Dear Brothers & Sisters
A big thank you to all our parents teachers and catechists who have enabled our children to make their first Holy Communion both yesterday and this coming Saturday. May God bless you, and bless the children he has put into our care.
All parents, teachers and pastors share in the work of Jesus the Good Shepherd. And when our strength fails or our enthusiasm flags, we must simply turn to the Good Shepherd and ask for his help.
Our Parish Synodal Group met on Monday. They are good shepherds charged with a different pastoral task, that of listening to the sheep, and discerning the yearnings and the longings of the flock.
Top among the issues clamouring for attention was the care of the young, especially young people who appear to drift away from the church in adolescence and beyond. At the same time there was a sense that even those who appear to stray still have a spiritual quest. The calling for the rest of us is to discern how to engage with that quest.
Ascension Day comes this Thursday, and we have Holy Day Mass times. We are also blessed to have Fr Dominic with us for most weekday 10.15am Masses along with the main celebrant. So some days we will list 2 intentions at these Masses.
In May we honour Mary Mother of Jesus and our mother too. She has three important feasts this month: May 13 Our Lady of Fatima, May 20 Mary Mother of the Church, & May 31 The Visitation. May she watch over us these days as we await the coming of the Holy Spirit
Fr.Biju scj Parish Priest
SCJ NEWS Beauty in Barracas! Thus said Jorge García Cuerva Archbp of Buenos Aires to the Betharram community & Parish of Barracas Argentina, celebrating the 120th anniversary of this historic community. He inaugurated the ‘Duchas del Sagrado’ (Showers of the Sacred Heart!) a social aid for homeless people with nowhere to wash. This was a parish response to Pope Francis’ plea to reshape & repurpose church buildings to serve the needy. In February the Parish wrote to Pope Francis, thanking God for his life & ministry. To their great surprise... Pope Francis replied with a hand written letter, encouraging them to continue cultivating God's style: closeness, compassion & tenderness...continuing to be "Church-Field Hospital" for so many brothers and sisters.
Friary snippets
A Year of Encounter With General Election due soon, politicians will be looking for our votes. Can we ensure they will tackle poverty & injustice? A Year of Encounter is a joint initiative from CAFOD & SVP, to help us ask key questions of local candidates. See cafod.org.uk/encounter for info.
Our Parish Justice & Peace Group also has many helpful ideas for preparing for next General Election. Next Forum to be held Tuesday 7th May at 7pm, with Anna Blackman & James Trewby. How to book? See link below or use the QR code. https://bit.ly/JandP_May2024. See you on the 7th at 7pm.
Church of Sanctuary EVENT to share a response to sanctuary pleas 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
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Sixth Sunday of easter Acts10:25-26,34-35,44-48 1John4:7-10 15:9-17 “Love one another as I have loved you” In these words Jesus spells out God’s plan for marriage. As husband & wife we are called to give our lives daily to each other as completely as we are able. From today let’s decide to reflect this ‘sign’ of God’s love to our children, our family & friends.
Trustee Vacancy at ‘Marriage Care’ the Catholic organisation providing marriage prep & relationship counselling across England, Wales & Gibraltar. Trustees are 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 5th Group A
Please pray for Sean O’Callaghan-funeral 13th May, Gerry Eustace-funeral May 24 James Smith-funeral 22 May, 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.
Diocesan Walsingham day pilgrimage May 11. Join local groups with Fr Philip Griffin. For info call 01384 395308 or olas.stourbridge@rcaob.org.uk
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
The Way of Communion guided learning re-prayer & liturgy for laypeople: series of 12 Zoom meetings offered to all in Diocese by Fr.Allen Morris --St.Nicholas, Boldmere To register please contact Fr Allen at stnicholas.boldmere@rcaob.org.uk to get Zoom link & reading for 1st meeting. (See poster in Narthex)
Bereavement Group Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Matt 5:4 * Our Bereavement Support group meets monthly for all seeking support after a loss
* All welcome, no matter how long ago the loss or what kind of loss.
* We gather 1st Sunday each month for prayer, chat & encouragement of one another as we continue our grief journey. * We aren’t a counselling group but promise to listen, respect confidentiality and of course share a cuppa.
* Next group 5th May. 3pm-4.30pm in Olton Friary lounge. For info see Bro. Gerard or call Noleen Walsh 0121 706 5184
class teacher needed Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School for September 2024. See https://www.ourladyoflourdesprimary.com/vacancies-at-olol/
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 to 2.30 & 7 to 8pm
Tuesday Latin & Ballroom Dancing 10 -12 noon & 7.30 - 9.30pm. Kung Fu. 6 - 7pm Tuesday U3a 2nd Tuesday monthly
Wednesday Stroke Club 9am - 1.30pm (starts 4 Oct) Slimming World 2.30 - 8.30
Thursday Zumba 11am to 12 Noon U3A Quiz 2nd Thursday monthly Fitness Pilates (term time) 6.30 - 8.30pm
Friday Yoga 10.45am - 12.15pm
Saturday monthly Menofit 10am -12 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.