Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Second Sunday of Lent

Free From Fear

Matt 17.1-9

It is hard to know why Peter, James and John felt so afraid, but Jesus’ command (Stand up, do not be afraid!) makes it clear that they were. They had just glimpsed Jesus’ light, and heard a reassuring voice from heaven, yet they were paralysed with fear.

      Fear can disable us too, and we cannot explain it rationally. It is just there. Fear of people….. fear of financial insecurity … situations that baffle us … fear of failure and loneliness…In the eyes of others we may be wonderfully gifted, but fear is still there.

      Jesus faced his own fears many times over … for 40 days in the desert … when Pharisees and priests opposed him … when ‘holy people’ tried to stone him …when the Nazarenes rejected him … when his disciples could not understand him, and when he sweated blood in Gethsemane.

      Jesus came to free us from fear, and help us walk tall. ‘Do not be afraid’ is heard seven times in the gospel of St.Matthew. The early Christians worked hard to banish the fears that cause human diminishment and racial divides. And like them we can only be freed from fear with the help of a power that comes from above. As the Eucharistic prayer puts it so beautifully ‘we .... may be safe from all distress as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ...’                                                                        

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

1st March - 8th March 2026	Second Sunday of Lent
2nd Sunday of Lent—1st March Gn 12:1-4 2 Tm 1:8-10 Mt 17:1-9 9.00  Mass - People of the Parish 11.00 Mass - Fr Domonic Innamorati SCJ 12.30 - Baptism 5.00 pm - Stations of the Cross  6.00pm Mass - Theresa Green & Family Exit Collection: Fast (CAFOD)	Dear Brothers & Sisters, St Chad (Monday) was born in the 7th century. He was educated at Lindisfarne. As a bishop he established his See at Lichfield. His reputation spread quickly and favourably as a kind pastor who sought out the lost and cared for the sick. He died at Lichfield in 672. today his shrine is located in St  Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham. He is the patron saint of the Archdiocese. St Casimir (Wednesday) He was the son of King Casimir IV and Queen Elizabeth, monarchs of Poland and Lithuania. In contrast to other members of the royal court, he was a shining example of faith, piety, humility and chastity. He had a great love for the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary. He was named Patron Saint of Poland in 1602. St Perpetua & St Felicity  (Saturday) St Perpetua, a young mother of noble birth, and St Felicity, a heavenly pregnant slave girl, were imprisoned at Carthage in 203 because of their faith. Before they met their death, Felicity gave birth to a girl and Perpetua was still nursing her new-born son. They were thrown to wild beasts in the arena. The passion of Perpetua provides a particular vivid account of their martyrdom. They are included in the Roman Canon. ********** Bereavement Support Group. Blessed are those who mourn. Our bereavement support group is a monthly gathering for anyone seeking support following a loss. All are welcome, regardless of how long ago the loss has occurred or what kind of loss one is facing. We gather the first Sunday of the month for prayer conversation and encouragement of one another as we continue on our grief journey. We are not a counselling group but promise good listening skills, respect for confidentiality and of course a cuppa. Meeting today Sunday 1st March, 3pm to 4.30pm, Friary Lounge. For information you can contact Friary Office on 7060505
Monday- 2nd March Feast of St Chad Rm 3:3-13 Lk 10:1-9 7.00 Mass - Private Intention 10.15 Mass - Pat & Marion Mullen RIP 12.15 pm Requiem Peter Hawthorne RIP
Tuesday –3rd March Is 1:10,16-20 Mt 23:1-12 7.00 -  Donald Xi, Susie, Valdimir & Charles 10.15 - Michael Oreilley & Philip Cannell 10.45 - Rosary of the Unborn (day chapel) 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday - 4th March St Casimir Jer 18:18-20 Mt 20:17-28 7.00 Mass -  Brenda Carney 10.15 Mass - Jane & Eddie Couch & Family Kate & Tony Holland & Family 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel) 2.30 pm Funeral - Paul Andrew Torpey 6.30 pm Stations of the Cross
Thursday - 5th March Jer 17:5-10 Lk 16:19-31 7.00 Mass - Holy Souls 10.15 Mass - Brenda Anderson RIP Shirley Fernando 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament 1.30 pm Funeral - Patricia Wood
Friday - 6th March - First Friday Gn 37:3-4,12-13,17-28 Mt 21:33-43,45-46 7.00 Mass  -  Fr Joseph Narikuzhi 10.15 Mass - Rafal Kobie RIP Adoration after Mass until Midday
Saturday 7th March St Perpetua & St Felicity Mic 7:14-15,18-20 Lk 15:1-3,11-32 9.30 am - Confessions 10.15 Mass– Bobby & Jean Knagg RIP
3rd Sunday of Lent - 8th March Ex 17:3-7 Rm 5:1-2,5-8 Jn 4:5-42 9.00  Mass - Geraldine & Derek Anniversary 11.00 Mass - John & Elinor 12.30 - Baptism 5.00 pm - Stations of the Cross  6.00pm Mass - Cecilia Campbell Peopleof the Parish Exit Collection: Cathedral Maintenace

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Annual Finance Reports Will Be Presented Next Sunday 8^th March

The Rite of Election took place at St Chad’s Cathedral  last Sunday with 17 Candidates and their Sponsors from the Friary.

First Scrutiny is at 9am On Sunday 8^th March,  Second Scrutiny 11am On Sunday 15^th March, Third Scrutiny  6pm on Sunday 22^nd March. 

Retreat for Eucharistic Minusters and Parish Readers Many thanks for all who attended, also thanks Fr Alan Morris, and all who attended from the cluster parishes.

Companions annual Retreat takes place Saturday 21st March from 11 am until 4pm. All those who missed the retreat yesterday are most welcome to attend this retreat.

Christ in the Home Wednesday 18^th March 2026 at 7.30pm. Please let me know if you would like to host Christ in the Home.

Lent Devotions: I do encourage you to attend any of the below services

Monday - Saturday Rosary 9.45 am

Tuesday - Rosary for the unborn after 10.15 am Mass

7.00pm Adoration

Wednesday Prayer Group after 10.15 Mass

6.30pm Station of the Cross

Thursday After 10.15 Mass until

Midday Adoration

Sunday 5.00pm Stations of the Cross

A helpful web-site for Lent is https://brucedownes.org/lent2026/

Parish Hall Roof and Refurbishment This is due to start week commencing 2 March 2026 with scaffolding has being erected. The hall roof has been leaking for sometime and is at the end of its life and following diocesan survey, the urgent work was commissioned. We do not anticipate any interruption to use of the hall and more information will follow. Please follow the safety instruction while the work in progress.

May our Lady bless each one of us as we continue our Lenten observances. 

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News: 

Companions annual Retreat takes place Saturday 21st March from 11 am until 4pm. All those who missed the retreat yesterday are most welcome to attend this retreat.

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Friary Snippets 

i) Irish Night March 7th  at 7.00-11.00pmTickets £20 (include supper) from today.

(ii) HCPT concert  in support of the Lourdes Special Needs Children's Pilgrimage, Saturday March 21^st. Tickets on sale soon.

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Floodlights of the church in memoriam of a relative or friend would you like to take advantage of lighting the church? The names of the deceased will be published in the newsletter. Please contact the parish office to check available dates and then complete the form with the £10 donation and send to the parish office.

The Chosen, this drama series of the life of Christ is now available on ‘Prime tv’ to watch all episodes of all series 1-5 . Well worth watching during Lent.

Important notice - If you know of any family members or neighbours who are housebound or living alone and would like to receive Holy Communion, please kindly contact the parish office.

I am writing to extend an invitation to married couples from across the Archdiocese to attend our annual Diocesan Thanksgiving Mass for Marriage. Bishop Richard Walker will be celebrating the Mass at St Chad's Cathedral on Saturday 2^nd May 2026 at 12 Noon (to be followed by light refreshments). I'd be very grateful if you could make this event known. We need people to let us know they are attending so that we can plan for numbers in the Cathedral, and afterwards for refreshments  https://www.vocations.org.uk/marriage-mass

Easter and Spring - Memorial Bulbs - Please take a bulb from the basket at back of church and take it home to plant in memory of your loved one.

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Marriage Matters: Second Sunday of Lent

(Genesis 12:1-4a   2 Timothy 1:8-10   Matthew 17:1-9) Transformed by our love. Sometimes life is hard and we can get lost in the daily grind of making ends meet, of getting things done.  Then, suddenly, a change occurs through a simple show of affection: a kiss, a touch, a loving glance from my beloved! In little gestures like these, we reveal again our love for each other and our relationship is transformed!

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Wedding Jubilees 2026 If any couples are marking  25th, 30th, 40th 50th (or more!) wedding anniversaries in 2026, please pass info to Fr Biju or our Wedding Team.. weddings@oltonfriary.org.uk

Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 1st March: Group F

Please pray for  Peter Hawthorne - 2nd March at 12.15. Paul Torpey – Wed 4 March 12.30pm and Patricia Wood  - 5th March 1.30 Robin Hood.

++++++ May they rest in peace +++++

Meditation Group at Holy Souls parish meeting room 1pm: March 9^th & 23^rd April 13^th & 27^th; May11^th & 25^th; June 8^th & 22^nd  & July 6^th. All welcome.

Diocesan LOURDES PILGRIMAGE Monday 25 May to Saturday 30 May 2026.  

* led by Archbp Longley & Bp David Evans

* By Air. 5 nights from £986pp incl flights, accommodation, transfers & meals.

* By Coach 4 nights from £716pp incl transport, accommodation, & meals.

* Single Room Supplements both sections.

* Apply for info to Kath White: admin.lourdes@rcaob.org.uk 0121 230 6288

Father Hudson’s Race Night – a fun, social evening to raise funds our projects.

* Tuesday 10^th March 2026,7.00- 10.30pm

* Coleshill Town Hall £20 per person  

* Fish & chip supper included

* Free parking at Chantry House

     but no racing on our campus!  

(i) Please observe a 5mph limit on site. We do not want any accidents to occur.

(ii) Please also observe one-way system in the car park, clearly marked by arrows.

St Chad’s Cathedral Manager,Permanent/Full-Time, Salary: £42,000 p.a. to £48,000 p.a. (depending on experience). The Cathedral Manager is a senior leadership role, responsible for the day‑to‑day operational and administrative management of the Cathedral and its wider site. Reporting directly to the Cathedral Dean, the postholder enables the worship, pastoral life and mission of the Cathedral by ensuring that all non‑clerical and non‑liturgical matters are professionally managed. For further information see the job description and person specification that can be found on the Archdiocese website at Jobs & Volunteering Opportunities | Birmingham Diocesan Trust

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

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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.