Dear Brothers & Sisters
Peace Sunday falls today, and we pray for peace amidst the horror of war. In 1982 Pope John Paul II at Coventry said that war as a way of solving disputes between nations should have long ago been consigned to history. 40yrs on we have still to learn the lesson, as conflicts fester in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Our exit collection today supports Pax Christi, the catholic peace movement that seeks non-violent ways to resolve conflict.
In Olton our friendly Churches Together group (including The Friary, Olton Baptist Church, St Margaret’s and URC) take it in turns to host prayers in Christian Unity week, which always falls around the feast of the conversion of St.Paul January 25.
This Friday St.Margaret's Church is hosting prayers, in a come-and-go style 2.00pm onwards. All are welcome to come in at any time from 2.00 –4.00pm. Concludes with a short prayer service at 4.00pm.
The Birmingham Lourdes Hospitalité has also invited us to a special Mass near the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Saturday 8 February, 4:30pm, St Chad's Cathedral, an opportunity to gather in prayer, and honour Our Lady, and ask her intercession for the sick and their carers. This is for:
• All who have served in Lourdes,
• Schools, students, and Pilgrims
• all joining 2025 Diocesan Pilgrimage
Finally a big thankyou from our Sacred Heart Community for birthday wishes! Last Friday marked 44 years since the first members of the Sacred Heart Community landed in Olton, following the departure of the Capuchins. It has been a time of great blessing for us.
May Mary the mother of all Christians guide us and bring us all close to her son Jesus.
Fr.Biju scj Parish Priest
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SCJ News: France, Basque country: last week at St Palais near where St.Michael was born. Bro.Aurelien was ordained deacon, along with fellow Ivoirian Bro.Salomon. Aurelien was very grateful for his six month stay among us at The Friary in 2024 and thanks especially those in the parish who gave their time helping him learn English.
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FRIARY SNIPPETS
Looking ahead.. …………….
Irish Night! now booked in the parish hall for Saturday March 8th
CONFIRMATIONS: Bishop David Evans will be with us again on February 7th for the sacrament of Confirmation. Y6 pupils at OLC will be involved, but also a few young people and adults from other places too.
* Confirmation prep – Session 3 today 10am—11am. Session 4 will be on Sunday 2nd February 2025 from 10am to 11.30am.
FHL Upcoming Event Concert at St.Chad’s 7.00pm February 27. Fundraising concert featuring classical folk & choral music by a range of musicians & singers & dancers.
* Come for super entertaining evening
* Tickets just £25 .. available on Eventbrite
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Marriage matters: Sedond Sunday
Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Cor 12: 4-11; John 2:1-11
Like bride & groom at Cana, our marriages are blessed with gifts. Each day we receive grace to live our marriage vows: loving, cherishing & honouring each other in sick-ness & health, whether money is flowing or frozen. Each time we embrace each other & our own personal circumstances, we are letting God’s glory be seen.
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A big thankyou from Friends of Holy Land for the generous 22 December collection in church, which amounted to £367.34.
Thanks Too from the Flower team to all who came to Xmas workshop or bought wreaths. £1078 raised for parish funds. Many thanks!
The Friary Badminton Group are looking for new players. Wednesdays from 7pm. Interested? please text Jo on 07952 819262.
Rest in peace William Gaffey-funeral Jan 21 10.15; Graham Thomas-funeral Jan 24 10.15 & Mary Harkin. May they rest in peace++
Solihull downs Syndrome Support Group hosts Family & Friends Fun Night Fri 31 Jan Shirley British Legion *6.30 Junior Disco -
*7.45-MainEvent:Bingo-Giveaways-Quiz Disco-Raffle Licensed Bar. Tickets-Adults £6 Under 18 Free! Info? Patrick 07305 330940
Defending the unborn: Our parish has a strong 50 year record of supporting LIFE, giving practical support to women & babies in difficult circumstances. LIFE always receives our crib offerings every year but today separately the SPUC White Flower Appeal outside church asks support for efforts to pressurise Parliament to truly defend the unborn….. Special buckets outside church. (LIFE collection proper is on Feb 2)
Message from Life: The coming February 2 collection is critical for Life to meet its running costs. Life charity has huge support in the Catholic community as we work with women struggling for support in pregnancy.
Safe, affordable lodging for vulnerable women is scarce in the UK. We crucially provide a welcome place of safety & suitable space for infants to be nurtured. Thank you for the generous hearts of our parish supporters, who value our special mission.
Meditation Group at Holy Souls join us Mondays 1.00pm in parish meeting room January 27; February 10 & 24; March 10 & 24; April 7 A chance to be still, & know how much we are loved by God
Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy during the year: Week starting January 19 Group B
Justice & Peace invites you to a webinar
* “Opening the Doors to Freedom from Trafficking & Exploitation”
* February 6th 7pm to 8.30pm.
* Learn about Modern Slavery in the UK
* What we "Pilgrims of Hope" can do in a Jubilee Year to help victims of Trafficking as we shine a light on this important issue. * Book via: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd16FG37Hvq93rw1yQBHYUJZ6JFvGb5HBeAOy-hE043wkel9Q/viewform?pli=1
Youth pilgrimage: rome & assisi Kenelm Youth Trust invites young people to Rome & Assisi this summer...with guide Bishop Timothy. Explore your faith, surrounded by love, joy & hope of international young catholics coming together. Need info? Email Libby libby.cox@kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk
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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
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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Security Please do not leave any belongings unattended in the benches while receiving Holy Communion as there has been a recent incident.
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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.
HALL BOOKINGS from external groups, particularly regular users are a useful income toward the upkeep of the Church. If access is needed to hall or kitchen during these times, please liaise with the Parish office or Community first.
CREMATION PLOTS (newer area) Following previous notes re- borders & stones barred for H&S danger to graveyard volunteers; please also note that plots are set out in vertical strips, in plots for two. So borders & stones added around memorial tablets are encroaching on the space of a loved one, and should be removed.
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.
CHARITY COLLECTION BOXES for SVP and St Basil’s charities are built into the left and right hand sides, at the back of the Church. Built-in boxes can be found in the narthex for St Anthony’s bread (used to help the poor in the local area) and Holy Souls (used for Mass intentions for Holy Souls).
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.
VISITORS - If you wish to gift aid your offertory donation, white visitor envelopes are available in the narthex.
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.
SAFEGUARDING - In this parish there have been strict guidelines in place for several years for the protection of children and vulnerable persons. Anyone with a concern about safeguarding issues should ring the Diocesan Safeguarding Office on 0121 230 6240.
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.