THE SURPRISE REUNION.

As Father Bill Haynes was flying back from Spain, all he was expecting was a quiet and peaceful weekend with Jean and Mike Simons in Ropley to celebrate their wedding anniversary (congratulations!) They had other ideas in store and managed to persuade Bill to come to Farnham with them that afternoon where Bill WAS surprised! He had no idea at all about the reunion being organised to thank him for organising 10 walking pilgrimages. About 80 pilgrims went to St. Joan’s Hall for the reunion. With its new roof and plenty of warmth it made up for the shock it gave those on the Evesham pilgrimage! On the Saturday Aidan Simons led us on a windy walk for which there was (thankfully) very little rain in contrast to Epsom in October!

After we had arrived back at Farnham, Bill made his surprise (to him anyway!) arrival. He found it hard to believe how devious people had been! Later, edited highlights of slides from previous pilgrimages were shown. During Mass Bill was further surprised by being presented with a thick, warm jumper, copies of all his past newsletters and peoples letters and cards. With all the generous donations of money sent in for Bill’s big ‘thank-you’ present, a glass bowl is being engraved by one of the top engravers in Britain with typical scenes from a pilgrimage. To make it really life-like the engraver was at the reunion so the final product could be quite interesting! After the presentations it was announced that Fr. Pat Olivier had accepted the position of Pilgrim Priest.

I was asked to include this in the newsletter: “Very many thanks from Fr. Bill Haynes to all those who came to the ‘surprise reunion’, those who contributed to the presentation and to everyone who kept the secret! It was a marvellous surprise to see so many old friends gathered to­gether and most uplifting, rewarding and encouraging. I look forward to receiving the glassware, which will be a lasting memorial of the week­end I was abducted, and of all the pilgrimages, which have given me so much happiness. Thank you all.”

MORE NEWS OF LINDISFARNE…

All this year’s overnight stops for the pilgrimage to Lindisfarne have now been finalised and it is one of the longest in terms of days. The train will be taking the strain to York and from Durham so Julian will be well catered for! It should be a beautiful walk including high hills, and many miles on some days. Cost is £80 plus £25 travel, arrangements for group travel from certain areas will be made if justified. Aid Simons is coordinating the day planners who have now all been sent their routes and instructions. Once again, Frances Dean is in charge of catering. With this newsletter you will find your booking from — apply early as numbers are limited to 60 due to several small halls.

OTHER EVENTS

Some pilgrims met up at a CHOICE reunion held in Bognor Regis in Jan. The reunion was different in that whole families were involved. The South Downs Way Sponsored Walk is on again this year in order to raise funds for the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. The route is Arundel to Eastbourne during the Spring Bank Holiday. Further details from Mary Clifford

THE STORY OF LINDISFARNE (Part 2)

After becoming Bishop of Lindisfarne, Cuthbert restarted his missionary work in the North with many people, as previously, coming to see him. Following the Christmas of 686 he returned to the Farne Islands. He died there on March 20, 687 and was buried on Lindisfarne. In his memory his successor, Eadfrith, began the compilation of the Lindisfarne Gospels. Richly illuminated and bound in gold it had an inlay of precious stones. Later, a priest named Aldred added a Saxon rendering of the original Latin. By that time, however, the Gospels were no longer on Lindisfarne having been carried away, together with Cuthbert’s body, by monks fleeing before yet another wave of pagans. The Gospels are now in the British Museum.

NEWS FROM KENYA

The latest newsletter from Fr. Hans Burgman in Kisumu describes his visit to Israel. What really shocked him was the way the word “Shalom” now divides rather than unites; if you say it to a Jew it is right but if you say it to an Arab it is wrong. Back in Kenya Fr. Hans’ latest enterprise is a two year course aimed at the young girls, covering health care, making clothes and other social skills.

NEWS OP PILGRIMS

Michelle Walshe sister of James arid Anne died on February 2nd after being run down by a car on the previous Saturday evening; your prayers will gives give her family strength during this difficult time...

Helen McLauchlan, mother of Gillian, Monica and Terri the Drink, died in the middle of January — pilgrims are thanked for their prayers, sympathy, support and the card...

Anthony Evans escaped our freezing weather by going to Australia for a few weeks...

Chris Kates is back in Austria until June working as an assistant English teacher as part of his university course. All pilgrims are welcome to visit he says!...

Janet Angel is planning to marry Tony Paxton at St. Peter’s, Caversham, Reading on 5th May 1984. She has graduated from nursing and is now organising a nursing agency...

Margaret Archer has been on a walking pilgrimage in the Holy Land...

Kieron O’Brien has entered the London marathon this year and hopes to raise money for the Lourdes Sick Fund...

Sister Christine White FMDM has been moved from her vocations work at Ladywell to Dundee in Scotland to care for children arid do parish work...

Congratulations to Helen and Leslie Smith who met on Pilgrimage 1, on the birth of their sixth child. Timothy Matthew was born on 4th October weighing 9lb 10oz...

Moira ‘Moggy’ Stephens is now working at the Royal Marsden Hospital...

Jackie Reidlinger has now finished her degree in Zoology at Nottingham University and is now working there as a research technician...

Andrew Mottram graduated from Exeter last year and spent the summer travelling around Europe. He now has a most enviable job working for Whitbread in finance management!..

Pat Burke is now Library Manager at Caterham Valley Library...

Dominic Munro will be going to King’s College this year to study Engineering...

Fr. Bill has been upsetting some of his parishioners by wearing his CND badge...

Alice and Tony Morwood-Leyland are expecting their first baby at Easter this year...

Fr. Bob Eccles (Canterbury) is Chaplain at Strathclyde University and hoping to join us again this year ...

Catherine de Montgolfier has returned to France to continue her studies...

Geraldine and Christopher Hedgecock are expecting another baby...

Anne de Normanville has changed flats but is still at the same address...

Fr. Bill is organising a holiday in the Lakes from 22—27 April and the total cost is £70, contact him a.s.a.p. for details...

And Sue Turner was awarded the Bum Slide of the Year Award for 1983 by Brunel University Climbing Club!

Peter Dare

STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP

British Rail have just informed us that our quote for travel at a special discount is only valid from a Southern Region station, we must therefore start from Epsom, Crawley or similar. The booking form asks how you will be travelling to Kings Cross, please use this space to indicate the Southern Region station most convenient for you to start from.