Offertory £756.14
Cafod £1
Newsletter 12th February 2012.
Now we are almost on the fringe of Lent – in the past there were three Sundays before Lent in which we used purple vestments – Septuagesima, Sexagesima and Quinquagesima – the idea was that they represented 70, 60 and 50 days before Easter – though somehow it didn’t quite work out.
Nowadays we continue with the Sundays in ordinary time until the beginning of Lent.
I think that the tickets for the Lent Retreat at the Convent should be available today.
A fond farewell to Sister Janet. We very much appreciated her time at the Convent: she always made us welcome and also shared in the life of the parish here as a member of the parish council.
Welcome to Sister Mary, the new superior.
Next Sunday there is a second collection for the Diocesan Children’s Society.
On Tuesday, some new tables are due to arrive for the hall. The old ones were worse for wear and with our smart refurbished hall we want to have the best for you. I am sorry that they did not arrive in time for the quiz night and the supper but maybe we can use them later in the year. Also some extra chairs are on order so there will be enough for all our needs.
A busy few weeks ahead as we are due to appoint a new Head Teacher at the St. Matthew Academy.
There will be a lot of work with interviews and visits. Nowadays everything is on line so I am busy scanning my screen everyday.
I usually manage to bring you back a recipe from Spain: here is a fish soup from Sanlucar de Barrameda. You will need some pieces of white fish, some large prawns and some potatoes. Slice the potatoes and prawns and flake the fish: add some seasoning and some paprika and water and cook slowly until the potatoes are soft. Serve hot and you can add some slices of bread. This is one of our favourites at a restaurant called “El Cura” and sometimes it provides a complete supper.
A busy week with education meetings – to Woolwich on Monday and on Thursday we travel to Crown Woods to inspect the new school. The priests of the Deanery meet on Tuesday at Woolwich and there is a meeting at Westminster on Thursday.
I am sure that you will have noticed the new buses introduced into service on the 89 route in recent weeks. They are Dennis Enviro 400s with bodies constructed by Alexander in Scotland. They replace the Volvos, which have now been relegated to training duties. They lasted about 12 years but were never very satisfactory, with badly designed interiors and unreliable engines.
I couldn’t resist this: did you know that “Episcopal” is an anagram for Pepsi-Cola.
And a prayer:
Lord, I believe in you: give me a firmer faith. I hope in you, give me a firmer hope. I love you, make me love you more and more. I am sorry to have failed you, make me sorrier yet. I adore you as my first beginning, and long for you as my last end. Praise you as my constant benefactor and call upon your name. (This is part of the universal prayer attributed to Pope Clement XI)
We haven’t had any Hopkins for a long time:
I caught this morning morning’s minion, king-
Don of daylight’s dauphin, dapple-drawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air and striding,
High there, how he rung upon the rein of wimpling wing
In his ecstasy!
You might possibly have been wondering about the quiz question last week. These were the initials of some old, pre-number telephone exchanges. Around here you would dial HIT which was the beginning of Hither Green.
David is now back at the College in Spain. He very much enjoyed his stay here and asked me to express his thanks for all your kindness. He asked if some people from the parish would be coming out to the College again – now there’s a thought.
And finally, I hope that the repairs to the Angelus room will be completed in the near future.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon