Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Third Sunday of Advent - Bambinelli Sunday
Hope on Death Row
Matt 11.2-11
John the Baptist steals the headlines again today, that weird & wonderful cousin of Jesus who figures so powerfully in the story, and is now in gaol awaiting execution.
Today we hear him musing from his prison cell: Is Jesus the one chosen by God ... or do we wait for someone else? And Jesus' reply harks back 600 years to Isaiah’s prophecies about the future of the nation.
But Jesus didn’t plan a career as a prophet, he came as servant of God the healer, the enabler and life giver. And as the Baptist would recognise, these were the signs of the One who was truly chosen by god.
What hope that was to John while awaiting execution...to know his life’s work had not been in vain ... the joy of being sure that his years of teaching & baptising would make a difference.
Is our own world in prison now? Does it seem like all our efforts to build a world of love and justice bear no fruit? Does it feel Like we can’t escape from poverty of imagination? Does it look as though we have to run by the logic of Caesar or Herod? Do they really hold all the aces? One day the world takes a step towards peace….. the next day two steps backwards!
We might not have immediate answers to strife at home & abroad, or even in our own family, but we do have a real advantage over John because we have a sure foundation for our hope.
We know how that though Jesus will take the road to Calvary God will raise him up, and that when the last page of human history is written he will somehow put right all human folly and falsehoods. In the end love will triumph over division, with a power to overcome all the lies of the Herods & Caesars of this world. This love took our flesh and blood in Bethlehem, and it gives us solid grounds for hope in this season of Advent.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
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14th December - 21st December 2025 |
Third Week in Advent |
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Third Sunday of Advent - 14th December Is 36:1-6a,10 James 5.7-10 Mt 11:2-11 9.00 Piotr Sawicki 11.00am Brendan Mc Inerney RIP 6.00pm Mass People of the Parish Exit Collection PACT (Prison Support Ministry) |
Dear Brothers & Sisters, Bambinelli Sunday (today) is when we bless crib figures of the infant Jesus. St.John Paul II commended this old Italian custom to the whole church back in 1990. We also collect for PACT today, the catholic ministry to prisoners and their dependents. Prisoners Sunday is really in October, but as we had several special collections back then, we moved the collection to today, appropriate when we hear of John the Baptist in prison. Gift aid envelopes at back of the church Very few Saints days this week. Instead we focus on the scriptures of Advent and preparing for the coming of Jesus Penitential Service Tuesday 7.00pm is an opportunity for advent confession. We join with other Solihull parishes in a combined service at St.Augustine’s. Tuesday is also the time to sing carols. Please come and join our inter-church group singing carols at Olton station. We’ll be there 4:30pm to 6:00pm to greet weary commuters. No collection. It’s all about spreading Christmas cheer. In Advent we have Thursday reflection 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. 7.30pm. Followed by Night Prayer... Ends 8.45. Fr.Austin to share on the third and last reflection this Thursday. Our Lady of the Wayside parishioner Ray McNally invites us to join a peaceful demo outside Sainsbury’s next Sunday Dec 21st to protest at the sale of Christmas cards mocking Jesus. Meet 1.45pm at Wayside & walk to Sainsbury’s or email Nicola.Haviland@sainsburys.co.uk to make your views known.
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Monday - 15th December Num 24:2-7,15-17 Mt 21:23-27 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Marian Mullen RIP |
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Tuesday - 16th December Zep 3:1-2,9-13 Mt 21:28-32 7.00 Mass Eileen Watton RIP 10.15 Mass Jane & William Cunningham also Ling Ferarin RIP 4.30pm Inter-church carols at Olton Station 7.00pm Advent Penitential Service at St Augustine’s, Solihull |
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Wednesday - 17th December Gn 49:2,8-10 Mt 1:1-17 7.00 Mass Tony Hazard 10.15 Mass Brendan Mc Inerney RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel) |
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Thursday - 18th December Jer 23:5-8 Mt 1:18-24 7.00 Mass Tony Hall 10.15 Mass Madeline Fisher RIP also Charles Bernoski RIP 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament 7.30pm Getting to know Pope Leo (part 3) A reflection in Day Chapel with Night Prayer |
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Friday - 19th November Jd 13:2-7,24-25 Lk 1:5-25 7.00 Mass Joyce Wills RIP 10.15 Mass Linda Kenward RIP 16th Anniversary |
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Saturday 20th December Is 7:10-14 Lk 1:26-38 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Ken Vranch RIP also Agnes Grimley |
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Fourth Sunday of Advent 21st December Is 7:10-14 Rm 1:1-7 Mt 1:18-24 9.00 Andrew Cunningham RIP 11.00am Catherine & James Murphy RIP 6.00pm Mass People of the Parish Exit Collection Christmas Flowers |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Bambinelli today, is when we bless the crib figures of the infant Jesus. Bring yours along..any Sunday Mass for blessing.
Carols at the Station All the Olton churches are joining to sing carols at Olton Station December 16 from 4.30pm-6.30pm
No collection, just cheering commuters!
Tuesday night we also have a penitential service. But this is for the Solihull catholic parishes together and will be at 7.00pm at St.Augustine’s, our chance to prepare a way for the Lord and make his paths straight through the sacrament of confession.
On Wednesday at weekday mass we hear from St Matthew about Jesus’ ancestry with the phrase ‘so-and-so was the father of so-and-so’ repeated over and over. It was so important in Jewish tradition to know the identity of your father's father and your father's father's father's father.
This gospel passage a bit tedious for some and challenging for the priest (who has to pronounce all the strange Hebrew names) repeats the word ‘father’ 42 times!
In advent as we focus on Mother Mary, the role of Joseph as guardian or foster father can easily be overlooked. But modern psychology tells us that good fatherhood is so important for young children, and children miss it if it is not there.
So today we ask a blessing on all fathers and grandfathers in our parish. Some like Saint Joseph have also taken on the role of foster-father or stepfather, and we ask God's blessing on this important ministry.
As Christmas draws near to us, we ask Mary & Joseph who both protect the Christ-child, to bless us, protect us and keep us safe.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
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SCJ News:
olton:The Friary community welcomed Brother Thang from Vietnam on Thursday. He will be staying with us for a couple of years and people will have the chance to get to know him soon. He comes from North Vietnam, from Vinh Diocese, and is keen to practice his English.
Ivory Coast On November 21, Mrs Lucie Assé, 81, the mother of Fr Sylvain Dansou SCJ, (who spent a year with us at Olton) has died in Ivory Coast. Fr. Sylvain currently based in France, was able to go to the funeral. May she rest in peace.
Rome:This week our General Council meets in Rome, and we ask God’s blessing on all their discussions and deliberations.
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Friary Snippets
Grateful thanks to our parish choirs for the carol concert in church yesterday. Such a beautiful beginning to Christmas and such enthusiasm from the musicians. Our three parish choirs work so hard throughout the year to add joy and dignity to our liturgy.
Friary 2026 Calendar with photos from our Flower festival, available in narthex £2. Economy present to post to distant cousins?
2026 Parish Diaries also available for £1.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS events coming up
* Penitential Service Tuesday 16 Dec 7.00pm
at St.Augustine’s Solihull-for all our parishes
* Inter-Church Carol singing Tues 16 Dec
outside Olton Station 4.30-6.30pm
* Confessions Saturday 20 Dec 9.30-10.15
* Guild of St.Stephen Mass 26 Dec 10.15
* Feast of the Holy Family 28 Dec 11.00
Celebration of wedding jubilees
* New Year’s Eve 31 Dec 9.00pm- Prayer
Vigil; 10.00 Mass of Mary Mother of God
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Marriage Matters: Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 James 5:7-10 Matt 11:2-11
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ coming, and when Jesus came, the Magi brought gifts. In Advent we prepare gifts for family & friends. On the day you married, (& each day since) you gifted yourself...entrusted yourselves ...to each other; do you still cherish the gift? How much has trust helped you on your journey together? Thank the Lord!
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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.
Please pray for Elizabeth Kelly-funeral 5th January. May she ret in peace.
Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 14th December: Group A
Journey in Faith: our programme for those seeking to join the church or just seeking continues tomorrow Mon, 7.30pm
Christian Aid Christmas Appeal There is 'no crib for a bed' when fleeing violence. Can you please help, by giving a donation, to bringessential supplies eg pot, blankets etc to the needy. Return your donation, however small, in the envelope provided via offertory collection by Sunday 11 Jan.
Could you be a Healthcare Volunteer in Lourdes? Are you a doctor, nurse or carer? Can give time to 2026 Lourdes Pilgrimage?
* sick pilgrims can go to Lourdes thanks to a dedicated Healthcare Team.
* If you’re a healthcare professional please consider joining us.
* info https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/lourdes-pilgrimage
FATIMA 2026 Fr.Andrew at Our Lady of the Wayside, hopes to run a Fatima pilgrimage in 2026, September 11-15 a chance spend a few days in prayer, & companionship.
° Will there be enough to make it viable?
° estimated cost around £1000 p.p.
° includes flights & full board at Hotel Steyler & transfers from Lisbon
° day trip to Aljustrel & Valinhos (birthplaces of the Fatima children)
° Tangney Tours courier
° comprehensive travel insurance
° group Masses during our stay.
° Minimum of 20 needed to make it viable
° Interested? Please email Maggie foxvinedesigns@gmail.com
SCJ Christmas Offering Gift Aid envelopes available at the back of the church
200 CLUB November & December winners NOVEMBER 1st £125 68 Mrs S Bradley;
2nd £50 77 Miss E Green; 3rd £25 175 Mrs C Breheny.
DECEMBER 1st £125 101 Mrs L Travasso; 2nd £50 177 Mrs A Dodds; 3rd £25 209 Miss F Mc Arthur; 4th £10 122 Ms L Somers
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.