Thanks For 2002
A Big Thank You From The Manchester Region
Dear Friend,
What a wonderful week we had with the children this year in Lourdes! Thanks to your generosity, the Manchester Region was able to take 49 children in 5 groups on Pilgrimage to Lourdes this Easter for a week of love,
laughter and opportunity.
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We set off early on Easter Saturday (Group 81 traveled
on Easter Sunday) and arrived to glorious sunshine, which lasted for a good part of the week. Well, it wouldn’t have been Lourdes if we hadn’t got the waterproofs out at some stage! |
| The children enjoyed the walking tour of Lourdes with visits to where St. Bernadette and her family had lived as well as the parish church where she was baptised. Taking the children to the Grotto was a very special experience and a time when you were very much remembered in our prayers. |  |
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We went on various trips throughout the week, including visiting the Fort where we got an aerial view of Lourdes
(not to mention the aching leg muscles for those who didn’t take the lift!), going on the little train around the town (which the children love because we sang songs all the way and
waved at all the bemused locals!), a trip to the aquarium which was really popular and visits to the park It was snowing the day we went up the mountains to Gavarnie, but one group
braved the weather and took the children for rides on the horses! |
| We shared some wonderful celebrations of Mass, both in our small groups and with all the Manchester groups together. Hosanna House was particularly enjoyable with a regional Mass and time to play on the meadow with the beautiful backdrop of mountains. The Trust Mass is always a highlight of the week where all the H.C.P.T. groups gather in the underground Basilica for a wonderful celebration. It was very moving to be in the presence of over 2,000 children all sharing prayers, love and fun. Many a tear gets shed (but only by the adults! ) |  |
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In between fancy dress parties, discos, games of
Football and numerous visits to cafes, we did find time to have quiet moments, such
as lighting Candles at the grotto at night, when our ‘group family’ thought about those
at home and thanked God for all our blessings. |
| To see the joy on the faces of the children who all had such a fantastic week and the love shared between all the members of the group was certainly enough reward for us helpers, but we must thank you for your help in making the Pilgrimage possible. Without your generous efforts we wouldn’t be able to give the children this marvellous, moving experience, which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. |  |
Thank you and God Bless. We hope you will remember us in your prayers and carry on supporting H.C.P.T. – The Pilgrimage Trust in the future.
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