Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 9th June 2023
Abbot Paul • June 8, 2023
I was hoping to be on a plane, winging my way to Birmingham and thence to Belmont last night, but it was not to be. On the way to the airport, just 10 minutes away, I received text messages from Lufthansa to say that both flights, Thessaloniki to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Birmingham, had been cancelled. Talk about the last moment! Nothing for it, you accept the inevitable with calm and equanimity. My friends dropped me off at the terminal and went off for a coffee. Just as I got to the desk I received further messages to say that is been rebooked with Aegean and Swiss via Zurich early this morning. Not only that, but the young Greek girl at the desk said she could print out my boarding passes. She even offered me a hotel, but I thought it would be more relaxing to come home with my friends. Within a few minutes, and drinking Greek coffee, we were on our way back. So it will be an early rise in the morning and, trusting in God, I hope to get to Birmingham by 1.30pm. However, there’s a wedding practice at 3pm, an American couple, and I must collect Toby before 5pm. At least, it’s not Saturday. I’ll leave it there for tonight. It’s been an unexpected afternoon and evening. I wonder why both those flights were cancelled? I’ve never experienced that before.
Just a reminder that a week on Saturday, 17th June, we hold our Belmont Parish Fete, beginning at 2pm. All are invited. Make sure to invite your friends and neighbours.
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
