St Mary’s Blackheath
Newsletter 23rd July 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 Sixteenth Sunday of the Church’s year.
Tuesday is the feast of St. James, the patron of Spain.
Wednesday is the Commemoration of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of Our Blessed Lady. They appear in one of the stained glass windows in our Church.
Saturday is the Commemoration of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, the friends of the Lord who lived at Bethany.
Thanks to all the parents who have returned the forms for the First holy Communion classes. So far, we have 20 children for the class. I will be sending out a trial email, to see if we have all the families in the loop. We need to do this as the reminders for the classes are sent out by email.
Gradually slowing down for the summer and I hope that you will be able to have a holiday. There will be a gap in the cakes and coffee during August, but thanks to all who have helped with these. They are always must popular.
The leaking pipe outside the Church has caused a problem for many weeks but it was repaired on Tuesday morning: I hope that there will not be any further problems.
I have been keeping a careful watch on the fig tree. Regular sprays to deter the bugs and it seems to be growing well. Eventually it should be about 4 metres tall. No fruit this year, but a hope for years to come.
A recipe from Spain. Grill some tomatoes and some sliced peppers until they are slightly charred. Place in a large bowl and seed them if necessary, adding salt and pepper. Season with olive oil and some wine vinegar. It is suggested that this is best eaten warm with some fish.
And a prayer:
O God, you make all things work together for the good of those who love you. Kindle the abiding fire of your charity in our hearts, that the longings you inspire in us may be for your glory. Amen
some Kipling
Each to his choice, and I rejoice
The lot has fallen to me
In a fair ground – in a fair ground
Yea, Sussex by the sea.
Some thoughts about electric buses on route 108. Their range between charges it estimated, optimistically, at 150 miles but far less on a wet day with long traffic delays. How long before one runs out of charge in the Blackwall Tunnel?
And work this out:
Les mots du prophete son escrits sur les murs du metro
– dans les entrees des immeubles
– et chuchotes dans les bruits du silence.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon