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Our new Abbot Abbot Mark Barrett
from The Blue Paper 2021
by Worth School
Our new Abbot
Abbot Mark Barrett was blessed as the new, and seventh, Abbot of Worth Abbey on Saturday 11th September 2021 in the presence of a joyful congregation, despite being restricted in size by Covid-19. Bishop Richard Moth, who presided at the service, said in his homily that the monastic community at Worth is a “beacon of prayer and faithful service calling the world to Christ”, and that there was “an effective witness to the Gospel in and from this place”. He exhorted the congregation to “place your hope in God alone” (Ch 4, Rule of St Benedict) in order to fulfil everything that God requires of us. We send Abbot Mark our prayers and best wishes for the 8 years of his office.
A message from Abbot Mark Barrett
It’s a pleasure to be writing these few words of greeting for The Blue Paper. As a teacher and a housemaster, in my previous life, I did from time to time have to ask others to produce a few sides of ‘Blue’. But I don’t ever recall, before now, myself writing on or in any Blue Paper.
The Blue Paper (like the Worth Society itself) connects friends with one another, invites new connections and new friendships, and helps keep all of us in touch as we travel the route that life has presented to us. Worthians are noted, rightly, for the quality of the relationships that life on this campus has generated among you, and empowered you to extend across a wide range of contexts. The friendship and the fraternity (and more recently the sorority) that exists among Worthians is centred here in Sussex, but you each carry it with you wherever you find yourself living and working; a gift you can share with all those you later come to know.
Along with the whole monastic community, I look forward to many opportunities in the months and years ahead to welcome you back to Worth, as well as to meet you in other contexts. Please be assured of the continuing affection and the prayers of the monastic community here at Worth for all who have passed through the School over many years; please remember to pray for us, and for all who continue to carry the torch in Worth School among the rising generation.
