newsletter 5th April 2015

Newsletter 5th April 2015
Greetings and blessings to you on this Easter Sunday morning as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord.
The Paschal Candle was blessed during the Easter Vigil. It represents the Risen Christ living with his Church. We light it during the Mass on Sunday and it will remain beside the altar until the feast of the Ascension.
Thank you all for sharing in the Holy Week Services in such a prayerful way. A word of thanks to all who helped in a special way.
If the Bishop is not available, there will be a Eucharistic service at 10am on Monday.
As it is a Bank Holiday, you might find me working as train crew on a steam railway in Hampshire. It is a Thomas day so there will be plenty of children and we have to look out for the fat controller.
Bot wooden house in the garden. This is the first item that we have been able to purchase from the Myra Fund – you will recall that this is the special fund that we set up for the benefit of children. A great deal of discussion and this seemed the best idea. I hope you will look after it.
Already several names for the visit to the College in Spain in the autumn… The dates are 19th to 23rd October. If you would like to come, please let me know.
Following from my recipe for chocolate a couple of weeks ago, another attempt at churros. The basic recipe I tried a few weeks ago was a bit stodgy so here is a new version. The dough is made from 4oz sugar, a pinch of cinnamon, 1oz butter, and 5oz of plain flour, and maybe some grated orange zest, with a pinch of salt. Cook very slowly until a dough forms and then add two eggs. Form into a soft dough, maybe using a food processor. Place in a forcing bag with a star nozzle and cook in some hot oil until puffed and golden – probably about three minutes. I have used Valor powder from Spain but I understand that you can use ordinary Cocoa to make the hot chocolate.
An Easter poem from George Herbert:
I got me flowers to straw thy way;
I got me boughs off many a tree:
But thou wast up by break of day,
And brought’st thy sweets along with thee.
The Sunne arising in the East
Though he gave light,& th’East perfume,
If they should offer to contest
With thy arising, they presume.
And an Easter prayer:
Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of thy Son has overcome the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to thee in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory. Amen.
The great nephew is enjoying his holiday from school – much of his time is spent with his grandfather so that they can have lengthy debates about old cars and familiar bus routes. His young sister is too young to join in this at present, but in due time will have to learn to be tolerant with the boys in our family.
Gradually the Dennis Trident buses are being withdrawn from service. One caught alight and was burnt out at Honor Oak the other day. Most were in service for about 10 to 12 years but now looked old-fashioned compared with the new Routemasters.
And to finish something from Eliot: A thought to Donne was an experience; it modified his sensibility. When the poet’s mind is perfectly equipped for its work, it is constantly amalgamating disparate experience.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon