Newsletter 19^th May 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 Feast of Pentecost in which we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Our Lady and the Apostles. We use the red vestments today. This day is said to be the feast of the birth of the Church.

Congratulations to the 36 children who are making their First Holy Communion at the 11 am Mass today. Thanks to all the parents who have supported the children and helped with the classes. It has been a wonderful year and we have all enjoyed it very much.   Look out for the tree that the children have planted in the garden to commemorate this day.

So back to Ordinary time once again after the Lenten and Paschaltide seasons. The green vestments come out again. This coming week is the Seventh week in ordinary time. There are still a few more feasts to celebrate. Next week it is Trinity Sunday and following this, Corpus Christi.

Monday is the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, and Saturday the feast of the great English Saint, Bede the Venerable.

A busy week ahead with a number of School and Investment meetings.

I was pleased to welcome Father Kyne for a visit last week and to explain to him some of the workings of our parish. We hope to arrange a meeting with the Parish Council in the coming weeks.

Lots of fun in the garden in recent days – quite a lot to do – cutting the hedge and the lawn, clearing up the leaves and making sure that the pool is clean with the right chemicals.

The builder came for a meeting last week. No urgent works, but a series of small jobs to ensure that everything is kept in good order. The Angelus Room will have a simple redecoration to make sure that it is smart and clean.

My favourite salad at moment is made from some lettuce leaves, a finely sliced apple, and some pieces of avocado pear. It needs to be well dressed with oil and vinegar but goes well with most things.

Do you remember an Inn?

And the tedding and the spreading

Of straw for a bedding,

And the fleas that tease in the High Pyrenees,

And the wine that tasted of tar,

And the cheers and the jeers of the young muleteers

Under the vine of the dark verandah?

(Belloc is always fun.)

Transform our understanding and our will, O Lord, by the gift of your Holy Spirit: may our minds be subject to your Spirit and all our wishes be directed towards your holy will, to the praise and glory of your name. Amen.

In the next couple of weeks I will be putting out inscription forms for the next set of First Holy Communion  classes and also Confirmations.  It is not possible to give an indication for the form that these classes will take, but it will be good to register a set of names.

I hope the good summer days will continue.

Best wishes to your all

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon

Newsletter 12^th May 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 Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension, also known as the Seventh Sunday of the Easter Season.

The Paschal Candle has now been moved to a position beside the font.

Last  Sunday I was pleased to announce the appointment of Father Paul Kine as the next parish priest. He will take up office at the beginning of September. Currently he is the Parish Priest at Sidcup and Director of Vocations to the Diocese. I understand that the Archbishop will also appoint a second assistant priest to the parish but as yet an appointment has not been made.

I will be leaving the parish to live in a flat adjoining Lee Park.

Next Sunday is the First Holy Communion Day. There are thirty-six children in the group this year. The celebration will be at the 11am Mass. The Church will be very full and if you normally come to this Mass, you may think of an alternative Mass on this one day.

Children are asked to come to the Big Hall by about 10.30 to prepare for the procession to the Church.

Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, commemorating the coming of the Holy Spirit on Our Lady and the apostles.

Tuesday of the coming week is the feast of St. Mathias who was elected to replaced Judas as an apostle.

Another recipe from Spain: soak some white beans overnight and add a few black beans. Stew with some pieces of pork fat and some baby mushrooms to produce a thick soup. Not to everybody’s taste, but a typical dish from Castille.

On the way out to Spain, the film on the plane was “Barbie” – which I enjoyed enormously. I am preparing a “Ken” outfit for the summer.

During this coming week I will be arranging some works on the Church – nothing major, but to make sure there are no problems. A few slipped slates on the Church roof and the Angelus Room will have a simple redecoration. It is used intensively and needs a good clean.

Thanks to the members of the Parish Council for attending the meeting last week: the minutes will be put up on the notice board. They will have a special role in the coming months as the changes take place.

A message to the children: there is quite a lot of money in the Myra fund at present – it is your money- to decide on things that you want for the garden – please let me know if you have any ideas.

Grant us O Lord, to pass this day in gladness and peace, that reaching eventide, we may praise thee, the eternal God, who are blessed, and dost govern all things, world without end. Amen.

Because I do not hope to turn again

Let these words answer

For what is done, not to be done again.

Best wishes to you all

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon

Newsletter 5^th May 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 Sixth Sunday of the Easter Season.

Thursday is the feast of the Ascension. It is a Holy day of obligation. Masses will be at 8 and 10am and 6.30pm. The Paschal Candle is extinguished after the gospel. At the end of the day, the candle is moved to a place beside the font. It represents the Risen Lord remaining with his Church, but he has now returned to his Father in heaven.

Newsletters have to be prepared well in advance. By the time that you read this, I hope that I will have returned safely from a visit to the College in Spain. This was the week for the meetings of the Trustees – lots of paperwork, explanations about everything and minutes to be prepared. I am not sure if they really understand what I am up to – but they have to look interested.

This time I did not stay with my family in Madrid on the way home – it is a bit complex – making the journey from central Madrid to their home – and easier to stay in the College of an extra day after the meetings.

No magazine this month – there were problems with the renewal of a computer, but an assurance that the next issue will be splendid with some very good articles.

Monday is the Bank holiday so with luck I will be going down to work on the steam railway. There is a limited service with only one steam engine at present, so I do not need to leave at an early hour. There will be Mass at the normal time of 8am.

Otherwise, a full week. There is a meeting of the Governing Body of the College on Tuesday evening. The Parish Council meets on Wednesday evening in the house at 8pm. Also, the last of the First Communion classes on Saturday. We should have sent out an agenda for the parish Council already.

Something unusual this week. Mix some cream cheese with some crème fraiche. Add two tablespoons of white wine, a tablespoon of olive oil, some finely chopped garlic, some chopped parsley and some chopped chives and season to taste. Chill and serve on toast or bread – this recipe comes from Burgundy.

And some Auden

Picnics are promised and planned for July

To the wood with the waterfall, walks to find,

Traces of birds

A mole, a river,

In factory yards

Marked strictly private.

Lord Jesus, we pray for all children, that their growing spirits may take no harm at our hands: and help their parents with your love so that may guide their children with courage and faith.

I have not had time as yet to look at my herb pots. The chives and the parsley seem to have survived for another year but some of the rarer items need to be cleaned out and replanted. The basil remains inside.

Best wishes to you all.

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon

Newsletter 28th April 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

and 6.30pm

Confessions: Saturday 12 to 1.

Today is the Fifth Sunday of the Easter Season.

I have put out some envelope today if you would like to make a donation towards the maintenance of the Cathedral.

Monday of this week is the feast of St. Catherine of Siena, Wednesday St. Joseph the Worker, Friday the Apostles Philip and James and Saturday the feast of the English Martyrs.

This coming week I will be going to the College in Spain, leaving on Monday morning and returning on Friday.  This means that there will not be a morning Mass during the coming week at 8am but the Church will be open for prayers and a Eucharistic Service.

The Justice and Peace Group meets next Sunday after the 11am Mass.

For some time there have been requests for a netball post in the garden.  Thanks to the Myra fund, one has now been provided.  The height of the post can be extended. Far too many people are scoring with their first shot, so I will have to make it higher and more difficult.

In spite of the cold days, the pool is already very popular.  Back to the usual routine of adding the chemicals, clearing out the grass and leaves and running the pump for the filter.

I have been watching the fig tree to see how it is developing this year.  Plenty of fine leaves but as yet, no sign of any fruit. Some of herb pots survived the winter with new crops of parsley and chives but I must set to work to replant them.  There is a splendid pot of basil in the kitchen, but I am reluctant to put it outside as the birds and the snails would destroy it in no time.

A visit from the boy and his sister last weekend.  He is still limping from his skiing injury but is recovering well. As always, they required great quantities of food.  

Try this. Soak some dried kidney beans overnight and cook them very slowly with a carrot, a peeled onion and some herbs until the beans are very tender.  Discard the carrot and onion and add some red wine and some crème fraiche and simmer for a little while. Add some small pieces of butter and sprinkle with parsley before serving.

A Collect: Lord of all power and might, who are the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of they name, nourish us with all goodness, and of they great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

I await with interest the arrival of the new trains on the Docklands Light Railway. They are undergoing tests at present and can be seen from time to time, but as yet, they are not in regular service.

Not long now to the First Communion  on 19^th May. We are busy with the preparations.

Best wishes to you all,

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon

Newsletter 21st April 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 Fourth Sunday of the Easter season.

If have put out some envelopes and a box today if you would like to make a donation towards the fund for training the future priests of the Diocese.

Tuesday of this week is the feast of St. George, the patron of England and the patron of this Diocese.

Thursday is the feast of the evangelist, St. Mark.

We are pleased to welcome the First Communion children who have a special role in the 9.30 Mass today. We are almost there – only one more class before we complete the present series.

On 29^TH April I am off to the College in Spain once again. This is for the meeting with the Bishops and the other Trustees so a busy week preparing all the agendas and papers for our meetings. Last time some of the Trustees asked for a “skills audit” so it will be interesting to see the results.

We now have a good supply of chemicals for the pool and as always it is looking clean and sparkling. This year we were lucky and seemed to find a level piece of ground.

Also, in the garden look at some of the fruit trees. The cherries were full of blossom and the fig tree is doing very well. I have started to clean out my herb pots and will plant some new seeds when I come back from Spain.

A prayer from St. Thomas More:

O my sweet Saviour Christ, which in thine undeserved love towards us so kindly wouldst suffer the painful death of the cross, suffer me not to be cold nor lukewarm in love towards thee, Amen.

And we must have some Eliot:

April is the cruellest month, breeding

Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing

Memory and desire, stirring

Dull roots with spring rain.

Cook some potatoes in their skins and peel them and cut them into slices whilst they are still warm. Meanwhile cook some sliced onion in a mixture of butter and oil. Remove the cooked onion and cook the potato slices for a few minutes. Add back the onions, season well and sprinkle with some chopped parsley.

Some of you will have heard the news that the Archbishop has agreed that a small flat can be purchased to that I can continue to live in Blackheath when I retire at the end of the summer. It is a great relief that this decision has been made after many worrying weeks. I will let you have the details in due course, and who knows, I may continue to see you about.

Little opportunity to travel about of late, but if you are coming home from Victoria, look out for the new track numbers at the entrance to the train shed. Good to see that they have been finished in traditional Southern Region Green.

Best wishes to you all,

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon

Newsletter 14th April 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 Third Sunday of the Easter Season.

First Communion classes have come round once again: there will be a class on Saturday at 10am and a meeting for the parents to plan the class at 8pm on Monday evening.

The funeral for Wendy Wood is at 10am on Tuesday. This will be followed by a burial at Hassocks in Sussex so it will be a busy day.

Many of you will know that I have vast library on many topics purchased over many years. But what to do with them for the future? Many books have little real value these days. I have a contact with the Roan school, and I am pleased to say that a visit has been arranged this coming week to see if they can pass to their library.

The boy and his sister were taken on a ski trip after Easter. Somehow, the boy managed to fracture his leg. The Facebook images include copies of the x-rays. Their mother is an excellent skier, and she must pass on her knowledge to her children.

Thanks to those who helped to put up the pool once again in the garden. It was necessary to move the trampolines, but it all seems to work. A new supply of chemicals has arrived, so we are all set up for the summer. I hope that the weather will be warm.

Recently I was required to arrange for the architect to make an inspection of the Church. In his report he said that the condition of the Church was excellent and in his experience of 35 years in inspecting Churches, this must be of the best maintained buildings he has visited. Thanks to all who have help in looking after our Church.

As many of you will know, the card reader machine is not always reliable -it depends on 4G rather than Wi Fi and reception is not always good. A standing order would be more reliable, so please let me know if you would like a form. 

Lord, fill our hearts with the spirit of your charity, that we may please you with our thoughts and love you in others. Amen.

Something from Spain. Cook a chopped onion, some garlic, and some pieces of ham in oil and add a thick tomato sauce. Meanwhile cook some green beans. Add the cooked beans to the sauce and season as necessary.

And some Betjeman;

The train at Pershore station was waiting that Sunday night

Gas light on the platform, in my carriage electric light,

Gas light on frosty evergreens, electric on Empire Wood,

The Victorian world and the present in a moment’s neighbourhood.

(This needs some interpretation – in the early 1950s new British Railways carriages were decorated internally with wood and many included a small label showing the origin of the wood)

Best wishes to you all,

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon.

St Mary’s Blackheath

Newsletter 7^th April 2024

Sunday Masses: Saturday 6.30pm first Mass of Sunday

– Sunday 9.30 and 11am and 5pm.

Monday to Friday: Mass  at 8am.

                     Saturday Mass at 10am

Saturday 10am and 6.30pm

Confessions: Saturday 12 to 1

Today is the Second Sunday of the Easter Season. It has other names – at one time it was known as Low Sunday – and also  Quasimodo Sunday – the well known resident of Notre Dame was born on this day.

This year 25^th March came during Holy Week so the feast of the Annunciation has been transferred to 8^th April.

The funeral Mass for David Rendell will be at 11am on Monday.

You may also wish to note that the funeral Mass for Wendy Wood will be at 10am on Tuesday 16^th April.

We pray for the repose of their souls and for their families.

During the week the Masses are normally for the Easter with the first reading taken from the book of Acts of the Apostles. 

Thanks again for all your help during the Easter celebrations. The Church looked splendid on Easter Sunday and it was good to see so many people at Mass.

Also thank you for your very generous Easter offerings.

During the past week the Architect made a quinquennial inspection of the Church buildings. It was good to have confirmation that everything is in good order. There are a few items that require attention and these will be put in hand in the coming weeks. This year the Angelus Room will be redecorated.  It is heavily used and it will be good to brighten it up.

A familiar treat – use some thin white bread one day old – butter well and spread with orange marmalade. Remove the crusts and cut into quarters and toast under the grill before serving.

An Easter prayer:

Grant Almighty Father, that we who believe that your Son rose from the dead on Easter Day, may have our hearts fixed on heavenly things. Amen.

A good day on the railway on the Easter Monday. There was only one steam engine in operation, the S15, with 08 shunters operating a shuttle between Ropley and Alresford. At least for the time being, the grand days with two large engines in service, seem to have come an end. 

We are looking forward to the First holy Communions on 19^th May. Thanks to the parents for all their help since the classes started in September.  A few things to organise in the coming weeks – places in the Church, the booklet, and maybe the cake and the planting of a tree.

You may have heard that on Easter Sunday the squirrels were in waiting, pounced and grabbed the first eggs that were planted in the garden and took them into the tree.

Best wishes to you all

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon

St Mary’s Blackheath

Newsletter 31st March 2024

Sunday Masses: Saturday 6.30pm first Mass of Sunday

– Sunday 9.30 and 11am and 5pm.

Monday to Friday: Mass  at 8am.

                     Saturday Mass at 10am

Saturday 10am and 6.30pm

Confessions: Saturday 12 to 1

Greeting to you all on this Easter Day.

Thank you all for sharing in our Easter Services.

At Mass today, instead of the recitation of the Creed, we will renew our Baptismal promises. For most of us, these were made by our parents and godparents when we were baptised as small children but today, we renew them personally.  After the renewal, you will be sprinkled with the Holy Water blessed in the font during the Vigil Service.

Thanks to all who have helped during the past few days: preparing the Church, the flowers, the music, reading and serving.

After the 9.30 Mass today there should be some Easter eggs in the garden. A few years ago, the foxes and the squirrels discovered them, and we were left with lots of empty wrappers. So look out for the helpers with boxes of eggs.

At the evening Mass today, the gospel tells the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

The Masses for the coming week are for the Easter Octave. 

The Paschal Candle is now beside altar and will remain there until Ascension day.  The brass studs contain grains of incense and represent the five wounds of the Lord.  After Ascension Day, it will be moved to the side of the font.

On Monday, I will be working on the railway in Hampshire – so I have to leave early.   This means that the morning Mass will have to start at about 7.40 rather than the normal 8am.

Some George Herbert again:

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.

An amazing treat from Spain; choose some firm bananas and slice them in half. Fry them gently in some hot olive oil and dust them with castor sugar.  Serve them with lemon juice and maybe a drop of spirit.

An Easter prayer:

We adore you Christ, Son of the living God. In triumph you rose from the dead. We rejoice in your almighty power and glory.  Raise us up with you, and inspire us with thoughts of joy, hope and love. Amen.

Wondering if at long last the warm weather will arrive so that we can put out the pool once again.  I would welcome some offers of help as it is a bit big to do it all on my own.  Bags of chemicals have been ordered as usual for the coming summer.

A careful look at the fig tree and it looks as if leaves are on the way again.

Best wishes to you al,

Monsignor Nicholas Rothon.