St Mary’s Blackheath
Newsletter 14th January 2024
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 second Sunday in Ordinary time. The green vestments return for a few weeks until the beginning of Lent. Easter is early this year and Ash Wednesday is on 14th February. Already thinking ahead, shall we have Stations of the Cross on Sunday evenings at 4.15 as a Lenten devotion? It seemed to work last year.
The Scripture readings at Mass on Sunday are taken from cycle B and during the week from the second cycle.
Back to normal in the Church with the crib figures and the decorations put away for another year. A very busy day last Sunday putting everything away.
This week there are no major feasts.
Today there is a class for young people in the big hall after the 9.30 Mass – from 10.15 to about 11. For a long time, we have been aware of the gap between First Communion classes and Confirmation classes – there will be a class once a month and there is a leaflet giving dates and the topics that will be covered. I ask that you give this your support.
The many gifts were safely delivered to the Manna Centre and the Jesuit Refugee Centre last week. Thank you for your generous help. Letters of thanks showing appreciation for your generosity.
The recent heavy storms caused some damage: the lightening conductor came off the office block and the steeple jack will need to repair this. I am hoping that the costs will be covered by insurance. Also, there was damage to the big trampoline, and I have ordered a spare part.
Another recipe from Spain: fry some pieces of ham in some lard with and onion.
And some small chunks of potato. Add a large courgette, a red and a green pepper and some tomatoes. Cook gently and add a little stock if necessary.
Grace before meals: Lord Jesus, be our holy guest, our morning prayer, our evening rest, and with this daily food impart thy love and grace to every heart.
And some more from the Rubaiyat.
Waste not your hour, nor in the vain pursuit
of this and that endeavour and dispute;
better jocund with fruitful grape
than sadden after none, or bitter, fruit.
(Unless you are having a dry January.)
The electric buses only seemed to last for a brief trial on route 108 and the Mercedes Citaros are back again. A new route from Grove Park, through the village, to Canary Wharf, is due to start in the spring. It will be interesting to see how this develops.
A lot of work at the moment preparing for a meeting of the Trustees of the College in Spain later in the month. I have been working on a schedule of policy documents and hope that these will be approved.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon