Newsletter 16th June 2024
Sunday Masses: Saturday 6.30pm first Mass of Sunday
– Sunday 9.30 and 11am and 5pm.The
Monday to Friday: Mass at 8am.
Saturday Mass at 10am
and 6.30pm
Confessions: Saturday 12 to 1
Today is the Eleventh Sunday of the Church’s year.
Thursday is the feast of St. Alban, the proto-martyr of England and Saturday is the feast of the two great English Saints, St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More. Fisher was Bishop of Rochester and More was Chancellor England. They opposed King Henry VIII and both were put to death in 1533.
A reminder to return the forms for the next series of classes for First holy Communion and for Confirmation.
The weeks are very full at present with Baptisms and other celebrations. There are a only few free dates still left before the end of August, so please let me know if you would like to arrange a baptism.
Today is the feast of St. Richard of Chichester: here is his prayer.
Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the blessings and benefits which you have give to me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me, O most merciful friend, brother and redeemer; may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow thee more nearly.
I have been sorting out my books recently: those that are going to the school library, those that I want to keep and those that I am throwing out. It is a fascinating task and has brought back many memories. I doubt if a Spanish Bible Commentary from the 60s will be of any use but the complete Oxford Chaucer still has a value.
So here is something from it:
A Knyght ther was, and that a worthy man,
That from the tyme that he first bigan
To riden out, he loved chivalrie,
Trouthe and honour, freedom and curtesie.
Full worthy was he in his lordes were,
And thereto had he riden, no man ferre,
As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse And ever honoured for his worthynesse.
(do you remember having to translate this for your O level English exam?)
A simple supper dish when you are tired. Some buttered toasts, moderately browned.
Some large mushrooms cooked gently in some oil. Put them on the toast and pepper well.
I have been wondering about the two large pine trees in the garden adjoining the house. They started as Christmas trees many years ago but are now enormous. I will see if we can get permission to remove them.
A new net arrived for the football goal – I hope that the foxes will not attack it. Also, one of the new footballs disappeared immediately. Does anybody know where it is? I have been busy keeping the pool clean but to date there have not been many very warm days.
For those with obscure interests, there are technical problems with the new train sets for the DLR and their entry into service will be delayed.
Best wishes to you all,
Monsignor Nicholas Rothon.