Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 21st October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 20, 2022
A number of readers have written in to ask why I make no reference to the political and economic turmoil the United Kingdom is going through at the moment. I am certainly well aware of what’s going on and am following every twist and turn of the tragicomedy the government has landed us in. We could see this coming even before Covid took over our lives almost three years’ ago, although the situation has been seriously aggravated by Putin’s grotesque war against Ukraine. Russia, after all, was one of the signatories and guarantors of Ukrainian independence and territorial integrity. What could I add to the present debate that would lend light to the discussions? I prefer to pray constantly for all those concerned, especially those who are suffering on account of inflation and the enormous price hikes, and are worried about the coming winter and their ability to keep warm and feed their families. If the situation is bad in these isles, then it is much worse in poorer countries. There is so much to pray for.
By the way, I was at Abergavenny yesterday for the Thanksgiving Mass for the presence and work of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, who have now left. At one time they had 14 convents in Wales and their work in education was especially valued by both Catholics and Protestants, long before Ecumenism existed. They were at Abergavenny from 1906 to 2021. My photograph shows Fr Matthew and Sr Anne, Provincial, cutting the cake at the reception afterwards.
Our Gospel passage today continues our reading of Luke, (Lk 12: 54-59), which sees Jesus addressing the crowds rather than his disciples. He talks to them about interpreting the signs of the times. “When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?” People have a pretty shrewd idea of what the weather’s going to be like by simply looking at the sky. How come they cannot see what’s happening around them, both in the country and in the wider world. What do we make of the present moment? How do we read and understand the times in which we live? He goes on to ask an important question: why can we often not judge for ourselves what is right? In every situation, Jesus asks us to make the right decision for ourselves, based on our conscience that has been informed by the Scriptures, the word of God and his own teaching, which for us includes the teaching of the Church. Jesus has given us the wisdom to do what is right. May we always ask him to guide us as we journey through life.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
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.
