St Mary’s Blackheath
Newsletter 31st July 2022
Sunday Masses: Saturday 6.30pm first Mass of Sunday
– Sunday 9.30 and 11am and 5pm.
Monday to Friday: Lenten service at 8am.
Saturday 10am and 6.30pm
Confessions: Saturday12 to 1
Today is the eighteenth Sunday of the Church’s year.
The last day of July and I hope that you are enjoying the summer days.
Saturday is the feast of the Transfiguration.
There is a funeral Mass for Madeleine Pyner at 9.30 on Monday.
A lot of work in the garden each day watering the plants. The herb pots have done well, but some have died and there is time for a second crop before the autumn. Parsley and chives have done well, but as always, it is difficult to produce some basil.
Please remember to return the forms for First Communion and Confirmation classes. I will need to order the books within the next couple of weeks.
A salad that I made the other day: cook some new potatoes and dress them with olive oil and chives: add some green beans, some chunks of avocado, a hard-boiled egg cut in half and maybe a few black olives.
The report on the consultation that took place in England and Wales in preparation for the Synod has now been published and you might like to look at it on the website for the Bishops’ Conference. The consultation in our parish was very positive but I found that this document was far more cautious.
How to cope with railway strikes: I had to go to the Cathedral last Wednesday so took the bus to North Greenwich and then the Jubilee line to central London. Very crowded and hot.
The river’s tent is broken; the last fingers of leaf
Clutch and sink into the wet bank. The wind
Crosses the brown land, unheard, The nymphs are departed.
Sweet Thames, run softly, till I end my song.
(What on earth does this mean!)
And a prayer:
Teach us, O lord, to fear without being afraid; to fear thee in love that we may love thee without fear, through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
A thought from Abbot Marmion: For our works to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father, they must be animated by love. In all that we do, great or small, known or hidden from sight, we should seek the glory of our Father, act only in order to hallow His name, extending his kingdom and doing his will. The secret of holiness lies in this.
The boy found my brother and myself spending an hour in great enjoyment discussing the details of 1950s cars. In despair, he went off to play chess with his grandmother.
I hope that you are all keeping well. I am pleased to see you from time to time in the garden during the week. Pray for those who are sick at this time.
Best wishes to you all
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon