Message from Fr Paul for Sunday 3rd September

Luke Evans • September 5, 2023

Message from Fr Paul for Sunday, 3rd September 2023

 

           I so enjoyed my 24-hour sabbatical on Friday that I am wondering how I might be able to do it again. I am already accustomed to going out in the dark with Toby for his evening stroll, fortunately assisted by a miner’s lamp, but yesterday it became necessary to wear it first thing in the morning as well for our first walk of the day. The days are rapidly becoming shorter and darkness has encroached on two of our longer walks. Toby, of course, takes it all in his stride and is quite oblivious to daylight and darkness. He is happy no matter what the weather is like, as long as he is out walking in it. We did get to see the blue moon the other night. Is that the one Ella Fitzgerald used to sing about?

 

           I have been following the Holy Father’s visit to Mongolia with great interest and enjoying every moment of it. I have always admired the Mongolian people and been fascinated by their history and culture. I have been impressed by the courteous way in which they have received Pope Francis and by the freedom the tiny Catholic population enjoys there. The Holy Father made an appeal for peace, conscious that Mongolia shares a border with Russia, currently engaged in a violent war in Ukraine. He urged the Mongolian government to seek an end to war. “May the dark clouds of war be dispelled, swept away by the firm desire for a universal fraternity wherein tensions are resolved through encounter and dialogue, and the fundamental rights of all people are guaranteed!” He also blessed a statue of Our Lady that has become something of a legend in Mongolia, after it was improbably found in a landfill by a local woman almost two decades ago. The statue, now known as “The Mother of the Sky,” was given a place of honour in the cathedral. The Holy Father said, “Brothers and sisters, do not be concerned about small numbers, limited success, or apparent irrelevance. That is not how God works. Let us keep our gaze fixed on Mary, who in her littleness is greater than the heavens, for within her she bore the One whom the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain.”

 

           Today’s Gospel comes from Matthew, (Mt 16: 21-27), and contains these famous words expressed by Jesus to Peter. “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.” Why would Jesus say such a thing to Peter? Because Jesus was speaking about his forthcoming passion, death and resurrection. “Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day.” Peter obviously found such talk unacceptable and, being somewhat precipitous at this stage in his career, didn’t hear the final word, resurrection, before reacting adversely. “Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’” It was at this point that Jesus intervened and called him Satan, or Tempter, rather strong words. But Jesus is right, for Peter is thinking from a human perspective and not from God’s way of thinking.

 

           Jesus then goes on to tell his disciples, “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.” Not only is Jesus foretelling his own passion, death and resurrection, but he is also asking us, his followers and disciples, to walk in his footsteps. We, too, are to take up our cross and follow him. There is no easy way out for a Christian. It’s either the Way of the Cross or no way at all, but it is the way that leads through suffering and death to life and to the glory of the Resurrection. Let’s make a firm decision in our hearts to take that way today.

 


 

Belmont Parish Christmas Concert

By Jonathon Nicholls • November 4, 2025
A Christmas concert of classic Christmas tunes sung by the local Minims Musical Theatre Choir  Tickets are available to buy online here; https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christmas-concert-tickets-1955269576939 Or they will be available to buy after Mass or by contacting Louise Wright at louise@thewoodee.com More info available on facebook here https://www.facebook.com/events/25157023667265728

Parish AGM Documents 2025

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By Jonathon Nicholls • September 29, 2025
CALLING LOCAL ACTORS! Could you be part of The Hereford Passion? Hereford Cathedral is casting for its forthcoming production of The Hereford Passion (March 2026), with rehearsals beginning in January. We are seeking actors for a wide range of roles — and especially someone to play the pivotal role of Jesus . Rehearsals will be held twice a week from mid-December/early January, though not all actors will be required at every rehearsal. Both The Hereford Nativity (November 2025) and The Hereford Passion (March 2026) will be performed inside the stunning setting of Hereford Cathedral, following the huge success of The Passion in 2024. If you are interested in taking part, or would like to recommend someone, please contact: James Pacey 📧 james.pacey@herefordcathedral.org 075950 353 42

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Fr Paul's Daily Message

By Luke Evans • November 8, 2023
Fr Paul's popular daily message can be read on the monastery website here

Message from Fr Paul for Sunday 15th October

By Luke Evans • October 19, 2023
Message from Fr Paul for Sunday, 1 st October 2023 Yesterday was a busy but happy day in the service of the Lord. In the morning, after Conventual Mass and Toby’s second walk of the day, I drove up to Leominster for Mass and Confessions, then came back to Belmont for a joyful wedding, elegant, homely and relaxed. Then came the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Silver Jubilee of Fr Richard’s Priestly Ordination, an uplifting celebration followed by a magnificent, traditional tea party. It was lovely to see so many well-known faces from all the parishes where Fr Richard has served. As a monk can never have too much of a good thing, this was followed by Solemn Vespers. Today, I will be at Leominster for Mass in the morning and again in the early afternoon, as well as at Bromyard for Mass later in the morning. Then, at 5.30pm the monastic community will sing Vespers at Hereford Cathedral for the vigil of the feast of St Thomas Cantilupe at the invitation of the Dean and Chapter. We are all looking forward enormously to returning to the Cathedral for the first time since lockdown. All are welcome to join us for Vespers. Fr Michael will preside and preach. Today’s Gospel from Matthew (Mt 21: 28-32) has Jesus asking the chief priests and elders of the people a question. “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, ‘My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not go,’ but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, ‘Certainly, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?” His question is based on the short parable of the two sons and the answer is obvious, but by getting the answer right, his adversaries fall into a trap. When they answer, “The first,” Jesus is able to compare them unfavourably with tax collectors and prostitutes, i.e. with public sinners. He contrasts the way they responded to John the Baptist’s preaching, which was to ignore him, and the response of sinners, which was to repent of their sins and change their way of life. Jesus says, “Tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.” Now it’s fine to talk about the high priests of Jesus’ time, about the elders of the people, the scribes and Pharisees, but what about us? What about me? Which son am I like? How closely do I listen to Jesus and take his teaching to heart? Does his teaching call me to repentance? Does his example move me to conversion and new life? These are important questions we should be asking ourselves today. Lord, I have often been disobedient to your will and have let myself down; help me out of my indolence and give me grace always to do what is right and just. Amen.

Message from Fr Paul for Saturday 14th October

By Luke Evans • October 19, 2023
Message from Fr Paul for Saturday, 14 th October 2023 It was good to drive to Bromyard yesterday morning for Mass and to take Toby with me. This wasn’t new to him, of course, as in the past he had been there many times and always accompanied me when I went church crawling nearby. As you know, I love visiting ancient churches and love praying in them and singing the chant. I always get the feeling that the stones remember and rejoice. When I eventually move to Leominster and Bromyard next year on my retirement as abbot, one of the many things I’m looking forward to doing is visiting every ancient church in the north of Herefordshire, not that I can say that I’ve visited every medieval church in the south of the county, but I’m getting pretty close. Toby always accompanies me, as he loves sniffing around old churches and churchyards as much as I do. Today’s brief Gospel reading from Luke, (Lk 11: 27-28), is a most suitable passage to be heard on Saturday, which is usually dedicated to Our Lady. Here it is: “As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, ‘Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!’ But he replied, ‘Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!’” It’s somewhat similar to the short account we read recently of a visit made by Mary and his brothers to Jesus, when he was preaching to the crowds and healing them. “Who are my mother and my sisters and brothers?” he asked, replying that those who hear the word and kept it are his mother and sisters and brothers. This time it is a woman in the crowd, who shouts out, “Blessed are the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked.” It’s not that Jesus disagrees with what she says, but he takes her thought a stage further. “Even more blest those who hear the word of God and keep it.” Who is more blessed than Mary his mother, who heard the word of God and kept it? We ask Mary’s prayers today that we, like her, may hear the word of God and keep it.

Message from Fr Paul for Friday 13th October

By Luke Evans • October 19, 2023
Message from Fr Paul for Friday, 13 th October 2023 It’s 11pm on Thursday night as I sit down to write a few words for today’s message, my first day back at Belmont after a short break in Greece. However, the drive from Birmingham Airport to Hereford took much longer than expected because of roadworks on the M42 that resulted in lengthy diversions, causing us to arrive at Belmont well after 2am. I didn’t really recover all day. Then, after Compline, I had to drive down to Newport to collect Fr Alex, who was arriving from his visit to the Cistercian nuns at Las Huelgas, Burgos, Spain. I wonder why the train to Hereford leaves Newport three minutes before the train from Paddington arrives. Today the Church in England keeps the feast of St Edward the Confessor, last Anglo-Saxon king of the House of Wessex, who reigned from 1042 until 1066. He is buried at Westminster Abbey and was one of the English patron saints until replaced by St George by King Edward III. Our Gospel from Luke today, (Lk 11: 15-26), sees Jesus casting out a devil and then taking about the devil, whom he calls Beelzebul. He says, “If it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you.” It is God’s will and through his power that Jesus casts out devils, as he tries to bring healing, unity and reconciliation to all God’s children. There are many devils abroad in thew world today, wreaking havoc, death and destruction. We ask Jesus to cast these from our world through the power of God and to bring us that peace with God which alone can bring peace among his children.

Message from Fr Paul for Thursday 12th October

By Luke Evans • October 19, 2023
Message from Fr Paul for Thursday, 12th October 2023 I spent much of yesterday travelling back to Belmont from Greece and I’m writing this short message in one of the many Lufthansa lounges at Munich Airport. As my plane doesn’t get into Birmingham until 11pm, I doubt I’ll arrive at Belmont much before 1am. I really enjoyed having a break, but as the Welsh say after a good day’s weather, “We’ll pay for it later.” Munich must be one of the best airports to negotiate as you make a connection from one flight to another, especially if you happen to have a British passport. On leaving Thessaloniki, I was asked by the young border policeman how I’d been allowed into Greece without a visa, as he didn’t recognise a new blue British Passport. He took it from me and went off to consult a senior colleague. It’s the first time in 60 years of visiting Greece on a regular basis that I felt like an alien in a foreign land! Today we keep the feast of St Wilfred in England, but in Spain and many countries in Latin America it’s La Virgen del Pilar, Our Lady of the Pilar, patron of Spain and venerated in Zaragoza, another reason why October is the month of Mary. Our Gospel from Luke today, (Lk 11: 5-13), is the continuation of yesterday’s, where Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. It’s an extended commentary by Jesus on perseverance in prayer. “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him.” Ultimately, the best gift of prayer is the Holy Spirit, whom our Heavenly Father gives to those who ask him.
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