newsletter 21st January 2018

Newsletter 21st January 2018

Today is the third Sunday in the Church’s year.

I hoped that you remembered the Eve of St. Agnes on Saturday evening.

At present we are in the middle of week of prayer for Christian unity – which ends on Thursday – which is the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.

Also this week Wednesday is the feast of St. Francis de Sales and Friday is the feast of the two companions of Paul, Timothy and Titus.

A reminder that the Parish Council meets at 8pm on Thursday evening – envelopes with the Agendas are available today.

There is still time to thank all the children for sharing in the three Christmas plays – and specially to thank Steve and Marianne for organising it all – and for Maria who has checked all the costumes and put them away safely for another year.

Some concern about the provision for wheelchairs in the Church. We have a side entrance without a step and cars can come up to the side and there is a disabled lavatory.  I have made a space for wheelchairs in the Church by moving a bench from the front on the left hand side – this should give enough room with space for turning.

The major project in the coming weeks will be the works to the trees. A survey has shown that there are 65 trees. One of the sweet chestnuts, the one nearer the gate, is totally dead and will have to be removed. Also we are taking out the holm oak beside the Church as it is beginning to cause damage to the foundations. Generally, the garden will look very much better when the works have been completed.

I always find something worthwhile in Francis de Sales:

One of the best exercises of gentleness is to be patient with ourselves and our imperfect ions. Though it is reasonable to be displeased and sorry when we fall into faults, it should be without bitterness or anger.

It is disappointing to find that as yet, there are no Thameslink trains from London Bridge. The original plan was that they would start this month but they have been delayed until May.  Platforms 4 and 5 are splendidly unused for the present.  One of the problems is that on a windy day, with the open plan entrance and the effects of the Shard, it is almost impossible to walk outside.

A prayer from St. Augustine:

Come, Lord, work upon us, set us on fire and clasp us close, be fragrant to us, draw us to your loveliness, let us love, let us run to you.

A simple recipe for a salad nicoise. Poach some eggs and when cold, coat them with some mayonnaise. Make the salad with some cooked French beans, some skinned and seeded tomatoes and some diced potatoes. Mix with a little mayonnaise and season well. Sere in a dish with the eggs on top. It can be much more elaborate, but this is a basic version.

Now here is a familiar poem:

Will you walk into my parlour, said the Spider to the Fly,

Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;

The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,

And I have many curious things to show when you are there.

The First Communion children all have a new Mass book – it explains the different parts of the Mass and I hope that you will be able to follow – we will be explaining it more detail during the next few classes. Remember to bring it with you on Sundays.

Best wishes to you all,

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon.

 

 

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