Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday - 30th May 2024
Abbot Paul • May 29, 2024
I’m sitting in the Aegean lounge at Thessaloniki Airport waiting for the Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt, where l will connect with another flight to Birmingham. Although feeling relaxed and rested after my brief visit here, I’m nevertheless filled with trepidation at the thought of clearing my old rooms at Belmont, storing things there and beginning a new life taking care of myself at Leominster and Bromyard. It will be a rather busy weekend to set out on that venture what with First Holy Communions in both parishes, but a clear mind and help from on high as well as from fantastic parishioners and friends will see me through, no doubt. I ended my stay in Thessaloniki by cooking lunch for my friends. I’m looking forward to cooking in my new home. Perhaps I should start taking orders!
Our Gospel reading today comes from Mark, (Mk 10: 46-52), the account of the healing of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, who was sitting at the roadside on the way out of Jericho. When he hears that Jesus is passing by, he calls out for help. When scolded by people standing by, he shouts all the louder, “Son of David, have pity on me.” He is so excited when Jesus calls him that he jumps for joy and casts off his cloak. When asked by Jesus, “What can I do for you?” He simply replies, “Rabbuni, Master, let me see again.” He only asks for what he needs, nothing more, nothing less. What a model for prayer this is, and Jesus grants his request, saying, “Go, your faith has saved you.” But he doesn’t go, he remains and follows Jesus, becoming a disciple, another example for us to follow.
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.
