By Patrick O’Donoghue

The good news is that the target number for our Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage in 2007 is now 1000 Pilgrims. Seeing the response in neighbouring Dioceses this is not an impossible task. With your help we can achieve it.

I want to increase both the number of young people on the Pilgrimage, and the opportunities offered for them to deepen their faith. 150 young people seems a sensible target for the year ahead and it is important that time is set aside in their programme for prayer and catechesis, in addition to their work with the sick. Many of our youth have limited contact with their own parishes; this would be an opportunity for them to experience the Church in a new and positive light. While encouraging the use of the parish network to promote the youth section of the pilgrimage, we should also use the schools more. Our Youth Officer, Sean McMahon, often encourages the young people to spread the word among friends. It seems to me that this is the most effective way of boosting numbers.

Sick pilgrims are an essential part of the pilgrimage, and must remain so. However it would seem imperative to increase the number of sick pilgrims in proportion to the increase in youth and caring staff. Young people respond generously to challenge and involvement.

We need, too, more families on our Pilgrimage. This would help to give a fuller sense of the Church. I would look to the parishes of the Diocese to personally approach and invite families to go on the Lourdes Pilgrimage. Of course they will need help with sponsorship perhaps through fundraising events. Smaller parishes should aim to send 2 families and the larger ones 4/5 families.

We are blessed in this Diocese with a wonderful group of people who travel each year to Lourdes and a great team who organise the Pilgrimage. However new faces, new life, and new targets are essential each year if the Pilgrimage is to continue and grow in the long term, and if it is to be representative of the Diocese as a whole.

Do come on Pilgrimage with us!