newsletter 12th April 2015

Newsletter 12th April 2015
Today, the Sunday after Easter is also known as Low Sunday. On this day we always read the gospel account of the appearance of the Risen Lord to Thomas.
I hope that you enjoyed the egg hunt last Sunday. It seems that all of them were found – I must try harder to hide them in difficult places next year.
The Parish Council meets on Monday evening at 8pm.
The time has come round for another First Communion Class. I am asking the parents who are running the class to come to a meeting on Sunday afternoon rather than the usual Monday. The class itself is on Saturday at 10am.
The Justice and Peace Committee meet next Sunday – there will be cakes and coffee after the morning Mass in the Angelus Room.
Local Authoruty meetings on Tuesday and Thursday this week and school Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so quite a busy week.
The funeral of Mary Carton takes place at 12 noon on Friday.
Times move on – thanks to Lynda Nunn who has looked after the flower rota for many years. She is no longer living in Blackheath on a regular basis and we need somebody else to take on this task. If you could help, please let me know. It involves organising a rota and helping with the major feasts such as Christmas and Easter.
I am pleased to say that we now have ten for the trip to Valladolid in the autumn. Probably room for a few more if you would be interested in coming. Please let me know.
A thought the other day about books; sets of 20th century classics are beginning to appear: including Julian Barnes, Paul Scott, Martin Amis and Ian McEwan. Others, such as C.P. Snow and Anthony Powell seem to have been lost without trace, although they were once very popular. My thumbed paper backs contrast with elegant new editions.
More about the new Routemasters: the diesel engines are not cutting out when they are stationary. Originally they would move off silently in electric mode and the diesel would cut in later. Have they been adjusted or is the complex electronic system becoming worn so that it does not operate in the same way?
An Easter Prayer:
Lord our God, by the resurrection of your Son, you have forever illumined the world. Through the power of your Spirit, grant that those who still sit in darkness and in the shadow f death may be born anew, and that your light may shine on them for ever and ever. Amen.
Do you like Kubla Khan?
The shadow of the Dome of pleasure
Floated midway on the waves;
Where was heard the mingled measure
From the foundation and the caves.
It was a miracle of rare device,
A sunny pleasure dome with caves of ice!
I expect you are looking for the recipe: here is a Spanish cake: beat together six eggs, 13oz fine sugar, 2 teaspoons of grated lemon zest and 6 ½ oz of plain flower. Pour the mixture into a greased baking tin and bake at about 160 C for about an hour. Serve simply with cream.
The great nephew spent his Easter holiday with his parents and grandparents in Malta. His small sister watches him with great attention, wondering what he is going to do next.
Best wishes to you all
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon