The travel packs containing all travel timings and pilgrimage information have been assembled and delivered to Royal Mail so should be dropping through letterboxes in the early part of week commencing 8th July.
Nearly 660 pilgrims from each part of the diocese will travel to Lourdes at the end of this month. Very many thanks to all the volunteers who gave their time on Saturday to compile the packs.
The overland coach travel section of the pilgrimage is now full so we regret that we are unable to accept any further bookings. There are places still available on the pilgrimage planes from Liverpool Airport.
Two further Preparation Sessions have been arranged but it is preferable if you can attend one of the two weekend dates.
The second will take place on SUNDAY JUNE 23rd at :
St John Plessington Catholic College
Old Chester Road
Bebington
Wirral
CH63 7LF
Please aim to arrive from 11.30 ready for a prompt start at 12.00 noon.
There will be mass at approx 2pm and we will hope to be finished by approx 3.30 pm.
The third and final date is TUESDAY JULY 9th at :
Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College
26 Urban Road
Altrincham
Cheshire
WA15 8HT
Please aim to arrive from 6.45pm ready for a prompt start at 7pm.
Unlike both Sunday sessions, there will not be mass or a break and therefore should finish at approximately 9pm.
Please note that specific names will be helpful if you intend to attend the session at BTH.
As you are aware, all volunteers are required to complete an annual update advisory session.
In line with many other pilgrimages, the Hospitality has arranged a preparation day for 2019.
This will take place on SUNDAY JUNE 9th at :
St Nicholas High School
Greenbank Lane
Hartford
Northwich
CW8 1 JW
Please aim to arrive from 11.30 ready for a prompt start at 12.00 noon.
There will be mass at approx 2pm and we will hope to be finished by approx 3.30 pm
This is not only our way of ensuring that volunteers are fully briefed in preparation for our pilgrimage but also provides an opportunity to meet others and understand our shared purpose.
All our youth groups and older volunteers will be welcome including anyone going independently. Those attending may wish to bring a packed lunch. Light refreshments will be provided.
We hope that as many people as possible can attend this session but we will seek to meet the needs of anyone who cannot with a follow up alternative.
If you need any further information please contact Lucy Walsh, Hospitality Secretary at
[email protected]
I am pleased to present our Pilgrimage to Lourdes brochure for 2019.
This year we have had to make considerable changes to our travel arrangements: after a very long tradition of taking many of our Pilgrims overland by special chartered train we have finally had to stop using the train. As you are all aware, for several years we have only been able to fill just over half the pilgrimage train which has meant our costs have risen considerably. Despite many appeals to those who choose to travel independently, we have been unsuccessful in persuading them to return to the train. At the same time French Railways this year increased the cost by 40% which would have made travel by train and coach more expensive than flying.
We have therefore made the decision that overland travel will now be by executive coach from various parts of the Diocese to Lourdes and return. You will see from our brochure that this has enabled us to reduce the cost considerably: although there are some variations depending on which hotels pilgrims choose the saving is in the region of £80 per person.
This year our flights will be from Liverpool John Lennon Airport and this too has enabled us to reduce prices by around £30 per person.
I do hope Pilgrims will welcome these changes and assure you that we do everything possible to enable as many people to experience Lourdes at the most competitive price possible.
Fr David Long
Pilgrimage Director
We are always pleased to hear from any doctors or nurses who would like to join the pilgrimage medical team. For more information please contact Fr David Long, the Pilgrimage Director, through this address or on 0161 480 2489.
