Our newsletter is now available online here. It includes more information about this summer’s pilgrimage in North Wales and other items of interest.
St. Winefride’s Pilgrimage 2017
This year The Arundel and Brighton Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage is making its way to St Winefride’s shrine at Holywell, North Wales (“the Lourdes of Wales”). We will start our Pilgrimage in Bangor then, after a circle round Anglesey, we will be going via Conwy and St Asaph on to our final destination at Holywell, following parts of the Anglesey Coast Path, Wales Coast Path and North Wales Pilgrims Way and visiting several Holy Wells on the way. 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation. We adopt the symbol of the ecumenical movement, a boat afloat on the sea of the world with its mast in the form of a cross, whilst also reflecting on the lives of those Welsh Saints who touched the places we will be walking through.
Please see the linked poster and application form.
Please note that, although the poster refers you to the website for full details, I currently have no more information than is on the poster / form. As it becomes available, I will post it on the website.
Sheila Tilley, RIP
Sheila Tilley, a stalwart of pilrimages for many years, passed away on 5th January. Her funeral will be at 13:30 on Tuesday 7th February,at All Saints C of E Church, Bark Hart Road, Orpington, BR6 0QD.
Sheila walked with us for nearly 20 years, from 1979 until 1997.
Fr David Russell’s 80th Birthday – UPDATED
Father David Russell has been our pilgrimage chaplain since 2000, having first walked with us back in 1976 (even earlier than I had originally thought!). Over the years he has become a non-walking member of our community whilst continuing to minister to our spiritual needs.
This year David turns 80, and we are holding a little party to mark the event on Saturday 21st January 2017.
The evening will begin with mass at 7:15pm (note later time) at St George’s RC church in Hangleton, Hove, Court Farm Rd and will be followed by refreshments in the church hall.People attending can if they wish stay overnight in the church hall.
The January committee meeting which had been scheduled for Sunday 15/01/2017 will now take place in the morning of Sunday 22/01/2017 – exact time to be advised but probably from 9.00am.
If you intend to attend the celebration, please download and complete the attached form and return it to Ceri (details on the form).
Father David’s 80th Birthday
Father David Russell has been our pilgrimage chaplain since 2000, having first walked with us back in 1979. Over the years he has become a non-walking member of our community whilst continuing to minister to our spiritual needs.
This year David turns 80, and we are holding a little party to mark the event on Saturday 21st January 2017.
The evening will begin with mass at 6.30 at St George’s RC church in Hangleton, Hove, Court Farm Rd and will be followed by refreshments in the church hall.People attending can if they wish stay overnight in the church hall.The January committee meeting which had been scheduled for Sunday 15/01/2017 will now take place in the morning of Sunday 22/01/2017-exact time to be advised but problably from 9.00am.
Did you miss the reunion?
The annual reunion took place over the weekend 21-23 October. If you want to see a little of what went on, visit http://thepilgrims.org.uk/2016/reunion.php
I believe that there may be more photos coming so it’s worth looking again in a few days.
2016 Autumn Reunion, 21-23 October
All past, present and future A&B walking pilgrims are invited to the annual reunion which this year takes place at: St Ann’s Catholic Church, 4 Brighton Road, BANSTEAD, SM7 1BS.
See 2016-autumn-reunion-invitation for details
Please help the organisers by submitting your application as soon as possible – the reunion is only 2 weeks away!
Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage AGM – Sunday 18th September
Do come along to the AGM of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage – all are welcome to review the last year’s pilgrimage and to discuss forthcoming events.
The AGM will be held at the St Joan’s Centre, St Joan of Arc R.C. Church, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8DJ at 3pm on Sunday 18th September. Acceptances and regrets should be sent to coord@thepilgrims.org.uk
Pilgrims are also invited to gather at the newly refurbished Mulberry pub (directly opposite Farnham rail station) from 1pm for a spot of lunch before the committee meeting.
Hoping to see you there!
Links:
Fr David’s 80th Birthday Party – Save the Date!
We will be celebrating Fr David’s 80th birthday in Brighton on the evening of Saturday 21st January, 2017. Save the date and join the celebrations to give thanks for Fr David’s long service to the pilgrimage. Further details to follow in the autumn.
Halfway to Canterbury
Our 2016 Pilgrimage from Winchester to Canterbury is almost halfway through, the pilgrims are at Worth Abbey after 6 walking days.
All the details, including the crowd-sourced diary, are on the 2016 sub-site – you can find out where/when to meet the pilgrims and maybe walk a while with us, or follow the diary as we make our way towards Canterbury.
The GPX files have made a late appearance, if you want to track down the pilgrims. Apologies for the delay in uploading these.