Newsletter 18th September 2016.
Today is the Twenty fifth Sunday in ordinary time.
Wednesday is the feast of St. Matthew and Saturday is the feast of Our Lady of Walsingham.
On Wednesday there is the meeting of the parents to begin the First Holy Communion Programme. This will take place in the big hall at 8pm. The meeting is for the parents only and the children will not need to attend. We will explain the programme and give out the course books. The first class takes place in the big hall on Saturday morning at 10am – and will last to 12. The children will be asked to come to the Mass at 9.30 on Sunday when they will receive their special crosses.
A busy week ahead as I am out in London for meetings on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
A reminder that the meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 27th September at 8pm.
You might have noticed that I have repaired the tree ladder in the garden. Now that I have worked out how to do it, my intention is to construct a more substantial ladder with stronger steps and thicker rope. Once I had worked out a system to make it, it was not too difficult. I only need to some help to attach to the top branch of the tree.
Things seem to have settled well at London Bridge station. The new platforms are most impressive. From Platform 7, it is possible for boys to observe what is going on with the construction of the new tracks and platforms for Thameslink trains. At Rotherhithe the bridges are nearing completion and ballast is being put down so that the new tracks can be laid. The new trains are being delivered – the 700 class units – and have been observed on test at various locations.
Here is Robert Lowell on Our Lady of Walsingham:
Our Lady, too small for her canopy,
Sits near the altar. There’s no comeliness
At all or charm in that expressionless
Face with its heavy eyelids. As before
This face, for centuries a memory,
Non est species, neque décor,
Expressionless, expresses God.
..and the world shall come to Walsingham.
The recipe for this week. Clean a head of celery and cut into small chunks. Put it into a sauté pan with some oil and cook gently for about 5 minutes. Add some crushed garlic and some chopped mushrooms and cook for a further three minutes. Add some black pepper and serve hot with some chopped parsley.
A pray for today:
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your name; through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
We have not had any Merton for some time: Some have become hermits with the thought that sanctity involved some kind of escape from others. But the only justification for a life of deliberate solitude is that conviction that it will help you to love not only God but others. Otherwise, if you go into the desert merely to get away from the crowds, you will not find peace or solitude either; you will only isolate yourself with a tribe of devils. Go into the desert not to escape others but in order to find them in God.
Next week the magazine returns after the summer break so look out for some stunning articles.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon