A different loss this year was Fr Nicholas, who, after two years as their Prior-Administrator, the community at Downside elected as their Abbot. He is sadly missed by many at Belmont but we are happy that he is able to help another community in its need.
We are also delighted to have
Bishop Mark back with us in the resident community, having served the church in West Wales and in London in recent years. He is enjoying a well-deserved retirement, but fully engaged in the life and prayer of Belmont. Yesterday he was busy making marmalade for the community with Br John. But he is happy to do more formal duties. It was good to have a bishop at hand for the ordination of Fr Augustine, when it might otherwise have been restricted!
Our other retired or semi-retired monks are doing well, including
Fr Stephen, who although suffering from memory loss is settled in the monastic routine and has a good rapport with
Fr Joseph, who keeps active, but misses his time in Peru.
As Infirmarian
Br Dunstan keeps an eye on Fr Stephen and any of us when we are in need. He has also looked after
Fr Alexander who spent several months in the infirmary recovering from a serious operation. Thankfully he is much recovered and participating in our daily life again.
We have had less frequent contact this year with our brethren outside the community, given the restrictions, but we have seen them when possible. We have seen more of those local than those further away.
Fr Simon at Weobley,
Fr Michael
and
Fr Andrew in Hereford and
Fr Matthew at Abergavenny are nearby, while
Fr Richard and
Fr Cenydd are at Whitehaven and
Fr Thomas is chaplain at the nursing home at the Oulton Abbey Care Home. Fr Patrick has been kept busy as hospital chaplain, and since the summer has been saying Mass regularly at Little Malvern, when permitted.
Fr James looks after the library, and after some ill-health these past years is improving.
Fr Jonathan has not been able to welcome guests to the monastery but is occupied with other things including writing and teaching.
The rest of us in the community are glad to see the end of this challenging year, living in hope for a better 2021 for all of us.
Keep the community in your prayers including our
brethren in Peru who are managing to keep safe and well despite the awful situation there too.
