Newsletter 15th July 2012.
Today there will be a Peace Vigil in the Church from 5.30 to 6.30 pm, organised by the Justice and Peace Group as part of the 100 days of prayer around the Olympic time. Afterwards there will be refreshments in the Angelus Room.
Mansel Usher, now a deacon, is coming to stay this week end. He will be assisting at the 7.30 Mass on Sunday evening and giving the Homily.
He is now about to start his final year at the Beda College in Rome before he is ordained as a priest for his home Diocese in South Wales.
Wondering about the Olympics – there may be some people staying in the area and possibly some of you may have tickets. We have therefore decided for two weeks – the 29th July and 5th August – to have an additional Mass at 7am in the morning. I have put this on the web site and given it some publicity locally.
Father Chris Willis will be arriving on Wednesday. I go into hospital on Thursday morning and if all goes well, should be home either on Friday or Saturday. Father Chris will look after most of the Masses on Sunday, though if all goes well, I hope to be able to say one. Also there are three baptisms in the afternoon, so he will be very fully occupied.
During these few days, there will be a Mass in the Church as normal at 10am. I am not sure if there will be a Mass at the Convent every day but the sisters will let you know.
A busy day on Tuesday as I am off to Douai Abbey for a meeting of the Historic Churches Committee and then back for a Governors’ meeting of the Christ the King College, this time on the Sidcup site.
Today is the feast of St. Swithun who was Bishop of Winchester and who died in 862. His relics were moved to the Cathedral in 971 and this event was marked by a very heavy rainfall: hence the tradition that if it rains today, it will rain for forty days afterwards.
I wanted to add a word of appreciation for Mrs Mary Scott who died recently. She was very well known in the parish and had many friends. Up to recently, she was at the morning Mass at the Church every day. She always showed a great kindness and friendliness to everybody and was much loved. A practical and efficient lady – she kept the repository well stocked and for many years helped to count the collection on Monday afternoon. Sincerest sympathy to her family and prayers for the repose of her soul.
Please remember to return the inscription forms for both Confirmation and First Holy Communions promptly. They seem to be coming back and I think we will have some very good classes.
Unbelievably a 30 foot Routemaster came up the driveway the other day and turned in front of the house. It was just before the wedding. There are times when it best just to hide away and hope that nothing will happen. (2214 delivered to Hammersmith garage in February 1966).
I think we had this when I was in Spain in January: I have now found the recipe. Boil some chorizo with some parsley and thyme, a bay leaf and some salt. Meanwhile fry an onion in some lard until it is golden and add some small pieces of ham. Add a couple of cups of rice, mix everything together and cook slowly for about 15 minutes. Add some more water if necessary. It should be quite thick.
Something from “The Ladder of Perfection” by Walter Hilton. What is humility but truthfulness? There is no real difference. For grace enables a humble soul to see that Jesus does everything, and that the soul itself does nothing but allow Jesus to work through it as he wills. Little is know about Hilton. He was an Augustinian Friar at Southwell during the 14th Century. His book is one of the early English Spiritual classics.
And just room for a poem:
There’s a one-eyed yellow idol to the north of Khatmandu,
There’s a little marble cross below the town;
There’s a broken-hearted woman tends the grave of Mad Carew,
And the yellow God forever gazes down
You probably think that this is Kipling but in fact it was written by J. Milton Hayes
Best wishes to you all
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon