Below is a report from the Youth Service group - the Redshirts - who supported with the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Friday 27 July 2007
The Youth Service Group manically waved the pilgrimage train into Lourdes station. They, with the now present helpers helped to transfer the sick pilgrims and their possessions onto the coaches to take them to their hotels. After a good rest the whole pilgrimage joined together again for the welcome mass at Cote Grotte, where the theme of Reconciliation was introduced.
Saturday 28 July 2007
Mass was bright and early Saturday morning at St Bernadette’s chapel in the domain. The Youth Service Group assembled in the customary “Redshirt carpet”, to welcome everyone joyfully into mass. The weather was perfect at the beginning of mass but quickly warmed up resulting in the bishop donning his sun hat for the best part of it. Mass was proceeded by the Pilgrimage photograph where everyone quietly roasted.
The young teens from the family group met with part of the Redshirt group to socialise and play games on the prairie while other Youth Service Group visited the Accueil.
As is traditional on the second day of the pilgrimage, the hotel groups said their evening prayers simultaneously before meeting at the Little Flower to catch up with everyone.
Sunday 29th July
Today mass was held at Cote Grotte which, was followed over the day by the hotels having their group photographs taken, along with the reconciliation services occurring. This included the Youth Service Group who went on a retreat to the “Cite Sainte Pierre” where they participated in their own reconciliation service. The family group went to Batrès. This evening the diocese led the Marian torchlight procession.
Monday 30th July
A very moving Anointing of the sick mass was held this morning in the Underground Basilica followed by the Youth Service Group having their group photos before some of the Youth Group visited the baths to sing while the people queued. This included some of the diocese, including part of the family group, who were singing along! Other members of the Youth Service Group visited the Accueil again to be shown around and to talk to some of the pilgrims there.
The Procession of the Blessed Sacrament was led by Bishop Kieran, with the best part of a supposedly international choir made up of the diocese’s finest singers! The helpers had their reconciliation service and the family group enlisted the help pf the Youth Service Group to hold an evening prayer on the Prairie.
