St Mary’s Blackheath
Newsletter 21st May 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 Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension.
Next Sunday we will be celebrating the feast of Pentecost.
Thanks to all who helped to make the First Holy Communion celebration so splendid last Sunday. A particular word of thanks to the parents who helped with the classes throughout the year and who decorated the Church. We were blessed with a fine weather, and everybody enjoyed the day.
We now look forward to the Confirmation Day on 4th June.
The Paschal candle has now moved to a position at the side of the font. On the Ascension Day the flame was extinguished after the gospel, representing the risen Lord returning to his Father in heaven.
Some English saints this week: Thursday is the feast of St. Bede the Venerable, and Saturday the feast of St. Augustine, sent by Pope Gregory to England.
We have just completed one cycle of classes, but I am already thinking of First Communions for next year. I am preparing the application forms, and these will be available within the next few weeks. The classes will start at the end of September.
Remember to look for the new apple tree planted by the children: it is in the middle of the big flower bed. It is in blossom, but I am not sure if it will produce any fruit this year. Some of the other trees are doing well after a wet and cool spring. There should be good crop of cherries. I think it is too cold for the olives to flourish.
Major works on the railway last weekend near to the tunnels by Pond Road. I did not have time to go and inspect. Boys are not welcome when works are taking place with large cranes, hard hats and high-viz jackets so best to keep well clear.
And a prayer:
Father in heaven, you have given us a mind to know, a will to serve you and a heart to love you, Be with us always in all that we do, so that your light may shine in our lives. Amen.
A good way to cook some small French beans. Boil them until they are just tender and drain. Return to the pan and over a moderate heat add pepper, salt, and some butter. Then add some lemon juice and some chopped parsley and turn onto a hot vegetable dish.
And some Omar today:
There was a door to which I found no Key;
There was the Veil through which I might not see:
Some little talk of Me and Thee
There was – and then no more of Thee and Me.
The boy and his sister are looking forward to half term: maybe visits to the grandparents, with some gigantic meals and trips out with their Grandfather.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon