St Mary’s Blackheath
Newsletter 1st October 2023
Sunday Masses: Saturday 6.30pm first Mass of Sunday
– Sunday 9.30 and 11am and 5pm.
Monday to Friday: Mass at 8am.
Saturday 10am and 6.30pm
Confessions: Saturday 12 to 1
Today is the Twenty sixth Sunday of the Church’s year.
Monday is the feast of the Guardian Angels, Wednesday the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and Saturday the feast of the holy Rosary. October is the month of the Rosary, and you might remember to use your beads each day during this month – there are plenty of things to pray for.
The First Holy Communion classes have begun very well: thanks to all the parents who have helped: the first two classes come together very quickly and there is a class next Saturday at 10am with the preparation meeting on Monday evening at 8pm. After this, the classes will be every month. The class is now full, and I regret that it will not be possible to accept any further members this year.
Thanks for all the generous donations towards the new trampoline. An order has been placed and it is due to be delivered in December. I hope that the present one will last until then – following some careful repairs. We hope for some warmish winter days so that we can put it up.
A request please, for some help with catechism classes for the children – we need some more help for the session with the smaller ones in the Angelus Room during the first part of the Mass and possibly also we would like to start a class once again for the post First Holy Communion children. This could be held in the big hall.
You might have noticed some recent works, including the painting of the main door of the Church, the new external light, and some work to replace a piece of stone in the entrance which was crumbling away.
I am looking forward to the visit to the College in Spain at the end of the month – busy collecting the papers for my work and also arranging the railway tickets for the group that will be coming with me.
I am pleased to report that the fig tree continues to thrive with some thick green leaves. The pool has been put away for another year and Clara and Freddie helped to sow some new grass seed. The foxes have been digging it up.
A prayer of blessing: May the Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and bring us to life everlasting; and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Cut some muffins in half and toast. Butter well. Lay on each muffin a slice of ham and a poached egg. Keep hot and before serving coat with Hollandaise sauce.
Snow falls in the buffet of Aldersgate station,
Toiling and doomed from Moorgate Street puffs the train,
For us of the steam and the gas-light, the lost generation,
The new white cliffs of the City are built in vain.
Across to see the boy and his sister recently: their mother has not been well recently, and she needs some tender care – and some prayers.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon.