Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 12th December 2022
Abbot Paul • December 11, 2022
I’m not sure how things were where you live, but yesterday here in Connemara everything came to a standstill because of the subzero temperatures and the icy roads. So I spent most of the day like a hermit, apart from the middle of the day. I said Mass for the nuns in their house chapel, had lunch with them, then met with a sick sister, gave a retreat conference, then heard half a dozen confessions and had a meeting with another sister. Then I came back to my hermitage and fell asleep in an armchair. Then I wrote this short message, exchanged a few emails, rang my mother and made a spot of supper. The warmest place is bed, so I’m planning an early night. I did feed my robin friends, who were joined by pied wagtails, song thrushes and a rook.
In tomorrow’s Gospel passage from Matthew, (Mt 21: 23-27), we find Jesus preaching in the Temple and the chief priests and elders of the people demanding what authority he has to do this. In return, Jesus sets them a question, and one they do not expect. “John’s baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?” They realise the question is a trap, for if they say it came from God, then people will ask why they rejected John, but if they say it was simply something human, the crowds will object for they believe John to have been a prophet. As a result they reply, “We do not know,” which leaves Jesus free to say, “Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.” Jesus comes as one who has authority from God, for the authority is his own, he is the Son of God, God incarnate. Let us accept that authority joyfully and listen carefully to what Jesus has to say.
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.
