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.
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.
