Dear friends in Christ, It was great to be able to host the special Deanery Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham and in thanksgiving for the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, last Thursday. I am grateful to everyone who helped make it such a wonderful evening, to the schola for leading us in our singing and to the Fete and Events Team who provided the refreshments afterwards. This coming Tuesday we not only celebrate the Patronal Feast Day of the Abbey Church and Belmont’s Monastic Community, St Michael and All Angels. We also have the great joy of celebrating the Solemn Professions of Brothers Meinrad and Gildas at 11.30am. They will be converting their temporary vows into lifelong vows. In accordance with the traditions of the English Benedictine Congregation, the newly professed brothers will have their hoods pinned up by the Abbot at the end of the Mass and they will then immediately enter into the ‘tomb’, a private retreat for three days. They will ‘rise’ from the tomb after the Conventual Mass on Thursday morning when the Abbot will unpin their hoods. This Thursday the monks have been invited to sing Vespers at Hereford Cathedral at 5.30pm to celebrate Saint Thomas of Hereford with our Anglican brethren. All are welcome to join in this great opportunity to sing the praises of Almighty God and give thanks for the life and witness of Saint Thomas. Let us ask his intercession for the people of the county of Herefordshire that they may come to know Christ and the joy of the Gospel. On Friday it is CAFOD Family Fast Day, please remember to incorporate some form of fasting into your usual meal plans. There will be a second collection to aid the work of CAFOD next weekend. My prayers and best wishes,.
VESPERS FOR ST THOMAS OF HEREFORD: The monks of Belmont have once again been invited to sing Vespers for the Feast of St Thomas of Hereford in Hereford Cathedral on Thursday, 1st October at 5.30pm. All are welcome to attend.
FACEBOOK ADMINISTRATOR CALL OUT: After seven years of service, the Facebook Administrator is planning on stepping down to spend more time in the garden! We are therefore looking for someone to take on this important role for the parish. There will be a handover to explain everything that's required. If you are interested in inding about more about the role, please send a DM to the Facebook page, or contact Louise Wright: louise@thewoodee.com
CALLED TO LOVE: Do you care about our world and people in need - but wonder what to do? Or perhaps you are already involved and looking for more support. Caritas Cardiff-Menevia is holding a day at St. Mary’s Church, Bridgend on Saturday, 10th October to help you. There will be keynote speakers and plenty of opportunity to share and discuss ideas and create new contacts. The idea is that everyone returns home re-energised and more able to live out their Christian calling faithfully. For more information, see the poster in church. To register click here or scan the QR code.
CLERGY WELFARE OFFICER: The Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia is seeking a Clergy Welfare Oficer to support priests approaching retirement, already retired, or on sick leave — helping with health, inance, housing and care needs. A rewarding part-time role for someone with a heart for pastoral care and experience in healthcare or social services. 14 hours per week, £32,000 pro rata. Closing date: 26th September 2026. For an information pack and application forms, or to ask a question, please email hr@cardiffmenevia.org.
Join the Deanery-wide Synodality Reading Group meeting online once a week for six weeks starting 15th September, 7pm. The idea is to receive and digest the Final Document of the worldwide Synod on Synodality, which invites us to create room for the Spirit to guide the Church in our changing world. At each weekly hour-long session we’ll pray with Scripture, read a short passage from the Synod Final Document, and share in small groups using Conversation in the Spirit. To receive the Zoom link, email Austen: aivereigh@gmail.com.
An Ecumenical Service in anticipation of the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross at 3.00pm Sunday, 13th September at Tintern Abbey. The monks of Belmont Abbey will be singing alongside Newport Cathedral Choir. Abbot Brendan will be preaching. Please bring a folding chair and umbrella. Entry to the Abbey and parking is free to those attending the service. Lunches and teas, are available in the village.
WORLD YOUTH DAY 2027: To all those aged 18-30, join Archbishop Mark and a group from the diocese heading to next summer's for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea. With Pope Leo and a million other young Catholics, we'll enjoy a full schedule of activities and formation, in a country with a vibrant and growing Catholic community - we'll also have opportunities to meet up before we travel. The dates of the trip are July 28th to August 9th, and the cost is £1500 per person plus the cost of lights (TBC - in the region of £800 to £1200). Places are limited and will be allocated on a irst come irst served basis. For more information contact Fr Matt Roche-Saunders at wyd@cardiffmenevia.org.
THE BIBLE: MYTH OR HISTORY?: A free illustrated lecture series in Biblical Archaeology with David Rohl. A free illustrated lecture series in Biblical Archaeology with David Rohl. Session 7 - In Search of Eden: The geography of Paradise and its fabled garden. Saturday, 12th September 2.00pm to 4.00pm, Belmont Abbey. Free parking, Free entry. Monthly lectures on the second Saturday of each month.
HEALING SERVICE: The next monthly service of prayers for healing takes place in the Abbey Church at 6.45pm on Friday, 2nd October, led by Fr Michael Clothier from the Community of Saint Gregory the Great. There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions will be available. All are most welcome.
