Isaac's Video Diary [2015]

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

IF YOU HAVE EPLIESPY THEN PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO AT AND AFTER 1:02

A Reflection on Lourdes 2015 by Andy

Praying in the grotto on the last morning

Before Lourdes, I went to meet our chaplain Fr Martin in his parish, St Bede's in Chadwell Heath. We discussed our experiences of Lourdes and he said something that really stuck with me throughout the week. It was something I knew already through my dozen or so previous trips, however his simplicity and clarity on what makes Lourdes so special was one which I think is important to understand to anyone making the pilgrimage.

Lourdes is very simply, an absolute coming together of faith and suffering. It is like nowhere else.

Some of the suffering is visible; people in wheelchairs, on crutches, with disfigurement, disability. Much of it is invisible; the search for truth and meaning, the questions of belief, the doubt, emotional, mental, spiritual turmoil.

Suffering is a natural part of the human condition. Our lives fluctuate between the joy and the sadness, the good times and the bad, the conviction and the doubt. Without one, we could never appreciate, or understand, the other. Lourdes brings all of these things together in a very real sense.

Fr Stephen Myers always describes Lourdes as a place where a "corner of heaven touches earth". Certainly the reality of our lives are present and brought, in prayer, to the Grotto. If it is possible that heaven can touch earth, Lourdes should be the place. The suffering cries out for it, the faith wills and encourages it. Every time I visit, I kneel in the grotto, usually at night, and remember the words:

"Abba, Father... everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.
Yet not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:36)

Sometimes I have a little tear, other times a smile. Sometimes both. Mary is there, everything will be alright in the end. A former colleague, Pauline Smith, once told me the best way to get through life was to have the faith of a child; "simply accept things as they happen, God has a plan.". It can be tough at times, but to have faith in this idea really does help.

On the other hand, the absolute joy of a HCPT pilgrimage is evident time and time again during the week; the colour, the singing, the dancing, the smiles, the hugs. That very real suffering, is in some way small way, overcome, at least for a moment.

Where does this joy come from?

Bishop Burchell McPherson's homily at Trust Mass revolved the simple message that "God loves me... and so I rejoice!". Does this joy simply come from faith? Did everyone find it easy to repeat this back to the Jamaican bishop? Does everyone, with their suffering, feel confident that God loves them? Can faith really overcome the suffering?

On Tuesday night (Day 2), I asked one of our VIPs (the name we give to the children we take in Group 206), "What have you enjoyed so far?"

He replied with a big grin, "Everything. Everything is brilliant". He then went on, "I'm so happy to see everyone, everyone in 206 is great.". Yes it is, and yes they are.

The week is not without its struggles. Early starts, late nights and the physical demands of the week often take their toll. There isn't much time for socialising; the legendary Jeanne D'Arc got one visit for one pint this year. There were lots of people I only saw in passing who I'd have liked to catch up with, maybe next year. However, life in a HCPT family group isn't like that. The key is the 'family' part; it just doesn't work if you do only what you want.

"Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Mark 8:34)

The words of the Gospel sum up the week; we all share in the struggles. However through the suffering can often come great joy. One helper was feeling a little down as he had been ill, so to cheer him up, I took him on an adventure to a place he hadn't been before. It was one of my most fun mornings in Lourdes exploring the truly bizarre wax works museum; we truly discovered "the meaning of Lourdes"!

Later in the week I asked another VIP what they enjoyed most about being in Lourdes with us. She said, "Seeing everyone being so happy and fun, even you!". I think it can be hard for someone who knows you in a work/school context to then see you in Lourdes; wearing fancy dress, leading songs in the street, playing silly games... filled with the absolute joy of the HCPT pilgrimage; "when HCPT is in Lourdes you can see the smile on the face of the risen Christ" (from the Trust email to helpers).

"A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

There is a lot of love in Lourdes with the HCPT. A lot. Just as much as the joy, if not more. Again, I think this is the nature of the family groups and the whole spirit of the HCPT. Brother Doctor Michael brought children to Lourdes as an act of love in 1954, based on his great faith. That love continues in a very real sense during Easter week.

One of the privileges for me this year was realising that I am better known in Lourdes as "Mr Lewis" rather than Andy. This is in large part thanks to David Silver and his running of the 718 service group, made up of St John Payne students. Many of these come once with the group and then come again with various family groups including 206. It does at times make me feel a little old, but confirms that everything I told them about Lourdes in our lessons was right; maybe they remember the group pictures I used to have up on my classroom wall? ("Is that Disneyland Sir?").

Lighting candles is always important, particularly in the sadder of circumstances. I always light one for my four grandparents, one for my family and friends, one for Emma (a VIP who sadly passed away) and one for my students. This year a few people requested prayers and a candle at the grotto. The suffering and faith still meet even for those people back in the UK. A dear friend also lost his grandmother while we were away and it was important to light a candle for him and his family; sharing faith in the hope of easing, if only a little, the suffering.

Lourdes 2015 was an amazing one. There were a few absentees who I missed dearly, but we had a LOT of fun and Trust Mass was once of the best ever. Our family group was a real family, although dressed head to toe in orange! Thank you to every single person who helped us get there... donating, fundraising, promoting or simply praying for us.

"I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2.18)

Lourdes 2015 in the Media

https://twitter.com/somecallmeginge/status/587246202539806720

Reportage HCPT and IPT Trust Mass - Lourdes 2015, underground basilica by Le Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes  - an 8 minute film about the Trust Mass

• Isaac makes an appearance at 6.34

HCPT - Trust Mass 2015 in Lourdes by Le Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes - a 1 hour 30 minute video of most of the Trust Mass

206 spotting on the Trust Mass video:

• 2.18 - Fr Martin
• 3.40 & 4.03 - Chantal and Nick
• 1.24.30 - Cat and Andy's heads
• 1.25.50
• 1.26,50 - Orange by altar
• 1.27.20
• 1.30.13 - Final shot of 206 and of the Mass!
• Please email any more 'spots' to HCPT206@gmail.com 

Children return home after life changing HCPT Lourdes pilgrimage

Independent Catholic News

Participants on the HCPT Easter pilgrimage are returning home after a celebratory and often life changing week in Lourdes.

This year, the charity's 59th annual pilgrimage welcomed more than 1,000 disabled children to the Shrine in the South of France. Whilst there the children stayed in small family-sized groups and were accompanied by doctors, nurses, clergy and helpers.

Read the article in full here: http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=27177

"I've taken on the role of the latest fairy book princess": 

Michelle McManus reflects on a week in Lourdes with the HCPT

Read <here>

Make sure you also check out HCPT links:

• https://www.facebook.com/HCPTpage 
• https://twitter.com/HCPT
• https://instagram.com/h.c.p.t/
• http://www.youtube.com/user/PilgrimageTrust
• http://www.hcpt.org.uk/

Last Day...

Day five, our last full day in Lourdes, is always an important one. We began with some souvenir shopping and the heading to our last Mass, and saying goodbye to Fr Martin. We took our group candle from Mass, past the grotto, before lighting it, along with our personal candles. Our prayers will continue and remain in Lourdes long after we have left.

We then headed to the Crowned Virgin statue to pray the Hail Mary three times in the hope of returning to Lourdes one day. 

After lunch some of the group went to the baths. We then reconvened as a whole group for a highlight of the week, Le Petit Train! This road-train takes us around the sights, and back streets (!) of Lourdes. We sang very loudly, and Nick even took his trumpet this year!

After a little packing we then headed to the 'party room' in the Hotel St Rose for our joint talent show, "206 Has Talent", with TBG. There was a great selection of acts before everyone got their awards for the week. DJ Ben then took over and there was even more dancing before a final night prayer. 

We leave tomorrow at 11am...

"God loves me... and so I rejoice!"

Day Four was an early start for TRUST MASS! This is always a highlight, and after Monday's concert and Torchlight, anticipation was high... The West Indies were leading and the music had already proved to be of a very high standard. 

Fancy dress is always a big priority for 206 and the many bags of accessories appeared... wigs, face-paint, the orange tutus! We marched down to the Underground Basilica singing, "Everywhere we go..." 

As predicted, Trust Mass was amazing! Many said it was the best one for a few years. 206 made it on the TV screens LOTS but our Nick "the best trumpeter in London" Tisi and Chantal stole the show, playing with the West Indies musicians:

Photo courtesy of James Barber

Naturally there was lots of singing, dancing - and of course pegging! 206 headed down to the altar at the end to dance with TBG (and get on the TV again!). The title of today's blog comes from Bishop Burchell McPherson's homily; "God loves me... and so I rejoice!". He is Bishop of Montego Bay, Jamaica and reminded us all of this important message as everyone repeated it back to him.

Image courtesy of HCPT 110

Image courtesy of Steph Price

After lunch we headed to the domain to have our group photo, visit the Grotto and the Rosary Basilica. The afternoon was then spent doing the Treasure Hunt involving photos around all the main sites of Lourdes.

Thursday evening is always a good one, with TBG hosting a party for all the Met East groups in the Solitude. Again this year was no different... fancy dress is the order of the day and 206 did not disappoint! It was as hot and sweaty as ever but everyone left exhausted but happy.

Gavarnie + Games

Day Three was Gavarnie Day and Games Evening. We all got on the coach ready for the long, winding, but beautiful coach journey towards the Spanish border. The Cirque de Gavarnie never fails to be breathtakingly beautiful and today in the sun, with the remaining snow, it looked just that. 

After a quick drink stop, we headed down the path and found a spot to celebrate Mass; a really stunning backdrop. We acted out the readings and gospel as Fr Martin got everyone involved... naturally we all enthusiastically sang Sing It In The Valleys! 

We ended the trip with a visit to a cafée for some well deserved ice-creams... thanks to all those who have been buying them for us during the week! If you fancy buying an ice-cream for a child on our next cafe stop, simply text HCPT58 £3 to 70070 or visit www.justgiving.com/206hcpt 

Wednesday evening was the now traditional games evening, this year hosted by Damien and Ben. It was Team Cowboy versus Team Indian...

Games included spear throwing (with straws) and a horse riding relay! Everyone had great fun, although the Cowboys are slightly ahead! 

We also did final preperations for Trust Mass with 175 pegs ready to go...

Hotter Than Hot...

Day two began with our water service... Fr Martin lead us as we remembered the requests of Mary to Bernadette: build a church (that we were in), process (more on that later!) and wash in the water. Helpers and VIPs washed one another's hands and we prayed the Lord's Prayer. We then went down to the springs to fill our own water bottles... water is life giving in a physical way as well as spiritual and with the temperature hitting 20 degrees it was important they were full!

After a cafe stop, we headed to the prairie for a game of football. After breakfast, we had been introduced to the team element of the week... Cowboys and Indians! Ben and Damien had props and costumes for us all. Our first event ended in a penalty shoot-out with the Cowboys stealing the points - just! We also had to prepare for the afternoon's regional Mass with the rest of Met East.

After lunch Group 718 (St John Payne) and Fr Dan Mason lead us in a Mass focussing on the Saints - and calling us all to live like Saints! It was great to see friends in all of the Met East groups. We left and headed back to the prairie... this time for a big game of rounders and some parachute fun:

The final event of the evening was the Torchlight procession before everyone had a good dance to the music of the West Indies (warming up for Trust Mass) and home for a late bedtime!