Appeal for volunteers from every parish for Lourdes trip
VOLUNTEERS are being sought from every parish in the diocese to travel and help assisted pilgrims at next year’s Ferns diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage.
Whitechurch, New Ross man Seamus Kane, who has been travelling to Lourdes every year since the mid-1990s, said around 100 volunteers travel every year. ‘We want new people, or families who are interested in applying to go to Lourdes. There are 28 parishes and if one or two people go from each parish that would be wonderful.’
He said there was a perception, in the past, that the Lourdes Pilgrimage, was a closed shop.
‘I wanted to open it up to the public and I got this notion to hold four district meetings in Ballinaboola, Wexford, Enniscorthy and Gorey. This was two years ago and we got 22 new members out of it. Now we are looking for new helpers. This is the caring, hospitality end of the job for people who have special needs.’
Seamus said in certain circumstances a family member joins the individual with special needs. 60 young people from the Ferns diocese attend. ‘Their contribution is invaluable.’
Seamus, who suffered a serious health setback in 2014, attributes going to Lourdes and prayer to curing him. ‘My health has never been better.’
The cost of the pilgrimage is €690 and includes all transport and accommodation. Seamus will meet with people interested in helping assisted pilgrims in Lourdes anywhere in the county and can be contacted on 087 6325528.