We set off on our Annual pilgrimage to Lourdes on Thursday 11th June at 07:45 from Lidl’s car park, Baillieston.
Bus loaded, everybody seated and off we went, watching our safety film as we got to the Baillieston lights. Once we were on our way Msg McIntyre said morning prayers, and at this point you begin to think about where it is you are actually going - It is a holiday with Our Lady, and it is a journey that begins with prayer, so prayer now takes it’s rightful place at the centre of this whole experience and what you learn from this experience is the value of prayer – it is worth more than gold.
Rolls and scrambled egg were served up for breakfast to the delight of all.
24 people getting together - most of who are meeting for the 1st time, going on a 10 day journey to Lourdes, set high in the French Pyrenees –by bus - for a holiday with Our Lady? You know you need to leave it to God.
The following people cannot be thanked enough for their willingness to travel with us, either as medical staff, or helpers.
Our nurses came from St.Frances’ nursing home in Govan, and our thanks go to Sr Irene for her help:
Sally Roberts was one of our nurses. Sally comes from India. She lives in Ibrox and works in St.Frances’ nursing home, which is next to St.Frances’ Convent.
Iwona Figacz was our other nurse, who also works in St.Frances’ nursing home. Iwona is Polish and lives in Ruchazie.
This was the first time Sally and Iwona had ever been to Lourdes, and we’re glad they shared the experience with us. They were a great help and good fun throughout the pilgrimage.
Our helpers were made up of old hands and first timers:
Lenny McCrory: our old hand
Bob Stewart
Patricia Liddel
Lorrie Buchanan
John Tominey
Gina Mathieson
Anne Marie Robertson
With the exception of Lenny everyone else was going as a Helper for the first time.
So thank you to you all for the giving of yourselves in helping to make the pilgrimage an enjoyable one, through your willingness to do whatever needed to be done, and the good humour you all showed throughout.
On a sad note, none of the Helpers came from St. Bridget’s except for the committee members who travelled.
We would like to thank our travelling VIP’s for the faith they showed in us by asking to come on this pilgrimage.
Please take the time to look through our photos, and pray for us.
We would love more people to take an interest in our annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. It is not an easy thing to put together, and it is sad that for whatever reason not a lot of people support our work, either through our fundraising nights or as a Lourdes pilgrimage helper.
Our sincere thanks go to those who do help us through their donations and practical help. And to those who asked us to remember them in our prayers when we were at Lourdes, please be assured we did.
