newsletter 21st February 2016

Newsletter 21st February 2016
Today is the second Sunday of Lent. Last week the gospels gave an account of the temptations of the Lord in the wilderness. This week, in contrast, the gospel gives an account of the Transfiguration.
As a Lenten devotion, there are Stations of the Cross at 6.30 this evening.
Last Friday was the Lent Fast Day for Lent: I will leave out our usual old boxes for your donations.
Monday is the feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle in Rome. This is a major feast and if it occurs on a Sunday outside Lent, the Mass text replaces the Sunday.
Some advance notice: on Sunday 13rth March there will be solemn sung Vespers for Lent.
A further message about the appeal for the Fund to Support the Retired Priests of the Diocese. Cards are being distributed at every Mass today. If you would like to know more about the appeal, please fill in one of the cards and post it in the box at the back of the Church. You will be invited to a presentation which will take place in the Angelus Room after Easter.
Once again, the First Communion classes have come round. There is a lot to do – if we are to fit in all the lessons in the book. Parents to meet at 8pm on Monday if possible to plan the class and the class will be at 10am on Saturday in the big hall. Children, remember to bring your new Mass books on Saturday as you will need them for the class.
The football goal is proving to be most popular. The match seems to be slightly chaotic with one goal and three balls but everybody seems to enjoy it. The small children have discovered the stack on bricks in the little house and enormous crashes as they push them over. More money in hand already children from your fund – so have you any ideas? Maybe we need some new things for the catechism classes.
The new platforms at London Bridge station are taking shape and they can be observed as you slowly pass through on one of the new up lines. According to the programme, they will be opened for use in August.
Here is a very typical dish from Castille. Cook some chopped onions and some minced beef in some olive. Season well. Transfer to some individual earthenware dishes and break an egg on top. Bake in an oven until the egg has set and then add a coating of béchamel sauce and some grated cheese. I think you might be allowed this during Lent.
And now a prayer for Lent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that lamenting and acknowledging our sins, we may obtain from you, God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness: through your Son Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
George Herbert has a good poem for Lent:
Yet Lord instruct us to improve our fast
By starving sinne and taking such repast
As may our faults control:
That ev’ry man may revell at his doore,
Not in his parlour; banqueting the poor,
And among those his soul.
No news of the boy for some weeks: I think that he is busy at school. For the Easter holiday, I must try and find some new Lego for him. I look for the most advanced set- which infuriates his parents who are subject to ceaseless demands for assistance with difficult pieces. As yet, his small sister is happy to watch in admiration.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon