At the end of June we were able to host the Belmont Parish Fete. It was such a joy to have it again after covid – its theme was “happy to be together again.”
Louise Wright and her fantastic team of volunteers organized a fantastic event.
Community News
Dom Brendan Thomas • October 20, 2022
It has been a while since we have reported some community news, but it has been quite a full summer. Here are a few of the things that have happened over the summer.
June
In June Fr Brendan returned from Rome and Assisi where he had been directing the Monastic Formators’ Programme first in Rome and Assisi. There were 26 participants, men and women from 17 different countries. At one point half the group got covid – it was always a risk – but things were soon back on track. One of the highlights was the presence of Fr Michael Casey OCSO from Australia. He is perhaps the best monastic writer and teacher today, and the group was delighted to be present when he was given an honourary doctorate at Sant’ Anselmo during this stay with us.
July
On 11th July, the feast of St Benedict Patron of Europe, the English Benedictine Congregation began its General Chapter at Buckfast, which included for the first time nuns from Ireland, Sweden and Australia. Abbot Paul and Fr Richard represented the Community, while Fr Brendan, Fr Jonathan and Fr Luke were the secretaries and officials. The Chapter lasted for 10 days and was a very positive experience even as many serious issues were addressed. Abbot Christopher Jamison we re-elected as Abbot President.
At the end of July the Bookshop was moved to a new location under the direction of Fr James. We were delighted to have with us the children’s author Madeleine Carroll and her family.
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August
Abbot Paul announced that Fr Michael would be returning from St Francis Xavier’s Church in Hereford, where he had served as a much-loved parish priest for over 20 year. He would become Prior and Novice Master. Fr Brendan would be going to St Francis Xavier’s in his place, as Parish Priest beginning in September.
August and September are regularly months of local pilgrimage. First to Welsh Newton, to the grave of St John Kemble, and then to Usk to the grave of St David Lewis (his cousin) – both counted amongst the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales. Separately, Fr Brendan was interviewed for Shalom TV regarding St John Kemble. They are doing a lovely series of films on the 40 martyrs of England and Wales, the programme on St John Kemble is forthcoming. https://www.shalomworld.org/show/40-martyrs-of-england-&-wales
Also in this period the Belmont community was represented at the Ecumenical Vespers at Tintern Abbey and then a group went to Cardiff Cathedral to visit the relics of St Bernadette.
September
Things are finally returning to normal in the Abbey Church, with the re-opening of the glass porch and the removal of all the remaining covid restrictions that are allowed. The north porch and west door would remain closed in order to try and save on heating costs as the weather turns colder.
Abbot Paul paid a visit to our brothers in Peru at the monastery of Lurin. He found them to be in good heart, despite the problems that the country is facing. He was impressed by the hard work the community did, and the genuine fraternity amongst them. One reason for his visit was the Canonical Visitation which is conducted every four years. For this he was accompanied by Abbot Benito of Las Condes Abbey, Santiago, Chile. Fr Alex Echeandía was reappointed as prior.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
Archbishop Mark O'Toole, of Cardiff-Menevia presided at the Requiem Mass for Bishop Mark, while Abbot Brendan conducted his burial. Cardinal Vincent Nichols preached a homily full of warmth and affection for Bishop Mark which is reproduced below.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB RIP Given at his funeral by Dom Alexander Kenyon Baby Jean Pierre (Mark) Jabale was born on October 16th, 1933, in Alexandria, Egypt. As he said, himself, his background could be considered “cosmopolitan”: his father was Lebanese / French and his Mother, British / Greek / French. He also reminded people that he wasn’t Egyptian. Through his mother, Arlette, he was related to St. Jean Vianney, so it was, perhaps, no surprise that he followed in his priestly footsteps. His father, Jean, was MD of Fiat and Simca cars Europe and, maybe surprisingly or not, he did love a car – not, however, Italian cars, but German; he loved his Audis. Perhaps we should begin today by remembering his mother and father, his brothers Christian and Paul and his nieces, here today, Aline and Nathalie and Isabelle and their families – they were so dear to him and he to them and I know they miss him enormously. Young Jean wanted to join the Navy and came to England, to Belmont Abbey school but the Lord had other ideas – he ended up joining the rather land locked monastery, our dear, late Fr. Raymund opining that he wouldn’t last a month. After a rather uninspiring course of priestly studies (his words, not mine) he studied for a Licentiate in French literature in Fribourg, then a Dip Ed at Strawberry Hill and played Rugby there – the Papist Witch Doctor as he was affectionately known. Teaching followed, at Belmont, Housemaster, acting Headmaster, then to Alderwasley, our prep school in Derbyshire as Headmaster, and then back to Belmont soon after as Headmaster. In 1983 he went to Peru to build our first monastery there only to realise there was little money. So, he returned to the UK to put in a stint of fundraising with his usual zeal and determination. With his mission accomplished he was asked by Abbot Alan to return to Belmont as his prior in 1986 – Peru remained close to his heart. In 1993 he was elected Abbot. In his time as Abbot, he had to preside over the closure of the school, necessary but no less painful for him. In 2000 he was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Menevia and succeeded Bishop Mullins in 2001. He retired as Ordinary in 2008 and “retired” to Chipping Norton as parish priest, then Hendon, saying Mass for the nuns and helping with confirmations. After a spell at Archbishop’s House, Westminster, living with his great friend Cardinal Nichols, he came home to Belmont – it was as though he had never been away and he loved being back in the monastery, particularly praying the Office with the community. That’s the list, of sorts, but it doesn’t really say “who” he was. I haven’t mentioned his outstanding contribution to rowing – the 1979 coxless, lightweight four gold medal at the world championships in Bled, which almost didn’t happen as, at the last minute, he was told there was no money to send the crew. He begged, cajoled and got them there – the video footage of the final is compelling. He transformed Henley Royal Regatta, writing a computer programme for the race results – he was well ahead of his time. He coached the Oxford Boat, ran the Heads of the River Schools Regatta, and more. What an achievement from someone who had never sat in a boat but learned on the job, as he said, “from books, mainly”. It was his determination, his commitment, his love of people and his drive to share what he had that is, perhaps, one of the key things to celebrate about him. And it was underpinned by his rock-solid faith – nothing overly pious, nothing showy, but a faith and a love of the Lord built on granite. Even his occasional lack of patience (sorry Mark) extended to that faith; ‘why won’t God call me?”. At the risk of being irreverent my response was always “would you want you?”. But God did want him, and he knew it. God had a purpose for his Apostle during his life and he now rests with Him in eternity. His purpose was, simply, to bring the joy of the Lord into the lives of others, in many and varied ways. A few weeks before Mark died, Pope Francis died. When the late Pope was seriously ill the son of friends of mine who entertained Mark and I to lunch regularly, was distraught at overhearing mum and dad say the Pope may die. He couldn’t stop crying. “But darling”, they said, “you don’t know the Pope, why so very sad?”. “We do know him” came the reply, “it’s Mark”. “No, Mark isn’t the Pope”. “Oh, so when the Pope does die will Mark be Pope then?”. Mark loved that one. When Mark himself did die said son would only be pacified by picking flowers from the garden and bringing them to church for him. He wanted to show how much Mark meant to him and wanted to give a little something back. That is the real biography – a man loved, respected, a man who shared what he had, above all his faith, a man who touched so many lives and made them better.  Rest in peace our dear friend.
Our brethren in Peru were delighted with the election of Pope Leo.
