St. Mary’s,
Blackheath
Newsletter: 28th June 2015
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
There is a Mass at the Convent on Friday evenings at 6.30pm.
Confessions: Saturday 12 to 1pm
Today the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul, transferred from 29th June.
Friday is the feast of the apostle St. Thomas.
The Parish AGM takes place on Thursday evening in the Big Hall at 8pm. Food and wine will be available from 7.15.
A chance to review the past year and to make plans for the year ahead. Also a time to elect new members for the Parish Council. I hope that you will be able to come.
The Governing Body meets at the St. Matthew Academy on Monday evening. On Thursday morning one of the junior classes will be coming to the Church. Recently a visit from year 4: after Mass in the Church, they played in the garden and asked if they could come for a sleepover. I am not sure that I could cope with 60 of them.
Gradually winding down for the summer – most of the exams have been completed at the school and the cycle of school meetings is finished. In a couple of weeks’ time, the choir will be taking a break until the September. Probably you are beginning to think about holidays and I hope will have an enjoyable time.
The great nephew enjoyed his recent visit. He orders his food in advance and here is his favourite salad: some cherry tomatoes cut in half, cucumber cut into strips, pieces of green pepper and a firm avocado pear cut into chunks. Dress with some olive oil and a little wine vinegar. His sister is too small to choose her food as yet and her mother prepares special food for her. In a few years’ time, she will be able to share things with her brother.
And a prayer:
Lord, our out on us the spirit of understanding, truth and peace. Help us to strive with all our hearts to know what is pleasing to you, and when we know your will, make us determined to do it. Through Christ Our Lord Amen.
The new Routemaster buses are appearing on a number of routes: the 12 has been converted and they have started to operate on the 73. It is noticeable that very few routes now operate with conductors. This means that the rear door is closed between stops and the open platform cannot be used to hop on and off at traffic lights. It seems that this was an expensive feature added to the design but it was not really necessary. Some of the older buses have been retired from service in London. Recently I noticed a number of them in the yard at Aldershot waiting repainting so that they could be used on local services.
It is always worth quoting John Donne:
Busie old foole, unruly Sunne
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtaines call on us?
Must to thy motions lovers seasons run?
Sawcy pedantique wretch, goe chide
Late schoole boyes, and sowre prentices,
Goe tell Court-huntsmen that the King will ride
Call country ants to harvest offices.
Best wishes to you all
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon