Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 22nd April 2023
Abbot Paul • April 21, 2023
Yesterday, together with Fr Brendan, Fr Matthew and Fr Augustine, I was privileged to take part in a safeguarding course organised by the Archdiocese of Cardiff and the Diocese of Menevia. Safeguarding lies at the very heart of the Gospel and of the Church’s ministry and finds its origin and it end in the justice of God and his love for his children. As Christians, we all have a God-given duty to safeguard the integrity our own lives and the lives of others, especially the young and those who are in any way vulnerable and could fall prey to those who are unscrupulous and evil. To make sure that this is the case, dioceses have safeguarding commissions and co-ordinators, parishes have safeguarding representatives and monasteries designated safeguarding leads. You will always find details of these on our websites and in our newsletters.
Today’s Gospel passage is very short and follows on from John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand, (Jn 6: 16-21). This is John’s account of Jesus walking on the water. “In the evening the disciples went down to the shore of the lake and got into a boat to make for Capernaum on the other side of the lake. It was getting dark by now and Jesus had still not rejoined them. The wind was strong, and the sea was getting rough. They had rowed three or four miles, when they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming towards the boat. This frightened them, but he said, ‘It is I. Do not be afraid.’ They were for taking him into the boat, but in no time, it reached the shore at the place they were making for.” It is evening and the disciples are making for Capernaum, As it is dark, they have set off without Jesus, probably thinking that he might walk there. The wind is strong and the sea rough. They have rowed a fair distance when they see Jesus coming towards them, walking on the water. Their reaction is one of fear, but Jesus tells them not to be afraid. “It is I,” he says, reminding us of the many I AM sayings in John’s Gospel. He doesn’t calm the storm nor does he get into the boat, for no sooner than he appears that the boat reaches the shore just at the place where they were making for.
We come to realise, as we go through life, just like the disciples in that boat, that when we allow Jesus to come close and enter into our lives with its fears and uncertainties, everything changes for the good and Jesus keeps us safe and in God’s embrace.
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.
