St Mary’s Blackheath
Newsletter 29th January 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 Fourth Sunday of the Church’s year.
Thursday is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas day. This Feast commemorates the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple forty days after his birth to fulfil the requirements of the Jewish Law. Also, this is the day on which we bless the candles that we will use in the Church during the year and this ceremony will take place before the 8am Mass.
Tuesday is the feast of St. John Bosco and Friday is a Diocesan feast for St. Laurence of Canterbury.
I hope to go to the exhibition of Spanish Paintings at the Royal Academy on Tuesday evening. Amongst other things, there are is an unusual Velazquez and a Goya so it will be well worth a visit.
Betjeman is always fun:
Oh wasn’t it naughty of Smudges?
Oh, Mummy, I’m sick with disgust
She threw me in front of the Judges
And my silly old collarbone’s bust.
And a prayer:
Make us receptive and open and may we accept your kingdom like children taking food from the hands of their parents. Let us live in your peace, at home with you all the days of our lives.
February already – I remember in some years it was warm enough to think about filling the pool by the end of March. I hope the cold days will not last too long. There is much to look forward to.
Sometimes I cook some pasta until it is soft. Drain well and add some butter and some chopped herbs and may be some pieces of ham. It makes a good supper dish.
Thanks to the parents who have been helping with the First Communion classes and to Anna who has looked after the Confirmation group. The children seem to enjoy them very much and it is good see them all. We work through the class book but also add extra items each time to make sure that everything is covered.
Week by week there are many generous donations for the food bank. We make sure that the items are delivered promptly each Sunday. Thank you for all your generosity which is much appreciated.
A few items require attention – on the Church, the big hall and the house. I met with the builder last week and we should be able to put them in hand in the coming weeks. In particular, I want to improve the lighting outside the front of the Church.
A little etymology: Copain is a familiar French word for a friend. In the 14th century, plates were no in general use and food was served on large slices of bread. At a banquet, food might shared by two people on the same slice – thus a co-pain.
The garden needs some attention but it has been too cold of late to attend to it. The spring flowers are appearing and they seem to have survived the frost. The herb pots are in a poor state and need renewal.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon