Lourdes Pilgrimage
The College has maintained its strong links with Lourdes for over ten years and in a variety of ways with pupils frequently taking part in the summer Archdiocesan Pilgrimage. However, the participation in the HCPT Easter Pilgrimage has become particularly strong and continues to grow.
Group 727 of HCPT – The Pilgrimage Trust is a regional (Merseyside) support group led by Mr Brooks, Head of RE, who is appointed by HCPT – the Pilgrimage Trust. 727’s name is St Edward’s and it is mainly made up of pupils in the Upper School or recent leavers. Quite a number of former pupils now help out in the various groups making up HCPT – The Pilgrimage Trust. It is always good to meet many of them each year on the Pilgrimage. Over the last couple of years Group 727 has organised a reunion of 727 former helpers and it is a real pleasure to see the excellent work that they do.
Lourdes always sees much interest each year with over 60 pupils from Year 12 and Year 13 asking to be involved. Unfortunately all cannot be accommodated - the group is able to take about 25 pupils who join Merseyside family groups and three of the Royal Navy groups in Lourdes during Easter Week each year.
Commitment is required all-year-round as there are demands for help and fundraising; the sale of carnations and balloons have played their part along with bag packing, funny money and cake sales. Miss Greenland has joined Mr Brooks in looking after and supporting the group and they are regularly joined by an increasing number of staff who help out with the organisation of the Lourdes group, especially the interviewing of prospective members of 727.
Excellent reports are always received about the help and commitment our pupils show in their week helping in Lourdes. A special word of thanks must be made to Mrs Wilson, Mrs Taylor and all on the support staff who support the work of Lourdes with the organisation of discos and other fundraising activities.
The families of the helpers also do much to support 727 in organising fundraising events and sponsoring the shirts and disabled children. The group thanks Mr Waszek for his support, especially in allowing them to have a non-uniform day in 2009 and his support of our other ‘big’ events particularly the Lourdes Balloon Race. The only downside in 2009 was that no balloons were returned. Our advisers say that the wind took them north into the Irish Sea!