Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 13th August 2023
Abbot Paul • August 13, 2023
When I read today’s Gospel from Matthew, (Mt 14: 22-33), I can’t help but think of the countless migrants and refugees risking their lives to cross from France to England, Libya to Greece and Italy, Morocco to Spain. I can’t think of a year in living memory when people haven’t risked their lives and the lives of their children in the quest for freedom, justice, peace, a better life and an end to persecution, the Vietnamese boat people, for example. We pray that all those seeking a new and better life be given the opportunity they sorely deserve. I know very few people in this sceptred isle who are not the end product of immigration, migration or colonisation. I also remember with great affection dear Fr Raymund, who was Abbot Jerome’s Prior for many years, often praying at Vespers for “those brave fishermen in their little boats dangerously tossed about in the North Sea to bring food to our tables.” It was one of his favourite bidding prayers. Br Bernard did a perfect impersonation of him and always had us all in stiches. By the way, next Saturday at 11am there will be a Memorial Mass for Br Bernard and Br Raphael at Belmont as they were denied a public Requiem on account of the Covid lockdown.
​But to get back to our Gospel, Jesus makes his disciples get into a boat and go ahead to the other side while he sends the crowds away and goes up into the hills to be alone and pray. By evening, however, Jesus realises that his disciples are in trouble as the weather changes and a storm causes the sea to become rough and unmanageable. Jesus is a centre of calm in the midst of the storm, walking quietly across the lake towards the boat. However, the sight of him causes his disciples to panic and cry out with fear. They think he is a ghost. Jesus calls out, “Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.” Jesus is the Lord of Creation, the Word through whom all things were made, who brought order out of chaos, the Great I AM. Peter goes from one extreme to another, from fear to false courage. “Let me walk on the water, just like you.” Jesus, never one to discourage a disciple, invites him to come forward. While Peter is focused on Jesus, all goes well, but when he becomes conscious of himself, he begins to panic and sinks into the water. “Lord, save me,” he screams, and Jesus catches him while scolding him, “Man of little faith, why did you doubt?” How often have I thought that about myself! I should imagine you have too! Imagine what we could do, if we had faith. Peter does walk again on water, going back to the boat with Jesus, who holds him fast. As they get into the boat, the wind drops and the sea becomes calm again. The men in the boat fall to their knees and proclaim, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” recognising Jesus to be who he truly is. Who do we recognise Jesus to be?
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.
Archbishop Mark O'Toole, of Cardiff-Menevia presided at the Requiem Mass for Bishop Mark, while Abbot Brendan conducted his burial. Cardinal Vincent Nichols preached a homily full of warmth and affection for Bishop Mark which is reproduced below.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB RIP Given at his funeral by Dom Alexander Kenyon Baby Jean Pierre (Mark) Jabale was born on October 16th, 1933, in Alexandria, Egypt. As he said, himself, his background could be considered “cosmopolitan”: his father was Lebanese / French and his Mother, British / Greek / French. He also reminded people that he wasn’t Egyptian. Through his mother, Arlette, he was related to St. Jean Vianney, so it was, perhaps, no surprise that he followed in his priestly footsteps. His father, Jean, was MD of Fiat and Simca cars Europe and, maybe surprisingly or not, he did love a car – not, however, Italian cars, but German; he loved his Audis. Perhaps we should begin today by remembering his mother and father, his brothers Christian and Paul and his nieces, here today, Aline and Nathalie and Isabelle and their families – they were so dear to him and he to them and I know they miss him enormously. Young Jean wanted to join the Navy and came to England, to Belmont Abbey school but the Lord had other ideas – he ended up joining the rather land locked monastery, our dear, late Fr. Raymund opining that he wouldn’t last a month. After a rather uninspiring course of priestly studies (his words, not mine) he studied for a Licentiate in French literature in Fribourg, then a Dip Ed at Strawberry Hill and played Rugby there – the Papist Witch Doctor as he was affectionately known. Teaching followed, at Belmont, Housemaster, acting Headmaster, then to Alderwasley, our prep school in Derbyshire as Headmaster, and then back to Belmont soon after as Headmaster. In 1983 he went to Peru to build our first monastery there only to realise there was little money. So, he returned to the UK to put in a stint of fundraising with his usual zeal and determination. With his mission accomplished he was asked by Abbot Alan to return to Belmont as his prior in 1986 – Peru remained close to his heart. In 1993 he was elected Abbot. In his time as Abbot, he had to preside over the closure of the school, necessary but no less painful for him. In 2000 he was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Menevia and succeeded Bishop Mullins in 2001. He retired as Ordinary in 2008 and “retired” to Chipping Norton as parish priest, then Hendon, saying Mass for the nuns and helping with confirmations. After a spell at Archbishop’s House, Westminster, living with his great friend Cardinal Nichols, he came home to Belmont – it was as though he had never been away and he loved being back in the monastery, particularly praying the Office with the community. That’s the list, of sorts, but it doesn’t really say “who” he was. I haven’t mentioned his outstanding contribution to rowing – the 1979 coxless, lightweight four gold medal at the world championships in Bled, which almost didn’t happen as, at the last minute, he was told there was no money to send the crew. He begged, cajoled and got them there – the video footage of the final is compelling. He transformed Henley Royal Regatta, writing a computer programme for the race results – he was well ahead of his time. He coached the Oxford Boat, ran the Heads of the River Schools Regatta, and more. What an achievement from someone who had never sat in a boat but learned on the job, as he said, “from books, mainly”. It was his determination, his commitment, his love of people and his drive to share what he had that is, perhaps, one of the key things to celebrate about him. And it was underpinned by his rock-solid faith – nothing overly pious, nothing showy, but a faith and a love of the Lord built on granite. Even his occasional lack of patience (sorry Mark) extended to that faith; ‘why won’t God call me?”. At the risk of being irreverent my response was always “would you want you?”. But God did want him, and he knew it. God had a purpose for his Apostle during his life and he now rests with Him in eternity. His purpose was, simply, to bring the joy of the Lord into the lives of others, in many and varied ways. A few weeks before Mark died, Pope Francis died. When the late Pope was seriously ill the son of friends of mine who entertained Mark and I to lunch regularly, was distraught at overhearing mum and dad say the Pope may die. He couldn’t stop crying. “But darling”, they said, “you don’t know the Pope, why so very sad?”. “We do know him” came the reply, “it’s Mark”. “No, Mark isn’t the Pope”. “Oh, so when the Pope does die will Mark be Pope then?”. Mark loved that one. When Mark himself did die said son would only be pacified by picking flowers from the garden and bringing them to church for him. He wanted to show how much Mark meant to him and wanted to give a little something back. That is the real biography – a man loved, respected, a man who shared what he had, above all his faith, a man who touched so many lives and made them better.  Rest in peace our dear friend.
Our brethren in Peru were delighted with the election of Pope Leo.
