St Mary’s Blackheath
Newsletter 3rd March 2024
Sunday Masses: Saturday 6.30pm first Mass of Sunday
– Sunday 9.30 and 11am and 5pm.
Monday to Friday: Eucharistic Service at 8am.
Saturday Mass at 10am
Saturday 10am and 6.30pm
Confessions: Saturday 12 to 1
Today is the Third Sunday of Lent.
There will be Stations of the Cross at 4.15pm today.
I am off the College in Spain once again on Monday morning and will return on Friday evening.
This means that there will not be a Mass in the Church at 8am from Monday to Friday but the Church will be open for Rosary and a Eucharistic Service.
The gospel today speaks of the Lord driving the money changers out of the temple.
Thank you for your generous support for the Cafod fast day. I will let you know the total collected at Mass today.
First Holy Communion classes again next Saturday – starting at 10am in the big hall.
A prayer for today:
Almighty and everlasting God, increase our faith, hope and love ,and so that we may obtain what you promises, help us to love what you command, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Lenten soup: fry some onions gently in a little butter. Add some carrots, rice, seasoning and some stock. Cook very slowly for about an hour and pass through a fine sieve. Add a little cream before serving.
George Herbert again:
it’s true we cannot reach Christ’s fortieth day;
yet to part of that religious way,
is better than to rest:
we cannot reach our Saviour’s puritie;
yet are we bid, Be holy ev’n as he
In both let’s do our best.
After a mild winter, the daffodils in the garden have been doing well. I have been tending the fig tree with care: the buds are beginning to appear but no sign of fruit yet: the cherry tree is doing very well and I hope there will be plenty of fruit.
Puzzlement as the electric buses seem to have disappeared from route 108 after a few experimental outings. The ancient Mercedes are as reliable as ever.
A few people are undertaking important exams at present: prayers and best wishes for you all. My niece, the mother of the boy and his sister, has been taking her exams to become a registrar.
The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra-la,
Breath promise of merry sunshine-
As we merrily dance and we sing, tra-la
We welcome the hope that they bring, tra-la
Of summer of roses and wine.
Sports Direct has bought a major holding in Hornby – trains to trainers.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon