News from Belmont
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
