Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 1st August 2023
Abbot Paul • July 31, 2023
This evening I’m sitting in one of the KLM lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol, waiting for the flight to Birmingham after spending a fantastic weekend in northern Italy. The beginning of a new month and back to grindstone for me, though I’m not complaining. My parents instilled into me a powerful sense of duty, so hard work and getting things done have never been a problem for me. What does make things more difficult for me these days are recurrent lapses of memory. I’m sure you know what I mean. I envy my mother, who has the memory of a 16 year old, rather than that of a 96 year old!
I’m going to give the Gospel a rest today. It’s the Parable of the Wheat and the Darnel for one thing and I’ve commented on it several times lately. Secondly, it’s almost time to walk to the the gate, some distance away, for the Birmingham flight and then the drive back to Belmont. I can show you the lasagne I had for lunch today, the genuine recipe and ingredients, and a view of Lake Como from the plane. I worked there the Summer of 1969 as a tour guide. Such happy memories, I was based at Bellagio. Some of you might have been there.
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.
