Dear Brothers & Sisters
Thank you once more to all our parents teachers & catechists who have enabled our children to make their first Holy Communion these last two weeks. May God bless you, and all the children he has put into our care.
‘Consecrate them in the truth’: Jesus prayed (today's gospel) that his disciples be consecrated in the truth. It applies to the whole church but especially to priests.
We priests take this very seriously as we try our level best to be faithful to the gospel message passed on to us, and to apply the gospel message to the world.
When human events become so tangled & complicated in the world of politics it’s not always easy to see how the message applies. That’s why the church today is cautious in its political judgments.
Sometimes it’s easier to see what’s wrong than what’s right. (For example complex politics in the Middle East). But if it is wrong to commit a massacre at a music festival, it is even worse to bomb innocent families in a crowded built-up area. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Refugees & Asylum are issues in all parts of the world today. The causes may be war, poverty & climate change. We can’t as church claim to have a perfect answer but it is surely wrong to treat refugees as criminals. Even worse to deport them to Africa. Two wrongs don't make a right.
(see back page)
Mother Mary of Fatima is honoured on Monday. Her apparitions to three small children in 1917 while the world was at war, came amidst huge loss of life and population displacement.
But the repentance she encouraged and the prayer of the rosary she advocated has continued non-stop ever since. May she watch over us this week and help bring peace in a time of tension & fear.
Fr.Biju scj Parish Priest
SCJ NEWS: Lissone Northern Italy : Italian Vicariate held an assembly under Fr Enrico (in his new role!) on Wednesday April 17. About thirty members present. Fr Davide Caldirola, a Milan parish priest, guided a reflection on the parable of the Sower.
The seed sown - bears fruit in various ways and in different quantities. We are the sowers and the seed is the Word of God.
The soil is today’s multi-faceted culture, and we are called to sow the seed with faith and steadfastness.
The fruits we gather are different, according to the soil on which the seed falls, but we are called to always take care of the fruit in order to improve it.
This long-awaited Assembly gave people the chance to meet again and to be updated about the life of our communities.
Friary snippets
Church of Sanctuary event to share a response to sanctuary needs of those fleeing persecution Carrs Lane Church Centre Sat 8 June (Poster in Narthex) Booking via eventbrite. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/church-of-sanctuary-conference-tickets-825115662157?aff=Churchofsanctuarynetwork
CWL Monthly meeting this Thursday 16th May- 2pm, Garicoits Room, Speaker: Jean Kimberley “A New Venture” Ladies, bring a cheque book.
A big thankyou from Steve & Jenny to the SCJ Community and to the wonderful Friary parishioners who assisted at the beautiful celebration mass marking their golden wedding last week. Many thanks for the prayers, love and kindness shown to them on their special day.
Amazing Pluckers: Ukelele Concert by the Olton Amazing Pluckers from Olton U3A, Saturday 25th May 7.30pm Acocks Green Methodist Church, Botteville Rd, B27 7YE to raise money for Christian Aid. Tickets £5, or £10 for a family. All are welcome
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Marriage matters: Seventh Sunday easter
Acts 1:15-17,20-26 1Jn 4:11-16 Jn 17:11-19
“The lot fell upon Matthias”
Acts of the apostles tells of the haphazard even lucky way the apostle Matthias was chosen: simply by lot! But from then on he was a faithful servant of the gospel to his dying day. Many things in marriage seem to happen by chance, (We can make our own list!) But our call is to see them as a chance to serve one another to the end.
Trustee Vacancy at ‘Marriage Care’ the Catholic organisation providing marriage prep & relationship counselling. Trustees needed to strengthen our board & help us continue to give relationship support services to Catholic community & beyond. For info see: www.marriagecare.org.uk or email: volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk
Big thanks to the secret army of cleaners who unseen keep our church tidy during the year: Week beginning May 12th Group B
Please pray for Sean O’Callaghan-funeral 13th May, James Smith-funeral May 22 Gerry Eustace-funeral May 24, Philip Meyolo-Wilkinson-funeral June 28
May they rest in peace.
Meditation –A way to pray. A chance to be still & experience how we are loved by God. Monday Meditation: 27th May & 1st July. At 1.00pm in Parish Meeting Room Holy Souls, Acocks Green. All welcome.
Lourdes Petitions Anyone wishing to have a petition taken to the grotto in Lourdes, please put it into the petitions box in the narthex in a sealed envelope. Any queries, please call Jim Noonan on 07593 298 704
class teacher needed Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School for September 2024. See https://www.ourladyoflourdesprimary.com/vacancies-at-olol/
News & Views from St Chad’s Sanctuary May 2024
“Here at the Sanctuary we have been speaking to people all week who are terrified, who cry and shake as they plead with us to help them. People are sharing that they feel helpless & hopeless, rejected and demonised. There is much confusion so we’re working with other organisations to find and share reliable information and to stand in solidarity with them.” What can I do to help?
* See website stchadssanctuary.com
* Write to your MP to share your abhorrence for this treatment.
* Tell friends, family & parishioners so awareness is raised & people empowered with knowledge.
* Join the campaign to have these appalling new laws repealed https://fighttheantirefugeelaws.org/.
* Keep yourself savvy - maybe join the Restore course in June.
Petition · Stop the Rwanda Flights - United Kingdom · Change.org
MEN’S ROSARY IN THE CITY Sat 25 May - Victoria Square, Birmingham. Join Archbp Bernard Longley to publicly witness to our faith, pray for our nation & inspire men to live their call as defenders of the faith & protectors of women & children. For info contact Ben: 07885505116 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXjaNmT5jPw
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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
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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Security Please do not leave any belongings unattended in the benches while receiving Holy Communion as there has been a recent incident.
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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.
HALL BOOKINGS from external groups, particularly regular users are a useful income toward the upkeep of the Church. If access is needed to hall or kitchen during these times, please liaise with the Parish office or Community first.
CREMATION PLOTS (newer area) Following previous notes re- borders & stones barred for H&S danger to graveyard volunteers; please also note that plots are set out in vertical strips, in plots for two. So borders & stones added around memorial tablets are encroaching on the space of a loved one, and should be removed.
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.
CHARITY COLLECTION BOXES for SVP and St Basil’s charities are built into the left and right hand sides, at the back of the Church. Built-in boxes can be found in the narthex for St Anthony’s bread (used to help the poor in the local area) and Holy Souls (used for Mass intentions for Holy Souls).
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.
VISITORS - If you wish to gift aid your offertory donation, white visitor envelopes are available in the narthex.
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.
SAFEGUARDING - In this parish there have been strict guidelines in place for several years for the protection of children and vulnerable persons. Anyone with a concern about safeguarding issues should ring the Diocesan Safeguarding Office on 0121 230 6240.
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.
OPEN HOUSE GROUP - Are you new to the Parish and aged 30+? Do you want to get more involved in Parish Life, but don't know where to start? The Open House Group has recently celebrated its tenth anniversary and its members are involved in various parish activities such as Traidcraft, Christian Aid, the Fast Supper, Welcome and Coffee Bar rotas. We also have regular meetings in parishioners' homes for spiritual reflection and discussion of topical issues. If you are interested in joining us please contact the Parish Office for more information.