newsletter 10th July 2016

Newsletter 10th July 2016

Today is the Fifteenth Sunday in ordinary time.

There is a second collection today to support the work of the Apostleship of the Sea.

Monday is the feast of St. Benedict and Saturday is the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The parish AGM takes place in the big hall on Tuesday evening. Food and drink will be available from 7.15 and the meeting will start at 8pm. Once again we need three new members for the Parish Council and I hope that I can encourage some nominations – maybe some new members, or perhaps somebody who has served in the past and who would be willing to help again. The duties are not too onerous- probably three meetings a year plus the AGM – you will have read about the work of the Council in the recent edition of the parish magazine.

Two weddings this week – on Friday and Saturday so the Church should be full of flowers next week.

To Lewisham on Wednesday evening for a meeting of the Education Committee.

The track has now been laid for the new Platform 6 at London Bridge station – the second of the down tracks for trains from Charing Cross. Some Railtrack wagons were in the Platform the other day. This would have involved so elaborate shunting as the tracks are not fully in place at the country end of the station.

At the beginning of next month, the kneelers will be removed from the benches in the Church so that the new pads can be fitted. They will be away for about two weeks. During this period, you can either sit or about the French custom of standing during the Eucharistic prayer.

Something from Benedict’s rule this week:  As often as anything important is to be done in the monastery, the prioress of abbot shall call the whole community together and explain what the business is; and after hearing the advice of the members, let them ponder it and follow what they judge the wiser course. The reason why we have said that all should be consulted is that the Spirit often reveals what is better to the younger.  —-It is becoming to settle everything with foresight and fairness.

Here is part of a sonnet by Auden on Housman

No one, not even in Cambridge, was to blame

(blame if you like the human situation)

Heart-injured in North London, he became

The Latin Scholar of his generation.

I have been lucky enough to be able to pick some raspberries from the garden.  A favourite recipe from Normandy is to fix them with some small strawberries, coat them with sugar, and if possible a drop of Calva. Chill in the fridge and serve with some cream whipped up with some sugar until it is stiff.

A prayer from psalm 103 this week:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his blessings.

Who forgives all your sins and heals all your infirmities.

The great nephew is looking forward to his birthday at the end of the month. He will be five and his small sister will be two. I expect their mother and father will be taking them on an expedition to a remote place and encouraging them to same in some dangerous sports.  I must prepare a summer reading list for the boy – The Great Gatsby and Mr Standfast might be just about right.

 

Best wishes to you all

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon

    

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