Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Fourth Sunday of Easter
A Good Shepherd from the New World
Acts 13.14, 43-52; John 10.27-30
On Friday night the Holy Spirit surprised us all when the conclave chose Cardinal Robert Prevost as the successor of St.Peter. So we welcome with joy our new Pope Leo, and we all vow to follow his leadership. His election came as a surprise, despite days of speculation. Nobody at Ladbroke's had placed him as a favourite! A wonderful tribute to the power of the Spirit.
The scriptures are full of God’s surprises.….... unexpected callings ….… …...unforeseen events that become crucial to the story of our common faith Journey ..the conversion of St.Paul ….his appeal to Caesar …. and the decision of Paul & Barnabus to go as missionaries to the gentiles. Their experience of life among the non-jews shaped their view of the world and their determination that the Good News be given to all peoples no matter what their race or background.
Pope Leo in his younger days was a missionary in Peru, during very turbulent times, where he faced danger from Sendero Luminoso an extremist guerilla group with a reputation for ruthless cruelty. His experience as a peacemaker, when bishops & priests were often at loggerheads will be one of the many gifts that he brings to the See of Peter.
His choice of name ’Leo’ will recall to many, the insights of Pope Leo XIII, the pope of the industrial revolution, who strove to assert the rights of workers in the face of a rapacious economic order. Pope Leo XIV has already spoken up for the weak and defenceless in society. May the spirit of God be with him in his ministry.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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11th May - 18th May 2025 |
Fourth Sunday of Easter 2025 |
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Fourth Sunday of Easter 11th May Ac 13:14,43-52 Rv 7:9,14-17 Jn 10:27-3 9.00am - Douglas & Peggy Coshan 11.00am - Brendan Mc Inerney RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass – People of the Parish Exit Collection Diocesan Clergy Training Fund |
Dear Brothers & Sisters Saints Nereus, Achilleus & Pancras (Mon) were martyred during the persecutions of Diocletian. Pancras was only a teenager when he gave his life for Christ’s sake. The Railway Station that bears his name takes its title from the 200 yr old St.Pancras church nearby, itself on the site of a much older medieval church. Our Lady of Fatima (Tuesday) has had a world wide devotional following since the apparitions to three children in 1917. Two of the children Francisco & Jacinta, died soon afterwards in the Spanish flu epidemic but are now declared saints. The 3rd one Lucia died 2005 & is already on the path to sainthood. St.Michael Garicoits (Wednesday) is the celebrated founder of our Sacred Heart Congregation and died this day in 1863. We have solemn Morning Prayer at 10.00am, followed by mass at 10.15. Refreshments then follow in the Lounge St.Matthias apostle is also Wednesday, but in all our SCJ communities and parishes he gives way to the day of our founder St.Michael. ************************* Please note changes for this week only: 1. No mass Tuesday 2. One mass Wednesday: 10.15 feast of St.Michael Garicoits 3. Saturday 1st Communion mass 11.00
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Monday - 12th May Saints Nereus, Achilleus & Pancras Ac 11:1-18 Jn 10:1-10 7.00am Mass - John Hartigan 10.15 Mass -1. Bernadette Murphy (birthday) 2. Barry Taylor RIP |
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Tuesday - 13th May Our Lady of Fatima Ac 11:19-26 Jn 10:22-30 7.00am NO Mass 10.15 Communion Service 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Wednesday - 14th May Saint Michael Garicoits (feast) Ac 1:15-17,20-26 Jn 15:9-17 7.00 No Mass - 10.00 Solemn Morning Prayer 10.15 Mass –Sacred Heart Fathers & Brothers 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (Day Chapel) |
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Thursday - 15th May Ac 13:13-25 Jn 13:16-20 7.00 Mass Joe Geraghty RIP 10.15 Mass Brendan Anderson 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament 6.00-7.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
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Friday - 15th May Ac 13:26-33 Jn 14:1-6 7.00 Mass - Concepcion Ruizo & Family 10.15 Mass - John Desmond & Mary Moran |
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Saturday 17th May Ac 13:44-52 Jn 14:7-14 10.15 Mass Joseph James-birthday (Day chapel) 11.00 Mass - First Holy Communions |
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Fifth Sunday of Easter 18th May Ac 14:21-27 Rv 21:1-5 Jn 13:31-35 9.00am -1st Holy Communion-Going Forth 11.00am-Catherine & James Murphy RIP Anniversary 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass – People of the Parish Exit Collection Parish Hall Roof |
Notices
Dear Brothers & Sisters
With joy we all welcomed the emergence of our new Pope on Thursday night after a two day conclave. God bless Pope Leo and keep him safe. He is the successor of Saint Peter to lead the body of Christ for the next few years. May God give him strength & courage to face this challenging task.
Nobody expected a new pope to come from Chicago, just one of the beautiful ways in which the God of Surprises works among his people. Chicago has produced so many famous people ..Harrison Ford.. Michelle Obama ...Hilary Clinton.. Michael Flatley...etc. But Pope Leo tops them all!
By a holy coincidence a few of our parishioners are in Rome this week, on a pilgrimage led by Fr Jonathan Vesey, and they should get to see the new Holy Father. Thanks be to God.
Thanks be to God too for our first communions yesterday, the catechists and teachers who instruct the children, and the parents and guardians who take care of them. They do the work of Jesus the Good Shepherd. As Jesus says in today's gospel: ‘my sheep recognise my voice… …… and no one will steal them from me’.
A football contest run by KYT (the diocesan youth service) will take place on The Friary lawn in a few weeks time. (remember last year’s successful tournament?)This one-June 7, 10.00am-4.00pm-will see teams from different age groups (Y6-8 & Y9-12) compete in friendly fashion ending with mass and meditation at 3.00pm. Time to organise your own team! Register: at: https://www.tfaforms.com/5178172
The time from Easter to Pentecost was when Our Mother Mary waited patiently with the apostles for the coming of the Spirit. May we know her presence with us now as we look forward to Pentecost.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News: Chiang Mai Thailand: Frs.Wilfred & Biju are in Chiang Mai this week for a Regional Council meeting, for a Region now made up of England, India, Thailand & Vietnam. They will take the opportunity to visit some of our mission stations in the northern hill country around Chiang Mai. This area of Thailand was first evangelised by SCJ priests in the 1950’s after their expulsion from Red China. God works in strange ways!
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Friary Snippets
Kings of Leon! Francis & Helena Madden our adventurous parish cyclists, left Leon this weekend, having covered 1,700km of the 2,000km distance to Santiago de Compostela. Hopefully they will reach Santiago next weekend. They plan to continue a few more days to Finisterre on the coast, which in medieval times was thought to be the end ofthe world! You can follow their progess on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/francis.madden.399 Like to support their refugee project? See: https://www.justgiving.com/page/francis-madden-vezelay-santiago
SVP request donations for a refugee from Sudan who has moved into a flat, in need of sofa, table and chairs, microwave, television and curtains (2 sets, length 1.5m width 1.5m) If you can help, please email: mary.eames@oltonfriary.org.uk
Olton U3A (University of the Third Age)invite parishioners to a presentation on Macular Degeneration Thurs 22 May, 1-3pm in our parish hall. Like to attend? Please advise Parish Office by Monday 19 May at the latest. U3a provide tea, coffee & biscuits but please bring your own mug!
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Marriage matters: Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 13:14,43-52; Rev 7:9,14-17; John 10:27-30
Most people, when they marry, think their married life is a private affair but Jesus calls us to be a light to the world as a couple. Through our gentleness & tenderness, our readiness to forgive each other, people we meet sense something of God’s love for them. To live thus is the call of marriage.
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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 11th May: Group F
Rest in Peace: : Eileen Teresa Curley-funeral Wed 28 May at 10.30am.
Permanent Diaconate Men (married or single) who wish to reflect on possibility of a vocation as a permanent deacon or who wish to find out a little more, are invited to attend Evening Prayer & Benediction & tea & refreshments at Holy Souls church in Acocks Green Sunday 11 May at 4.30pm. Wives & family members also welcome. Info? mail dcn.tim.anthony@rcaob.org.uk or just turn up to reflect and listen.
new diocesan trustee: B’ham Diocese seeks Catholic volunteer with trained experience of safeguarding to join Trustees Board and chair Safeguarding Sub-Committee. Want to know more? We’d welcome discussion. - See www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/Pages/FAQs/Category/safeguarding
Ukulele concert for Christian Aid
* by Olton Amazing Pluckers
* Saturday 31 May 7.30pm
* Acocks green Methodist Church.
1 Botteville Rd, B27 7YE
* a keen talented & modest ukulele band
* favourite songs old and new;
* interval refreshments (cash only)
* tickets £5 (under 16 free with paying adult) * ring 0121 711 2362
personal pastoral skills without charge: We Find Any Learner a non-profit group, offers six free online courses
* Counselling Skills
* Understanding Autism
* Mental Health First Aid
* Children's Mental Health
* Understanding Cancer Support
* Safeguarding & Prevent
No fees-Flexible study-Online self-paced
See https://www.wefindanylearner.com
Or Call 01226 958 888.
Our new Pope Leo XIV born 1955 Chicago "I was born in the USA.. But my grand-parents were all immigrants, French, Spanish ... I was raised in a very Catholic family, both my parents very committed". He was ordained priest in the Augustinian Order in 1982 before going in 1985 to Peru. He stayed many years & gained Peruvian nationality, eventually becoming a bishop. Three years ago Pope Francis brought him to Rome to oversee appointments of bishops the world over. This may explain why cardinals knew him, but press did not.
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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.