Weekly Newsletter - Olton Friary Church

Fr Austin's Holy Thought

Pentecost

Soft Power: Where it Really Matters

In 1945 when Churchill told Stalin that he ought to factor in the pope’s reaction to the carve-up of Eastern Europe, Stalin famously quipped: “And how many Divisions has the Pope?”

Military power was the only force that counted in Stalin’s view, a mind-set that still holds sway with the dictators of 2026. How quickly they forget that in Jesus' day there was no military power greater than the mighty roman army, a power that is now only a vague distant memory.

With confidence and courage, the apostles spoke on the day of Pentecost of the power of the risen Jesus, a force that didn’t derive from the edge of the sword, but from a Spirit entering the human heart, bringing forgiveness and love, and healing between races.

This power from above could move minds and hearts and souls in a way that dictators could only envy. The roman army has long since disappeared

while the power of the Holy Spirit still moves hearts and minds of millions.

But dictators are forever touchy about rival influences, which is why the church has always known persecution, from the Roman empire onwards. Today Christians are persecuted in many countries, and powerful rulers are testy about anything that looks like criticism. Witness Mr.Trump’s prickly response to Pope Leo’s insistence on finding peaceful solutions!

Pentecost brought a spirit of recognition, as the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, and people of every language were gifted with understanding. How wonderful it would be if we ‘the Pope’s divisions’ could share that same spirit with all the men and women around us.

Fr.Austin scj

Email Fr. Austin SCJ

Weekly Diary

24th May - 31st May 2026	Week of Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday 24^th May Act 2:1-11 1Co 12:3-7,12-13 Jn 20:19-23 9.00 Ellen Wilkinson, Nancy Forster, Irene Colleron 11.00 People of the Parish also Jim Noonan 12.30 Baptism 6.00 Mass Mary Bell Exit Collection Friary Building Fund	Dear Brothers & Sisters, This day the Holy Spirit came on the disciples hiding in the upper room, and gave them courage to witness to Jesus. This is the church’s birthday, and our parish feast too: our church is dedicated to The Holy Ghost & Mary Immaculate Mary our Mother was with the apostles that day so we honour her on Monday as Mary Mother of the Church. Saint Philip Neri (Tuesday) born in 16^th cent^ury Florence, founded the Oratorians His movement came to England in the 19^th century, and St. John Henry Newman became its most famous member. Saint Augustine (Wednesday) the apostle of southern England, came to Canterbury rather shyly on the orders of Pope Gregory who had long nurtured a desire to evangelise the Angles. Jesus Eternal High Priest (Thursday) is a new feast (2018) celebrating Jesus as mediator between God & Humanity. Always the Thursday after Pentecost. Dedication of Churches on Friday is a generic feast for parishes all over the Diocese to celebrate their consecration. But our parish already has 4 feast days! (i) Centenary of the Foundation stone April 21 (ii) First patronal feast Pentecost (iii) Second patronal feast December 8 Immaculate conception and (iv) Actual Consecration date 4^th October 1990. So we leave this day to other parishes. ————————————————— Stephen Langton quiet hero of Pentecost? As Archbishop of Canterbury in 1215, he urged King John to sign Magna Carta. A Lincolnshire man blessed with wisdom, prayer, kindness & learning. He divided the bible into the chapters & verses we take for granted today. Falling foul of church politics, he was never made a saint, but he wrote the lovely Pentecost sequence we use every year ‘Holy spirit Lord of Light’. His lasting tribute.
Monday - 25^th May Mary, Mother of the church Gen 3.9-15,20 Jn 19:25-34 7.00 Mass Private Intention 10.15 Mass Ciaran and Kathleen Willis (Wedding anniversary 22 May)
Tuesday –26^th May Saint Philip Neri 1 Peter 1.10-16 Mark 10.28-31 Special Intention M. G 10.15 Mass George Carmichael also Ann Letts RIP 10.45 Rosary of the unborn 7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday - 27^th May St.Augustine of Canterbury 1 Thess 2.2b-8 Luke 10.1-9 7.00 No Mass 10.15 Communion Service 11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)
Thursday - 28^th May Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest Gen 22.9-13 Matt 26.36-42 7.00 Mass Isaac 10.15 Mass Hazel Scott RIP 6.00pm Vigil Alphons Kvilums
Friday - 29^th May Dedication of churches (optional) Rev 21.1-5a 1 Cor 3.9c-11,16-17 Jn 4.19-34 7.00 Mass John Larkin RIP 10.15 Requiem Alfons Kvilums RIP
Saturday 30^th May Jude 17.20b-25 Mark 11.27-33 9.30 Confessions 10.15 Mass James Caffery
Trinity Sunday 31^st May Exod 34.4b-6,8-9 2 Cor 13.11-14 Jn 3.16-18 9.00 People of the Parish also Bridget McCabe RIP 11.00 George Everard RIP 6.00 Mass Barbara Hardwick RIP Exit Collection: SCJ School Project - Assam

24th May - 31st May 2026

Week of Pentecost

Pentecost Sunday 24^th May

Act 2:1-11 1Co 12:3-7,12-13 Jn 20:19-23

9.00 Ellen Wilkinson, Nancy Forster, Irene Colleron

11.00 People of the Parish also Jim Noonan

12.30 Baptism

6.00 Mass Mary Bell

Exit Collection Friary Building Fund

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

This day the Holy Spirit came on the disciples hiding in the upper room, and gave them courage to witness to Jesus. This is the church’s birthday, and our parish feast too: our church is dedicated to The Holy Ghost & Mary Immaculate

Mary our Mother was with the apostles that day so we honour her on Monday as Mary Mother of the Church.

Saint Philip Neri (Tuesday) born in 16^th cent^ury Florence, founded the Oratorians His movement came to England in the 19^th century, and St. John Henry Newman became its most famous member.

Saint Augustine (Wednesday) the apostle of southern England, came to Canterbury rather shyly on the orders of Pope Gregory who had long nurtured a desire to evangelise the Angles.

Jesus Eternal High Priest (Thursday) is a new feast (2018) celebrating Jesus as mediator between God & Humanity. Always the Thursday after Pentecost.

Dedication of Churches on Friday is a generic feast for parishes all over the Diocese to celebrate their consecration.

But our parish already has 4 feast days! (i) Centenary of the Foundation stone April 21 (ii) First patronal feast Pentecost (iii) Second patronal feast December 8 Immaculate conception and (iv) Actual Consecration date 4^th October 1990. So we leave this day to other parishes.

—————————————————

Stephen Langton quiet hero of Pentecost? As Archbishop of Canterbury in 1215, he urged King John to sign Magna Carta. A Lincolnshire man blessed with wisdom, prayer, kindness & learning. He divided the bible into the chapters & verses we take for granted today. Falling foul of church politics, he was never made a saint, but he wrote the lovely Pentecost sequence we use every year ‘Holy spirit Lord of Light’. His lasting tribute.

Monday - 25^th May

Mary, Mother of the church

Gen 3.9-15,20 Jn 19:25-34

7.00 Mass Private Intention

10.15 Mass Ciaran and Kathleen Willis

(Wedding anniversary 22 May)

Tuesday –26^th May

Saint Philip Neri

1 Peter 1.10-16 Mark 10.28-31

Special Intention M. G

10.15 Mass George Carmichael also Ann Letts RIP

10.45 Rosary of the unborn

7.00 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

Wednesday - 27^th May

St.Augustine of Canterbury

1 Thess 2.2b-8 Luke 10.1-9

7.00 No Mass

10.15 Communion Service

11.00-12.00 Prayer Group (day chapel)

Thursday - 28^th May

Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest

Gen 22.9-13 Matt 26.36-42

7.00 Mass Isaac

10.15 Mass Hazel Scott RIP

6.00pm Vigil Alphons Kvilums

Friday - 29^th May

Dedication of churches (optional)

Rev 21.1-5a 1 Cor 3.9c-11,16-17 Jn 4.19-34

7.00 Mass John Larkin RIP

10.15 Requiem Alfons Kvilums RIP

Saturday 30^th May

Jude 17.20b-25 Mark 11.27-33

9.30 Confessions

10.15 Mass James Caffery

Trinity Sunday 31^st May

Exod 34.4b-6,8-9 2 Cor 13.11-14 Jn 3.16-18

9.00 People of the Parish also Bridget McCabe RIP

11.00 George Everard RIP

6.00 Mass Barbara Hardwick RIP

Exit Collection: SCJ School Project - Assam

Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Pentecost is the birthday of the church; it is also our own friary feast day, as our church is officially dedicated to the Holy Ghost and Mary Immaculate. So I wish you all the blessings of this day.

God has truly blessed us this year, centenary of our foundation stone, and at Easter we joyfully received 12 people into the church. Today at 11.00am mass we joyfully accept three more people: Scott, Bobby & Amari. And we pray that God’s spirit will sustain them in their journey of faith.

Holy Communion days were a joy this year, and we pray our children will find support in their journey of faith. Thanks again to teachers and catechists.

Many children are on school half term this week, and some families were take the opportunity to have a few days away. May God bless them wherever they go and bring them back safely.

Some children will visit grandparents, who are always delighted to see them. In 2015 Pope Francis compared grandparents’ love to God’s love for all of us.. .. unconditional..ever present & ever patient.

Our Mother Mary, was with the disciples on the day of Pentecost, so tomorrow we honour her as Mary Mother of the Church

May she watch over us all this week and keep us safe

Fr.Biju Parish Priest

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SCJ News:

Nottingham. Many people will remember Brother John, whose friendly and open manner with people of every kind endeared him to parishioners at The Friary. Currently Bro.John is recovering in hospital from serious surgery, with cardiac complications, so please keep him in your prayers.

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Friary Snippets

Parish Hall Refurbishment Update

Some encouraging news to share...

Phase One — new hall roof now complete Final cost £69.5k…£2k under budget

Phase Two now being planned..to include...

• Rewiring of electrics & new LED lighting

• Painting and general redecoration

• Suspended ceiling & emergency lights

• New wall lighting and curtains/blinds

• Improvements to heating system

• New double doors leading to the lawn

• New hall floor, including subflooring

• refurbishment of Ladies’ toilets, extra cubicle, new vanity units and sinks

• Redecoration of Gents’, disabled toilet & foyer areas

• Anti-mould measures incl. ventilation

Cost estimate of Phase Two: £80k (& VAT)

• (Hall & toilet £60k Hall floor £20k)

• So far £24k raised thanks to your gifts We’re actively seeking grants to help us.

Thanks for your ongoing support. While good progress is evident, we still rely on your help to complete this important refurbishment for our parish community.

Our Parish & School Summer Fayre will take place on Saturday 20^th June.

* Prizes needed for the raffle

* Donations wanted for the bottle stall

* Chocolates & Sweets needed

* Good quality toys & surplus gifts welcome

* Teddies for the tombola needed

* volunteers, helpers & supporters needed on the day and beforehand

* Please let us know if you help. Just contact Emma or Annette via the office.

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Marriage Matters: Pentecost

Acts 2:1-11 1Cor 12:3-7,12-13 John 20:19-23 Years ago, on a Marriage Encounter w/e, we had a real experience of the Spirit working “in all sorts of different ways in different people” not in Church documents but in real life. We were like the disciples at Pentecost, “filled with joy when they saw the Lord”, and we heard our own native language, deep inside each of us.

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Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who keep our church tidy all year round: Week starting 24^thMay: Group F

MARRIAGE CARE… A ministry to support relationships and wellbeing is offering a:

Marriage Care Certificate in Relationship Counselling (CRC), starting March 2027

Please apply by 30 June 2026

Are you empathetic? understanding?

Enthusiastic to support adult relationships? Why not join our volunteer team and become a qualified Relationship Counsellor after the programme. For info see: www.marriagecare.org.uk or email: volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk.

Birmingham Centre also needs Marriage Care Facilitators to work in groups in our team offering workshops in Yardley Wood for engaged couples. For more info see birmingham.admin@marriagecare.org.

Please pray for Alfons Kvilums-funeral -Fri 29^th May 10.15am, Vigil Thur 28 May 6pm; Margaret Mary McHugh-funeral Fri 5^th June 10.15am, Vigil Thurs 4^th June and Paddy Benger-funeral 10.15 June 9; Mary Elizabeth O’Brien-Service Thurs 11 June 11.30am; Frederick George Brew (baby)June 1 3.15pm; Elsa Valentini-funeral-Thurs 18 June and Moira Kiely RIP.

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

Catholic Legacy Week, 24-30 May, is a time when Parishes and Catholic charities e.g. CAFOD celebrate the work enabled in life of the Church through gifts in Wills. Info at cafod.org.uk/CatholicLegacyWeek

***SPECIAL Friary Jubilee Event***

Tea at The Friary today May 24 to mark 100yrs since laying foundation stone.

Afternoon tea for only £15, 2.00-5.00pm. Delicious homemade cakes & sandwiches

Scones with strawberry and cream.

Live music from across the decades.

Health & Safety notice:

Please obey 1-way system in our car park & 5 mph speed limit.

* Top gate (by cemetery) for entrance only

* All must exit via other gate (north end)

Vocation News: See link to Vocations website from Diocesan Vocations Office. website: https://www.vocations.org.uk/

Catholic Medical Association

* Annual Conference for doctors, students, nurses, professionals etc.. in UK & Ireland

* St Chad’s Cathedral 30 May 9.00-4.15

* Theme-Granting Protection-Offering care

* Current Catholic Challenges in Healthcare

* Practical Guide to Ethical Functioning in Secular Healthcare Environment UK & Eire

* for more information see below...

www.catholicmedicalassociation.org.uk/event

Monday Meditation Group At Holy Souls parish room 1pm: May 25; June 8& 22 & July 6. All welcome.

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.