Oblate News Summer 2018

It seems a long time since the Lent Newsletter and there is so much to report. The Oblate retreat took place over the weekend of 23rd to 25th February February (Second Sunday of Lent). A number of oblates were unable to attend this year and so we missed a few familiar faces, but all went well and we had Novices begin their noviciate and Final Promises taken by Fiona Mills . Earlier in the year Frances Wood made her promises in St Benedict’s chapel; we wish these new Oblates every blessing.

During the past months two Oblates have died; Elizabeth Center (Oblate for 22rs) and Norah Kendal (Oblate for 18yrs) May they rest in peace. Mass was offered by the community for these deceased oblates.

My health (Br. Bernard) has not been good during these past months, but now things seem to be getting back to "normal". I would like to thank so many of you for your prayers and kind support; I am very sure that my recovery is due to the nurses, but also to your kindness and goodness. God bless you

Fr. Aidan's treatment for his cancer has taken time. His pain has been, at times, very intense and he has spent time in Leominster Presbytery, St. Michael's Hospice and here at the Abbey, with many visits to the hospitals and with nurses coming in daily. He has kept the community informed of his progress throughout these difficult months and has received much support from the parishioners at Leominster and Bromyard. Hugo, his dog, has managed to be with him a good deal of the time, making life just a little better. Treatment has been taking its course and he remains in good spirits, please remember him in your prayers.

Fr. Simon has been looking after the Leominster parish together with Weobley and Kington and Fr. Joseph the Bromyard parish. Recently, Fr. Michael , at St. Francis Xaviers, Hereford has been unwell but remained in the parish and is much better. Fr. James , at Abergavenny, has spent time in hospital and was quite ill and unable to say Mass. He is still having tests etc. so please keep him in your prayers.

In February the appointment of a new Bishop for the Diocese of Lancaster was announced after the retirement of Bishop Michael Campbell O.S.A . Canon Paul Swarbrick , a priest of the diocese, is now the new Bishop and we congratulate him on his appointment. St. Begh's Whitehaven is in the Lancaster Diocese. In September Fr. Cenydd & Fr. Richard and the people at St. Begh's, will be celebrating 150yrs anniversary of the present Victorian church building on the 15th &16th September, the parish is over 300yrs old .

The Sacred Triduum was celebrated with the usual dignity and prayerfulness. The congregations were good and as usual many visitors came on Easter Sunday, 1st April. Please pray for Deacon Fred Beddow , an oblate, now aged 94 who had a fall in April, fracturing his spine; also remember his wife Marg.

In May the Abbot President, Abbot Christopher Jamison came to the community to have discussions on the Congregation and other matters. Many of the brethren managed to come for this meeting which was a pleasant occasion.

On May10th Archbishop George Stack came to Belmont to preside at Vespers and bestow a Papal knighthood on a Bromyard parishioner, Mr. Clive Richards who is a great benefactor to many local charities.

On May 10th the Annual Torchlight Procession in honour of Our Lady took place. The weather was kind to us and a good crowd attended with Dom David Bir d giving the Homily. As ever, we thank all those who help to prepare for this occasion and welcome all the visitors in so many ways. This year there were severs from Belmont, Cwmbran, Swansea, Bromyard, Hereford and Worcester who turned up on the night and volunteered to help.

In June our Juniors were taking their examinations etc. at their various colleges/seminaries and we can now congratulate Dom Alistair on obtaining his S.T.B. summa cum laude at Sant'Anselmo. Dom Percy, Dom Juan Edgar, Dom Jose Luis and Dom Augustine all achieved good results.

On July 13th Bishop Mark celebrated his Diamond Jubilee of Ordination quietly in London. Conventual Mass was offered for his intentions. Dom Percy & Dom Juan Edgar will be ordained Deacons on Sunday 29th July by the Bishop of Lurin. Dom Augustine will make his Solemn Profession on August 6th at 10am. Dom Alistair will be ordained Deacon on Friday August 10th at 11am.

Fr. Abbot will be going to Peru for the ordinations and we hope you will keep all these brethren in prayers. Br. David has taken over the management of the Shop from Br. Bernard who has worked there for many years; he will still be involved under Br. David's new regime. Fr. David has not been well for some months and is being cared for by Br. Dunstan (Infirmarian) and Fr Jonathan (Asst), please keep him in your prayers.

Br. Dunstan has been busy with the Bees and has produced Honey for the first time; we are selling it in the shop. Fr. James (Abergavenny) has not been well recently and has had hospital visits to find wrong, at present he is here at Belmont On Sunday 15th July it was announced that Fr. Nicholas (Prior) was to be going as the new superior of Downside Abbey. This has come as a surprise/shock to many here at Belmont. Fr. Nicholas does many jobs here; Prior, Parish Priest, Junior Master, Procurator and more.

The appointment to Downside is because the community there are depleted in number and need some support from the congregation. So Fr. Nicholas together with a Douai monk and a Worth monk will be joining the community to help them. He remains a Belmont monk with his home here. All this comes into place on September 1st. He will be greatly missed here. Br. Alistair has already taken over as Procurator and there will be more changes in positions to come.

The Community will be on retreat from Monday 10th September to Friday 14th September and will be given by Dom Oswald McBride of Ampleforth. We have another Ampleforth monk staying with us at present and a monk of Buckfast. Fr. Thomas is continuing his work at Buckfast Abbey and has been very busy during this special year of celebrations. Later in October (22nd to 27th) there will be a meeting of monks and nuns of the congregation at Buckfast and end with the Abbot Primate joining the Millennium celebrations. Abbot Jeremais President of the St. Ottilien congregation will be a speaker at this conference where each monastery will send up to four members, ours will be Fr. David, Br. David, Fr. Patrick and Br. Alistair .