Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2009

Preparations for the 2009 Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes under the leadership of Bishop Michael Campbell OSA is well under way. The dates for the pilgrimage are 17th – 24th July 2009 and the pastoral theme for all pilgrimages to Lourdes this year is ‘The Way of Bernadette’. This theme concentrates particularly on the life of St Bernadette after the apparitions. We are reminded that Bernadette became a saint not only because Our Lady chose to appear to her but also because of the way she lived her life before and after that wonderful time. We are blessed in this Diocese with a wonderful group of people who travel each year to Lourdes and a great team who organise the Pilgrimage. However new faces, new life, and new targets are essential each year if the Pilgrimage is to continue and grow in the longer term, and if it is to be representative of the Diocese as a whole.
To be cared for by the medical and nursing team on the pilgrimage you must be a Registered Sick Pilgrim (or VIP as we like to say) and you will be accomodated in The Hotel Solitude. If there is someone in your parish or local care home that you know of whom would benefit from going on pilgrimage please encourage him or her to come this year. (Some funding support may be available). The forms to register as a sick pilgrim are available from: Mrs. Cath Morgan (Director), 48 Raybourne Avenue, Poulton Le Fylde, FY6 7RT.
CALLING ALL LOURDES HELPERS OLD AND NEW!!
Our care for the sick pilgrims are second to none and are totally reliant on our volunteer helpers, doctors, nurses and carers. Many of you will know what a rewarding, tiring, wonderful experience working at the service of the sick pilgrims in Lourdes is. Anyone who would like to work as a volunteer in any of our teams would be more than welcome. Please consider giving it a go! Contact: Rosemary & Chris Hocking, 8 Sanderling Lane, Dalton in Furness LA15 8QG Tel:- 01229 463596 e-mail:- 8thesidings@tiscali.co.uk
YOUTH TEAM
If you would like to be part of the youth team please contact: Fr. Phillip Conner at:
youth@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk
DO YOU PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OR SING?
Fr. Manny Gribben will be organising music for the liturgies during our week in Lourdes so if you sing or play a musical instrument could you contact: Linda on 01253 343303 to ensure there are enough music books available.
ALL PILGRIMS
To book as a pilgrim you must contact Mancunia Travel, 184 Walkden Road Worsley, MANCHESTER M28 7FQ. Tel:-0161 790 6838 who have options of hotels available. Web site:- www.mancunia.com

If you would like to join the pilgrimage but are on a tight budget there are alternative ways to get there and be part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage whilst in Lourdes. Flights can be booked from Stansted to Pau through www.ryanair.com with an hours journey in a taxi from Pau to Lourdes. You could also go Liverpool to Paris CDG with www.easyjet.com and Paris Orly to Lourdes with www.airfrance.com. Also, the eurostar and ferry crossings are easy to find on google search engine. Self catering accomodation can be booked through www.quietude-evasion.com (the old Maison de Marie) who have apartments for 4 to 6 persons at very reasonable rates or www.citea.com who have numerous types of apartments/rooms at their Saint Jean location.

Linda Wisdom
Communications Officer
Lancaster Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes