Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Twenty Eighth Sunday
Coming in From the Cold
Luke 17.11-19
Like the leper in the story many of us will recall with gratitude a time when we found healing, and took our place again in the community. Recovery from cancer? Freedom from addiction? Forgiveness after infidelity? We could each give our own example.
Leprosy in the ancient world was a terrible threefold burden:
Firstly the disease itself...rotting flesh ...and terrible smells ...
Secondly everyone assumed your condition to be punishment for sin;
Thirdly you were ostracised and excluded from community.
Our personal experience might not include leprosy as such but it will surely include days when we felt excluded...Depression? Poverty? Addiction? Eating disorder? Low self-esteem? And we felt as untouchable as any leper.
The joy of finding healing through prayer, or pilgrimage or a twelve step programme, or simply the love of a com-passionate human being is something that we never forget, and our gratitude should show in a practical way.
Only one leper in ten came back to thank Jesus for healing, and he was a foreigner.
Without passing judgement on the other nine can we be as determined to live like that grateful Samaritan and show our gratitude by loving service of our brothers & sisters in need? And how would others know of our gratitude?
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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12th October - 19th October 2025 |
Week Twenty Eight |
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Twenty Eighth Sunday 12th October 2 Kings 5:14-17 2Tm 2:8-13 Lk 17:11-19 9.00 Barry Taylor RIP 11.00am-Leslie Wasdell RIP 6.00pm Mass People of the parish also Mary Fallon RIP Exit Collection Flower Festival |
Dear Brothers & Sisters Prisoners Week Sunday 12-Sat 18 Oct Today begins ecumenical Prisons Week: Prayer & focus on issues faced by those drawn into the criminal justice system. This year’s theme: ‘Jesus looked at him and loved him’ (Mark 10:21) And he looks at you and loves you too Please pray daily during Prisons Week & consider a practical way you with others can support those you pray for. St.Edward the Confessor (Monday) English King till 1066: ‘Confessor’ as he professed Christian faith in a cynical world. Saint Callistus (Tuesday) Pope mid 2nd century was at various times banker, slave & prisoner! Criticised by others because he gave sinners another chance he believed in God’s mercy. St.Teresa of Avila (Wednesday) was famed as a 16th century mystic, spiritual guide and reformer. St.Margaret Mary a Visitation nun at Paray-le-Monial in Eastern France was famed for visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sacred Heart devotion inspired by her, stresses the suffering Jesus & our duty to repair the harm our sins have done. St.Michael Garicoits stressed more the loving Jesus & the call to imitate him. Last year Pope Francis in Dilexit Nos insisted that ‘reparation’ includes repairing the damage that we do to each other, individually & socially. St.Ignatius of Antioch (Friday) belongs to the second generation of the early Christians, and was martyred in 107 where he was brought for trial. Saint Luke (Saturday) has most pages in the new testament as author of both a gospel and Acts of the Apostles. By tra-dition he was a physician and also a friend of Mary mother of Jesus. Showing a special interest in the poor & the foreigner, his is the only gospel to give us the story of the Good Samaritan.
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Monday - 13th October St.Edward the Confessor Romans 1.1-1; 2.10 Luke 11.29-32 7.00 Mass Michael Kamalarjan RIP 10.15 Mass Michael Kamalarjan RIP also Denys Nicholls |
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Tuesday - 14th October St.Callistus Romans 1.16-25 Lk 11:37-41 7.00am Mass Special Intention (B&D) 10.15 Mass Enid Hayward RIP also Brendan Anderson 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday - 15th October St.Theresa of Avila Romans 8.22-27 John 15:1-8 7.00 Mass Andrew Lockington RIP 10.15 Mass Rachel Bates also Anita Giblin |
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Thursday - 16th October Saint Margaret Mary Romans 3.21-30 Luke 11:47-54 7.00 Mass Priest, Religious & Clergy 10.15 Mass Hartigans, Maxwells, Crouch & O’Brien families living & dead 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Friday - 17th October St.Ignatius of Antioch Philippians 3.17-4.John 12.24-26 7.00 Mass Ellen Wilkinson 10.15 Mass Fr Biju & Fr Austin SCJ |
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Saturday 18th October St.Luke-evangelist 2Tim 4.10-17b Lk 10:1-9 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Archbishop Mario, Mario Paul & Noel Minihan RIP |
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Twenty Ninth Sunday 19th October Exodus 17.8-13 2Tm 3.14-4.2 Lk 18:1-8 9.00 Norah Philomena Sherlock RIP 11.00am-Andrew Lockington RIP 6.00pm Mass People of the parish also Helena Walsh RIP Exit Collection APF World Mission Sunday |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
What a delight to see the beautiful decorations in our church this weekend… the flowers… the designs…. the creativity… & a spiritual message with each decoration.
Different parish groups have worked hard together this weekend to mount these beautiful displays, so my hearty congratulations and heartfelt thanks to you all.
With joy we welcomed Bishop David Evans at our opening mass on Friday night, and joyfully welcome our Mayor of Solihull at 11.00 am mass this morning : Councillor Annette McKenzie. And we value her long experience in care for the young and keeping them safe. A special thanks to all our special guests this weekend.
Our Parish Safeguarding team have made a beautiful decoration in the Lady Chapel, where an angel watches over all God’s children, and acts as a role model for us all.
Our jubilee theme of hope was well expressed in the different displays, beginning with the large letters in the Sanctuary, but also in the other floral arrangements which attracted people and released a new kind of energy in our spirits.
They inspire a hope that we can build a more beautiful world, where there is harmony rather than discord, & colour coordination where there is a clash of aspiration.
Thanks especially to our flower team who are at work 52 weeks of the year to adorn our church. They worked long and hard behind the scenes to make this weekend possible, and went to lengths to involve so many different groups across the parish.
Our Lady Chapel is especially beautiful this weekend, so fitting for October, month of the holy rosary, and we continue to pray the rosary before 10.15 weekday mass.
May our Mother Mary ‘Mystical Rose’ & ‘Lily of the Valley’ lead us to a deeper prayer, love & faith, this season.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News: Bangalore-This week our Regional Council meets in Bangalore. This includes Fr.Wilfred (head of Region) Fr.Biju (England) Fr.Jose Kumar (India) and Fr.Luke Kriangsak (Thailand). Please keep them in your prayers this week as they work to support all our communities in their different countries.
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Friary Snippets
Quiz Night Join us Saturday 18 October for a Quiz Night in the parish hall starting 7pm.
A Christmas Market will be held Saturday 22 November 2025 in the parish hall. Anyone who would like a table, please contact the Parish Office info@oltonfriary.org.uk or call 0121 706 0505 during office hours.
Friary Badminton Group are looking for new players to join them on Wednesday evenings at St. Peter's School. Message Jo for more details 07952 819262.
Archbishop Longley writes: Build strong & joyful parish communities for ages to come:
* I am very grateful for all you already give: prayers, time, talents & financial support.
* Your Parish will soon launch a Planned Giving Campaign to help secure the future of your church.
* Please reflect how you already support your parish, and to consider whether you may be able to share a little more
* Time? Talents? Ideas? Finance?
* Giving a little more would have impact: new parish initiatives, social outreach, stronger youth ministry etc...
* I thank you sincerely for generosity you have already shown, and encourage you to take this opportunity to renew and deepen your commitment to your parish.
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Marriage Matters: Twenty EighthSunday
2Kings 5:14-17; 2 Tim 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19
He is there! God knows we need healing! Daily He performs, through the Holy Spirit, large and small healing ‘miracles’. When we look carefully and sensitively at what happens in our marriages, we can detect God alive and active within us. As we learn to choose to co- operate with His grace and mercy, He becomes evident in our lives. Let’s always thank Him!
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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 12th October: D
Please Pray for Sr Gabriella Costanza died Sunday 5 October Alba Italy mother house of the Daughters of St. Paul. She was many yrs at 78 St.Bernards Rd before going to DSP Kensington High St shop. She retired to the DSP house in Langley Slough & went back to be cared for in Italy 4 years ago.
+++++May she rest in peace+++++
Diocesan Justice & Peace Assembly
Saturday 18 Oct 10:30am to 3:45pm
Grimshaw Room, St. Chad’s Cathedral
“Preparing our Parishes for Social Action”
Speakers: Paul Northam Co-ordinator for Jubilee Year & Emily Pugh Caritas/FrHudson
Book on now bit.lyAssemblyOctober2025
Find out more about this assembly: https://www.birminghamjandp.org.uk/annual-assemblies.html
Journey in Faith: our programme for those seeking to join the church continues tomorrow Monday 13 Oct 7.30pm.
Birmingham Archdiocese has 236 Catholic schools and 16 Multi-Academy Companies. All need Foundation Governors & Directors. Interested? See video on Diocesan website, & call Diocesan Education Service 01675 464755 or email governance@bdes.org.uk
Holy communion programme 2025-26 starts soon. Is your child in Y3 in Sept, at a non-Catholic school? Wish to join our holy communion program? Contact Sarah Wood sarah.wood@oltonfriary.org.uk
Prisoners Week Sunday 12 - Sat 18 Oct
Prisoners’ Sunday is the first day of an ecumenical Prisons Week of prayer which raises awareness of issues faced by those affected by the criminal justice system.
The theme this year: ‘Jesus looked at him and loved him’ (Mark 10:21), and he looks at you and loves you too.
Please pray daily during Prisons Week and consider a practical way you or your church can support those you’re praying for.
Sunday 12 Oct – World Mission Sunday
Pope Leo invites us all to support Missio – his charity for world mission – through a special collection. This day of prayer, solidarity and giving unites Catholics worldwide to share the Good News of God’s love. To donate, use the Missio envelopes, call 020 7821 9755 or visit missio.org.uk to give a gift, set up a Direct Debit and Gift Aid your donation if poss.
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.