Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 15th June 2023
Abbot Paul • June 15, 2023
This evening Archbishop Mark will be coming up from Cardiff to celebrate Mass and confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on eight candidates, five from Belmont, two from Usk and one from Leominster. I would like to thank Fr Augustine for preparing the candidates with clarity and theological depth. It’s always a great honour to receive the Archbishop and welcome him to our parish.
​Could I please make another request for people to come forward to help with the final preparations for the Parish Summer Fete? When I visited the Parish Centre yesterday morning, there was but one dear old lady struggling to put things in order. She spoke movingly of how she would very much appreciate more and younger helpers.
​Yesterday, I was able to take part in another Safeguarding course, run by the RLSS, the Religious Life Safeguarding Service. This was a course specifically for Trustees and I was joined by Fr Andrew. We both found the course helpful and informative. Then, in the afternoon, I drove to the Crematorium to take the funeral service a young Polish gentleman I believe was a parishioner of St Francis Xavier. It was one of those sad occasions when I wish I had a few words of Polish and could read the prayers and readings in that difficult language.
​Our Gospel passage today continues our reading of the Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 5: 20-26), in which Jesus instructs his disciples on the necessity for reconciliation within the Christian community. He begins by saying, “If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” This is a very important statement of Jesus, for in it he recognises the virtue of the scribes and Pharisees. They might be hypocritical at times or misinterpret the Law for their own benefit, but essentially, they are not evil men, mistaken perhaps, but trying to do what they think right.
​Looking at the commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” Jesus is aware that there are many ways in which we can kill a brother, not simply literally. He wants his disciples to go to the heart of the Law and apply it to every moment and area of life. Here is what he says. “You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill, he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother ‘Fool’ he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him ‘Renegade’ he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.”
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. 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.
