Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Twentieth Sunday

I Come to Bring Fire to the Eaeth...

Luke 12.49-53                  

With global warming now uncomfortably real, you might think Jesus’ announcement about bringing fire to the earth rather provocative, for  wild fires have caused havoc this year in Spain, Cyprus, Korea & California. But the message is not about the external landscape around us; it is rather about our inner landscape and what sets our hearts on fire.

Jesus’ words about dividing families and setting “father against son... and mother against daughter” sits uneasily with the Christian message of reconciliation, but many of us will already know its deeper truth.

Don’t many of us have to make decisions that are not understood by our nearest and dearest? Haven’t most of us known the pain of trying to follow our conscience when our friends gave us no support? The gospel stirs a desire in our hearts that we must follow even if our family doesn't understand.

A fire burned in the hearts of Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day, Maximilian Kolbe, Edith Stein and Pope Francis. In their own different ways they were provocative, even divisive.

But truth like the word of God ‘cuts finer than a two-edged sword’ and all five gave their lives for God’s truth. The fire in their hearts was a powerful blessing upon this earth.

Fr.Austin scj   

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

 

Weekly Diary

17th August - 24th August 2025	Week Twenty
Twentieth Sunday 17th August Jeremiah 38.4-6,8-10 Heb 12.1-4 Lk 12:49-53 9.00am -Nuala Jones RIP 11.00am-Alan Fullard RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass  People of the parish Exit Aid: Parish Organ Fund	Dear Brothers & Sisters St.Bernard of Clairvaux (Wednesday) was taken by Bishop Ullathorne as his patron saint. This is why in 1873 The Friary was originally St.Bernards Seminary... hence St.Bernard's Road. St.Pius X (Thursday) championed frequent & early communion. Till his day many people only received communion after the age of 16, and then only three or four times a year. Our Lady Queen & Mother (Friday) celebrates Mary as the greatest of all the saints, and echoes the fifth glorious mystery of the rosary. St John Wall (Friday) was a martyr of Reformation times born in Lancashire but ministering in Worcester where he was martyred in 1679. St Bartholomew one of the 12 apostles, a native of Cana in Galilee is called Nathaniel, in St John’s gospel ‘a man without guile.’ His  feast day (24th) is on Sunday, so is eclipsed this year.               ************************************** New Prayer Group: Bev & Maria are starting a new prayer group “Saving Mary’s Babies”, to pray the Rosary of the Unborn. Please join us after tea/coffee every Tuesday after 10.15 mass, commencing this week 19th August. Get ready for ADORARE!    for 18+ * Kenelm Youth Praise & Worship event here at the Friary Friday 29 August 6-9pm *​ A powerful night of praise  &worship, community & encounter. * First worship night or your 100th? you are so welcome! * a vibrant space of music prayer & real connection, with God & each other * Evening ends with shared meal * Bring a friend and leave changed * www.kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk/adorare
Monday - 18th August Jg 2:11-19 Mt 19:16-22 7.00am Mass -  Private Intention 10.15 Mass  Peter Todd RIP & Beverley Wilkes 1.00pm Wedding Christopher Hatton & Meeriam Kadicheeni
Tuesday - 19th  August Jg 6;11-24 Mt 19:23-30 7.00am Mass Dymphna Mc Kiernan RIP 10.15 Mass  Bill Furey RIP 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday - 20th August St.Bernard Jg 9:6-15 Mt 20:1-16 7.00 Mass - Jonathan Mitchell  10.15  Mass Pat & Esther Murphy  plus Tony, Kate & the prayer group  6.00pm Vigil Andrew Lockington RIP
Thursday - 21st  August St.Pius X Jg 11:29-39 Mt 22:1-14 7.00 Mass Eugene Roberts  10.30 Requiem Andrew Lockington RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament
Friday - 22nd August Our Lady Queen and Mother Ruth 1:1,3-8,14-16,22  Mt 22:34-40 7.00 Mass - Sr Angela -special intention 10.15 Mass Patrick Gavin plus Daniel Crouch 12.30 Wedding Cenk Akdeniz & Lauren Murdock
Saturday 23rd August St.John Wall 2 Co 6:4-10 Lk 18:28-30 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Archbishop Mario, Mario Paul and Noel Minihan RIP
Twenty First Sunday 24th August Is 66:18-21 Heb 12:5-7,11-13 Lk 13:22-30 9.00am -People of the parish 11.00am-Catherine & James Murphy, Edward Mc Dermott RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass  Bridget Green Exit Aid: SCJ Priests training fund

 

 

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

More and more the Diocese encourages parishes to work together these days, to share our resources and talents & buildings Many people have already taken part in cluster meetings for our local parishes, which I regularly attend. So I thank wholeheartedly those who give up their time.

In practice many parishioners already practice this sharing, as they go to special masses in other churches, & people from Shirley & Acocks Green frequent our social events.

So we are not coy about advertising events in other parishes, even if they overlap with some of our own. A while ago many people from elsewhere came to our football tournament on Saturday afternoon, then went off later to Holy Souls beer festival!

Two events at Holy Souls are coming soon:

* Bereavement Group in Meeting Room. Wednesday's 10:45am 10 Sept, 8 Oct, 12 Nov &  10 Dec. More dates in 2026

* Meditation Group - in Meeting Room. Mondays 1pm, Sept 15 & 29, 13 & 27 Oct, 10 & 24 Nov, 8 Dec.

* Meditation is a way of 'being' rather than a way of 'thinking'. It’s about being still. It helps us be more loving in relationships. It takes our mind off ourselves so we see people as God sees them. Come & taste!

Friday we honour Mary Queen & Mother This is the octave of last week’s feast of the Assumption, and correspond to the fifth glorious mystery of the rosary.

May Mother Mary be with us all this week and keep us safe and close to Jesus her son 

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

**********************

SCJ News: 

OLTON Fr. Wilfred was with us for a few days last week as he and Fr Biju held a Regional Council by zoom with their counterparts in Thailand, India & Vietnam. Fr.Manop is beginning to settle more, now that he has been with us a few weeks. Everything about the country and parish is very different from Thailand but he is courageously adjusting to a new culture, and working  hard to improve his English.

**********************

Friary Snippets 

September events at The friary

Blessing of Pets Season of Creation Mass outside on Saturday 6 September 10.15am. With blessing of pets to follow.  

200 CLUB July winners 1st £125 81 Mr O Nembhardt; 2nd £50 68 Mrs S.J. Bradley; 3rd £25 201 Mrs C Mc Arthur

Jubilee Festival join us on Saturday 6th September in the Friary garden for a festival of music & food. Tickets £5 available in the Narthex after Mass.

SCJ Sponsored Walk will take place on Saturday 27 September at Nottingham. See notice and sponsor forms at back of church.

Vocations Mass: The Deanery along with the Carlo Acutis Youth Group invites you to attend the Vocations Mass on Friday 19^th September at Olton Friary Church at 7pm.

Bingo Night – save the date, Sat 27 Sept.

Missionaries of St Paul say: “many thanks to Olton Friary parish for giving the generous sum of £1755.95 three weeks ago in support. You are always in our prayers!”

Journey in Faith our programme for those seeking to join the church begins Monday 22 Sept 7.30pm. Why not bring a curious friend for this first taster session?

Holy communion program 2025-26 to start soon. Is your child in Y3 this Sept, at a non-Catholic school? Wish to take part in our holy communion program?  Contact Sarah Wood soon as possible: sarah.wood@oltonfriary.org.uk

**********************

Marriage matters: Twentieth Sunday

Jer 38:4-6, 8-10; Heb 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53

When we married we began a covenant of unconditional love, summed up in the vows we made to each other. By imitating Jesus’ unconditional love for his bride the Church we became a Sacrament – a sacred sign of God’s love for all to see...a life-style choice only doable by the grace of the Sacrament.

**********************

Please remember in prayer Christopher Hatton & Meeriam Kadicheeni to be wed Monday 18^th August at 1.00pm also Cenk Akdeniz & Lauren Murdock, to be wed  Friday 22^nd August 12.30pm. Congrats to both couples & good wishes for the future!

Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 17^th August: Group B

Rest in Peace Fr.Tony Rohan-Funeral 12.00 Aug 19 vigil mass 6.00pm Aug 18 (Mount Carmel Redditch); Andrew Lockington-funeral 21 Aug 10.30. Vigil 20Aug 6.00pm; Jean Colbert –funeral 10.15 Sept 1;  Fr Paul Johnson-Funeral Wed 3 Sept, 12 noon, (St. Ambrose Barlow)-Vigil Mass 2 Sept 7.00pm

and Gordon Gregg. May they rest in peace  

Mini-Pilgrimage to Rome 4-8 Jan 2026

* Visit all 4 Basilicas & tomb of Pope Francis * Plus General Audience with Pope Leo.

* Out from Stansted. Back to Birmingham.

* 4 nights full board @ 4 star Cardinal Hotel

* Cost: £850 (sharing) or £975 (single)

* Extras? Tourist tax & Travel Insurance

* Info & booking? contact Bernadette at St. Augustine’s 0121 705 0228 or email staugustine.solihull@rcaob.org.uk

March for Life London on Sat 6 Sept. Coach from Our Lady of Wayside. Please book. Children’s  activities in morning. 9 Bps to attend & many priests. Contact Stephanie Pyne, via the Parish Office, or www.marchforlife.co.uk

Our Jubilee Flower Festival Oct 11 & 12 to honour the Jubilee & Season of Creation,

* Themed on Pilgrims in Hope.

* All parish groups have been invited to mount a display & most have responded

* if you have forgotten to respond for your group just contact Shirley Fernando asap, via the Parish Office.

Season of Creation runs 1 Sept - 4 Oct

Our Diocese proposes two simple things:

Live simply: Simple & sustainable holiday activities ..nature-based adventures …. or even a garden campout.

Live in solidarity: Tales of Asylum seekers & migrants are frequently distorted in the media or even fabricated. Our true selves welcome people, listen to their stories, & treat them with respect and dignity.

See : Seasonofcreation.org for details. The theme is “Peace with Justice”.

Pilgrimage to Northumbria in the steps of the northern saints:20-24 October 2025

* Fr.Austin leads Companions of Betharram pilgrimage in paths of the Northern Saints.

* Saints like Aidan, Cuthbert & Hilda etc. brought faith to a sceptical world 1400 yrs ago, with synodality and missionary fire.

* Pilgrimage to seek their spirit & import  for today, visiting their shrines

* visit Durham cathedral, Lindisfarne, and a boat trip around the Farne islands.

* Cost £450, includes 4 nights B & B transport, entrance tickets & and boat trip.

* Still 2 places left for Friary parishioners

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.