News

The funeral arrangements for Sister Dorothy are as follows;

Monday 18th October 2021 16:30 - Sr Dorothy's body will be received into Shrewsbury Cathedral.
Tuesday 19th October 2021 12:15 - Requiem Mass at the Cathedral, followed by interment at Shrewsbury Cemetery.

For those travelling by car the best car park is probably St Julian's Friars, map and details shown here . Other car parks are available e.g. NCP by English Bridge.

No flowers please but donations, in lieu of flowers, to Severn Hospice would be gratefully received and may be made by clicking here.

The Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Mons. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, has issued a document detailing plans to prepare Lourdes for the next century. His message can be read here.

Thank you to all who joined in the Virtual Pilgrimage to Lourdes recently and to those whose technical skills made it possible.

The various ceremonies and other events can still be viewed on YouTube - just search for "Diocese of Shrewsbury - Lourdes".

Hopefully, we should be able to visit Lourdes as a full pilgrimage next year.

 

 

You may have seen media reports or seen things posted online announcing that Joe Walsh Tours, who have provided our flights to Lourdes over the last few years, have ceased trading. I want to reassure any pilgrims who have paid deposits to us that these are held in our Pilgrimage Account and are perfectly safe. No individual pilgrim has paid anything to Joe Walsh Tours so should not try to claim from them. We are happy to retain any deposits for next year’s pilgrimage but if anyone would like the deposits that we are holding for them returned they should write to me at St Vincent’s, Tatton St, Knutsford, WA16 6HR.

Fr David Long
Pilgrimage Director

It is with a really heavy heart that I have to announce that following discussions with the Bishop, our travel agent and our Pilgrimage Management Team it has been decided that once again it will be impossible to have a Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes this year. We had all hoped that it would have been possible to go ahead with a small pilgrimage albeit without any assisted pilgrims or youth section. However, in the light of the Government’s latest regulations with regard to international travel that would require testing for Covid before and after the Pilgrimage (at a minimum cost of £100 per person) and the likelihood of the need to quarantine after the pilgrimage (possibly in a hotel at a cost of £1800) it was felt we had no alternative but to cancel the Pilgrimage.
 
Once again we plan to hold a Virtual Pilgrimage and members of the Management Team will be working on this in the weeks ahead. Once the plans are finalised we will let you have all the information you need to participate in the Virtual Pilgrimage.
 
These are indeed very difficult times for us all and I think we all experience a deep sense of loss at not being able to go on Pilgrimage in what would have been our 70th Year. We pray that Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette will intercede for an end to the pandemic and we keep in our prayers all those who have suffered illness or loss as a result of the Virus.
 
Fr David Long
Pilgrimage Director

I am delighted to announce that after much thought and reflection Bishop Mark has appointed Siobhan Cartwright as the new President of the Hospitality in succession to John Campbell. All of you will know Siobhan who has been associated with our Pilgrimage for well over twenty years. She co-ordinates the support of our assisted pilgrims in the hotels and has also been secretary of the Diocesan Hospitality. She is deeply committed to the message of Lourdes and to our Diocesan Pilgrimage. I really look forward to working with her in the future for the good of all who are part of our Shrewsbury Pilgrimage Family. I know Siobhan is shocked but deeply honoured by her appointment. Please keep her very much in your prayers.
 
PILGRIMAGE MANAGEMENT TEAM
 
Bishop Mark has also agreed to the appointment of a Management Team to support me in my work as Pilgrimage Director. This will be comprised of all key personnel who lead different aspects of our Pilgrimage and I am very grateful to Bishop Mark for agreeing to this. The Team is:
 
Fr David Long                Pilgrimage Director
Siobhan Cartwright        President of the Hospitality
Phil Malone                    Pilgrimage Administrator
Dr John McKay              Chief Medical Officer
Nuala Fitzmaurice          Matron
Richard Emsley              Chief Brancardier
Sandy Fairley                 Youth Pilgrimage Director
Andrew O’Brien              Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
Fr Chris Matthews          Diocesan MC and Pilgrimage Liturgy Co-ordinator

It is with sadness that I have to inform you that due to illness John Cambpell has had to step down from his role as President of the Hospitality. As you all know John has been an incredible servant to our pilgrimage for so many years. Until a couple of years ago he was also Chief Brancardier and has been President of the Hospitality for twenty years. During that time John has been a wonderful smiling presence around the Pilgrimage gently guiding us and encouraging us all. He brought incredible commitment and generosity to all the roles he has taken up in service of the Pilgrimage. Lourdes and our Pilgrimage has been such a part of John’s life that it is hard to imagine him not at the forefront of things in the future. I do hope that in time his health will improve sufficiently for him to be part of the pilgrimage where hopefully we can look after him rather than him looking after us. Please keep John and his wife Vera in your prayers at this difficult time.
 
Bishop Mark will appoint a new President in the New Year. If members of the Hospitality wish to nominate someone that they think should be considered for this important position please send their name directly to me at St Vincent’s, Tatton St, Knutsford WA16 6HR before 21 December with the reason why you are suggesting the person.
 
Fr David Long
Pilgrimage Director