Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Who is the Church for?

 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

 The tale of the Prodigal Son is universally popular as we all hear echoes of our own life in the drama. Pope Francis chose this story ten years ago for the Year of Mercy, and it continues to resonate.

Like the younger son our life may have been a catalogue of lost opportunities and bad decisions that brought us low and humiliated.

Or like the older brother, we sulk, as our years of loyal service go unnoticed and we may wish to see stiffer sentences for juvenile delinquents!

Or we may identify with the Father, the ideal parent who did his best by his children, and yet still had to suffer their resentment.

The servant who tells the older brother that the delinquent has returned and that his father ‘has killed the fatted calf’ is also a familiar character: the gossip who can’t resist adding that extra little spicy detail knowing it will get a reaction.

The father in the story is a beautiful image of God’s mercy. He sees us ‘while still a long way off’ and rushes to greet us even if we turn to him with mixed motives.

       His mercy is the answer to the ‘pious’ folk who didn’t like to see Jesus mixing with low life. And it spells out loud & clear who Jesus really came for, and the real purpose of our church.    

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

 

30th March - 6th April 2025	Fourth Week of Lent 2025
Fourth Sunday (Laetare) of Lent - 30th March Jos 5:9-12 2Co 5:17-21 Lk 15:1-3,11-32 9.00am - Jackie Gallagher & family & Gerald Breatnach 11.00am - Aidan Donohoe  5.00 pm - Stations of the Cross 6.00pm Mass People of the parish  Exit Collection St.Vincent de Paul Society	Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today is Mothering Sunday and we honour especially all the mothers and grandmothers & great grandmothers in our parish. We thank them for the life & love they have given to their children Mothers are usually the first teachers of their children in the pathways of faith and we bless God for all these catech-ists and ministers of the word. It is also ‘Laetare Sunday’ (from the latin ‘rejoice’) as lent is half over and we look forward eagerly to Easter and the beautiful Holy Week liturgies. Holy Week is only 2 weeks away, and the full programme will be ready soon. On Good Friday we plan to have ‘Children's Activity’ Stations at 10.30am. For adults there will be the inter-church walk of witness at 10.30, from Dovehouse Parade to Claridge’s Care Home, finishing at St.Margaret's. If the weather is fine, the 3.00pm Liturgy of Our Lord’s Passion will also be outside On Holy Thursday the priest washes the feet of disciples, just as Jesus at the last Supper. So if anyone would like to be a disciple and have their feet washed Holy Thursday please call parish office. Last Jubilee Lenten Pilgrimage Walks: * Sunday 6 April Walk to St.Augustine’s leaving respective Churches at 2.00pm with ETA 3.00pm. * Palm Sunday 13th April Walk from Sts. George & Teresa: Take bus or train from our own church to reach G & T by 2.00. Then walk back to respective parishes.  +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Change of Weekday Mass timing (Monday to Friday) - from the 3rd March the first Mass will be at 7.00 am
Monday - 31st March Is 65:17-21 Jn 4:43-54 7.00am Mass - Mary Eames & family 10.15am Mass - Dawn Thompson & James Connor
Tuesday - 1st April Ezk 47:1-9,12 Jn 5:1-3,5-16 7.00am Mass Holy Souls with no one to pray for them 10.15 Mass  Tess Smith RIP & Zoe Bevan  7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday - 2nd April Is 49:8-15 Jn 5:17-30 7.00 Mass - Francies Kuriakose  10.15 Mass - Kate & Tony Holland & Maria Hartigan 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (Day Chapel) 6.30pm Stations of the Cross (Day Chapel)
Ex 32:7-14 Jn 5:31-47 7.00 Mass - Pat Craddock   10.15 Mass Maria Chiuccariella ‘Biz Nonna’ /  John Desmond Moran RIP & Mary Edith Moran RIP  11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament 6.00pm Evening Prayer & Blessed Sacrament
Friday - 4th April Ws 2:1,12-22 Jn 7:1-2,10,25-30 7.00 Mass - Mark Hurley & family 10.15 Mass Margaret Banford RIP anniversary   & Ros Sherman
Saturday 5th April Jr 11:18-20 Jn 7:40-52 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass - Archbp Mario & Mario Paul RIP
Fifth Sunday of Lent - 6th April Is 43:16-21 Ph 3:8-14 Jn 8:1-11 9.00am - John Pimlott 11.00am - Jane Farrell RIP   12.30 Baptism 5.00 pm - Stations of the Cross 6.00pm Mass People of the parish  Exit Collection Easter Flowers

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers & Sisters

Today, Mother’s day, at 9.00 mass we honour all the mothers in our parish and thank them for their faithful witness. Like Mary, the mother of Jesus, they know the cost of true love.

With War & conflict simmering in so many different parts of the world (Gaza, Ukraine & Sudan to name just 3), mothers everywhere face the painful loss of children.

Some are even losing their own lives since modern warfare claims more victims among civilians then people in uniform.

So we join with Pope Francis fresh out of hospital to plead for an end to killing, for we know this isn’t God’s will for his people

Jesus in the gospel today makes explicit God's intention in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Like the father in the story, our God is a God of mercy who sees us and loves us even when we are a long way off.

The elder brother wanted punishment for his brother but the father gave mercy.

On another occasion Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem using a motherly image: ‘how often I have longed to gather you under my wings as a mother hen gathers her chicks.’ (Luke 13.35) 

May our Mary our Mother, who was both daughter of Abraham and true daughter of Palestine, protect us as we continue to journey with Jesus through these 40 days of lent.           

Fr.Biju scj  Parish Priest 

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SCJ News:

Olton : Fr.Dominic’s funeral will be at 11.00am here on April 7 led by Bp. David Evans with burial at Droitwich  4.00pm A vigil mass will be at 4.00pm on the 6^th at Balsall Heath where he was 22 years parish priest. After the vigil Fr Dominic will be brought to The Friary, arriving 7.15pm.

For  those who wish to pay last respects … and say a prayer before the coffin is closed, Bastock’s have arranged a viewing time at their funeral chapel on the Warwick Rd. April 2^nd from 1.00pm to 5.00pm. 

England: Fr Gustavo Agin our Superior General arrives Tuesday for a 2 week visit of SCJ houses & parishes in England. He will be at the funeral of Fr Dominic on April 7.

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FRIARY SNIPPETS

A big thank you to all those who organised the Christ in the Home last Wednesday. It was a beautiful prayerful event in six different homes in the parish.

OLC School seeks new Site Manager

* 37 hrs pw-Full-time-Mon-Fri-permanent

* split-shift approx 3hrs early am + 4 hrs pm

* salary £31k-£36k

* Driving licence needed

* Deadline April 2. Interview April 9

* Start a.s.a.p.

* Full info at: https://mynewterm.com/jobs/148089/EDV-2025-OLCCPS-18755

Blessed are those who mourn: Our Friary bereavement support group meets every month for all seeking support after a loss. All are welcome no matter what kind of loss or how long 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.

* Meeting next Sunday 6^th April
3.00pm to 4.30 in Friary Lounge
* For info call parish Office 0121-706-0505 

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Marriage matters: Fourth Sunday of Lent

Joshua 5:9-12; 2 Cor 5: 17-21; Luke 15:1-3,11-32

The Gospel shows the Father’s amazing for-giveness but the elder brother reacts with anger, resentful & self-righteous.  When we feel hurt & resentful and life seems unfair, and tensions rise we often blame each other. Jesus’ word is to trust our husband /wife, and look for their loving ways and ask forgiveness for our own faults.

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 Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who  keep our church tidy during the year: Week starting 30 March. Group F

Rest in Peace  Fr.Dominic Innamorati-funeral 7 April @ The Friary. Vigil @ Balsall Heath 4pm

Rosa Galizia-funeral April 15 +++++++

Meditation Group, Holy Souls: join us 1.00pm Mondays  in parish meeting room: Next on April 7.  A chance to be still, & know how much we are loved by God

40 HOURS DEVOTION AT holy souls ...

* 40 unbroken hours Eucharistic Adoration Fri 4^th - Sun 6^th April. Events during night.

* Includes ‘Night of Light’ service  7-8pm  Sat 5^th April.  Light a candle for peace.

* Part of jubilee & centenary events, celebrating 100 years of the church.

* Golden opportunity to show lapsed or non-Catholic friends the beauty of our Faith * Refreshments during ‘Night of Light’ 

For info see www.holysoulschurch.co.uk Come join in adoring Jesus in the Eucharist

Lourdes Pilgrimage 2025 Jubilee Year Diocesan Pilgrimage Sat 24–Fri 30 May www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/lourdes 

Better still… join our parish contingent by calling Jim Noonan 07593 298704 to join Diocesan pilgrimage with Friary Group!

200 CLUB winners in MARCH: 1^st £125 118 Mrs Devolle; 2^nd £50 115 Mrs L Carmichael 3^rd £25 90 Mrs B Kobic

PARISH QUIZ NIGHT 12^th April: come and join: £3 per person opening at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Bring your own drinks & nibbles. Tea and coffee will be available.

Gift Aid Envelopes Gift Aid envelopes for new tax year to be collected Today in Narthex. After 6^th April, please dispose of any envelopes from previous tax year. NB your individual box number may have changed as we have streamlined the system

WeBelieve, 25-28 July 2025, a festival for Jubilee Year of Hope, for parish & family

* 4 days of music, keynotes, conversation & worship, in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary’s College, Oscott, Sutton Coldfield

* Dr.Gianna Emanuela Molla-St.Gianna  Molla’s daughter, Fr Paul Murray, AnMari, Fr Toby Lees,  Mgr Michael Nazir-Ali etc 

* Come for whole w/e or day. Camp out.. ..stay local.. or come from home

Early Bird rate £70 for w/e or £40 per day Tickets at www.webelievefestival.com

St Paul’s School for Girls seek teachers for Business & Economics, Social Services, Computer Science, Full Time/Part Time & Permanent. See website for vacancies for Sept 25 start:  www.stpaulgl.bham.sch.uk 

Health & Safety meeting –March 2025. Items reviewed & examined:

·  Security – and marking church valuables

·  H & S in church: Securing building & site

·  Open & Close procedures for The Friary,

·  Hiring of the hall and the Friary rooms,

·  Personal safety for those working alone,

·  Condition of Friary building & Parish Hall

Kenelm Youth Trust seek committed Catholics for senior leadership positions at  Alton Castle retreat centres . see website to apply: www.kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk/kenelmvacancies.html  or ring 01538 703 224  

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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.