Dear Brothers & Sisters
Jesus asserts in the gospel today that he is the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep and they know him. He also says that unlike the hired hand, a good shepherd will never flee in time of danger.
So today we give thanks to God for all the people who have been good shepherds to us….. Parents, teachers, friends priests, counsellors and confidants.
We in turn must be good shepherds to others, and all of us are called to this. Young parents have small children to look after. Social workers have the poor and the struggling to take care of. Priests and pastors have the people of their parish to watch over. And even if we are housebound and only keep in touch with nieces and nephews by WhatsApp & e-mail, they are still the sheep that God has entrusted to our care.
But Jesus also spoke mysteriously of the other sheep ‘not of this fold’ he had a duty to lead. Two millenia later, his words resonate profoundly, as there are people in our lives who may not be ‘of this fold’ that God has called us to tend.
Our Parish Justice & Peace outreach group invite you to join them (via zoom) this Wednesday & hear two lay volunteers from Chile who’ve spent the last 20 yrs in Birmingham learning to be good shep-herds to a wide variety of people while raising their own family. See next column
In this time between Easter & Pentecost Our Mother Mary waited patiently with the apostles for the coming of the Spirit. We give ourselves to her protection this season as we too wait for Pentecost.
Fr.Biju scj Parish Priest
SCJ NEWS
Olton: Fr.Wilfred has returned from a long series of visits to the oriental communities in our own St.Miriam Region, which includes UK, Vietnam, India & Thai-land. On Thursday he gave a presentation to Olton Companions of Betharram with (multiple pictures) about his visits, and the people who make up this vibrant Region. The presentation continues next month.
Friary snippets
St Peregrine prayer Group meet in the Day Chapel on Friday 29th April at 2.00pm followed by coffee & chat. All welcome.
thanks to our fundraising & social group for organising the Bingo night on Friday in the parish hall & the Concert in church last night. Both were a wonderful success.
FUN RUN MAY 19: Age UK Solihull. Why not volunteer as a Marshall along the route for the 2024 Knowle & Dorridge Fun Run? see the poster in Narthex.
Please join Olton Friary Justice & Peace (Outreach) Group this Wednesday 24 April at 7.30pm, via zoom for a sharing with Nathalie Marytsch & Mauricio Silva both Columban lay volunteers from Chile, who came to UK as a missionary couple 2001. They’ve promoted life-giving relations among the diverse communities in Birmingham….working in support of asylum seekers & refugees, as well as strengthening links between Christians & other faiths. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81135649749?pwd=RmRLd050dmQzdSszQm51NGxORFVpQT09 Meeting ID: 811 3564 9749 Pass: 090585.
Church of Sanctuary Conference, a free event to share how we can respond to the call to offer sanctuary to those fleeing persecution & seeking asylum. Sat 8 June, Carrs Lane Church Centre Info on poster in Narthex. Lunch provided! Booking link below to register via eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/church-of-sanctuary-conference-tickets-825115662157?aff=Churchofsanctuarynetwork
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Marriage matters: fourth sunday easter (Acts 4:8-12 1 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18) We can relate to the idea of ‘shepherding’ with regards to our children: “I know my own and my own know me”. Even in crowds, our children will recognise our voice and we theirs. Also, just as Jesus spoke today of ‘laying down His life’, when marrying, we made a solemn vow to lay down our lives for one another.
Thanksgiving Mass for Marriage All married couples celebrating a milestone anniversary (& those preparing to marry this year) are invited to the annual Mass for Marriage at St Chad's Cathedral on Saturday 4th May at 12 Noon, followed by light refreshments. Please visit www.vocations.org.uk/marriage-mass.
Trustee Vacancy at ‘Marriage Care’ the Catholic organisation providing marriage prep & relationship counselling across England, Wales & Gibraltar. Trustees are needed to strengthen our board & help us continue to give relationship support services to Catholic community & beyond. For info see: www.marriagecare.org.uk or email: volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk
Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who unseen keep our church tidy during the year: Week beginning April 21st Group E
Please pray for Margaret Nolan-funeral 29 April; John Thomas Hoban-funeral May 2; Sean O’Callaghan & Pauline Waters
May they rest in peace.
Journey in Faith final thanksgiving night tomorrow April 22: 7.30pm
Meditation –A way to pray. A chance to be still & experience how we are loved by God. Monday Meditation: 27th May & 1st July. At 1.00pm in Parish Meeting Room Holy Souls, Acocks Green. All welcome.
Authority & the Church Conference at Oscott College this Saturday April 27: Where does authority lie in the age of Whatsapp groups and Synodal pathway? £55 (£35 concession students & OAPs)
* Saturday 27 April 2024 Oscott College,
* Fr.Timothy Radcliffe OP Blackfriars
* Prof Em. Fr Vincent Twomey Maynouth
* Prof Jacob Phillips St Mary’s University
* Dr Mary McCaughey Oscott College
* Mr John Stayne Durham University
Info & tickets: www.oscott.net or visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theology-symposium authority-and-the-church-tickets-769791335607
Or email: academic.office@oscott.org
Diocesan Walsingham day pilgrimage May 11. Join local groups with Fr Philip Griffin. For info call 01384 395308 or olas.stourbridge@rcaob.org.uk
OLAAS jobs at our local schools:
(i) Phase Leader Early Years, St Andrew’s Primary School, B92 8QL, Start Sept 2024, Deadline 1st May (ii) Class Teacher needed for Sept 2024 at St.Andrews, Permanent fulltime. (ECT welcome) Apply by 26 April (iii) FS2 Class Teacher & 0.4 Class Teacher needed at Our Lady of Wayside School (iv) Purchase Ledger Clerk needed for OLAAS Central Team. See websites: WM Jobs & OLAAS MAC for details.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS & READERS: Please collect new rotas from trolley in Narthex
The Way of Communion guided learning re-prayer & liturgy for laypeople: series of 12 Zoom meetings offered to all in Diocese by Fr.Allen Morris --St.Nicholas, Boldmere To register please contact Fr Allen at stnicholas.boldmere@rcaob.org.uk before 29 April to receive Zoom link & reading for first meeting. (See poster in Narthex)
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REGULAR ACTIVITIES IN OUR PARISH HALL
Monday Zumba 1.30 to 2.30 & 7 to 8pm
Tuesday Latin & Ballroom Dancing 10 -12 noon & 7.30 - 9.30pm. Kung Fu. 6 - 7pm Tuesday U3a 2nd Tuesday monthly
Wednesday Stroke Club 9am - 1.30pm (starts 4 Oct) Slimming World 2.30 - 8.30
Thursday Zumba 11am to 12 Noon U3A Quiz 2nd Thursday monthly Fitness Pilates (term time) 6.30 - 8.30pm
Friday Yoga 10.45am - 12.15pm
Saturday monthly Menofit 10am -12 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.
OPEN HOUSE GROUP - Are you new to the Parish and aged 30+? Do you want to get more involved in Parish Life, but don't know where to start? The Open House Group has recently celebrated its tenth anniversary and its members are involved in various parish activities such as Traidcraft, Christian Aid, the Fast Supper, Welcome and Coffee Bar rotas. We also have regular meetings in parishioners' homes for spiritual reflection and discussion of topical issues. If you are interested in joining us please contact the Parish Office for more information.