Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Sixteenth Sunday
A Woman's Place?
Luke 10.38-42
Most women who hear the story of Jesus’ visit to Martha & Mary feel a twinge of sympathy for Martha, especially if working to care for a family. But Jesus didn't mean to put down Martha, rather he meant to lift up Mary.
Mary was ‘sitting at the feet of the Lord’ the posture of a Rabbi’s disciple. And in an age when women weren't allowed to follow a Rabbi, Jesus gave her the dignity of a disciple: ‘It is not to be taken from her’
Martha gets a better press in St.John’s gospel where she is one of only 3 people to recognise Jesus as Son of God. For St.John she is a theologian!
Surprisingly in Christian history, this passage was not seen as a comment on the dignity of women. Rather it was read as pitching the active life (Martha) against the prayerful life (Mary).
So historically a life of prayer was seen as more important than a life of loving service.
We’d see this division as a serious mistake today.
A prayerful life without roots in the real world is not a real prayer-life at all. While a life of action without prayer can do as much harm as good.
The wisdom of modern 12-step movements is that anyone hoping to break free of an addiction needs both. Prayer and reflection are absolutely necessary for progress, but they don’t help if they are not joined to action.
Martha & Mary had no idea that they were going to be the subject of such intense theorising. But we honour them because both have an important place in our Christian tradition, and we do need both traits, and not just one.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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20th July - 27th July 2025 |
Week Sixteen |
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Sixteenth Sunday 20th July Gen 18.1-10a Col 1:24-28 Lk 10:38-42 9.00am -Mark McGarry RIP 11.00am-People of the Parish 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass Barbara Hardwick RIP Exit Aid: Missionary Society of St.Paul |
Dear Brothers & Sisters Saint Lawrence of Brindisi (Monday)was a 16th century Capuchin Franciscan famous for preaching in many different languages including Hebrew. St.Mary of Magdala (Tuesday) followed Jesus and stood by the cross on Good Friday when nearly all apostles had run away. She was 1st to see the risen Jesus. Nothing in the Bible backs the old legend that she was once a prostitute. Saint Bridget of Sweden (Wednesday) had 8 children before she & her husband decided to join monasteries. She founded the Bridgettine sisters, who today have a house in Birmingham. St.Charbel Makhlouf (Thursday) was a 19th century Lebanese son of a mule driver who became a Maronite monk and priest. Famed as a hermit & counsellor his intercession is sought by many St.James Apostle (Friday) a Son of Zebedee, was head of the church in Jerusalem & martyred under King Agrippa. Centuries later his relics were moved to Spain, so starting a tradition of pilgrimage to his tomb: Santiago de Compostella. He is patron of Spain & several Spanish speaking countries. Sts. Joachim & Anne (Saturday) parents of Our Lady (following early Christian tradition). We have fine statues of both near our Lady Chapel. Today we have a mission appeal from Fr.Peter Umoru MSP, of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP), who work in different parts of the world, to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Exit collection today is for MSP. Or you can do bank transfer or D/D via Barclays The Missionary Society of St Paul, 20-29-63, Ac: 73306224 Next Sunday we have a ‘Bene Merenti’ award at 11.00am for Denise & Gerry Poole. Fr Jonathan Veasey to officiate.
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Monday - 21st July St.Laurence of Brindisi (optional) Ex 14.5-18 Mt 12:38-42 7.00am Mass - Private Intention 10.15 Mass Eileen Richardson RIP |
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Tuesday - 22nd July St.Mary of Magdala Song of Songs 3:1-4a John 20.1-2,11-18 7.00am Mass Graine McCabe 10.15 Mass Michael & Brendan Whelan 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday - 23rd July St.Bridget of Sweden (patron of Europe) Gal 2.19-20 John 15.1-8 7.00 Mass - Gerald Dornan 10.15 Requiem Alan Walter Deakin RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (Day Chapel) |
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Thursday - 24th July St.Charbel Makhlouf (optional) Ex 19.1-2, 9-11, 16-20b Mt 13:10-17 7.00 Mass Fr Anton Madej SCJ 10.15 Eleanor & Dom Osbourne & Fiona Lowther |
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Friday - 25th July St.James apostle 2Cor 4.7-15 Mt 20:20-28 7.00 Mass - Hajinder Barlow 10.15 Mass - Peggy & Douglas Coshan RIP 2.00pm St.Peregrine Prayer Group (Day Chapel) |
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Saturday 26th July St.Joachim & St.Anne Ex 24:3-8 Mt 13.24-30 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Archbishop Mario, Mario Paul & Noel Minihan RIP |
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Seventeenth Sunday 27th July Gen 18.20-32 Col 2:12-14 Lk 11:1-13 9.00am -Peggy & Douglas Coshan RIP 11.00am-Matilda Fernandes-special birthday also People of the parish 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass Doherty family Exit Aid: New SCJ School in Assam |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
2025 is truly a year of God’s surprises!
Firstly God gave us a new Pope from Chicago
* the first native English speaker for 900 yrs
* the first Pope with a degree in maths
* the first Pope to speak Quechua, the ancient language of the Incas still spoken in mountain districts of Peru.
Last week God gave us another surprise…..
Our own Archbishop Bernard Longley has been appointed a member of two Vatican Departments or Ministries
* One is for promoting Christian unity, so recognizing our Archbishop’s long-held desire to heal divisions between Christians
* The other department is for promoting inter-religious dialogue, especially with Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists.
These Vatican departments used to be called Congregations. Today they’re called Dicasteries, (more equivalent to government ministries in our everyday usage.) May God bless our Archbishop, and bless all his efforts in the quest for unity.
Pope Leo like Pope Francis before him realises the leading role people of faith have to play in healing world poverty.. hunger .. climate disaster and the scourge of warfare. So our Archbishop Bernard will have a world-wide role to play. Praise God!
The feast of Saints Joachim & Anne parents of Our Mother Mary, and grandparents of Jesus, comes on Saturday. So in 2015 Pope Francis declared next Sunday as a day to honour grandparents. In our own parish grandparents have an important role in helping to bring up children, especially in supporting the work schedules of parents
May Mary our Mother watch over us this week and protect all parents and grandparents, and guide us in safety through all the storms that surround our families and keep us close to Jesus her son.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News:
Bethlehem: Despite the desperate situation in Gaza and the West Bank our scj Bethlehem community is looking ahead to welcoming pilgrims & retreatants when the fighting stops. Guest Rooms are being refurbished to modern standards, with help from Aid-to-the-Church-in-Need & other agencies. Pilgrimage hospitality has always has been an economic lifeline for Palestinians in the West Bank, and they yearn for its resumption.
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Friary Snippets
If any family would like to have a house blessing anytime over the next two months then please get in touch with Fr.Biju so that a time can be arranged.
6 O’Clock Coffee Bar Summer Break There will be no teas and coffees after 6pm mass from today until September.
Br Patrick keeps a Ruby Jubilee tomorrow 21st July at Sacred Heart Church Droitwich. 40 yrs since religious profession & also his 70th birthday. 6.00pm Mass & Reception. Please speak to Fr Biju if you’d like to go.
Prayers for the sick: Please hold Fr Paul Johnson from St Ambrose Barlow in your prayers and also Brother Gerard, both in Heartlands Hospital at present.
St Peregrine group Join us Friday 25thJuly for our meeting in the Day Chapel at 2pm with tea and chat afterwards. We pray for cancer sufferers then share our experience strength and hope informally over tea.
Our Y6 children have now left OLC ……. bound for High School next term. We had a farewell mass for them on Friday and confirmed the blessings they received during their time at our parish school. May God bless our children, their parents & their teachers, who always walked the extra mile.
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Marriage matters: Sixteenth Sunday
Genesis 18:1-10; Col 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42 The Gospel relates the two ways Martha & Mary behaved. We too can fall into similar patterns of behaviour. It’s our nature to ‘worry and fret over so many things’. But today’s Scripture calls us to really listen, so like Mary we can ‘choose the better part’. Let us recommit today to deepening our level of listening in our marriage.
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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 20th July: Group D
Rest in Peace: Pray for Alan Deakin-funeral 23 July 10.15 & Elizabeth Hamill-funeral 30 July 10.15. Christine Czepukojc-funeral 7 Aug 11.30am and Philip O’Brien. May they rest in peace.
We Believe Festival next w/e at Oscott July 25-28 is now offering 50% discount for Birmingham parish groups & families or individuals who wish to attend. see St Mary’s College Oscott website for tickets
Mini-Pilgrimage to Rome 4-8 Jan 2026 Flying from Stansted. Coach to airport. Visit all 4 Basilicas & tomb of Pope Francis. Plus General Audience with Pope Leo. Please contact Fr Dominic at St Augustine’s if you would like to know more details. staugustine.solihull@rcaob.org.uk
St.Peters School says Thankyou to all who made their golden jubilee such a happy occasion. A memorable moment was the official opening of the new astro-turf pitch, graced by Solihull MP Dr Neil Shastri-Hunt & mayor Annette MacKenzie. Thanks to all who helped organise this fantastic event, & all former staff, alumni, families, and friends who came along. Your support made 50-Fest a true carnival of everything St.Peter’s stands for.
Our Jubilee Flower Festival October 11 & 12 to honour the Jubilee & Season of Creation, is now in serious planning mode. Theme? Pilgrims in Hope Parish groups are invited to mount displays (call parish office for info)
Birmingham Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference 11- 15 August, St John’s Hotel, Solihull B91 1AT. Day visitors most welcome! To book a place for day/week, call Ray on 07818 851 964 or Email: info@bccrc.org.uk Find booking form www.bcccrc.org.uk
Journey in Faith: our programme for those seeking to join the church will begin on Monday 22 September at 7.30pm. Why not bring a curious friend for this first taster session? Some of Jesus' first disciples came to him just out of curiosity.
A Spiritual Chinese Takeaway: A Journey in Faith programme in Cantonese for all Cantonese speakers at St.Mary’s Harbourne. Every Thursday 7.45pm starts September 4.
Our Parish Social & Fundraising Group are always hard at work planning future events. They met last week, and have a dozen events timetabled between now and Christmas. Watch this space!
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 form in the narthex.
* Give by standing order, weekly envelope or DONA card reader or online via QR code. If you no longer pay tax? Just alert 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.