newsletter 26th January 2014

Newsletter 26th January 2014

As always, newsletters are written well in advance. By the time you read this I hope that I will have returned safely from my travels to the South of Spain – though as you may recall from previous adventures – trips in the South are not always predictable.

There is no magazine this month – the next edition will be published at the end of February.

Next Sunday is 2nd February – the feast of the Purification otherwise known as Candlemas day.
We will bless candles at the beginning of the 11am Mass with a procession to the altar.

Tuesday is the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas and Friday is the feast of St. John Bosco.

I hope that you have been able to work out that we are now in the Third week of ordinary time, with cycle A for the readings on Sundays and the second cycle on weekdays.

Alex is now completing his stay here and will be returning to the College in Spain. He has greatly enjoyed his stay and thanks you for your hospitality.

A finance meeting at the Sixth Form College on Monday and to Lewisham Town Hall on Wednesday evening.

The Eucharistic Ministers meet on Thursday evening at 8pm. Towards the end of last year, I asked for some new Eucharistic Ministers. I am afraid we had a false start – I arranged a meeting but only one turned up but there is a need to start again. To give good notice, I am therefore arranging a meeting at 8pm on Tuesday 18th February in the house. There is a list in the porch – so we can see who will be able to come – the previous candidates plus perhaps some new volunteers.

During the storms at the turn of the year, the fence at the end of the garden was badly damaged. It is now really beyond repair and together with the adjoining owner, I am arranging for it to be replaced. Also a lot of wood was blown down from the trees. I have done my best to saw it up but it will need to be taken away. A further job is to give the climbing frame a good coat of teak oil so that it is well preserved.

Here is the Mayor Hamelin wondering if he can afford to pay the Pied Piper:
A thousand guilders! The Mayor looked blue;
So did the Corporation too.
For council dinners made rare havoc
With Claret, Moselle, Vin-de-Grave, Hock;
And half the money would replenish
Their cellar’s biggest butt of Rhenish.
To pay this sum to a wandering fellow
With a gipsy coat of red and yellow!

A prayer for you:
God of infinite mercy and grace, we give thanks for all the good things you have given us, and ask that in your kindness, as you have answered the prayers of those who turn to you in faith, so you will never leave us but prepare us for the rewards of eternal life. Amen.

The crib was dismantled with admirable speed but it is beginning to show its age. There are some parts where there are more holes than wood – I think it has served us for well over 20 years. Tom Bingham, who helps to put it up, suggests a new design, possibly of a more prefabricated form which can be put up more easily. He is working on a design and we can look at this in due course. I understand that he helped to make a news crib for Farm Street Church.

Some more information for those with arcane interests. Well over 100 Boris buses have now been delivered. The earlier vehicles, with a lower passenger capacity are being used on route 390 whilst the latest deliveries with a higher capacity are being used on routes 11 and 24 which are much busier.

Here is a recipe for Caramel custard which is very popular in Spain and is given the misleading name of “flan” on Spanish menus. Heat a pint of milk gently with 150 gr of sugar. Beat in 3 eggs plus 2 extra yolks and some vanilla essence. Pour the mixture into small pots and bake in a moderate oven for about 20 minutes. Pour some caramel over the top and allow to set.

The Manna Centre at London Bridge is looking for volunteers to help in the kitchen – Weds, Thurs and Fri from 9.30 to 14. If you could help on one day a week contact Paddy Boyle on 020 7357 9363.

Best wishes to you all

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon

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