a gentle time of mission for those who might be shy of coming into church.
Our Annual Parish Council AGM will be in the parish hall this Thursday 25th June at 7pm. If there is anything to be added to the agenda please contact our parish secretary this week. All are welcome.
Next Sunday is feast of Sts. Peter & Paul, but also the day of St.Bernards in Bloom open gardens all along St.Bernards Rd June 28th 12.30-5.00pm. £5 ticket covers all gardens including our own Friary. All proceeds go to the Stroke Association and the Lord Mayor’s Charity.
Football’s coming home the Sunday after, as we host the third Inter-parish football tournament here on July 5th at 2.00pm on our lawn (details on back page).
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour feast is on Saturday. May Our Lady of Perpetual Help protector of the weak and helpless, watch over us and protect us all this week
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News: Nazareth & Bethlehem. With all holding their breath in the hope that a cease-fire will hold and that a peace treaty may be possible, our Holy land communities are a little less tense these days.
Bro. Pia who made first vows in Thailand last week has already returned to Bethlehem, where he will soon begin Theology studies at the Beit Jala seminary nearby.
Tel-Aviv Airport is now open and some pilgrims are cautiously making their way to the Holy Places. Our own Fr Chan is now back in Nazareth, where he and Fr Jacob are chaplains to the Carmelite Convent. The UK Foreign Office has recently modified its previous advice against all travel to Israel.
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Friary Snippets
Parish Hall Refurbishment
Phase 1 roof complete & paid for at £69.5k
Phase 2 total interior refurb. Estimate £80k So far £24k raised. Still seeking grant aid.
4-week works start during school vacation. Thanks for ongoing support. Still needed!
Congratulations to St peter’s School for a good RE Ofsted last week. (official title CSI Catholic Schools Inspection) This is in addition to the main ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted last year. God bless our teachers & pupils.
Need a summer cultural trip?
* Harvington History Festival 22-26 July
Harvington History Festival returns 22–26 July with good menu of talks, tours, and events exploring history at Harvington Hall, the Archdiocese’s historic moated manor house well known for its priest hides. More info & booking see: harvingtonhall.co.uk
* Three Choirs Festival Gloucester cathedral from July 25-August 1.
* varied menu of choral music to suit all
* incl. serious, sacred, comic & commercial
* Dream of Gerontius on last night-music by Edward Elgar-text by St.John Henry Newman
* ( 01452 768928 or email info@3choirs.org
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Marriage Matters: Twelfth Sunday
Jeremiah 20:10-13 Rom 5:12-15 Matt 10:26-33
How easy to become paranoid, to wonder what others might be saying about us. This can be present outside our relationship or within it; at their core is fear! Jesus always exhorts the Twelve, ‘do not be afraid…every hair on your head has been counted’ Living our life now in Christ, we will not fear what others think.
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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 21st June: Group D
Please pray for Moira Kiely & Julie Agnew & Peter Congdon RIP ++ Rest in peace ++
Monday Meditation Group At Holy Souls parish room 1pm: June 22 & July 6. All are welcome.
Opportunities for service
Columban Missionaries seek volunteers to support school groups using their grounds for Laudato Si'- themed retreat days.
* DBS checks and training given
* commit to 4-6 days, over a year.
* might suit ex-teacher who loves nature! More info? education@columbans.co.uk
Train to teach with Bishop Challoner - + Primary & Secondary post-grad courses
+ PGCE as well as QTS with all courses.
+ Future Catholic Leaders Programme.
See https://www.bctsa.org/1275/directors-welcome
email: bctsa-admissions@bctsa.org or call Sarah, Elizabeth, Becky & Sabrin 0121 441 6175
Mary’s Fund Raiser Afternoon Tea for her Arctic Challenge for Acorns Children’s Hospice. Join Mary Sunday June 21st & 12thJuly - 3pm to 5pm 136 Ulverley Gn Rd in back garden. reserve @ 07963 011 142.
Football’s coming home! 3rd annual inter-parish football Cup will be on Sunday 5th July 2pm at The Friary. Holy Souls won 2024. Our Lady of the Wayside 2025. 2026 is our year! Please sign-up in narthex if you’d play. Spectators welcome. Refreshments aplenty Irish Hot Dogs and Ice Cream for sale.
Stella Maris Apostleship of the Sea seeks volunteer from this parish for Sea Sunday 12 July in our parish. We pray for seafarers & families. Collection then helps work of Stella Maris. Helper needed to read appeal at end of Mass. If you can help, please contact roland.hayes@stellamarismail.org
March for Life Join Solihull/Shirley coach to March for Life UK on Sat 5th Sept in London for the annual march.
* Age-appropriate sessions for children & youth all morning. 14 bishops attending!
* Coach pick-ups: Holy Souls Church 6.50. Olton Friary 7.10. Our Lady of Wayside 07.30. Adults: £25. Under 16: £10.
* Must book : call Ray 07827 894446 or Jacinta 07837 501044 ray@extendaline.com More info: marchforlife.co.uk
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.