Return to Belmont of Bishop Mark
Abbot Brendan Thomas • August 9, 2020
We are delighted to have Bishop Mark, Bishop Emeritus of Menevia, back home in the community.
After more than 20 years away from Belmont, we are very pleased that Bishop Mark Jabalé has returned to the community, having been taken away to be Bishop of Menevia.
He was always an important figure in the life of Belmont, as Headmaster of the School from 1969 until 1983 and later as Abbot from 1993 to 2000.
He was sent to Peru to build the monastery of the Incarnation in Sullana which Belmont was founding in the north of the country. He returned to be Prior and then was Elected Abbot.
Pope John Paul appointed him bishop of Menevia (West Wales – the see of St David), with his cathedral in Swansea. When the time came for him to retire as Bishop, he still felt he had plenty of energy so took the unusual step of becoming parish priest of Chipping Norton. Since then he has helped Cardinal Vincent Nicholls, taking on various commitments such as Confirmations in the Archdiocese. In the latter period he lived at Archbishop's House, Westminster.
One of his particular interests that developed in the School years was rowing. For several years he coached the Oxford University crew for the Boat Race and was entrusted with the lightweight coxless four for Great Britain which won a Gold medal at the World Championships in 1979.
Born in Alexandria, Bishop Mark was a boy at Belmont Abbey School. Finally retiring, he is delighted to be back at Belmont as we are to have him.
The above photos are from the 60th Ordination Anniversary Mass of Bishop Mark held at Westminster Cathedral on 13th July 2018.
Click to enlarge.
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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.
