Newsletter 11th November 2018
Today is Remembrance Sunday. The 11am Mass will be a Requiem Mass for those who died in the World Wars. Today is particularly poignant as it is the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. There will be two minutes of silence at the beginning of the Mass.
As always during November there is a basket beneath the altar for intentions that you would like to be remembered at Mass during this month.
There is a Second Collection today for the Archbishop’s Administration Fund.
No saints’ days this week as we keep the Thirty Second Sunday of the Church’s year.
On Tuesday I travel to Paris for a meeting of the Trustees of the English Foundation at the Catholic University. This means that there will not be a 7.30 Mass on this day.
Wednesday is busy with the AGM of a Charity for Retired Priests – the Secular Clergy New Common Fund. I am currently the Chief Administrator of the Fund. The meeting is held at the Clarendon Hotel, followed by a lunch. You may spot a few visitors in the Village at midday on Wednesday.
First Communion and Confirmation classes last week. Thanks to all who have shared in these. Parents will have noted the form that I have prepared to cover Data Protection Regulations.
Gradually the garden is settling down for the winter after a seemingly long autumn. The sweet chestnut tree at the bottom of the garden is always the last to lose its leaves. When these have gone, it is a sign that winter has really arrived.
A reminder that we have exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 5.30 to 6.15 on Saturday evenings. Attendance has been fairly thin and you might like to think about this.
May I draw your attention the poster in the porch asking for help for the work of the Marriage Care Centre.
Already thoughts about the Christmas Mystery plays. The lists for the parts will be going up soon and once again we will be taking out the costumes and checking that they are in good order. I calculate that this is the eighteenth time that we have performed the plays.
If you travel on a Woolwich line train from Charing Cross (15 minutes past hour), it leaves London Bridge at the same time as a Thameslink Service (21 past the hour). Sometimes there seems to be race. Initially the Networker has better acceleration and pulls ahead but by the Rotherhithe dive-under the Thameslink train is winning. Possibly by then the Networker is having to slow for an adverse signal before crossing the up line and taking the ramp to the bridge at St. John’s.
My crop of tomatoes from garden is now finished. I have been cutting them in half and frying them in some hot oil. Put them on a piece of toast, remove the skins and spread the fruit. Season with a little pepper and salt. I am sure that this is familiar but it is a useful standby for a quick supper.
Here is an ancient Jewish prayer for use before meals:
Blessed be thou, Lord God of the universe, who bringest forth bread from the earth and makest our hearts glad. Amen.
And now Milton on solemn music.
O may we soon again renew that Song,
And keep in tune with Heaven, till God ere long
To his celestial consort us unite,
To live with Him and sing in endless morn of light.
Finally, the answer to the quiz question about the Picasso painting. You have to be quite old to remember this – it is Marie Claire from Peter Sarstedt’s song. You will need to look up the words on the net.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon