St Mary’s Blackheath
Newsletter 11th December 2022
Sunday Masses: Saturday 6.30pm first Mass of Sunday
– Sunday 9.30 and 11am and 6.30pm.
Monday to Friday: Mass at 8am.
Saturday 10am and 6.30pm
Confessions: Saturday 12 to 1
Today is the third Sunday of Advent. It is known as Gaudete Sunday from the first word of the Latin introit antiphon – Rejoice in the Lord. We are now half- way through Advent so rather than the usual purple, we use the rose-coloured vestments today.
Our Advent service of readings, music and carols takes place at 5pm today. Thanks to Tim and the choir for arranging this.
For the one Sunday, it means that we need to change the time of the Sunday evening Mass to 6.30pm.
After the 9.30 Mass, there will be a short rehearsal for the children who will be helping with the cycle of mystery plays.
There are still many vacancies for parts – names can be added to the charts in the Angelus Room.
Tuesday is the feast of St. Lucy and Wednesday is the feast of St. John of the Cross.
Dates have been changed and the funeral of Dr Christopher Duffy will not take place on 21st December at 1pm.
The “O” Antiphons, sung before the Magnificat at Vespers start on Saturday the 17th of December, when the Antiphon is “O Sapientia”.
Thanks for all the gifts that have appeared already for the Giving Tree and also for the continued support for the Food Bank.
Winter came late this year and at long last the trees have lost their leaves. I have tried to clean up the garden but there is still a lot of work. My herb garden looks very sad, and I look forward to starting again in the spring.
This week the dreaded change to the train timetable. There have been strong protests. I wonder how long it will last. It is estimated that a journey to Charing Cross could take an extra twenty minutes with a change of platforms and the wait for the next train.
Here is Browning being naughty:
There’s a great text in Galatians,
Once you trip on it, entails
Twenty-nine distinct damnations,
One sure, if another fails.
This recipe is allowed in Advent. Fry some breadcrumbs in some butter with pepper and salt until golden brown. Meanwhile cook some cauliflower flowerets. Make a bechamel sauce and mix with the cauliflower and half the breadcrumbs. Place reset of the breadcrumbs on top and bake in a moderate over for about 15 minutes.
And a prayer
O Lord, listen to my prayer and let my cry for help reach you. Do not hide your face from me. Turn your ear towards me and answer me when I call.
I hope that you are all keeping well and looking forward to your Christmas celebrations. I hope to see the great nephews and nieces on Christmas Day. They will be as wild as ever, but they are great fun.
Best wishes to you all
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon.