News from Belmont

Fr Alexander Kenyon • July 30, 2023

Fr Alexander writes:

If you’ve been wondering what has been happening at Belmont over the recent past, wonder no longer. As life has, more or less, returned to normal after the Covid pandemic, it seems timely to try to get back to a more regular briefing from the cloisters. The Belmont community has always been, rightly, proud of the close contact we have with so many of our friends and supporters and, if communications have sometimes been less than ideal, it’s a chance now to re-establish some of that contact and think about how, together, we build up our wider community in the future.

So, what’s been happening, what is about to happen? In a word, “lots”. And, in no particular order (ordering or brigading will be sadly lacking from this particular opus) I’m happy to share with you this short digest of news for your information, edification and general delight - hope springs eternal!

Headline news

The “big” and, in so many ways, most significant news is that Abbot Paul, after almost twenty four years steering the Belmont ship as abbot, will be stepping down from the role next Spring. As a “warm up”he is stepping down as Parish Priest of Belmont at the end of August and Fr. Augustine will be taking over that particular rudder - we wish him well and I’m sure he will have lots of support.

Fr. Paul has, as mentioned, been abbot for almost a quarter of a century; I hope that doesn’t make him feel old. His kindness, wisdom and prayerfulness have been sources of inspiration both to the community and many others, far and wide. I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities to pay tribute to him etc over the coming months; for now we simply wish him well and offer him our prayers. Do please pray for the community as well as we begin a period of discernment before a new abbot is elected next year

Community News

Our noviciate is three strong now: our novices, Brothers Meinrad and Gildas have been joined by a postulant, Brother Robert. All make a great contribution to the liturgical, spiritual and domestic life of the community. Please continue to pray for them as they begin their monastic journeys.

In September Fr. Alex, prior of our monastery in Peru, will be at Belmont delivering a couple of icon retreats. Please keep him and our brethren in Peru in your prayers.

The Covid pandemic had such a negative impact on so many aspects of life. One particular way that our lives were impoverished was demonstrated by our inability to say a proper “goodbye” to those who died during this period. In the case of Belmont our dear, beloved Brothers Bernard and Raphael returned to God without many of us being able to be present at their requiems and burials. In order to allow people to come together to pray for them and celebrate their lives we will be having a memorial Mass for them both on Saturday, August 19th at 11am. Do please come along if you can. The are both missed greatly.

On a happier note our dear Fr. Richard, currently toiling away on our parish in Whitehaven, celebrates his silver jubilee of ordination on September 29th. He will be here at Belmont to celebrate the 4pm Mass on Saturday, 30th September and all are welcome. If you would like to join him for a cup of tea and a sandwich after the Mass please let me know so that suitable and ample comestibles will be available - you can email me, Fr Alexander at djaskenyon@gmail.com. We congratulate Fr. Richard on this great milestone and offer him our love and prayers for many more years of fruitful ministry.

Belmont has been asked to renew its pastoral work in the parishes of Leominster and Bromyard and we will be starting this apostolic work in September.

Please continue to keep the Belmont community in your prayers. We especially appreciate prayers for our brethren in Peru who face many challenges, not least the unstable political situation and spiralling costs.

Dom Alexander
July 2023
Longworth Chapel Mass

Did you know that there are two mediaeval Catholic Churches in or near Hereford? 

The Longworth Chapel at Bartestree is dedicated to Saint James. It is a small but beautiful gothic building, unique in being a mediaeval chapel used for Catholic worship over a period of some six hundred years. It was originally the chapel of Old Longworth manor house built c.1390. Then it (yes, the church!) was moved to Bartestree in 1869. Sadly, the church was closed in 1995 but is currently in the care of the Historic Chapels Trust. 

Once a year some of the community join local Catholics to celebrate Mass - usually, as this year, on the feast of St James.  We prayed in particular for Robert Phillipps who restored the Chapel for Catholic worship and built the neighbouring Bartestree Convent. We also prayed for the sisters who served there for 130 years as well as the those cared for at St Michael’s Hospice, built in the convent grounds. Fr Brendan presided at the Mass along with Fr James. Abbot Paul, Fr Augustine & Br Meinrad led the singing and Br Gildas served.

On 15th August there will be Mass in the Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford, another mediaeval church used by Catholics.
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