newsletter 15th March 2020

ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTERS

5, Cresswell Park, SE3 9RD

Tel. 020 8852 5420 

E-mail: stm.Blackheath@tiscali.co.uk

Website: www.stmarysblackheaeth.org.uk

Mass times: Saturday: 6.30 pm (first Mass of Sunday) Sunday: 9.30 am, 11.00 am, 7.30 pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 10.00 am Tuesday and Thursday 7.30 am. Eucharistic Service: Tuesday 10.00 am Confessions: Saturday 12 to 1.00 pm

Today is the Third Sunday of Lent.

Long readings today with the Ten Commandments in the first reading and the Lord cleansing the temple in the gospel.

Two special feasts this week – Tuesday is the feast of St. Patrick. Best wishes to all the Irish people in the parish and a special greeting to Bishop Lynch. Thursday is the feast of St. Joseph.

Friday, officially, is the first day of spring. It has been a curious winter: now snow but a lot of rain and strong winds, which have caused some damage to our properties. You will have noted repair work in recent weeks.

The big job at the moment is the repair to the drain at the back of the big hall. It should not cause any problem but please keep clear of the working area.

Thanks for your understanding with the changes we have undertaken to avoid problems with the flu virus. It is worth looking at the web site from the Bishops’ Conference for further detailed advice. We are only at stage one now, but if things deteriorate, further measures will be required.

I mentioned to you last week the sad news of the death of Archbishop Peter Smith.  He was a Southwark priest and had been Rector of the Seminary at Wonersh. He was appointed Bishop of East Anglia and subsequently Archbishop of Cardiff. He came back to Southwark in 2010 and retired last year. May he rest in peace.

I am pleased to tell you that following my recent visit to the College in Spain the Rector has agreed that we can come again. The visit will be from 19^th to 23^rd October but there is a possibility that some may be able to stay on for the feast of the Martyrs on the 25^th. I will have to come home for parish duties. Probably there will be room for about people. Please let me know if you would like to come.

As always, I bring back a recipe from Spain. The Spanish word is Pisto though probably you know it as Ratatouille. Best made from fresh items, sliced and gently baked in the oven: some skinned tomatoes, a sliced pepper, some sliced courgettes and a sliced aubergine. Maybe add a little oil but the ingredients should produce their own juices.  You can make a good supply of this. Mine was served with an egg fried in very hot oil. It is veggie and suitably Lenten.

Who has lost the football? I put a new one in the cupboard last week, but it has disappeared somewhere. See if you can find it in the garden and out in back after use.

A prayer from St. Anselm: Teach me to seek you, for I cannot seek you unless you teach me, or find you unless you show yourself to me.

And some Hopkins:

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.

It will flame out, like shining from shook foil.

Best wishes to you all, Monsignor Rothon.