newsletter 22nd March 2015

.Newsletter 22nd March 2015.
Today is the fifth Sunday of Lent, formerly known as Passion Sunday. The statues and the crosses in the Church are veiled for these last two weeks of Lent, to concentrate our minds on the events of the death and the passion of the Lord.
Today, at 5pm, the choir is providing solemn Vespers as a special Lenten devotion.
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday. Palms will be blessed at the 9.30 Mass. The blessing takes place in the garden and there is a solemn procession into the Church. Please remember to arrive in good time and come straight to the garden.
We will be reading the account of the Passion from Mark’s gospel. Books are available today for readers setting out the different parts. You are all asked to join in the crowd responses.
The magazine next week – but I will also prepare a sheet for you giving all the times of the Easter Services.
The new Paschal candle has arrived and I am taking care to add transfer and painting the date. (Lots of experience from making models for the train set.)
Next Saturday afternoon Virginia will be making palm crosses in the Angelus Room and you might like to come along to help with this. Also on 31st March Virginia is organising a crafts session for children: please see details in the porch.
A Lenten prayer: Be mindful, Lord, of your people, for whose sake our Lord Jesus Christ, when betrayed, did not hesitate to yield himself into the hands of his enemies, and undergo the suffering of the Cross; who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
A break from Lent – Wednesday is the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. We recite the Creed at Mass: remember to genuflect at “the Word was made flesh”.
During my recent visit to Spain, I discovered how to make proper chocolate. First exact quantities: 100 ml of milk to one heaped tablespoon of chocolate. Heat the milk until it is just warm. Then carefully stir in the chocolate powder. Return to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring all the time until it thickens. Allow a moment to cool before serving. The next item is to make some churros: I am still working on this.
One evening at supper at the College, we worked out how much of “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat”we could remember. It started with the mention of a runcible Spoon.
‘Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?’ Said the Piggy ‘I will.’
So they took it away and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
Virgin trains have now taken over the operation of the East Coast Main line. At present most of the trains are operated with Mark 4 coaches which date from 1989. They have been well maintained but are quite old. It will be interesting to see if any Pendelinos from the West Coast Main line start to operate from Kings Cross.
The trampoline in the garden is always popular – a request – does anybody have a large trampoline stored in their garage, maybe left over from the children and no longer required? It would be a welcome addition.
The Rector has agreed that we can come to the College in Spain from 19th to 23rd October this year. Please let me know if you would like to come. We travel out from London City airport to Madrid and if there are enough people, we arrange a mini-bus to Valladolid. Otherwise the journey by train is very easy. It is a good idea to make a decision fairly early as the flights fill up. It is always most enjoyable and I look forward to welcoming you to the College.
Best wishes to you all
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon.