Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Fourth Sunday of the Year - Racial Justice Sunday

Manifesto for a Different Future

Matthew 5.1-12

      Can you close your eyes and imagine Jesus standing for election today? Prime Minister of Great Britain? President of France? President of the USA?

      No?....Nor can I. The promises politicians have to make to win power (even if in earnest) are a world away from Jesus’ pitch to the people.

       Today we hear the Beatitudes, the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount which is Jesus’ personal manifesto for action.

       But what a contrast to the manifestos of our present day! No talk of keeping out refugees… or tax breaks for the rich …no talk of punishment or retribution … no talk of tariffs, military muscle …or invasions.

      Instead we hear a plan for a new world order in which the peacemakers will take pride of place, the merciful will be honoured, the gentle inherit the earth, and the poor in spirit and pure in heart will be the happiest.

      In this new world there will be no losers strangers or outcasts…... and every man and woman, from humble hospital worker to street sweeper will be a child of God.

      Is this just pie in the sky today? Could it ever become a reality? Is this world too dangerous for dreamers? The short answer is both yes and no. Human folly will last till the end of time. But so too will God’s power, the power of love & forgiveness, a power that will one day have the last word.

      Thousands of saints have given their lives to witness to this truth. So too  many more millions of ordinary men & women who will never be famous. Perhaps our family members are among them? Neighbours & friends as well? For all these witnesses to the world to come we give thanks & praise to God.                                              

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

1st February - 8th February 2026	Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Fourth Sunday 1st February   Zep 2:3,3:12-1st1Co 1:26-31 Mt 5:1-12 9.00 People of the Parish 11.00 Jean & George Carmichael RIP 12.30 Baptism  6.00pm Mass  Bridget Green Exit Collection Catholic Association for Racial Justice	Dear Brothers & Sisters, Racial Justice Sunday today is stressed by our bishops to bring justice between races, and a fairer world for all ethnic groups. Exit collection supports the Catholic Association for Racial Justice. We are proud that a Friary parishioner, the late Basil Hylton, was a founder member of this group. Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) is tomorrow, 40 days after Christmas and the official end of the long Christmas season. Our Christmas Crib will be taken down after the feast. St.Blaise (Tuesday) is the patron saint of ailments of  the throat, and after mass Tuesday we offer blessing of St. Blaise. St.Werburgh (Tuesday) a 7th cent. Anglo Saxon abbess is considered a local saint, as she was in charge of several midlands monasteries. She was buried originally at Hanbury Staffs, and is patron saint of the church at Clayton where Fr Anton scj has served since 2010. St.Ansgar (Tuesday) was the 9th century apostle of Denmark & Sweden, where people who had once been Viking raiders became fervent Christians. St.Agatha (Thursday) was martyred in 4th cent Sicily and is named in the first Eucharistic Prayer, our tradition’s way of honouring those who life  details are not well known. St. Paul Miki (Friday) was a Japanese Jesuit who gave his life for Christ's sake along with 25 others 400 years ago, the first Saints from East Asia to be canonized On Friday we have Confirmation with Bishop David Evans, and celebrate this important step in the journey in faith of our young people. God bless all our loyal catechists who support them.
Monday - 2nd February Presentation of the Lord-Candlemas Day Mal 3:1-4 or Heb 2:14-18 Lk 2:22-40 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Bridget Dillane also Andrew Holliday 7.00 Mass people of the Parish 7.45 Vigil Bernadette McCormack
Tuesday –3rd  February St.Ansgar-St.Blaise-St.Werberg 2Sam 18:9-10,14,24-25,30-19:3 Mk 5:21-43 7.00 Mass Holy Souls 10.15 Mass Anne Claveirole RIP 12.15 Requiem Bernadette McCormack RIP 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday - 4th February 2Sam 24:2,9-17 Mk 6:1-6 7.00 Mass Mrs Gabriella Cooke 10.15 Mass Joe Aleenan also Kevin Horgan  11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)
Thursday - 5th  February St.Agatha     1Kg 2:1-4,10-12 Mk 6:7-13 7.00 Mass Holy Souls 10.15 Mass Zara Justine Hegarty RIP also Friary Flower team    11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Friday - 6th February St.Paul Miki & Companions Sir 47:2-11 Mk 6:14-29 7.00 Mass Maurice & Trudie Perry RIP 10.15 Mass Anna Traynor also Piotr Jan Sawicki RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament 7.00pm Confirmation mass
Saturday 7th February 1Kg 3:4-13 Mk 6:30-34 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Tony Mc Skeane RIP
Fifth Sunday 8th February Is 58:6-10 1Co 2:1-5 Mt 5:13-16 9.00 People of the Parish 11.00 Catherine & James Murphy RIP  6.00pm Mass  Kathryn Gilkes  Exit Collection Parish Hall Roof

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today our bishops ask us to pray for justice between races, especially for those at home or abroad who are disadvantaged in any way because of their  colour or ethnic origin. The Catholic Association for Racial Justice has  worked for a few decades (assisted by people in our parish) to make St.Paul’s dream reality: ‘In the kingdom of God there is neither Jew nor Greek’ Today’s exit collection supports their work.

Parish Confirmations will take place this Friday 7.00pm, with Bishop David Evans. May God bless our teachers & catechists who help prepare our young people.

2026 is a double Jubilee year for us! It is  100 yrs since laying the foundation stone of our Friary church on 21^st April. It is also the Jubilee Year of St.Francis of Assisi (900 yrs since his death) On April 21^st we are planning a 6.30pm mass, with Franciscan Friars as main celebrants. Then on Sunday 26^th April our Archbishop will preside at 9.00am & 11.00am Masses.

We plan to mark the occasion with a display. So please could you help by providing any photos or info relating to the Friary over the last 100 years? Perhaps of Weddings, Baptisms or other big events that have taken place here. As with last year’s ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ display there will be a box in the narthex for contributions.

As next Sunday is February the 8^th, it eclipses the feast of St.Josephine Bakhita victim of  trafficking & racial injustice. Enslaved & trafficked as a young girl, she is intercessor for all victims of trafficking. She is patron   of one of the 4 ‘houses’ at St.Peter’s School.

May our Mother Mary draw us all closer to Jesus this jubilee year in love and reverence.

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News: 

India: One of our young Indian students, deacon Alwyn Crasta scj was ordained priest on Friday just gone, in Mangalore. Fr.Alwyn was a novice a few years ago under Fr Biju. Soon another of his former students deacon Stephen Rodriguez will also be ordained priest. Thanks be to God. Christians in Mangalore district speak Konkani as well as the state language Kannada. Most also know English and Hindi as well.

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Friary Snippets 

Holy Communion at home: If you or a family member is housebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, please contact parish office 0121 706 0505. We will arrange for a Eucharistic Minister to call.

Upcoming Social Events:

* Irish Night March 7 at 7.00pm.Tickets £20 (include supper) next week

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

New joiners? Our fundraising and social committee are looking for new volunteers to join this lively & friendly group. We run social events & fundraisers vital to  parish family life. If you can offer any help please speak to Adam Williams or the parish office.

Blessed are those who mourn: Our Bereavement Support Group meets here each month for all seeking support after a loss. All welcome no matter the kind of loss or when.
* Meet 1^st Sunday each month for prayer conversation & encouragement of one another as we journey together.

**** Next Meeting Today 1^st February****
* We aren’t a counselling group but  promise good listening skills, respect for confidentiality and of course a cuppa. 3.00pm to 4.30 in Friary Lounge
* For info call parish Office 0121-706-0505 

Many people knew Fr.Simon Bishop SJ who sadly died on January 4. His funeral will be at St. Mary's Harborne 11am 3 Feb .

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Marriage Matters: Fourth Sunday

Zephaniah 2:3;3:12-13 1 Cor 1:26-31 Matt5:1-12

With an ever-increasing pace of life when do we get a chance ‘to be’? Today, scripture points more to who we are than what we do, the deep part of our selves, the inner essence of our being. It’s about the way we relate to each other in our marriage, our family, & our community.

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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 1^st February: Group B

Please pray for  Bernadette McCormack-funeral 3 Feb 12.15; Philip Cannell-funeral 9  Feb 10.15am;  Roisin Gilligan-funeral 9 Feb (St.Thomas More); Brenda Anderson-funeral 10 Feb 10.15am; John Joseph O'Kane 'Jack' Funeral - 23 Feb 10.15 Vigil 22 Feb 7.15pm; Peter Hawthorne, Fr.Simon Bishop SJ funeral 11am 3 Feb (Harbourne) & Paulina Samathar

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

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

Ministers & Readers invited to the retreat led by Fr Allan Morris here on Sat, 28 Feb.

* Retreat begins with Holy Mass  10.15am

* coffee in hall & first conference follows.

* lunch at 1:00 pm & continue with session

* Evening Prayer at 3:30pm, ends the day.

* Fr.Biju writes: I strongly encourage all Ministers & Readers to attend this retreat without fail, a vital day for reflection, renewal, & growth in ministry. I look forward to seeing you.

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

 Health & Safety group met in January

   The Key topics included ...

* Health & Safety docs from diocese

* Safety issues  in church

* Incident & accident reporting

* Security in the church & grounds

* Hall roof & hall safety issues

* ‘Coffee with a Copper’ event

* Issues with main Friary building- boilers

* PAT testing

* Fire assessment and Fire alarms

* Parking and speed of cars in the grounds

Speed Limit on the campus 2 major items:

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

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

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.