Thanks to the wonder of modern technology (God Bless my roaming 3G USB stick) we are able to send updates from the train. The 8 Redshirts and two leaders travelling with the main pilgrimage are currently on the train, which left Calais about forty minutes ago. We have had great ay mixing with the main pilgrimage. We have uploaded some selected photos (which include some redshirts from past years and members of the main pilgrimage) to the twitter feed (see left hand side). If technology permits, we might add some to the site here too…
Getting on the coach
The Arundel & Brighton Lourdes Pilgrimage 2010 began this morning as 62 members of the Youth Service Group (the Redshirts, of course!) 8 leaders, one co-ordinator and one Chaplain met at St. Bernadette’s in Crawley to begin their 24-hour journey to Lourdes.
The group met together at around 9am and started sorting out luggage and equipment. At 10.30 we celebrated Mass with Bishop Kieran and were officially commissioned for our work in Lourdes. When Mass was finished we packed up the coach – a huge job, even with the extra trailer – made some final checks, counted heads and set off on the long journey to the South of France.
It’s probably worth explaining at this point that 8 of the Redshirts and 2 of their leaders aren’t travelling with the main group. Alas, there were too many Redshirts this year for one coach to handle and so that group of 10 will be travelling with the main pilgrimage via coaches and the famous train. The entire Redshirt group, therefore, wont be all together until Friday morning. Since the person looking after yaab and the twitter updates is on the train rather than the coach (i.e. currently in Brighton, not northern France) you should expect news updates and photos to be focus more on that group until Friday.
Latest txt messages from the coach, however, are extremely informative, such as…
- We are at Service stn. X
(honestly, you ask for txt updates and what do you get… 
)
For now – and until I can get anything more descriptive from the coach – here are some photos of this morning at St. Bernadette’s in Crawley…
Some former Redshirts at Briefing Day
One of the real strengths of the Lourdes Youth Service Group (the Redshirts) over the years, has been its ability to encourage and bring forward helpers for the main pilgrimage.
On Sunday, Ray and a few of this years Redshirts together with a few leaders, went to St. Wilfrid’s School in Crawley for Briefing Day, the traditional introduction and information-fest held on the Sunday before we leave for France. This is a main pilgrimage event and so Redshirts don’t normally turn up. A few turned up this year though to help out where we could.
What was interesting about the day though, wasn’t the presence of 2010 Redshirts, but rather the presence of so many past Redshirts.
In reality, we shouldn’t really refer to them as past Redshirts. Ray always says once a Redshirt, always a Redshirt, and it’s an important thing to remember. But having said that though, they can only actually travel to Lorudes as part of the Youth Service Group when they are in year 10 or year 11. After that, they have to branch out, and that’s where the main pilgrimage comes in.
Ever since the Redshirts began as a project, there has always been a high amount of participants going on to be adult helpers in the main pilgrimage. This has been really evident this year especially. Quite a few of them were at Briefing Day yesterday and even more of them are expected in the hotels, family group and in the Accueil in Lourdes.
..and a few more
Countdown to Lourdes
Jul 23
Getting ready to go...
Several members of the Redshirts gathered at DABCEC – the diocesan Education centre, where the Youth Service is based – today to prepare resources and make other preparations ahead of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes next week.
There are only 6 days left now until the diocese leaves, and only 5 days left until the Redshirts head off.
Traditionally, the Redshirts go out ahead of the rest of the diocese, and this year is no exception.
The Lourdes Main Pilgrimage music practice was held today at St. Wilfrid’s School in Crawley. A number of Redshirts, past and present, were on hand to sing and play instruments.
Music Practice ahead of Lourdes
Only 10 days now until the Redshirts set off…
UPDATE (July 23rd): Ray has a load more photos to add in…
Enjoy…
Music Practice
Meal time...
Ruth sorting out the Redshirts... (it's a big job)
Icebreakers...
Icebreakers...
Icebreakers...
Out in the sun
More of the group
The final bit of the group
Music practice...
Trust games!
More icebreakers
Out in the sun
After a lengthy debate, we decided that this year's shirts would be red.
With only a few weeks to go before we all head over to Lourdes the 2010 Youth Service Group met together at Christ the Prince of Peace Parish Hall in Weybridge. Here are some edited highlights…
Ray answers some questions from parents
Enjoying the sun
Night prayer
Some of the leaders
On Sunday July 4th, the leadership team for World Youth Day 2011 gathered once again at DABCEC for a bit of training and planning.
This was the last time together as a team before they meet the pilgrims on September 4th.
During the day, the group did a bit of planning for September and also had training on Safeguarding and Group Leadership.
There is a real buzz around the WYD group now. Bring on Madrid!!
Young People and volunteer leaders from around the Diocese preparing for the Papal Visit
It can’t have escaped your attention that Pope Benedict XVI is visiting England in less than three months. While we don’t know everything about the visit yet, what we do know is that a large part of Saturday is going to be devoted to young people.
Each parish in England & Wales has been asked to nominate one young person to represent them, and the diocese in the Piazza outside Westminster Cathedral on Saturday September 18th. Among other events on the day, Pope Benedict will say Mass in the Cathedral. He will then come outside and address the thousands of young people packed in to the square.
Getting together to talk about what lies ahead... In this picture, the representatives from Crawley, Horsham and Woking.
The delegates from our diocese all met together today at St. Michael’s in Worthing. The aim of this was to get to know one another, to learn about the Pope, about Cardinal Newman and about the visit, and to think about why we are going. We also had a chance to think a little bit about how we are going to spread the message once it’s all over and done with.
Representatives from Guildford and a few other places discussing what questions to ask about the visit
Getting to know each other over (packed) lunch. The beautiful weather and the grounds of St. Michael's didn't do the day any harm either!
The day was very interactive and was very much led by the thoughts and questions of the young people themselves. They came up with some fascinating questions and some really inspiring reasons as to why they wanted to be a part of it all. On young person commented that “with all of the negative news about the Church lately, it is important for us to show our support for the Church and for the Pope.”
The day ended with a prayer in the Church led by Fr. David Parmiter who was with us for the day. We were grateful to him, to Ray and to the other leaders. We were also grateful to Fr. Chris for letting us use his beautiful Church.
A time of prayer in the Church before leaving
Every year some of the Redshirt Leaders accompany Ray for a weekend in Lourdes. This normally happens around May, and it provides a good chance to make some bookings, assess some locations and activities and to meet with key people including the hotel staff and the youth service. It also gives new leaders a chance to familiarise themselves with Lourdes ahead of the hecticness of the summer!
Some of the leaders, together with Nick Harvey from the main pilgrimage
It is now less than two months until the Redshirts get on the coach and head for Lourdes.
N.B. Spell check seems to think that “hecticness” isn’t a word. We disagree!!
