This year's Pilgrimages

Assumption Pilgrimage

Fr Alan Townsend

Saturday 23rd August

12 noon

October Pilgrimage

Rt Rev'd Tony Robinson

12 noon

Annual Requiem

Saturday 10th November

Fr Andy Hawes

12 noon.

Reports

The first event was "The Next Generation Youth Pilgrimage" held on Saturday 10th May. The organisers write:

The weather was lovely, the attendance was 128 and once again, back by popular request.

Fr Craig Fullard led our acts of worship. We began with a choice of workshops - Dance, Drama, Crafts, Artwork and Cake decorating! As it was the day before Pentecost Sunday, the theme for the day was 'Happy Birthday to the Church' - hence the cake decorating!

One of the craft activities was to help make an enormous Rosary from logs and bamboo. Everyone was invited to attach their own prayers to the rosary, and then after an hour or so of activities, we all took it in turns to help carry the rosary up the hillside to where Mary appeared many years ago. We also took tubs of bubbles with us to blow,so we would be seen easily, and everyone would know why we were there.

After a short service up the hill, we came back to the church hall and had lunch. Our mass began at 2.30 and contained everything that we had worked at during our morning sessions. It was a truly wonderful mass, with lovely hymns and the music was again provided by Mike Heppleston and Simon Corner (well done to you both!).

Fr Craig provided a Powerpoint setting for the mass and at the end we sang 'Happy Birthday' to the Church and cut the cake. Many thanks to Fr Craig for such an uplifting mass, and thank you for saying yes to next year's Youth Pilgrimage, which will be on Saturday 9th May 2009.

Feel free to contact me for further information. Sheila Dilks. email: irishvelvet@hotmail.co.uk

The Summer Pilgrimage

with Fr Peter Huckle of St Edward's House Westminster was a wonderful, not to say moving experience for those privileged to be there. Fr Peter addressed us in the native language of his home country of New Zealand and then gave us an inspired address of encouragement. He is very well qualified asa lecturer on Liturgy in countries around the world, and as an integral member of ROOT, the association of traditionalist monastics as well as on the council of Forward in Faith. He works at the heart of the nation and living in Central London is aware of the perilous times in which we live and worship. He gave us a beautifully celebrated Mass and the afternoon Benediction was also a reminder of the beauty of holiness.

There were 35 present in the morning and 27 in the afternoon. A great day!.

Sunday 13th July

This was a new venture; Evensong with prayers for Healing and the laying on of hands by Fr Ken Bale. He has been associated with the Ministry of Healing of the Church, after a serious road acident in 1969, which crippled him. and indeed is himself a product of this very special ministry.

There was a goodly crowd and such was the desire for the ministry, that the layingon of hands took over thirty minutes, which meant that there was plenty of time for everyone to pray. In his notices John paid tribute to Fr Ken and to the quiet time for prayer, which had been so helpful to those there with problems to talk to God about and the feeling of peace which surrounded all those who attended.