Dear Brothers & Sisters
Jesus summed up the old law in just two commandments: love the Lord your God then love your neighbour as yourself. In this beautiful way he simplified all the 637 commandments of the ancient law.
Today we ache for this simplicity, as in practice our lives can be very complex. We aspire to what Jesus put before us but it’s hard to follow this in a murky world.
Conflict in Ukraine and the Holy Land makes it hard today. We feel deeply for the Israeli hostages, while at the same time we feel deeply for the poor people of Gaza so cruelly bombarded.
The world wants us to take sides but all nations are neighbours to us. May the Lord give peace to Ukraine & the Holy Land
Looking ahead …. Bp David Evans will be with us on November 9 at 10.15 for our annual Celebration of Life mass as we commemorate those who’ve died during the past year. We welcome Bp.David who is keen to be with us for this event.
Advent begins on December 1 and we will soon publish our Advent programme. On Advent Thursdays Fr.Austin will lead three sessions presenting Pope Francis’ message on the Sacred Heart of Jesus ‘He Loved Us’
This time the Day Chapel will be warm, as Friary central heating has at last been restored. Thanks be to God!
Our Lady of Palestine feast was kept all over the Middle East last Sunday, as both Christians and non-Christians prayed for peace and an end to killing and bloodshed.
We ask Mother Mary, a true daughter of the Holy Land, to bring peace where there is conflict and watch over all her children this week.
Fr.Biju scj Parish Priest
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SCJ News: Italy October 29 our Superior General, Fr. Gustavo Agín, visited all our communities in Italy from 29 September to 18 October. The visit ended with Assembly in our parish of Lissone. Fr.Gustavo gave thanks to everyone noting that Italy has enriched the Congregation, thanks to the missionary spirit of Italian Betharramites, who’ve over decades served in Thailand, Africa, India, England, Paraguay, Brazil, the Holy Land and wherever Betharram is called to carry out its mission.
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FRIARY SNIPPETS
Journey in Faith our parish programme for those who would like to be received into the Catholic Church started Monday, with joy and enthusiasm.
* Runs every Monday 7.30pm till Easter.
* Are you searching & like to join JIF?
* Please speak to Fr Biju or Fr Austin.
* Anyone among your friends who’d like to make the journey too……..…?
Autumn & Winter events coming up
* Bingo Night Sat 9 November
· Eyes down 7.15pm
· Bingo books £8
· Refreshments & cake
· Bring own drinks
· Prizes & cash
* Christmas market Sat 16 Nov 11am - 2pm in Parish Hall. Would you like a table? Contact Beata via email bkobic@aol.com
* Christmas Wreath making Fri 22 Nov-6pm
* Christmas Wreath making Sat 23 Nov-11am
· £20 sessions-include materials
· Spaces limited-Sign list at church to book
· Pay in advance next week!
* Polar Express Movie Night 1 Fri 6 Dec –
* Parish & School Christmas Fayre Sat 7 Dec
* Polar Express Movie Night 2 Fri 13 Dec -
* Parish Carol Service Sat 14 Dec
* Inter-Church Carol singing Thur 19 Dec outside Olton Station 4.30-6.00pm
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Marriage matters: THIRTY FIRST SUNDAY
Deut 6: 2-6 Hebrews 7: 23-28 Mark 12: 28-34
Moses told people: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength.” In Mark’s gospel Jesus perfect this command: ‘You must love your neighbour as yourself’ Your wife, your husband, is the nearest neighbour you have! We promised this to each other on our wedding day.
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Jubilee Mass Sunday 29th December 2024 Holy Family Jubilee Wedding Mass 11.00am Had a Big One in 2024? If you’ve a special anniversary: 1st,25th,30th,35th,40th,50th etc. Just call Fr.Biju the office or Wedding Team
weddings@oltonfriary.org.uk if you’d like to receive a special blessing at this Mass.
Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy during the year: Week starting November 3 Group C
Please pray for our dead.. Anita Donnelly (from OLC) Funeral 14th November 11.30am Our Lady of Lourdes church Yardley. Vigil 6.00pm 13 Nov (NB OLC school shut 14th) Also Brenda Dunn RIP funeral Nov 19 and Fr.Graham Wilkinson RIP & Basil Hylton RIP May they rest in peace.
November Blessing of Graves
Brandwood End & Quinton 2.00pm
Today Lodge Hill & Kings Norton 2.00pm Nov 10
Widney Manor (upper part) 2.00pm Nov 10
Widney Manor (lower part) 2.00pm Nov 17
Robin Hood & Wythall 2.00pm Nov 24
Celebration of Life Mass Sat 9 Nov 10.15am with Bishop David Evans as celebrant. We pray for all our family members who have died during this past year.
Meditation in Acocks Green - upcoming dates: 11 & 25 Nov & 9 Dec. Meet 1.00pm -Holy Souls parish meeting room.
Justice and Peace Interfaith Assembly Tues 12 Nov 2024 at Engineering Building, Coventry University 5pm-9pm All welcome! Please book using this link https://bit.ly/JandPassembly2024. See poster in Narthex
Can’t make the Assembly? You can still join zoom group continuing theme of “Called to be Peacemakers” Tuesday 26 Nov 7pm. All welcome to join on zoom. Book via link https://bit.ly/November2024_Forum
Solihull Choral Society Sat Nov 16 7.30pm
* Haydn THE CREATION-Conductor DAVID RICE
* ORCHESTRA: SINFONIA OF BIRMINGHAM & soloists
* Venue: Solihull School Chapel, B91 3DJ, * Tickets from solihullchoral.org.uk
‘Blessed are those who mourn’: Our monthly bereavement support group is for all seeking support after a loss. All welcome no matter what kind of loss or how long ago
* We gather 1st Sunday of each month for prayer, conversation & encouragement of one another as we journey together.
* We are not a counselling group but promise good listening skills, respect for confidentiality and of course a cuppa.
* Next meeting today 3rd November
3.00pm to 4.30 in Friary Lounge
* For info call Bro.Gerard 0121-706-0505 or Noleen Walsh on 0121-706-5184
SOLIHULL INTER-FAITH WALK Thurs 14 Nov * start point 1 Solihull Synagogue 10.30
* start point 2 Solihull Central Masjid 11.15 * ends at Solihull Civic Suites, Homer Rd,
* text 07960 881 207 to confirm attendance
* refreshments will be served.
Housekeeping Assistant Needed part-timer for St Columbans retirement wing, Widney Manor for residents & guests. Cleaning & cooking experience needed. For info email hr@columbans.co.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.