Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Thirty Third Sunday
The Big Bad Wolf
Luke 21.5-19
It's almost a century since “Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?” was first heard on the radio, a 1930’s song later famous in Walt Disney's Pinocchio, but it has remained popular with generations of children ever since.
The image is popular with adults too, as the ‘big bad wolf’ echoes real fears of venomous leaders and predatory countries. The last century was not short of big bad wolves.. Hitler? .. Stalin?.. Mao? ..Mussolini?
And where would we seek those wolves today? In Moscow? Tehran? Washington? Beijing? Pyongyang? Sadly we are spoilt for choice. They may be of differing political hues, but they all have in common a penchant for grandiose projects.. a 2,000 mile border fence? .. a nuclear missile? ..a road to cross continents? …. a claim to their neighbour’s land?
It’s a world that Jesus' knew well. The temple stonework we hear his disciples admiring today, a great engin-eering project of its time, was not built for beauty. It was built for power ..to impress ..to intimidate.
Begun by King Herod, the ‘wolf’ who ordered the slaughter of the Holy Innocents, it was meant to last forever.
But Jesus predicted: ‘it will all fall down’……. the fate of all our earthly Kingdoms & Empires 1 . All empires economic or political will fall down one day - not without pain and suffering - (as today’s gospel images testify) - they will not last forever.
It’s a picture to give us hope and encouragement as we face multiple dangers and ‘big bad wolves’ in this Jubilee Year of Hope.
Fr.Austin scj
1 It was actually destroyed by Roman armies 30 years later
Weekly Diary
|
16th November - 23rd November 2025 |
Week Thirty Three |
|---|---|
|
Thirty Third Sunday 16th November Mal 4:1-2 2Th 3:7-12 Lk 21:5-19 9.00 June & James Eccles 11.00am People of the Parish also Barry Rudd 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass Mr Marwan Elcheikh RIP Exit Collection Parish Hall Roof |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, St. Hilda (Monday) hosted the 664 AD Synod of Whitby and was a powerful influence in 7th century England. St.Elizabeth of Hungary (Monday) was a 13th century princess like her cousin Elizabeth of Portugal. Like her she too embraced a life of poverty & became a Franciscan tertiary & built a hospice where she personally tended the sick. St.Hugh of Lincoln (Monday) wanted to remain an enclosed Carthusian monk but circumstance made him Bishop of Lincoln in 1200, then the largest Diocese in England. He gained a reputation for defence of the poor & the endangered Jewish community. Dedication of basilicas of Sts.Peter & Paul (Tuesday) is an optional feast but dates back 1,000 yrs, honouring the apostles who are the pillars of the church. Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friday (not to be confused with the Presentation of Jesus Feb 2) arises from an old tradition outside the Bible that tells of Joachim & Anne presenting their daughter in the temple to be given to God’s service. Presentation Sisters, Acocks Green take their name from this. St.Cecilia (Saturday) an early roman martyr was by tradition a musician and is patron saint of church music. Feast of Christ the King next Sunday, end of the church’s year, is National Youth Sunday, so focus is on ministry to the young, & how we care for them. One of our youth leaders will speak at each mass of KYT, Kenelm Youth Trust, youth ministry arm of the Diocese Meanwhile Advent begins December 1 : In Advent we have prayerful Thursday night reflections in the Day Chapel styled ‘Getting to know Pope Leo’, on the new message of Pope Leo on the love of Jesus in our lives: Dilexi Te. Fr.Austin to share over 3 Thursdays.
|
|
Monday - 17th November St.Elizabeth of Hungary St.Hilda of Whitby St.Hugh of Lincoln 1Mac 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-64 Lk 18:35-43 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Amanda Tiago also Gerry O’Mera |
|
|
Tuesday - 18th November Dedication of Basilicas of Saints Peter & Paul 2Mac 6:18-31 Lk 19:1-10 7.00 MassKaterina, Maria, Alexandr, Kai & Allen 10.15 Mass Sean C also Martin & Teresa Gaffey 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
|
|
Wednesday - 19th November 2Mac 7:1,20-31 Lk 19:11-28 7.00 Mass Jo Watson RIP 10.15 Mass Rachel Giblin also Maria Hartigan 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel) |
|
|
Thursday - 20th November 1Mac 2:15-29 Lk 19:41-44 7.00 Mass Penny Moore RIP 10.30 Mass Annual OLAAS mass 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament 6.00pm Vigil Charles Conrad Bernoski RIP |
|
|
Friday - 21st November Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ze 2:10-13 Mt 12:46-50 7.00 Mass Yvonne Truscott 10.15 Requiem Charles Conrad Bernoski RIP |
|
|
Saturday 22nd November Saint Cecilia Hos 2:14,15,19-20 Mt 25:1-13 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Peter John Vince RIP |
|
|
Feast of Christ the King 23rd November 2Sam 5:1-3 Col 1:12-20 Lk 23:35-43 9.00 Jane & William Cunningham 11.00am Shay Donohoe RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass People of the Parish Exit Collection KYT Catholic Youth Service |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The annual mass for Our Lady & All Saints Academy Trust, (OLAAS) will happen this Thursday in church at 10:30. OLAAS is the umbrella group for all the Catholic schools in our Solihull Borough, and Bishop David Evans will preside.
Our commitment to the young is the core of this event, and all 14 Catholic schools in Solihull will be represented. We ask God's blessing on our teachers, our students, our governors and support staff. Education has always been a preoccupation of the church and in 2025 we ask God's blessing on this ongoing mission.
We try to be inclusive and are aware that for a mixture of reasons not all children may be able to attend one of our schools. So for preparation for sacraments we offer some additional support.
We run Confirmation 2026 a support programme for Y6 children not at Catholic Primary School, or Y7 & Y8 children who may have missed out in previous years. Praise the Lord for our generous catechists. (Details in next column)
National Youth Sunday, next Sunday, feast of Christ the King is also a focus-day for our ministry to the young, and one of our Youth leaders will speak at all masses on this ministry.
Our Carlo Acutis Youth Club has been buzzing away in the background on Friday evenings for over a year now. We work closely with Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT) the arm of the Diocese for youth ministry.
This Friday is the feast of the Presentation, not the Presentation of Jesus, but the Presentation of Mary. Early church tradition tells of Joachim & Anne going to the temple to present their daughter to God’s service.
May we encourage our young people to present their young lives to God’s service, by giving the best form of encouragement possible: our own example.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
**********************
SCJ News:
Holy Land: aware of the fragile cease-fire in Gaza, Fr.Gustavo our Superior General was in Bethlehem the last 3 weeks to encourage our young novices there, and support our Holy Land communities. He will be back in Rome in time for Advent.
England-Thailand: Bro. Andrew arrived in Bangkok last week for a 6 month placement in our Thai houses in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai & Bangkok Diocese. He was made very welcome by the students at Ban Betharram.
**********************
Friary Snippets
Christmas Market will be This Saturday 22 Nov 2025 in the parish hall. 11.00-3.00, Entrance £1.00, children free. Teas, coffee & mince pies & burger baps for purchase. Much cheaper than Birmingham German market! All tables now fully booked!
The Christmas Fayre is at OLC school, Sat 6 Dec 12-3pm. Please bring in advance, donations of bottles, sweets & chocolate, unwanted gifts, good quality toys & teddys. Raffle tickets on sale today after each mass.
Bingo Night this Saturday 22 Nov 7.15pm in our parish hall. £10 per person. Come along and enjoy! Our Parish Social & fundraiser group caters for all tastes.
Confirmation 2026 : Programme for Y6 children not at Catholic School, or Y7 & Y8 children who may have missed previously.
* 5 Sunday morning sessions after 9.00 mass
* starts December 7th at 10.00am.
* to enrol your child? Just email Sarah Wood on sarah.wood@oltonfriary.org.uk
* Confirmations on Friday 6th Feb at 7pm.
Advent’s near: Our Advent prayer service is in several parish homes: Wed 10 Dec 7.30pm ‘Welcoming the new born king’. Please speak to Fr Biju if you would like to host this beautiful event. First-timers always welcome, and will be given guidance.
Journey in Faith: our programme for those seeking to join the church or even just seeking...continues tomorrow Monday at 7.30pm
**********************
Marriage Matters: Thirty Third Sunday
Malachi 3:19-20; 2 Thes 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19
In marriage, one partner can work hard at the relationship, and the other take it for granted. When both work at it, marriage can be the most marvelous relationship possible. Today, take time to stand before God together and ‘the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays’. We all need this healing. Let us reaffirm our vows today.
**********************
Jubilee Mass Sunday 28 December 2025, feast of The Holy Family this year.
* Jubilee Mass 11.00a.m. for couples with a significant Wedding Anniversary 2025.
* 1st anniversary? 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 60th ? ……….Please let us know.
* Spouse deceased? Can still mark the day.
Please call Fr.Biju, parish office or Wedding Team weddings@oltonfriary.org.uk if you’d like to attend & receive a special blessing.
Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 16th November: C
Please Pray for Charles Bernoski-funeral 21 Nov 10.15 am (Vigil 6.00pm); Marion Mullen-funeral 28 Nov 10am (O.L.Wayside) Vigil 4.00pm; Sheila Griffin-funeral 28 Nov 1.00pm; Jacqueline O’keefe-funeral 10.15 December 4; Patricia Rogers-funeral 26 Nov 11.00am (at Boarbank Hall Cumbria)
May they rest in peace …
blessing the graves continues November.
+ November Blessing of Graves +
* 16 Nov 2pm: Kings Norton , Widney Manor: nos-3450-3525; 3530-ongoing i.e. roundabout to railway line
* 23 Nov 2pm: Wythall, Robin Hood, & St Nicholas
Christmas Grave Posies can be ordered from the flower team @ £10.
Christmas workshops Parish Hall 6-8 pm Fri Nov 28 & Sat 11.00am-2.00pm Nov 29. Limited space so please sign list in narthex. Friday fully booked. Some places left Sat.
We pray for our dead daily in November If you would like a relative of yours to be added to our prayer list, please take a leaflet from the Narthex & add the names of your those you wish to pray for this month & place them in the Remembrance box in church or chapel.
200 CLUB September & October winners SEPT: 1st £125 109 Mr W Shoreson; 2nd £50 44 Miss P Ricketts; 3rd £25 122 Ms L Somers. OCT: 1st £125 11 Mrs P Bishop; 2nd £50 110 Mr P Congdon; 3rd £25 4 Mr M Hayden
GIVING TREE Please select a gift label from the tree & buy a gift returning it by Sunday 7th December at the latest so that the gifts may be distributed in time for Christmas
Health and Safety update Our November meeting covered several points, e.g.
* The lights outside the Server’s sacristy.
* Loose kneelers in the church.
* Lights in the Bell tower.
* Recent break-in in main building & need for new door.
* Lack of security in building when door is left on latch by day chapel.
* The hall roof & plans for repair.
* Alarm for the narthex.
* 2026 dates for ‘Coffee with a Copper’.
* Location of ramps for wheelchair access.
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
**********************
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.
**********************
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.