Newsletter 14th October 2012
There is a second collection today for the Needs of the Diocese.
On Monday, I am off to Valladolid for the usual visit to attend to the business of the College. I will be back on Friday evening. There will be a Mass at the Convent each morning at 8am and I hope that the Bishop will be available on at least some of the days for a Mass in the Church. Otherwise there will be a Eucharistic service.
This year only three companions for my trip, but we are looking forward to it. I am going out by way of London City airport and Madrid but they are coming on the usual Stansted flight on the Tuesday direct to Valladolid. I will have to pick them up at the airport.
Several feasts this week. Tuesday is the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, Wednesday the feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch and Thursday the feast of St. Luke.
Next Sunday there is a second collection for the Missions. During the summer I tried to keep additional demands to a minimum but in the autumn weeks, there are a number of second collections.
The Governors of Christ the King College meet on Tuesday evening. It now seems certain that we will be taking over the Crossways Academy early next year. Formal approval has been given by the Mayor and Cabinet and the consultation period with the Department is now proceeding. This will mean that the College will operate on three sites,
Herein Blackheath, at Sidcup and at Crossways, eventually with a total of almost 3000 students. The works to the buildings are Lewisham are nearing completion and the appearance of the front of the College has been transformed.
I am pleased to note that Jocelyn Lewis has been appointed as Chair of the Parish Council. We had a very successful meeting of the new Council and I am most grateful to all who have agreed to serve. A notice giving the names of the members has been placed in the porch.
A topic of discussion was the time of Masses when the Convent closes – as yet we do not have a date for this. The times on Sunday will remain unchanged. For weekdays it is suggested that there will be a Mass at 10 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday at Saturday and at 7.30 on Tuesday and Thursday. Please let me know what you think. Also on Holy days the time of the early Mass will be 7.30 rather than 7.
I suppose we better have some Keats at this time of year: a great favourite at school but nowadays I find it hard going:
And full grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden croft
And gathering swallow twitter in the skies
(I like the bit about twitter)
Trial runs have commenced for the service on the new track between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction. The other day, on the way back from Victoria, we passed a test train at Denmark Hill.
I understand that public services commence in
December. It will then be possible to make a journey on the outer circle round the edge of London.
Small leeks are still available at this time of year. Sometimes I steam them carefully and leave to cool. It is a good idea to remove the outer layer as this can be touch. Serve them cold with a vinaigrette sauce. It sounds simple, but this is a favourite in Burgundy.
And a prayer to the Virgin Mary:
O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Splendour of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. Help me at work, in my relationships with colleagues and in the tasks that I face, so that I meet the working day wit joy in my heart and as an instrument of God’s peace. There are none that can withstand your power. O may conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee. O Mary I place this cause in your hands.
Best wishes to you all
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon