Archived News
Theme for 2009
The Lourdes authorities have designated 2009 as the Year of St Bernadette
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The only National Group still requiring helpers in 2009 is group 3140 from 22-31 October which will be a double group and couyld do with a few more male and female helpers.
National groups requiring helpers in 2010 are 1st, 8th, April, 6th May, 1st, 15th July, 19th August, and 14th & 21st October. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
A stunning new banner has been provided for use by groups in Lourdes when participitaing in processions or at the International Mass. Look out for it when the first group phoptographs are listed in the Photo Gallery!! + + + + + + + + + + + +
The 20th Jumboball will take place in the Bruce Hotel, East Kilbride, on Saturday 14 November 2009 at 7.00pm. A Four course dinner will be followed by a ceildhi band and it is a great time to meet up with old friends. Tickets cost £35 and special rates are available to stay overnight.
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An open invitation has been made for any person wishing to attend a Thanksgiving Mass and Presentatiuon of a Papal Blessing to Dr Alan Green former Chairman of ACROSS, at St Paul's Church, Hurlford, on Saturday 19 September at 12noon. THis will be followed by a reception in the Church hall afterwards.
Please advise Fr Patrick Lawson, Tel: 01563 820339 if you are attending
+ + + + + Marianne is a very experienced business woman in the travel industry and has been travelling on the Jumbulance to Lourdes since 1988. She has been a board member since May 2008 and we are confident she has the skills and experience necessary to take ACROSS forward to even greater plains. The Board and staff of ACROSS are extremely grateful to Dr Alan Green who has been Chairman since the inception of ACROSS and who was Chairman of ACROSS Scotland prior to that, for all the time and energy he has given in ensuring the continued travel to Lourdes by Jumbulance. Dr Green retired from the Board by rotation and did not seek reappointment as a Trustee. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Due to unforeseen circumstances the fun night at the Bothwell Bridge Hotel, Lanarkshire on 25 April. has been cancelled. We are sorry for the inconvenience and all monies will be refunded in full.
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Our annual Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated at St Peter's RC Church Hinckley on Sunday 8 February. Despite the attrocious weather of the previous week and further threats of snow it was a wonderful occasion celebrated by Fr John Younger and Father Frank Daly. Grateful thanks are extended to everyone who contributed to the organisation of the day, particularly the ladies who provided a sumptious buffet after Mass. = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = A seven mile sponsored walk is being organised around Richmond Park by hospital staff from Coombe Wing, Kingston Hospital in aid of ACROSS on Saturday 14 March. Anyone wishing to provide sponsor ship please contact elizabeth.rodgers@kingston.nhs.uk or Amanda.Hannon@kingstonhospital.nhs.uk = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
2009 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's dearest son - Robert Burns. Throughout the world his birth will be celebrated in traditional style and ACROSS will be doing likewise at St Paul's Church Hall, Shettleston Rd, Glasgow on Friday 23 January at 7.30pm. A full dinner will be served followed by an evening of entertainment. Tickets costing just £15 can be had from Margaret McElroy fundraiser@across-uk.org. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Our annual Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated at St Peter's RC Church Hinckley on Sunday 8 February at 2.00pm. All supporters are welcome and light refreshments will be served afterwards in the Church Hall. = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = A seven mile sponsored walk is being organised around Richmond Park by hospital staff from Coombe Wing, Kingston Hospital in aid of ACROSS on Saturday 14 March. Anyone wishing to provide sponsor ship please contact elizabeth.rodgers@kingston.nhs.uk or Amanda.Hannon@kingstonhospital.nhs.uk = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Over 165 guests celebrated the end of the season at the 19th Jumboball in the Bruce Hotel, East Kilbride. Look into the photo gallery for photographs taken on the night!
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Lourdes Pilgrimages The Holy Father has granted a Plenary Indulgence to pilgrims visiting Lourdes in 2008 and complying with the conditions.
VIPs are placed on groups according to need and not necessarily in order of receipt of application. However VIPs applying to travel in 2008 should be aware that places are now very limited but that anyone who unsuccessfully applies in 2008 will be given extra priority for 2009.
All helper places in 2008 are now filled
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Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Lourdes
Lourdes is eagerly awaiting he weekend of 13 September when the Holy Father, Benedict XVI is making a three day visit to the town where he will visit the Shrine of Our Lady, celebrate Mass and particpate in the Torchlight Procession and Blessing of the Sick. Somewhere in the region of 200,000 pilgrims expected to invade the town for the visit and the ACROSS group there at the time will be a local group from Glenrothes in Fife. We look forward to hearing of their experience and receiving their photos.
By coincidence it was another ACROSS group from Fife who had the privilege of sharing the last visit of Pope John Paul II to Lourdes.
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It is with great sadness that ACROSS has been advised of the death of Mary Forryan MBE who lost a long battle against cancer on Sunday 3 August. Mary was the driving force behind the Hinckley ACROSS group and has organised a Jumbulance to Lourdes every year since the mid 1970s. Her remains are being admitted to St Peter's Church Hinckley at 7.00pm on Monday 11 August, followed by the Requiem Mass at 1200 on Tuesday 12 August. All ACROSS supporters are welcome. + + + + + + + + + + Due to a late change in National Groups in 2009, the Easter week from 9-18 April is now available to be allocated to a local group. This is now the only complete week left in 2009 and Easter is a wonderful time to be in Lourdes. If you are interested in booking this week for your complete group, please contact Sylvia.
The National group which usually uses this slot will now be travelling on 2 April to be in Lourdes for Holy Week and there is a further early National Group departing on 30 April led by Gerry Googans + + + + + + + + + + + + The Trustees of ACROSS are delighted to announce the appointment of two new Trustees to the Board. Marianne Wanstall from Hampshire has extensive business experience in the holiday industry both in the UK and in France and has been travelling on the Jumbulance for 20 years. Alf McKendrick is a senior social worker from South Lanarkshire and has been travelling to Lourdes with various organisations for most of his adult life. Both of them will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to ACROSS and the trustees are confident ACROSS and those who travel on the Jumbulance will only benefit the contribution they make. Thank you Marianne and Alf for so readily volunteering your time and energy for the benefit of others.
On each anniversary of an apparition during this year, "Thought for the Day" commemorated the apparation by providing a short description of the happening of that day 150 years ago. The final anniversary is 16 July. ==================== Heston & Isleworth ACROSS Group are organising a Charity Golf Day for their funds at Brent Valley Golf Club on Sunday 29 May. The competition is an 18 hole Stableford Competition for ladies and gents with a special 9 hole novice competition for beginners. Registration must be in advance and there are many valuable prizes. Evening Dance and Award Ceremony for all the family at Heston Social Centre including Buffet & Live Band, Raffle & Tombola. All inclusive cost £35! Full information from Dave Rielly 07809 703236 or John McGinley 07973 127327 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Having never run a marathon before, Phil Cake has run both the London and the Edinburgh marathons within weeks of each other to raise funds for ACROSS. Phil achieved a fantastic time of 2.45 in the London marathon and in Edinburgh he shaved a further two seconds off that time, Fantastic! Well done!! It's not too late to sponsor him - you can still do so at his Justgiving website. ===================== Cumbernauld Airport, the location of the base of JPII Jumbulance, was the subject of a radio spoof on 1 April. The presenters of the breakfast show on Real Radio announced that NASA had just sent a press release that as a result of an emergency the troubled Space Shuttle Endeavour would be making an emergency landing landing. They followed up the spoof announcement by traffic reports describing the grid locking by sightseers flocking to the area! Suprisingly a number of people were taken in by the spoof and did indeed flock to the airfield which is only large enough to accommodate light aircraft! It is understood there is no truth in the rumour that Martin arrived at the base with binoculars!!!! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The 2008 Thanksgiving Masses will be celebrated at St Peter's Hinckley on Sunday 17 February at 2.00pm and Carfin Grotto, Lanarkshire on Sunday 18 May also at 2.00pm. = = = = = = = = = = = = = It is with regret that Paul Savage, who has recently been appointed to a post overseas has had to resign from the Board of Trustees. Whilst only with us for a short time, Paul contributed greatly to deliberations and we will miss his expertise and his input. Good Luck for the future, Paul! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Our Thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated at Carfin Grotto, Lanarkshire on Sunday 18 May also at 2.00pm. Thanks to Fathers John Younger and Frank Daly for celebrating Thanksgiving Mass at St Peters in Hinckley. It was indeed a special day and one to be remembered. Thanks also to the ladies of the parish for providing the buffet afterwards. = = = = = = = = = = = = = Sr Sandra Housiaux's pet dog Paddy is walking 50 miles in aid of ACROSS along the edge of Wales. To sponsor Paddy visit the Justgiving website. |
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