..I know, it’s exciting isn’t it.
If you are interested in being part of the Youth Service Group 2010, then get in touch with Ray (ray.mooney@dabnet.org) and he will send you an application form.
Click on the Redshirts page (link above) for more info about what the group gets up to in Lourdes.
You can also click the links to the right to see what the experience has been like in previous years.
This weekend saw the last official act of the Redshirts 2009. The last part of their journey as a group.
It all began with a day together at DABCEC in the spring, and continued through their overnight at Guildford, the trip to Lourdes, the reunion at DABCEC and then finally this last weekend together at Dalesdown.
It was a lovely end to a fantastic journey. Of course, for the individuals the journey may not end there. All will have the chance to go to Lourdes again, maybe even as part of Redshirts 2010… so it’s not really the end of anything, just the last time that this years Redshirts will be together as a group. If that makes sense??
Anyway, enough waffle… here are some pictures of the weekend:
The Richard Stewart Lecture is held each year in the diocese, and aims to celebrate some aspect of ecumenism i.e. how we co-operate with Christians of other traditions. This year’s lecture was particularly interesting as it was given by H.E. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster, and former Bishop of our own diocese.
The Redshirts were invited to help out by marshalling, working the doors (in a non-bouncer way!), helping people to their seats and in a number of other roles.
Some of the Redshirts in the Narthex at Worth
Eight of the Redshirts turned up to help and their assistance was greatly appreciated. Bishop Kieran even thanked them especially in the presence of the Cardinal.
Engaging in acts of service around the diocese is a huge part of the vision of the Redshirts. The group originated in the A&D Lourdes pilgrimage, but is now spreading in its scope.
If you want to know more about the Lecture, then Independent Catholic News has a great article.
Sep 15
This weekend about 40 of this year’s Redshirts gathered together at the Friary Hall in Crawley for a chance to catch up and reflect on their time in Lourdes. It was an amazing weekend, and we were grateful to Bishop Kieran for dropping in and for Fr. David Parmiter for coming to celebrate Mass with us on Saturday night.
Here are some photos…
Well, the week in Lourdes is over. It was amazing.
Redshirts serving in Lourdes...
Redshirts 2009, post a comment and let us know how you found it. What were the highlights? How did you grow during the week?
Very soon we will leave for the train station to help the pilgrimage load and prepare the train. After that we hit the road with our pilgrimage for 2009 at an end.
Since yesterday we have had an amazing 24 hours.
We did the talk yesterday afternoon. A few hundred people turned up, and all were very impressed with our drama, singing and testimonies. In the evening we had a celebration, variety show and a final night prayer and walk to the grotto.
This morning Bishop Kieran celebrated the final Mass. Very sad, very moving, but also a sense of great joy. What an amazing week.
Preparing our final Red Carpet
Two of our leaders, Pete and Ruth...
Bishop Kieran celebrates the final Mass
You have NO IDEA how long it took to get this shot!!
Jul 29
For the uninitiated, we should explain that ‘pegging’ is a time honoured tradition in Lourdes. The basic idea is to attach a peg to somebody’s clothing without them noticing. The peg normally bears a short message.
Hannah, Dan and Oli pose after their successful pegging of two Archbishops!
After the International Youth Mass this morning, Hannah and Dan between them pegged both Archbishop Kelly of Liverpool and Archbishop Nichols, who is the Archbishop of Westminster and Chair of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales!
…nice!
When interviewed, Hannah Fricker said ‘what can I say… I’m a pro. I’d just like to thank my parents, all the Redshirts, and Daniel.’
Jul 28
We’ve done two things today really: Mass with Shrewsbury Diocese, Westminster Diocese and the OMV – which was celebrated by Archbishop Vincent Nichols. That was followed by a retreat day to the Citee San Pierre. Both were absolutely amazing.
For the Mass we provided the usual Red Carpet welcome, but with a difference. Our Red Carpet was added to by the Westminster ‘Red Caps’, making a massive duel carpet. We were also pleased to see the face of one of our old Redshirt leaders in the Westminster side of the carpet too.
The retreat day at the Citee San Pierre was both relaxing and inspiring. We played games, sang songs, talked, laughed, ate… but most of all we heard Mickey and Sean talk to us about the topic of ‘Church’. We also had a reconciliation service. Eight priests very kindly came up so that the Sacrament of Reconciliation was on offer.
The mood in the hotel is now very upbeat and happy. The Redshirts have some free time this evening and have made lots of plans for how to use it!
Here are some photos…
Archbishop Nichols on the Red Carpet after Mass
A familiar old face on the other side of the Red Carpet...
The picnic at the start of our retreat day...
Jul 27
After the Mass of anointing today, we all went for an ice cream. It was all rather nice. At the end there was a somewhat random – but really nice – rendition of YMCA.
Here is a photo gallery:
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