Fourth letter from Ben – departure details

This is the fourth and final letter in preparation for our pilgrimage to Lourdes.  In other words, we’re in the final stages now and we’ll soon be on our way!  This letter will give you some important last pieces of information.
Final coach meeting

Our last coach meeting is next Sunday, 15^th July, at St. Teresa’s Parish Centre, Queensway, Penwortham, from 2pm until 4pm.  A map of how to get there is enclosed with this letter.  I hope to see as many of you there as possible. 
Passports and EHIC cards

Please bring these to Sunday’s meeting.  If you can’t attend the meeting, then make sure you bring them on the day of departure.  There is no way we can take you to Lourdes if you don’t have them! If you don’t have one, you can get one from this website, but it will take 7 days to arrive, so you must apply straight away!!!

Departure Details

We are setting off from St. Joseph’s Parish Centre, Harpers Lane, Chorley on Friday 20^th July.  You need to arrive by 7.30am to load up the coach.  We are then going to have Mass together at 8am in the church and set off at approximately 8.30am.  Please make sure your parents and families know they are invited to the Mass.

Returning home

We return to St. Joseph’s, Chorley on Saturday 28^th July during the afternoon.  It’s normally by 4pm but it can be a bit later as we all remember from last year!
Parents’ Meeting

A big thank you to the parents who attended the recent meeting. 

Bedrooms

I have received the list of rooms from the hotelier.  We will sort out the bedrooms on Sunday’s meeting so have a think about who you want to share with.  Most of the rooms are 2s but there are some 3s and just one has four beds. 
Coach seating plan

I have been asked by Fr. Stephen, Pilgrimage Director, to ensure that there is a coach seating plan.  This is part of the risk assessment.  Last year it wasn’t as well organized as it should have been and a couple of young people weren’t able to sit next to their friends until we stopped at Birmingham and re-arranged people.  We will sort out the seating plan next Sunday.  Remember: males and females cannot sit next to each other overnight.
Medical forms

Thanks very much to those of you who have got your medical forms back to me.  I need forms in from the rest of you.  Please bring them on Sunday. 

Pirates of Penance

Don’t forget to sort out your pirate costume for our coach theme night.  My Mum’s going to be sorting mine out this week although she doesn’t know it yet.  She’s 70 so it’ll be lovely for her to be given something to do.  I’ve heard what some of the other coaches are doing for their theme nights and I have to say, ours is the best!

Lourdes Polo shirts

As you know, we get given two very fetching golden polo shirts as our uniform in Lourdes. Normally we give them out when we arrive in Lourdes.  However, this year I’ve had a very forceful request from someone that we give them out next Sunday.  This, apparently, is because her Mum has brought her up to “wash before you wear”!  We will, therefore, give them out next Sunday.  If you’re not there but want your polo shirts in advance then make sure someone collects them for you.  My only reservation is that people forget to pack them in their suitcase.  We have no spares!!

Musical instruments

I haven’t been told how many musicians we’ve got on the coach this year.  If you are a musician will you see Steve next Sunday.  Try to bring your instrument to Lourdes.  My triangle is already packed.

Family Prayer Booklet

Richard Charnock and I have been working on a Family Prayer Booklet for the families of both Coaches 5 and 8.  They are designed to enable families to feel part of the pilgrimage by supporting us in prayer.  Each day tells your family what duties we are doing and includes some scripture and prayers. We will give these out either next Sunday or on the day of departure.
Coach entertainment

With a single-deck coach there are far more possibilities for coach entertainment.  We have had some ideas but would welcome suggestions from you. 

Groups and Group leaders

There will be six small groups.  After much consideration, I have decided to make the over 18s, who have been to Lourdes before, the group leaders.  This is because the over 18s will not have the same hospital duties they have had in previous years.  On Sunday you will meet in your groups for the first time to think about Night Prayers. The aims of the group system are to:

• Prepare and lead Night Prayers
• Prepare and present one of the Stations of the cross
• Assist the staff team with head counting
• Get to know and work with a variety of different people

GROUP    NIGHT PRAYERS

Group 1  Saturday

Group 2  Sunday

Group 3  Monday

Group 4  Tuesday

Group 5  Wednesday

Group 6  Thursday

‘What to take to Lourdes’ checklist

Sarah will circulate, and talk through, a list of what to pack for Lourdes on Sunday.  If you’re not at the meeting we will send one out to you.  Try to remember:

• Knee length shorts and skirts for the domaine
• A waterproof because it can rain heavily and we’re short of ponchos
• Towels and swimwear (trunks for the lads not shorts L)
• Suntan cream and after-sun
• Food for the journey (24 hours)
• Money in sterling and Euros
• Things to entertain you on the journey (mp3 players, books, magazines)
• Any prescribed medicine and inhalers etc
• Pillow for the journey

Emergency contact

Anita, our nurse from last year, will be our emergency contact while we’re in Lourdes.  This means that if your parents want to get a message to us they can phone Anita and her Mum (Joan) on 01257 415242.  I will phone Anita each day to collect any messages.  I know you all have mobile phones and can get messages that way, but it’s still worth us having a contact in England while we’re away.  The hotelier has limited English, and he’s busy anyway, so we ask that parents don’t ring the hotel directly unless it’s a real emergency. 

Hotel

The name and address of the hotel is:

Hotel L’Atrium Mondial

9 Rue des Pelerins

65100 Lourdes

Tel: 0033 5 62 94 27 28

Fax: 0033 5 62 94 70 92

Paul Grady

We will introduce Paul Grady, our eighth member of staff, at Sunday’s meeting.  Paul has just completed his first year training for the priesthood at Ushaw College, Durham.  Please make him feel especially welcome. 
Contacting me

From previous experience I know that things can often come up in the last week and people need to get in touch with me.  Please note that I am away at Castlerigg with Year 10 from Monday 16^th July to Thursday 19^th July.  If you, or your parents, need to get in touch with me then you will need to ring my mobile – 07944 762923. 
All the members of the staff team are looking forward to seeing you next Sunday. 
Take care,
Ben McMullen

Coach Leader