We are sad to report that Kathleen (Kath) Kennedy, a retired Nurse, who travelled with the Massabielle Group on Pilgrimage with us for quite some years has passed away today after a long battle with cancer.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family at this time.
May she rest in perfect peace.
The Annual General Meeting of the Society took place on Saturday 7th December over Zoom due to prevailing weather conditions. The minutes will be published in the next edition of Pilgrims Way.
The Society once more organised a Pilgrimage to the Friars, Aylesford for the Feast of the Assumption. As you can see below, we very much need your support if this event is to continue. Our grateful thanks go to those loyal pilgrims who did join the celebration.
Dear Pilgrim and Helper,
We hope you are well.
As we start to build towards our 2025 pilgrimage, which will take place between Friday 23rd May and Friday 30th May 2025 (full flight and costing details to follow) we wanted to let you know of the new Safeguarding requirements for helpers, carers and medical staff coming on pilgrimage (these do not apply to Assisted or Praying Pilgrims).
These requirements follow a review of our Safeguarding standards and discussions with the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, and we’re sure you’ll appreciate anything we can do to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pilgrims is to be welcomed.
In particular, we would emphasise that DBS checks are now a requirement for all helpers, carers and medical staff. The DBS process can take several weeks, so we would advise making your application as soon as possible to avoid the disappointment of not being approved in time for the Pilgrimage. Please note that Assisted and Praying pilgrims do not need to complete the DBS process.
In summary, All Helpers (including Doctors, Nurses, Carers and Teachers) are required to:
- Complete an application form at https://www.soll-lourdes.co.uk/helpers-page
- Undergo a DBS check. This process is paid for by the Society. Please complete the application form noted above to allow us to start the DBS process as soon as possible. Once you have done so, you will receive an email from the CSAS (Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service) setting out information required to complete the DBS.
Following advice from the CSAS, unfortunately we are not permitted to accept portability from other jobs/spheres where there is a safeguarding requirement.
For those based outside the UK, an equivalent check will be accepted, and should be provided to the following email address: -
safeguarding@soll-lourdes.com
- Provide SOLL with your DBS No. and date of issue, by emailing: -
safeguarding@soll-lourdes.com
Additionally, before pilgrimage, Helpers will need to complete a short course and sign our code of conduct (see 5. Below)
- Complete a short training course, provided by the British Lourdes Medical Association, A link to the course will be provided once you have applied for the Pilgrimage.
- Read and sign our Code of Conduct, available to download via our website:- https://www.soll-lourdes.co.uk/helpers-page
We do appreciate that these are onerous requirements and we thank you for your understanding. Please be assured that we are here to help and advise through all of these processes - please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’ve any queries.
Kind regards
The Safeguarding & Pilgrimage Committees
Our tribute to Ray Harrison RIP - see memorial corner
Your Stories
Have you any stories that you think may be of interest to other visitors of this site? For example you may have been to Lourdes as a "first time" Pilgrim and would like to share your experience or you may have some words of comfort. If so, please upload your submission HERE
The Society of Our lady of Lourdes sponsored the visit to the UK of St Bernadettes's Relics
providing £30,000.00 towards the significant cost involved
The Society of Our lady of Lourdes made a donation to the Lourdes Sanctuaries
We are pleased to announce that the Society has donated £10,000.00 to the Sanctuaries at Lourdes to assist them in these difficult days and has received a letter of thanks accordingly.
Donate to the Society on "Just Giving"
Simply CLICK HERE to make your payment.
THE ACCUEIL NOTRE DAME - IN THE HEART OF THE LOURDES SANCTUARY
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"Want to get young people involved in the Church? Take them on a pilgrimage" |
The SOLL Centenary Club raises money for our Sick Pilgrims - your support would be greatly appreciated:
If you are not yet a member of the Centenary Club and want to be then please contact the Society office and we will send you forms so that you can be in next month's draw.
It's just £5 per month and the more people that join the bigger the prizes will become!
Please note that half the money raised each month goes towards Society funds.
Thank you for your support ...
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Your Prayers
John Villiers(12/02/20), Bro.Jonathan Gell(Feb.2020), David Maunsell(Feb.2020), Patricia Sutcliffe(13/03/20), Kitty Riley(20/03/20), Hazel Hayward(02/04/20), Terry Armour(08/04/20), Bridie Murphy(01.06.20), Mai O'Connell(02/06/20), Dr Lucille Mitchell(18/06/20), Susan Brennan(26/06/20), Fr William Wells(01/07/20), Lynn Lee Yow(27/07/2020), Ewa Gajewska(30/07/20), Maria Golaszewska(06/08/20), Thérèse de Casagrande(20/08/20), Theresa Hussey(13/08/20), John Kevin Dolan(13/08/20), Norman Hawkins(October), Tom McCarthaigh(06/10/20), Rita McCormack(8/10/20), Raymond Rodgers(8/10/20); Yvonne Fox(31/10/20), Norman Barnard(24/12/20), Norman Wearing, Veronica Mascarenhas(11.02.21).
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace and may our Blessed Lady, Consoler of the Afflicted, pray for those who mourn.
Monthly Masses are offered for those on the list, and weekly Masses for ALL deceased Society Members including many who die without the office being notified.
Society Life Friend, Wigberto de Souza, has sent us the following requests from Pope Francis:
Weep not for what you have lost, fight for what you have.
Weep not for what is dead, fight for what was born in you.
Weep not for the one who abandoned you, fight for who is with you.
Weep not for those who hate you, fight for those who want you.
Weep not for your past, fight for your present struggle.
Weep not for your suffering, fight for your happiness.
With things that are happening to us,
we begin to learn that nothing is impossible to solve,
just move forward.
THE HOLY FATHER MAKES A REQUEST FOR PRAYERS THAT GOD PROTECTS HIM AND GIVES HIM FORCES TO MEET THIS DIFFICULT TASK . . . . SO BE IT! SO BE IT, LORD JESUS!!!
Our Lady of Lourdes pray for us
St Bernadette pray for us
Volunteer Skills and Information Update Questionnaire - ...more details