Papal Visit 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Papal Visit 2010 The Diocese of Southwark has been given the opportunity to send PILGRIMS to two events on the Pope’s itinerary. There are two separate PILGRIM Pass allocations; one for the Beatification Mass in Birmingham (which is due to begin at 9.30am on Sunday, 19 September 2010); one for the Hyde Park Prayer Vigil (beginning during the afternoon of Saturday, 18 September 2010). St Joseph's Shooters Hill has been allocated 11 passes for Birmingham and 47 passes for Hyde Park. TIME IS OF THE UP MOST IMPORTANCE FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE. PLEASE DO NOT DELAY AS OUR PASSES WILL BE PASSED TO ANOTHER PARISH IF WE DO NOT CLAIM THEM If you wish to receive a pass for either event please complete the form either on the pew or in the porch with the relevant details. If the number of people wishing to attend either event is more than the passes allocated, a ballot will be held. All PILGRIMS will be asked to make a contribution to the PILGRIM journey to the Mass of Beatification in Cofton Park. This will include return coach transport from the PILGRIM POINT and a PILGRIM PACK with what is needed for the Mass. The contribution for this is £25. For Hyde Park Vigil the PILGRIM Pack will include a London central zone Travelcard, as all PILGRIMS will need to use public transport to reach Hyde Park from wherever they choose to arrive in London. The contribution for this is £10. Security is an issue for the organisers. Those wishing to attend either of these events have to be known within or to their local Parish. Both groups will need to arrive at each destination TOGETHER with the PILGRIM LEADER who will be solely responsible for their group to be admitted to the venue. They will have all the group's details and these will be checked by the venue's security people. The PILGRIM LEADERS will need to be able to verify that those requesting places are valid and known participants in the local Parish. Also needed is a person to carry our parish banner. They will be part of a group who will form a three thousand strong banner procession during the evening Vigil of prayer with the Pope, and they will go home with a candle and framed picture for the parish, blessed by Pope Benedict for our parish. Points to bear in mind is your confidence as a speaker as you will be asked to speak to the parish afterwards (if this is a problem - help is available to transcribe your experience and someone else will read it to the parish) and in offering website testimony and your stamina and fitness - the day will include large crowds and a fair walk just to get to the venue; there will be a lot of standing prior to the procession beginning, and the procession route itself will be at least a mile. The day will begin in Central London at 12.00 and end at 21.30. The procession in London is a chance for a powerful representation of the church nationally, and we hope that, even where a large group is going elsewhere, this is an opportunity an individual parishioner will take on. The representative will need to register for the £10 PILGRIM pack as with all other participants. The most up-to-date details can be found at the official website www.thepapalvisit.org.uk or visit the Diocesan website on www.rcsouthwark.co.uk