St Mary’s Blackheath
Newsletter 2nd October 2022
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 Twenty seventh Sunday of the Church’s year.
Tuesday is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi and Friday the commemoration of Our Lady of the Rosary. October is the month of the Rosary and a reminder that we recite the Rosary in the Church each morning before Mass.
I am very much aware that several people are unwell at present – they have a special remembrance in our prayers and at Mass each morning.
Thanks to the children for their help with the First Communion Mass last Sunday. The next class comes round quickly and will take place next Saturday, 8th October. A meeting for the parents who are running the class at 8pm on Monday.
The Confirmation classes begin on Thursday evening in the big hall, starting at 6.30 and lasting to 7.30. We will give out the books at the class. Part of the class will use a film and we have bought a new display screen to help with this.
Apologies for the error with the question about the speed of the train last week, The correct answer is 31.09 mph.
An amusing comment from A.N. Wilson: he suggested that the novels of C.P. Snow might be compared to a version of “Dance to the Music of Time” written by Lord Widmerpool.
Next Friday is the autumn Fast day for CAFOD. I have put out some envelopes today and you will be able to return them next Sunday – using our ancient boxes.
A veggie recipe that you might like to try: fry some sliced onions, some sliced mushrooms, and some diced carrot in some oil until they are soft; season well and add a good pinch of mixed herbs. At the same time cook some potatoes until they are soft and cream well with some butter and a little milk. Put the veg in a dish and top with the potato, baking in a hot oven until the top is crisped.
A prayer: Remember, O Lord, what thou has wrought in us and not what we deserve; and as thou hast called us to thy service, make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Betjeman on Cambridge:
The white of windy Cambridge courts, the cobbles brown and dry,
The gold of plaster Gothic with ivy overgrown,
The apple red, the silver fronts, the wide green flats and high,
The yellowing elm trees circled out on islands of their own.
A lot of work clearing up the garden at present; the grass is growing well on the patch left by the pool: a new net for the trampoline: with a bit of luck, it may be fixed by the time that you read this.
Recently, my attempts at translations of popular songs into contemporary French caused a great deal of criticism and debate. For the time being I have promised not to attempt it again.
Best wishes to you all
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon