“It is not a lifestyle dominated by control & a plethora of rules. It is a lifestyle that forgoes violence on every level, for any reason. Most of all, this lifestyle is a simple one. It is basic in its elements, not difficult to achieve, simple to sustain. It nurtures neither ambition nor greed. It is straightforward in its values, without being either esoteric or convoluted. These values are clear ones: community, prayer, stewardship, equality, stability, conversion, peace- all make for communities of love. It is a lifestyle committed to its ideals before all else, & intent on opening its arms & taking the world into its Monastery of the Heart. It is then an oasis of human peace in a striving, searing, simmering world. Benedictine Spirituality is a counter culture that calls for a rhythm of life that honours & enables stretches & challenges, every dimension of human development. It creates community out of a collection of strangers – a slice of life that crosses age levels, economic backgrounds, & ethnicities – to where differences can be honoured, & differences can be broached, & peace can come to both the person & to an entire population at the same time. Benedictine Spirituality is a life that honours the earth & cultivates the planet for the sake of all the people of the earth. It is a holy life. It passes on to the next generation a society & a world that is in better condition than it was - because people with a Benedictine heart have taken their responsibility to protect it for the future. It allows no waste but provides for the needs of all. It allows no class distinctions but thrives on the exceptions that the human condition demands.” The Monastery of the Heart by Joan Chittister OSB.
On behalf of Fr Abbot, Fr Prior & our Monastic Community I would like to wish you all a Happy & Holy New Year.
Could I thank all of you who came to the Abbey Church earlier today (Sat) to offer prayerful support for Andrew Daly’s family, & to pray for the repose of his soul. It was a profoundly moving moment to welcome many of Andrew’s friends into the Abbey Church for his Requiem Mass, & we hope that the moment may enkindle within them the seed of faith. After our 10.00am Mass on Sunday we will have a simple celebration in the Parish Hall to congratulate Max on his 100th birthday which he celebrated in Italy on the 22nd October 2017. His presence among us is a continued blessing.
Please keep the following in your prayers; Margaret Firth who is dying peacefully in a care home in Alne. Anne Jubb who is out of intensive care but remains poorly in York District Hospital, & Judith Gubbins who suffered a torn aorta last week & had major surgery in Hull, where she will remain for the next 6 weeks.
Sadly we have suffered further vandalism to the external lighting in our graveyard. To date four light fittings have been vandalised, all in the bottom section through the allotment area. This time one in the graveyard itself has been targeted. I would ask you to make it known within the Village that we are extremely disappointed at these continuing acts, when the lighting was installed for the benefit not just of our Parishioners but for the many of our Village who use the footpath. We are investigating the possibility of installing a different & more expensive light fitting which should be more robust in the face of wanton damage.
Our 3rd Alpha Course finished last week, & we are deeply grateful to the Alpha Team for their steady work & prayer which has borne rich fruit in deepening the faith of some, restoring the faith of others, & welcoming new enquirers into faith. We are to begin a day Alpha Course on Wed 17th Jan 2018 at 9.15am, (to 11.15am) to enable young parents with children at school & the elderly among us to have the opportunity to enjoy exploring some questions in life & faith in a relaxed & informal setting. Please let us know you are coming via ampleforthalpha@gmail.com With love & prayers, Fr Bede.