Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 9th January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 8, 2023
​As you know, the Ukrainian Liturgy is usually celebrated in our church on the first Sunday of every month from 3 o’clock onwards, but this month we had the celebration today, for in Ukraine, as in Russia and several other countries, 7th January was Christmas Day. It was lovely to see over 100 local Ukrainians present and a delight to hear them sing their carols in the course of the Liturgy and afterwards at the “agape” celebrated in the Parish centre. Tragic and horrific as the war in Ukraine is, sowing death and destruction for no purpose but the fulfilment of irrational human pride, nevertheless they hope and pray that soon the war will come to an end, occupied lands be restored to Ukraine and their country rebuilt with the help of the international community. I have always admired the Ukrainian people, intelligent, hard-working, peace-loving and long-suffering. Let us make it one of our chief objectives this New Year to pray for peace and justice throughout the world.
​As we enter into Ordinary Time, which will take us up to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent on 22nd February, we start reading the Gospel of Mark on weekdays, whilst continuing with Matthew on Sundays. Today’s passage from Mark, (Mk 1: 14-20), sees Jesus beginning his ministry in Galilee, following the arrest of John the Baptist. Jesus’ message is similar to John’s, but with greater urgency for with Jesus the kingdom of God is already present on earth. “The time has come and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.” Mark’s Gospel is very short, just 16 chapters, so it often reads like a summary. Hence, the need to pay attention to every word. Jesus himself is the Good News, so repentance leads us to Jesus and faith in him.
​The first thing Jesus does, according to Mark, is to call his first disciples. Recently we read in John’s Gospel how Jesus originally met these men where John the Baptist was baptising and how they had been disciples of John. However, like Jesus they were Galileans, which accounts for Jesus walking along by the Sea of Galilee, where he meets up with them again. He could not have been a stranger to them, for they accept his call to discipleship immediately, no questions asked. The call like the response is radical. “Follow me!” he says, qualified by the famous phrase, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark comments, “And at once they left their nets and followed him.” Next, he calls James and John, who were actually in their father’s boat mending the nets. Their reaction is the same as that of Andrew and Peter. “He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.” These were not poor men: they owned boats and had employees, at least their father did.
​What if Jesus came by today and asked you to follow him, what would your reaction be and how radical your reply?
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully last night. He served this community well for many years, not least Abbot of the Community and before that Headmaster of the School. He was then asked to serve the wider church as Bishop of Menevia. May he know eternal happiness with God whom he served. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
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.
