Dear Diary
June 2010
Well, I haven’t blogged for quite a while so whilst sitting in the June meeting of the Calendar Commission I thought I would write a few lines. More about the Commission later.
During the past few months we have been closely watching the value of the pound against the euro and as I left home on Monday the pound was winning and we got a good rate of exchange to pay for the plane in July. Bookings have been coming in since February and it looks like it will be a good year – our 60th pilgrimage.
We were down in February for the feast and the meeting of the various directors and we had a load of snow, wind and rain. We had travelled on the train from Stockport including the overnight from Paris and it worked out well. Whilst down in Lourdes the British Directors had a little jolly up to a restaurant in the mountains. We went by coach complete with snow chains – probably just as well we went in the dark. Another feature of the February jaunt was that we arranged a Mass together for the British Directors. One of the main reasons for going to the meeting in February is to finalise our pilgrimage timetable. We will have a slightly different format this year in that we wait until the next but last day of the pilgrimage before having mass at the Grotto. We are also going to take everyone to the City of the Poor for Mass on the Saturday along with the enrolment of the new members of the Hospitalité, followed by a picnic lunch. This year the theme is ‘With Bernadette we make the sign of the Cross,’ and each diocese is invited to bring a cross to Lourdes to plant on the Breton Calvary by St Michael’s Gate. Campbell has already had ours made. Martin Moran the English Chaplain Co-ordinator has just left to take up his new appointment in Wistaston and his replacement Brian de Burca is settling in.
So here we are in June at the Calendar Commission. I looked up the weather forecast on t’internet the other day and the forecast was for rain. They were not kidding, it’s done nothing but. The flight from Manchester was delayed by 2 hours and I had read the print off the Telegraph before boarding. Eventually arrived in Lourdes and even the lift had got fed up of waiting so they arranged a lift with Mancunia which was very kind of them. I joined the Mancunia group for Mass in the bottom chapel of the St Frai Hospital. This is very calm and peaceful and handy for even a fairly large group. After Mass I went for a brew at HQ and some ‘tarte aux pommes.’ The man at the HQ has been poorly over the winter but fortunately is on the mend. Some familiar faces amongst the English speaking confessors were in town and I met them at supper and then watched Italy scrape a draw against Paraguay.
You will be impressed to learn that I joined an American group for Mass at the Grotto on Tuesday morning at 06 45 a.m, then after breakfast went to the first session of the commission beginning at 08 30. By 09 30 I had had my first siesta and woken myself up snoring!! Everybody laughed. Who cares? It took us all morning to get through April which is why I am writing this. The afternoon was a bit quicker and we got the first batch of English pilgrimages through at the end of May. The highlight of the afternoon was the Dutch rep, Jos, swatting a fly and getting it. We held it up as a trophy for all to see. Everybody applauded. Even the Italian rep looked up from his Ken Follett novel. It was all a little light relief from the mainly utter boredom.
The purpose of the Calendar Commission, which sits twice a year in June and December, is to sort out pilgrimage dates for two years hence. We are looking at 2012 to marry up the requests from pilgrimage directors with the availability of hospital beds and trains where requested and taking into account school holidays which are staggered in France according to zones. The easiest way to do it is going through the whole season from April to October manually. By 6 00 p.m. we are finishing June and then the two French representative from their National Association of Directors announce that they are off to Mass in the Rosary Basilica, so that basically brought a halt to the proceedings. Anyway with a bit of luck I will be finished by lunchtime tomorrow. After supper I go for a stroll and wander round to the Christina to see Pierre. He invites me to dinner tomorrow evening.
Day 2 and it’s still cold and raining, flaming June. The work progresses well, Giancarlo has nearly finished his Ken Follett and by lunchtime so am I. Only had one snooze this morning and didn’t snore – well not too loudly. Went to the procession in the afternoon and then on to Mass in French in the Rosary at 6 30.
Dinner with Pierre was at a new restaurant opposite his office and it was very nice and I was glad I was not paying.
Thursday was a day for doing jobs for our July pilgrimage. After the English Mass I went up to the City of the Poor and met a priest from Hexham, John Skivington, who was acting as a guide. He was very helpful in showing me round and sorting our visit out. In the afternoon I ‘did’ the office. Monique was not there but Pierre was and as usual very helpful. He also gave me two bottles of wine to bring home and showed me his ‘cave’ which is another story. And it’s still raining. Despite that the afternoon procession was outside.
Friday morning I join the English Mass and then went and spent some time in the Tent of Adoration. The great thing about coming to Lourdes without pilgrims is that you can get some time to yourself. One of the English confessors, George, a Benedictine from Ampleforth, is going home on the same flight as me. He is getting picked up at 12 noon and I am getting picked up at 1 00 p.m. I want my dinner, he gets a cheese sandwich. We are both in good time for the flight home.
See you in July.
Dear Diary
The 2009 Pilgrimage
Well here we are again. There have been a few cancellations in the days leading up to the pilgrimage but with the various independent travellers there are nearly 900 pilgrims from the diocese which is around the number we had in 2007. I think for the size of our diocese it is a good number.
SUNDAY Needless to say it’s raining as we are loading the coach in St Peter’s Car Park. That was a feat of driving getting the bus in, and we hope she can get it out again. She does and we are off on time. Junction 7 on the M56 is closed so we have to go through Altrincham to get on to the A556 to get to Knutsford Services on the M6 where we have some more people to pick up. The journey south is slow, the weather is horrible and there are loads of roadworks particularly on the M25. We meet up with some of the other coaches at Watford Gap, the sense of togetherness grows. Meanwhile the Wythenshawe coach has been unable to take all of Ged’s musical equipment. The consensus is that it’s good that the drum kit is one of the casualties. Ged is less impressed and makes a series of phone calls and text messages protesting, but in vain, things have been left behind. He wants to know what I will do about it. I will do what I am best at – nothing!
We are into Dover docks around 1 00 a.m. and the other coaches are there either before or shortly after except the Sale coach which is running late. They arrive and are refused entry at first because they are 5 minutes late. Big John and his henchman persuade the jobsworth at P & O to see sense and the Sale coach with some VIP’s is the last on the boat. The thought of having to delay the train didn’t bear thinking about.
MONDAY Calais is dry and sunny and quite pleasant even at 06 00. The train is ready albeit the wrong way round which means an extra couple of hundred yards for the VIPs to get to their carriage and the train is loaded and off on time at 06 18. Breakfast is taken and there is a plug at my seat which is really meant for lap tops but also works the kettle so we get a proper hot brew. Apparently there was a delay outside Paris for 30 minutes but I must have been out!! On the luncheon menu this year is honey roasted ham with salads followed by cheese. Needless to say an aperitif was taken and there was some wine to accompany the meal. At Bordeaux they have built a new railway bridge over the river into the station which carries 4 tracks instead of the previous 2. A short pause at Bordeaux and a short pause at Dax where the two trains are split and we are in Lourdes on time. Pierre and his team are there to greet us and everybody is coached off to their hotels. Even the flights have run to time today. The whole thing is going very smoothly.
The Opening Mass is in the St Bernadette Church and I am presiding with assistance from St Anne’s Cheadle Hulme. It is late, people are tired so we do not stretch it out. The music is fine especially without the drums and Ged has calmed down. It is Joe Norbury’s 10th anniversary of ordination to the diaconate .
After Mass we check in at HQ and are made welcome. This year they have a waitress called Celine as well as Jean Jacques and the other guy. We have a reasonably early night.
TUESDAY Up like a lark at crack of dawn and it is a fine morning as we gather at the Podium Altar across the river from the Grotto for Mass with Westminster, Arundel and Brighton, the Order of Malta Volunteers and ourselves. The new Archbishop presides and Bishop Brian preaches, with Arundel providing the music. It was good celebration and all went smoothly and a good show of strength of the English Church. It lets the Italians know they are not the only ones in town. We eventually go round to the Rosary Square for our photograph after Westminster and A & B have theirs.
The first 1 15 meeting and I meet up with the Liverpool two and we present a united bid to get Pat Kelly to preside at the International Mass on Wednesday. The bid is turned down in favour of the Italians because there are more of them than us. It’s a pity because Pat is 25 years a bishop this year and it would have been fitting for him to have led that Mass. I told Des and John that they should have written in about it before today. At the meeting we are asked to lead the Blessed Sacrament Procession on Wednesday and provide the servers. After lunch some of the VIP’s gather on the Prairie for the Rosary. We managed it in one group this year. Brendan Hoban did his walking tour later and there is a medical meeting at 6 15 in the hotel. These medical meetings are very important for myself and the doctors to catch up and reflect on the days events.
In the evening we are taking part in the Marian Torchlight Procession and there is a good turn out from the Shrewsbury Pilgrims. I like to get the Torchlight out of the way as soon as possible. The first of Ged’s evening entertainments takes place at the Terrasse.
WEDNESDAY Pat Regan is our deacon at the Altar for the International Mass assisting some Italian bishop who looks a bundle of fun. I have reminded the fathers with ‘gongs’ to wear them so that they get a good seat. They do and they do. Not everyone likes the International Mass but it gives an idea of belonging to something far bigger than just our own parish or diocese. The music is splendid and deacon Pat looks like he has being doing these big occasions for ever. After Mass it’s off to HQ for a light lunch and then down to the 1 15 meeting.
This afternoon the Penitential service is led by Steve Woolley and his group from Sale. The hard of hearing may have struggled to hear what was being said but it was generally a good celebration. Before it starts I take a count of those who want to go to Bartres tomorrow. We get to about 66 but I think more will come.
As mentioned yesterday we have been asked to staff the Eucharistic Procession today and all acquit themselves well. There is an excellent turn out from the diocese. The arrangement of always finishing in the Underground Basilica is much better than the previous arrangement in the rosary Square but I think the procession itself needs tidying up and people should be stopped from wandering along the route when it is taking place. The atmosphere in the Underground is very prayerful.
After the procession it is time for the medical meeting where the important issues of the day can be discussed and pondered. After supper Paddy Healey is holding court in HQ. I think he is enjoying the week and he appears to be on good form despite his recent mishaps.
THURSDAY This year is dedicated to St Bernadette and some bright spark (probably me) suggested it would be nice for everyone to have the opportunity to go to Bartres to see where Bernadette spent some of her early years. We have arranged a coach with wheelchair lift for the VIP’s, one for helpers and three others to take pilgrims out to the little village and I was right, there were a lot more than 66! Dave Fitton is also taking 4 groups on different days to walk there. Bartres is about 4kms out of town, is peaceful and quiet and a pleasant contrast to the hustle and bustle of Lourdes. Dave leads a short liturgy in the parish church to complete his walk and we all join in. Lots have also taken advantage of the café to refresh themselves so Bartres has done well out of us today. All are back in time for lunch with Bishop Brian going to the visit the auxiliaries’ house for his.
In the afternoon there is the opportunity to go to the Baths or the Water walk and then we have Mass on the theme of vocation led by Jonathan Brandon assisted by the group from St Peter’s. One of the group has composed some music for the occasion and all goes well. We present David Long with his illuminated address for his Silver Jubilee coming up in September. Chris Matthews volunteers to lead the Hillside Stations tomorrow morning. This is just as well because Brendan Hoban reminds me later that we have to arrange our pilgrimage to the cathedral City of Tarbes and so we arrange it for Friday morning. It will be less penitential than the Stations.
Tonight’s medical meeting is extended to do some research on the effects of riding in a coach in the mountains at night and how much food we need to consume before it becomes unpleasant. Our daring and courage in attempting this feat is amply rewarded by a fine meal. Our descent from on high is uneventful and we round off an excellent day with a nightcap in the hotel. This is all going too well, something has got to happen.
FRIDAY I take the ticket for the High Stations to Chris and then the two penitents make their pilgrimage to Tarbes to make provision for the winter months. To my surprise and joy I find the shrine at the first attempt. Provisions are obtained and we are back in time for lunch. The view of the Pyrenees on the return journey is nothing short of splendid. Pity I didn’t have my camera with me.
At the 1 15 meeting we nearly get the Blessed Sacrament Procession again tomorrow but Mr Dias realises we have already done it and gives it to the Italians. I suspect that +Brian would not have particularly wanted a second bite at the cherry. We are to provide some of the servers.
This afternoon Mass is led by Peter Robertson and his group from Upton in the Rosary Basilica. As always, it is well prepared, if a little long. Our co-director of music, Dominic has got a little group together to sing something different to the normal fayre. Today they sing a setting of the ‘Hail Mary’ in Russian from Rachmaninov’s Vespers. They are brilliant and it’s good to see the singers from the usual choir joining in along with some who don’t normally offer their singing services. There is an Italian group following us and they are blocking the doors as we try to get out at the end. As they say about common sense….!
After Mass we go to the Gallia Londres for the ‘garden party’ which I look in on very briefly and then Phil and I go off to the office to look at the bill. The rate of exchange is slowly improving and hopefully it will get a bit better before we have to pay up in August.
In the evening Dave Fitton is leading the Youth liturgy but I give it a miss. At supper we had to finish Chris Lightbound’s birthday cake which we did with a little help from the hotel staff. Today was also Joe Norbury’s 75th birthday so there was much singing at the end of Mass. David Long has gone home today. I presume the car arrived to take him to the airport. Meanwhile Salford pilgrims are beginning to arrive, more familiar faces.
SATURDAY Things are still going well and all seem happy, this is too good to be true!
Michael Murray leads us at Mass on the theme of service. The choir perform their Russian bit as a gathering song. Dominic has worked wonders with this little group. Today we are in the Underground which is a bit cavernous and not good for acoustics but we manage.
After lunch 96 new members are enrolled into the Diocesan Hospitality including Ronnie Hailwood and Sean Lynch, one of our VIP’s. Ronnie thinks everyone has turned up to see him.
The weather is changing and as we begin to line up for the procession the wind is increasing and the rain is on its way. They set a cracking pace for the procession which is just as well and the rain holds off until we get to the sanctuary of the Underground.
The last medical meeting takes place and the annual accounts presented, minutes approved and officers elected for the coming year.
I meet the St Peters group on the Prairie for prayers and then it’s party time for the youngsters, some of whom have to be persuaded not to take glasses out of the Terrasse on to the street. Generally they have been well behaved but we did have a couple of complaints about some noise one night.
SUNDAY Our final Mass is on the Grotto side of the St Bernadette Church with the Bishop presiding and Dominic and Francesca on the great organ. Panis Angelicus is the choir offering today and Dr Damien is the cantor for the psalm.
The first plane has already left but there is still a good attendance at Mass and then everyone has to get back to their hotels to have lunch and get to the station or airport. We take our cases etc to the station and again the train is the wrong way round for the sick at Calais. It feels strange to be waving people off and not travelling but I have to stay on to attend the meeting of the Calendar Commission for 2011 which begins on Tuesday.
Everyone and everything is loaded, we think, and the trains are away on time. Bro and I go back for our siesta which is rudely interrupted by a phone call to tell us that the packed meals from the Accueil have not been delivered. Pierre makes arrangements for food to be delivered to the train at Bordeaux. The siesta is resumed and broken by another phone call to tell us that one of the sick is going to hospital in Bordeaux. I thought things had gone too well.
Next door the bar has Sky Sports so we watch some of the Test Match and then in the evening catch up with some Salford friends.
MONDAY Is a day off and a late rise and an all day British Breakfast – the full works. As we are leaving the hotel at 10 30 a.m. the staff are concerned that we hadn’t had breakfast. They need not have worried. After a good dose of egg, bacon, sausage, beans and tomatoes washed down with a pot of tea and some toast we go back and get the car and set out into the hills. We head for Bagneres du Bigorre and then up to the Col de Tourmalet. It is the top of the world and one of the ski resorts. The Tour de France comes this way and there are quite a lot of cyclists trying to emulate the professionals and panting up the hills, mad so and so’s! It’s all very spectacular and we stop in Luz St Sauveur for some refreshment and then back in time for a siesta and the Eucharistic Procession. A bit of religion in Lourdes never did any harm. At supper I meet the Belgian deacon, Yvan Doigny who is coming to the Calendar Commission tomorrow. We arrange to go to the Crypt for Mass. A little stroll after supper and I am in bed for just after 11.
TUESDAY Up bright and early for breakfast and then Yvan and I go to the Crypt where I celebrate mass in French. Then it’s off to the Commission which is meeting in the Maison St Pierre and Paul so it’s thanks to Pierre for allowing me to keep the car. The Commission is slow work and boring so I write this blog and also an article for The Voice and have a cat nap. We had a good lunch and the afternoon was as the morning but with a longer nap.
Having started at 08 30 with a short break for coffee mid morning, lunch from 12 30 – 2 00 and then another break around 4 45 we work on until 19 15 and have got as far as July. One could lose the will to live in these meetings. As soon as we can I set off back to the hotel with Jos the Dutch rep – Yvan is staying for his supper – who agrees it’s been a terrible day and needs a beer which is duly furnished at the Christina. At least there was international accord on that subject. He introduces himself to the bro with ‘I am Jos, that was b….y awful!’
WEDNESDAY Mass today was in English but Yvan did not trust himself to do the readings. The meeting spent the first hour looking for a train for a French Diocese. No one will budge with dates. If they gave me 5 minutes I could be out of here, they do and I am. Francis Dias looked up and caught my eye and said ‘Perhaps we could do some English Pilgrimages.’ There was no need for a second invitation. I rattled them all off from the beginning of July to the end of August, the Italian groaned in disbelief, no one else gave a toss and I was up and out telling them I would see them in December. That night Yvan tells me they are meeting for the third day having only got as far as mid September. He won’t be there because he is on our train at 07 45.
I meet the bro and we go for a brew with Dr Moriarty from Salford and then a stroll and a bit of lunch. There is a summit meeting with Salford because we are hatching a plot to save money. A final visit to the procession is made this afternoon and then in the evening we go to Pierre and Bridget’s and their son Jean for supper in their new home. The view of the hills is superb and an electric storm makes its way from behind the hills and unleashes lots of water. The food and wine was excellent and so was the company, especially Apollo the dog! Pierre drops back into town for a final visit to HQ.
THURSDAY An early breakfast and then off to the station for the 07 45 TGV to Bordeaux and then a bus to the airport and BMI Baby to Manchester where the current Mrs S and Mrs H meet us and take us home. There was also a good lunch in the airport restaurant. Much better way of going home than the pilgrims took! Ah well it will soon be 2010 and our sixtieth pilgrimage, the diamond, lots of bling!!
Ta ta.