Version:1.0 StartHTML:000000248 EndHTML:000006465 StartFragment:000001675 EndFragment:000006433 StartSelection:000001675 EndSelection:000006429 SourceURL:http://www.stmarysblackheath.org.uk/wp-admin/post.php?post=1281&action=edit&message=1
St. Mary’s,
 Blackheath
Newsletter: 26th November 2017
Mass times: Saturday: 6.30pm (first Mass of Sunday)
Sunday: 9.30 and 11am and 7.30pm
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10am
Tuesday, Thursday: 7.30am
Eucharistic Service: Tuesday 10am
There is a Mass at the Convent on Friday evenings at 6.30pm.
Confessions: Saturday 12 to 1pm
Today is the Feast of Christ the King and is the Last Sunday in the Church’s year.
Next Sunday we begin the season of Advent, the period of prayer in which we prepare for the celebration of Christmas. In preparation you might like to note that next Sunday we move to the second cycle of readings.
Today there is a second collection to help support Catholic Youth Work.
I hope that by the time you read this, the Angelus Room will be back in use. The standard of workmanship has been good and I ask you please to continue to look after it and to make sure that it is kept clean and tidy.
Date for the coming weeks – the Advent Carol Service will take place on the afternoon of Sunday 10th December and the first part of the cycle of mystery plays will be performed on Sunday 17th December. No 7.30pm Mass on Sunday 24th December but there will the first Mass of Christmas at 6.30pm.
The list for parts in the plays will go up next Sunday – Joseph and Mary, Shepherds, Kings and Roman Soldiers – lots of parts and some wonderful costumes to wear so please be ready to add your names: there will be a short rehearsal after the 9.30 Mass on 10th December.
The parents meet to plan the First Holy Communion class at Monday evening at 8pm and the class takes place in the big hall on Saturday at 10am. Difficult to keep it warm during the winter months but I will put the heat on early in the hope that it will warm up.
Next Sunday the Justice and Peace group will arrange the signing of cards to be sent to prisoners of conscience. This is a task that is undertaken every year. The feedback is that the cards are greatly appreciated by those who receive them so I hope you will be able to spare a moment to prepare a few cards. Nothing is required – we provide the cards and the pens and arrange for them to be posted.
Plans are afoot to spend Christmas day at the house of the niece and her family rather than going to my brother’s house in Sussex. The children are receiving detailed instructions from their father on how to serve food to the guests – so it will be great fun. The little girl is quite a good dancer now so she can entertain us all. Her brother looks on with disdain as he wants to continue with the latest Lego.
During the recent trip to France, I enjoyed a lunch of fish stew (marmite de poisson). I looked up the recipe in Bertholle and Beck but decided – perhaps wisely – that it was beyond me so I will not bore you with the details. The first stage was a fish stock, prepared with the bones and tails of the fish – there doesn’t seem to be much left over for this in a packet of fish fingers. Then the stew itself – to stage 2 – but followed by stage 3 – now it is time to prepare the lobster – I realised that it was getting beyond me. Next week a recipe for pumpkin soup from Spain which is much simpler.
Also from Paris, a note about the Metro. New trains arrived on ligne 4 about 3 years ago – the 89 series (my regular line from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse). The tunnels are old and tortuous with some tight curves but the pneumatic tyres on the trains lead to sharp acceleration and fierce braking so you have to hold on tight. The signalling system has been replaced with new lights and the wiring is being renewed with racks along the walls – similar to the London Underground. Several of the stations are being renovated with new tiles – Reamur Sebastopol is out service at present – but the final result is not particularly elegant.
 The familiar prayer for this time of year: Stir up, we beseech you O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
To end, something curious from Roy Campbell:Â
 Far from the vulgar haunts of men
Each sits in her successful room
Housekeeping with her fountain pen
And writing novels with her broom.
Best wishes to you all
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon
Â
Â
Â
Â