newsletter 13th January 2013

Newsletter 13th January 2013.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Also we celebrate and give thanks for our own Baptism. During the past year there were 60 baptisms in the Church: we are always pleased to welcome families for the reception of this Sacrament: sometimes families living in the parish but also those who were married here or who have connections with the parish.

The Crib and the Christmas decorations should all be away for another year by now. The costumes for the play are back in the store: Maria has carefully inspected them and ironed them to ensure that they are in perfect condition.

The Justice and Peace group meets this evening in the Angelus Room.

This coming week the Mass text is for the first week in ordinary time with the readings taken from the first cycle. The green vestments return for a short time before Lent.

The Funeral of Father Robert Gould will be taking place in Friday at 12 noon. The Archbishop will becoming to celebrate the Mass.
The Mass will be followed by a Cremation at Hither Green.
(Parking will be at a premium so if you are coming to the Mass, it would be appreciated if you could leave the car at home.)

To the Children’s Society on Wednesday and to Greenwich Town Hall on Thursday.

This week I thought that you might like the full quotation from Pope’s Epistle to Arbuthnot:
Let Sporus tremble ..What? That thing of silk,
Sporus, that mere white curd of ass‘s milk?
Satire or sense, alas! Can Sporus feel?
Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?

Lots of work was taking place at St. John’s station during the Christmas period. A new pier was constructed under the bridge and the old column demolished to widen the opening. New track work was laid including the new crossover. It looked to me like pieces of a giant train set. It has been suggested that the prime purpose of a railway is provide toys for those who operate them; the transport of passengers and goods are of secondary importance.

This week work should be starting on the construction of the new railings outside the Church so remember to take care. Later on in the year I want to arrange some interior decoration in the Church. You will have noted that some parts of the paintwork are beginning to look a bit grimy. I have been talking to the builder and he can arrange the work so that it will be undertaken during the week and the Church will be available for Sundays. We will use the Angelus Room as a temporary chapel on weekdays. I will let you know when I have some dates for this.

A prayer of blessing:
We commend ourselves to God’s gracious mercy and protection. May the Lord bless us a keep us. May he make his face shine upon us and be gracious unto u s. May he lift up the light of his countenance upon us, and give us peace, now and for ever more. Amen.

I like this cake. See if you can try it. Beat some unsalted butter and some caster sugar together. Add two eggs and some self raising flour. Add about half the amount of ground rice and the grated ring of a lemon. Bake in a moderate oven and turn out on to a rack to cool.

Time to begin to think about the garden again. My herbs have not done very well with the winter rains and I have to keep on clearing the pine needles. Also I need to complete the work of securing the boards for the roses. The olive tree survives just about. My efforts to obtain a second growth from the orchids were not successful, though they remained in flower for almost 6 months.

From time to time a piece of French: I found a recording of this on the web recently: On ira pendre la linge sur la ligne Seigfreid. I must try and learn it all: it would be a marvellous party piece.

January seems unusual without a visiting student from the College in Spain: this year there are not many students and they are using some other parishes for placements. As always a request for prayers for vocations to the priesthood.

Best wishes to you all,

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon

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