St Mary’s Blackheath
Newsletter 2nd July 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 Thirteenth Sunday of the Church’s year.
Monday is the feast of the Apostle St. Thomas.
We are moving into the holiday days, and I hope that you will have a good break. Also beset wishes for all who have taken examinations this year.
Please remember to return the First Holy Communion forms promptly.
A reminder that the donations towards Greenwich Foodbank will be collected after the Masses this weekend. Thank you for whatever you are able to give.
A special treat for the summer days- slit a croissant in half with a sharp knife- add a sliver of Brie cheese with the rind removed and place in the microwave for about 20 seconds – any longer and it will make a mess.
In the garden, my herb pots are doing well and also the fig tree is thriving. Have you found the cherry tree? A very good crop this year, though they are sour cherries. Also, the raspberries are doing well. I try to do some watering most days. The apple tree planted by the children earlier this year needs some tender care.
A reminder please to return any swimsuits if you have taken them home to wash them.
Boys continue to show a special interest in the Mercedes buses operating on route 108. They are now unique in London. If you look at the speedo dial when boarding, the mileometer shows that some have covered well over 600,000 miles. They have certainly lasted well.
It is worth looking up the story of the Jackdaw of Rheims:
The Jackdaw sat on the Cardinal’s chair!
Bishop, and abbot, and prior were there;
Many a monk, and many a friar,
Many a knight, and many a squire,
With a great many more of lesser degree,–
In sooth a goodly company;
And they served the Lord Primate on bended knee.
And a prayer:
Lord, make your way plain before me. Let your glory be my end, your Word my rule, and then, your will be done.
Have you seen the large-scale project that is being undertaken on the peninsula by the Dome? The Silvertown tunnel is being constructed, and a mound of concrete segments are piled up waiting to be installed. Several roads have been closed and there are long queues of traffic.
We haven’t had any Gilbert and Sullivan for a long time:
When he had Rhenish wine to drink
It made him very sad to think
That some, at junket or at jink,
Must be content with toddy.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon