Newsletter 26th August 2012.
Congratulations to Sister Elizabeth who will be celebrating her Golden Jubilee on Tuesday. There will be a special Mass at Chigwell followed by a special feast.
Monday is the Bank Holiday so I will not be about: there should be a Mass at the Convent at 9am and the Eucharistic Ministers help in the Church at 10am. Possibly you might see me working as a railwayman in Hampshire. It is a Thomas day so it should be very busy with lots of children.
Important days in the coming month –
15th September, we are having the party in the garden. I hope that you will be able to come.
18th September, a meeting for the parents of the children who will be making their First Holy Communion next year. The meeting is for the parents only and will be in the big hall at 11am.
The first class will be on Saturday 22nd.
19th September, the first class for the Confirmation group, which will be in the Angelus Room at 6.30pm.
A few Saints this week: Monday is the feast of St Monica, the mother of St. Augustine and Tuesday is the feast of Augustine himself. Wednesday is the commemoration of the death of John the Baptist.
A request the other day for some information about the Architect of the Church. It was designed by Alfred Edward Purdie (1843-1920). He was a pupil of Pugin and one of the last of the Architects of the Gothic Revival. He also designed the Churches at Redhill (now demolished) and at Streatham. The Church was built in 1893. We have a book of old photographs belonging to the Parish Priest at the time. It seems that he visited a large number of Churches and recorded the features so that these could be included in St. Mary’s. The Hardman windows are interesting as they are a complete set. Hardman was the contractor who worked closely with Pugin.
Not a proper recipe this week but a report from one of the nieces: the Norfolk great-nephew requested a tractor cake to celebrate his birthday. The cab and the engine were made from Victoria sponge with Swiss roll wheels and a liquorish stick for an exhaust pipe. It had to be kept in the fridge to the last minute as otherwise it would have collapsed into a sticky mess.
In the garden, the horse chestnut seems to have survived better this year. There are some marks on the leaves but they are still there. Last year the tree had lost its leaves by mid-August. I am sorry to report that the bees were only temporary visitors. I put on the kit and went up on to the roof to look at the hive but found that it was empty. Maybe they will come back some time.
A prayer from St. Benedict:
Almighty God, give us wisdom to perceive thee, intellect to understand thee, diligence to seek thee, patience to wait for thee, eyes to behold thee, a heart to meditate upon thee, and life to proclaim tee, through the power of the Spirit of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
And now some Tennyson:
There is sweet music here that softer falls
Than petals from blown roses on the grass,
Or night-dews on still waters between walls
Of shadowy granite, in a gleaming pass;
Music that gentlier on the spirit lies,
Than tired eyelids on tired eyes.
(most appropriate as the choir will be back next week)
A piece of Pepys to entertain you:
Up, and to the office, where sat all the morning, and at noon home to dinner, and then to the office again, where late very busy and dispatching much business. At night home to supper and signing with my wife, who hath lately begun to learn and I think will come to something, though here ear is not good.
At this time of year, we are beginning to think of a new generation of students for the College in Spain. The Rector will be back from his holiday and will be busy making preparations for the coming year. The accounting year runs to 30th September so I will be putting my figures together over the next few weeks. We have not undertaken any major works to the buildings this summer so I hope that all will work out within budget.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon