Thursday, 8 November 2007

British Province of Carmelites to join the CA Pilgrimage

The trustees of the Catholic Association have accepted the request of the British Province of Carmelites to join the CA Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

The Carmelite Order is one of the Church ’ s ancient religious communities, founded in the Holy Land some 800 years ago. Today the Carmelite Family is made up of friars, nuns, sisters, hermits and lay people, who form praying communities at the service of all God’s people.

Carmelites have a particular devotion to Mary the Mother of God, and the final apparition of Our Lady to Saint Bernadette took place on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Although individual Carmelites have taken part in the Catholic Association Pilgrimage over a number of years, the British Province of Carmelites will formally come under the umbrella of the Catholic Association for its Pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year 2008, marking the 150th anniversary of the apparitions at the Grotto.

The Pilgrimage Director for the Carmelites will be Johan Bergström-Allen, a lay member of the Order and former councillor of the Lourdes Hospitalité and the CA Hospitalité.

The Carmelites will come to Lourdes under the leadership of the Prior Provincial. The current Prior Provincial, Fr Tony Lester, said “Having been a brancardier with the Catholic Association Pilgrimage for the last few years, I’m delighted that my fellow Carmelites will be able to come to Our Lady’s sanctuary in Lourdes with such a fine group of pilgrims. Collaborating with the CA will mean that we can accompany more assisted pilgrims, and we shall work hard to recruit more volunteer helpers, particularly nurses and young people.”

Thursday, 1 November 2007

Congratulations to...

the following CA members who have recently married:
Emily McEwen and James Baker
Paul Dowson and Anne O’Reilly

Friday, 1 June 2007

Walsingham Retreat - 2007

Maggie Clark leads the procession to the Slipper Chapel

Fr Tony Lester, O.Carm led the weekend on 27 - 29 April, 2007 - which at times was moving and at other times controversial, but always sincere and very thought provoking. It was good to feel safe in what we thought and ask the questions we often keep hidden.

Fr Tony’s visit to Germany was obviously still fresh in his mind as he told us some interesting stories and left us with good quotations, which he developed in a lovely way. He has a wonderful ability to make people feel good about themselves and totally loved by God.

Fr Tony’s quotation from St Hildergard will stay with us for a long time: “Listen to your desire for life it is the word of the Holy Spirit”: this lead to some interesting discussions all weekend.

Thank you to Jim Walton for organising another excellent retreat, and to Fr Tony Lester for leading it.
Helen Caroll at the Retreat

Wednesday, 9 May 2007

Congratulations to...

John Holden on getting his Masters at the very young age of 83! John (centre) is pictured with Bert and Kathleen King. See some more photos of this special day.

Monday, 30 April 2007

Congratulations to...

Becky Warren-Heys, who gave birth to a baby girl, Emily, born 10.10 am on 30th April, weighing 7lb 5oz.

Sarah Sparrow, who gave birth to Francis, born on 6th March, weighing 9lb 11oz.

Helen Dinneen (neé Brumby), who gave birth to Conor, born on 27th March, weighing 9lb 12 oz.

James & Rachel Brotherton who have a new son, Joseph Thomas, born on 22nd April; a brother for Harry.