ORDINATION

The laying on of hands
as part of the ceremony of Ordination

On the 7th September I was present at the ordination to the Priesthood of Brother Rupert Allen OPraem by His Eminence Cormac Cardinal Murphy O'Connor.

Brother, now Father Rupert is a member of the Premonstratensian Order or Norbertines.  They were founded on Christmas Day in 1120 by St Norbert

Father Rupert after celebrating his First Mass

WEDDING

Upon my return from holiday I had the pleasure of officiating at the wedding of Luke and Katie. 

The picture shows them just after they had signed the marriage registers.  Please keep them in your prayers as they set out on the road of married life.

HOLIDAYS

The Shrine of St Thomas Aquinas in Tolouse

After the pilgrimage closed together with my traveeling companion, Br David I had the opportunity of a few very enjoyable days on holiday in France. 

From Lourdes we travelled to the university city of Tolouse and prayed at the relics of St Thomas Aquinas. 

The Reliquary of the Cure d'Ars

From there we went to the coast and the lovely walled town of Aigues Morte (and yes you've guessed it steak bleu was on the menu!!).

From here we travelled to the International Seminary of John Paul II in Ars - the place made famous by its saintly Parish Preist - St John Marie Vianney.  I prayed hard there that I might have just a little of his great seal for souls and love of God.



The Oratory Church at Nancy



From Ars we visited the Shrine of St Francis de Sales at Annency and from there we went to stay for our final night n France at the Oratory of St Philp in Nancy.  Many thanks to the Oratorian community for their warm welcome and gracious hospitality.

PARTY ANIMALS

By tradiotn the party on the last night of the pilgrimage is a 'fancy dress' party.  Many of the pilgrims enter into the spirit of this.  This year the Heywood and Middleton Group came as Noah's Ark.  In the picture we see two of the tigers.

At other points during the pilgrimage there was the opportunity of face painting. 

MEDALS AND THANKS

The end of the pilgrimage is always a time of thanks.  The duty of thanking everyone who had helped prepare for the pilgrimage and work so hard whilst in Lourdes fell to our new director, Fr. Michael Jones.

At the end of our final Mass the Bishop presented medals to the helpers of the pilgrimage who have served for a number of years.  It is great to see all the efforts of our young people rewarded and brings back many happy memories of my own years of service to the pilgrimage.

Through the Lourdes pilgrimage some of our young people begin to discern the possibility of a vocation to the priethood..  Please keep all our young people in your prayers and especially those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. It was on my third pilgrimage to Lourdes that Tom Arkless, the then Chief Brancardier asked me if I thought I had a vocation.  The rest, as they say is history. 

(Not sure if the photo would attract any vocations today - you never know God works in mysterious ways!!!

TITULAR CHAPLAINS

This year I was able to walk in the procession as a Chaplain of the Basilica, having received the award at the end of last years pilgrimage. 

Rumour has it that there will be a cape added to the choir dress next year.

PROCESSIONS 2

The Blessed Sacrament Procession takes places every afternoon at 5:00pm in Lourdes.  The Blessed Sacrament is brought from the Chapel of the Crypt to Rosary Square for a period of Adoration and Reflection.  Once this is over the Blessed Sacrament is carried into the underground basilica of St Pius X for Benediction.

Once again we were priviledged to lead this procession.  The photos show the Bishop carrying the Blessed Sacrament accompanied by the priests and people of the diocese.