Fr Austin's Holy Thought
Fourteenth Sunday
A Voice that Speaks of Peace...
Luke 10.1-10,17-20
It’s tempting to be cynical about people who preach a message of peace. Everyone says they want peace, from Donald Trump to Hamas to Benjamin Netanyahu to Vladimir Putin. So why then is there so much killing and bombing, with innocent people dying every day?
Part of the answer is that when people say they want peace, what they really mean is that they want victory, or peace on their own terms.
Or they want a peace that ignores the painstaking work of forgiveness or the labour for just rights. The reasons are many.
Jesus recognised that some people were just not ready to hear his word of forgiveness & peace when he sent 72 peacemakers ahead of him today.
So he told them to ‘shake the dust from off your feet’ as a sign to those who would not listen. But crucially, his peacemakers were to travel in poverty and dependence, armed only with truth and mercy. They brought no promises of money and they didn’t travel in armed convoys.
As in all areas of life, no one will listen to our word of peace today if they see us as talking talk down to them. Only if we obviously share the same vulnerability and humanity as other people will we carry conviction. True peacemakers are people who know what it’s like to be exposed, and live from day to day.
Fr.Austin scj
Weekly Diary
|
6th July - 13th July 2025 |
Week Fourteen |
|---|---|
|
Fourteenth Sunday 6th July Is 66:10-14 Ga 6:14-18 Lk 10:1-12,17-20 9.00am -Pat Doyle RIP 11.00am-Miriam Thomason 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass People of the Parish Exit Collection Carlo Acutis Youth Group |
Dear Brothers & Sisters St. Augustine Zhao Rong, (Wednesday) was one of 120 Chinese martyrs who died for the faith over the space of three hundred years. They were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. St.Benedict (Friday) is patron saint of Europe, author of the famous Monastic Rule, which bred a wonderful family of Benedictine monks all over the world. Benedictines had a big part in reviving Catholic faith in Britain in Victorian times. Some parishes in Warwickshire are still run by Benedictines as a result. Saturday 12 July is a day for the saints of our parish, as we bless the graves of our departed brothers and sisters in our cemetery. We plan to have Mass outdoors, depending upon good weather. Sunday 13 July is Sea Sunday when we pray for merchant seamen who work long hours in harsh conditions away from home. Next Sunday’s exit collection supports chaplains who minister to seamen in port.
|
|
Monday - 7th July Gn 28:10-22a Mt 9:18-26 7.00am Mass - Private Intention 10.15 Requiem John Noel Minihan RIP |
|
|
Tuesday - 8th July Gn 32:22-32 Mt 9:32-38 7.00am Mass Jo Duffield 10.15 Mass Andy RIP, Anna & family 7.00pm Prayer before Blessed Sacrament |
|
|
Wednesday - 9th July St.Augustine Zhao Rong & the Chinese martyrs Gn 41:55-57; 42.5-7a, 17-24a Mt 10:1-7 7.00 Mass - Mick Corrigan RIP 10.15 Mass Peter RIP, Una & family 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (Day Chapel) |
|
|
Thursday - 10th July Gn 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45.1-5 Mt 10:7-15 7.00 Fr Anton Madej SCJ 10.15 Mary Philpott 11.00-12.00 Prayer before Blessed Sacrament 6.00 Evening Prayer & Exposition |
|
|
Friday - 11th July St. Benedict Patron Saint of Europe Proverbs 2.1-9 Mt 19:27-29 7.00 Mass - Noel Minihan RIP 10.15 Mass - Jim RIP, Rose & family |
|
|
Saturday 12th July Gn 49:29-32; 50.15-26a Mt 10.24-33 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass Memorial mass–(Blessing graves) |
|
|
Fifteenth Sunday 13th July Deut 30.10-14 Col 1:15-20 Lk 10:25-37 9.00am -Nuala Jones RIP 11.00am-Pat Doyle RIP 12.30 Baptism 6.00pm Mass People of the Parish & Sara Goya Exit Aid: Stella Maris (Apostleship of the sea) |
Notices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Jesus sends the disciples out today to bless the homes that he himself was to visit. May all the homes in our parish find a blessing in these summer months, and may the school holidays be a time of renewal, refreshment and blessing for all the family.
If any family would like me to bless their home anytime over the next two months then please get in touch with me so that we can arrange a time.
Next Saturday we have the blessing of the graves in our cemetery after the annual mass for our faithful departed, (out of doors if weather permits). We give thanks to God for the blessing of our forebears, for the gifts of love & life that we received from them. And we pledge to honour their memory by passing on that same love to the people God entrusts to our care.
Tomorrow’s funeral of Noel Minihan is a day of both sadness & thanksgiving: sorrow at the loss of someone who blessed our parish for seven decades, but thanksgiving for the life of a good man who was truly a good shepherd to all those entrusted to his care. (See next column)
We thank God for those who organised our inter-parish football games this afternoon, and also for the youth club leaders who care for the young each Friday night in our parish hall. They are truly a blessing.
We thank God too for our social & fund raising group who organised the bingo last night, and who have another dozen events planned between now & Christmas. They help form a sense of community among us, and the events span a wide range of tastes.
May Mary our Mother watch over us this week & keep us close to Jesus and true to his purposes.
Fr.Biju Parish Priest
**********************
SCJ News:
Kerala: Sadly we heard of the death of Thomas Kutapassery yesterday, brother of one of our young Indian priests Fr.Yesudas. May he rest in peace.
Ivory Coast: Bro.Aurelien Emeric who was a smiling presence among us as a student at Olton in 2024 will be ordained priest in Abidjan along with his fellow scj student from Ivory Coast Salomon Bandama. May God bless their ministry.
Droitwich UK: Br Patrick celebrates a special birthday and 40th Anniversary of first profession at Droitwich on 21st of this month at 6.00pm. Fellowship meal follows afterward. Please let him know if you plan to go.
**********************
Friary Snippets
Blessed are those who mourn: Our Friary bereavement support group meets every month for all seeking support after a loss. All are welcome no matter what kind of loss or how long ago.
* We gather 1st Sunday of the month for prayer, conversation & encouragement of one another as we journey together.
* We aren’t a counselling group but promise good listening skills, respect for confidentiality and of course a cuppa.
* Next Meeting ..Today 6th July
3.00pm to 4.30 in Friary Lounge
* For info call parish Office 0121-706-0505 or Noleen Walsh on 0121-706-5184
A Message from the Minihan family: Our dad’s requiem will be tomorrow 10.15 at the Friary with a wake to follow at West Warks Sports Club. Noel was a constant presence at the Friary more than 60 years, at daily mass and much else besides. The family would like to thank priests & parishioners for their support, especially in recent times as his health deteriorated. We’d like to invite anyone who knew Noel to join us at his funeral mass and also the wake afterwards, where we look forward to hearing any stories of Noel you want to share.
**********************
Marriage matters: Fourteenth Sunday
Isaiah 66:10-14; Gal 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
Readings today are about rejoicing: Those who’ve had to be away from home know the thrill of returning – the hug, the kiss and perhaps making love. But when every day is much like any other, we can lose the spark and we need to remember that romance is at the very core of our calling.
**********************
Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 6th July: Group B
Rest in Peace: Pray for Noel Minihan-funeral tomorrow 10.15. And Brian Hopps-funeral 16 July 12.30 (Robin Hood only). Also Alan Deakin-funeral 23 July 10.15 & also Elizabeth Hamill-funeral 30 July 10.15. May they rest in peace.
Our Cemetery Mass to honour the faithful departed is on the 12th July at 10.15 am with blessings of the graves afterwards
Please remember in your prayers, Niamh Poole and Jonathan Taylor married yester-day at the Friary. Praise the Lord!
Our Jubilee Flower Festival October 11 & 12 to honour the Jubilee & Season of Creation, is now in serious planning mode. Theme? Pilgrims in Hope Parish groups are invited to mount displays (call parish office for info)
Special needs Children Mass at St.Thomas More church Sheldon 11.00am July 12
* Wheelchair access & all welcome
* refreshments afterwards
* all volunteers DBS checked
Journey in Faith: our programme for those seeking to join the church will begin on Monday 22 September at 7.30pm. Why not bring a curious friend for this first taster session? Some of Jesus' first disciples came to him just out of curiosity.
A big thank you to all who supported the Bring & Buy for Acorns Children’s Hospice A sum of £1035 was raised Amazing!
Thankyou from Helena & Francis Madden: ‘Our tandem trip to Santiago de Compostela raised £2180 (+£355 Gift Aid) total £2530
That is a really significant sum for a small charity. So beneficiaries & trustees of Stories of Hope and Home are extremely grateful to all those who contributed so generously We’re grateful too for the weekly updates posted while we were away which clearly made a big difference!
Thanks also for those who’ve consistently supported St Basils centre for the homeless over many years. St Basil’s newsletter is available on noticeboard in the narthex
You can bless the friary from heaven ..
* Leave a legacy to our parish in your will
* An easy way to give. 1% of any estate, makes a big difference. No need to be rich
* Gifts exempt from inheritance tax
GIFT AID…More 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 form in the narthex.
* Give by standing order, weekly envelope or DONA card reader. If you no longer pay tax? Just alert 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.