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Lourdes 2008
Langley Special Needs Group
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Teresa Mynett,
one of the organisers of the
Langley Special Needs Group
tells about this extra special
pilgrimage to
Lourdes, 2008 |
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Monday 5.15 am.
Coach arrived at
Holy Family on time, all pilgrims present and correct, checked that everyone had
their passports, tickets etc.
I made sure that the poor travellers had front
seats - so far so good. Didn’t know about another poor traveller until the
sickness began!!!! |
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Arrived at
Stansted, very organised, luggage all unloaded without any problems, no problems
at check in, everyone went though and down to the gate.
Lucie has her first Bi-lateral attack
and becomes totally dependent for the rest of the day. As usual her humour
hasn’t deserted her which makes it very difficult to move her as her giggling is
very infectious.
Gate is opened for boarding, apparently all able bodied people
were to be boarded first leaving those with mobility problems expected to go to
seats at the back of the plane, time for my first tantrum. I Informed the flight
crew that we had 3 people who could not walk and would need a chair to transfer
them from wheelchairs to seat. The rep went off to get chair but came back without
it and informed me that the able bodied were to be first on board on the orders of a John
Tangney.
The crew asked able bodied people to move further back in the plane. Ellie
has her first seizure before take off. Amazing how deaf people become when asked
to move (including some of our own group. Eventually some kind people moved and
we were able to carry our pilgrims on.
Good flight Titan Air are fantastic,
everybody seemed happy. Ellie had two more seizures on the flight.
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The usual
chaos ensued at Lourdes Airport, but we were met by Ray who originates from
Langley. He was to be our rep for the pilgrimage. Unfortunately two other
pilgrims with wheelchairs (not with us) had not informed the reps that they
would require a wheelchair accessible coach so I had to ask some of our pilgrims
to travel on another coach to the Hotel.
Arrived at the Alba Hotel to a good
reception, no problem at check in and everyone was happy with their rooms. Lucie
still disabled by her attack and had to be put to bed for a sleep, after much
giggling she settled for a sleep. |
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Went to unpack and discovered
that the TV in the room showed Sky sports and cricket was on.
Canon Bosco joined
John and I for a cup of tea, John settled on one bed and Canon Bosco on the
other to watch TV. I Left them to it.
Mass in St Patrick’s Chapel across from the
Grotto in thanksgiving for our safe arrival and also for Paul and Sarah’s
intentions. We then opened the pilgrimage opposite the Grotto. Usual chaos at
dinner, the restaurant manager tried to convince me that
I had lost some people as he thought he had the right
number of people. |
I did a head count
- we were all there
physically anyway.
The first meal is always an experience, vegetarian meals are
always interesting as was my wheat free meal. Discovered that almost all of the
pilgrims in the hotel were English which made for a great social occasion in the
bar. John and Canon Bosco watched more cricket. I went to the Domain with a
couple of our pilgrims, when I returned there was great panic as Ellie had been
quite unwell and a search party had been sent out to look for me |
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Tuesday.
When it rains in Lourdes
it really rains, we were due to have our group photo taken but put it off until
Wednesday, we set off for Mass in the Sept Dolores for our deceased members of
the group. resplendent in out newly purchased plastic macs, I chose a nice
spotted navy one.
It looks like the rain set in for the day so
our plan for The Blessed Sacrament
procession also went by the board, however
we had evening prayer in the hotel chapel,
thank goodness for Mathew and Judy with
their music and singing, they kept us all in
tune. |
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It's another bad day for poor Ellie, we had to
re-arrange the restaurant furniture so that she didn’t hurt herself. Once she
had recovered the youngsters, Ellie, Lauren, Emily, Annie, Lucie, Melanie, Jacob
and Tyler and of course Kathy (not so young) enjoyed their social life.
Despite
the weather the mood of the group was great. Jacob (aged 4) was disappointed
that he had no dressing up clothes with him, a lovely nun from Cornwall kindly
loaned him something to dress up in.
Wednesday.
he sun is shining, Mass in the upper chapel
of the Sept Dolores, beautiful as always, we
then had our photo taken, another one for
the album.
Arrived back late for lunch, moaned at by
the manager (water off a ducks back) another
bad day for Ellie, nevertheless she is
having a great time between seizures, she
said how lovely it was to be with people who
really care about her rather than people who
are paid to care, makes you think. Some went
on the outing to Gavarnie, some went
shopping, others rested on the beds watching
cricket.
Some of us went to the Baths, another
emotional event, John took Ron in and I went
with Elizabeth. Evening prayer before
dinner, I had a real treat this time a plate
of radishes and butter, yesterday was
asparagus with butter, can’t wait for
tomorrow!!!! |
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We
walked as a group in the Torchlight Procession, always and emotional occasion,
at the end Jacob and I were taken to sit on the steps outside the Basilica while
the rest of the group went to the side.
On arrival back at the hotel we had a
bit of an upset, one lady had got separated from the group and was a little
emotional, took a while to sort that one out.
Ray and Mary invited to us to a
late night ‘ Vigil’ in their ‘suite’. Our oldest pilgrim Lucy joined us believing
that it really was a prayer vigil. I think we all appreciated the opportunity to
let our hair down and relax
Thursday.
The group split for Stations of the Cross,
some went to the low stations and the braver
to the High, we were accompanied on the High
Stations by a blind gentleman and his son
from another group.
The high stations are always a vivid
reminder of the horrors of Good Friday and
the wonder of Easter Sunday. Stopped for a
drink at our favourite café on the way back
for lunch. |
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The afternoon was trip to the City of
the Poor with the anointing of the sick. Unbeknown to us
we were also booked in for a tour of the city of the
poor which many of us had done before; it looked like
being a long afternoon. |
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As we
waited outside the Sheepfold Chapel for our Mass a lady
was brought out from the chapel, apparently unconscious,
her carers were hysterical and shouting for a nurse and
an ambulance, as usual only one nurse around.
The lady appeared to have no pulse and I could not
detect her breathing, with Ray the rep. and another
gentleman we ran down the steep hill with the lady in
the wheelchair. About halfway down I shouted at them to
stop so that I could check her again, we stopped with
quite a bump and the lady began breathing again and
eventually regained consciousness.
It transpired that she was a liver transplant patient
and now appeared to be in liver failure, although very
sick she was stable enough to travel home with her
group. |
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I still got back
in time for Mass and our sick were blessed and anointed. After dinner we
gathered in the bar area for our presentation to Canon Bosco to thank him for
his commitment and devotion to our group and also to celebrate his 40th.
Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination. We had bought a beautiful angel statue
and also presented him with money to buy a White Chasuble and Stole.
Judy had
made a fantastic cake with a copy of Canon Bosco in his cassock from 40 years
ago, which he cut and shared with us all. |
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Friday.
Sadly the day we were
going home, we had Mass in the Poor Clares Convent and Annie passed out (she was
supposed to be a carer not an invalid) I think the
vegetarian diet or lack of it contributed. Some of us visited the Grotto to say goodbye and guess what I
promised Our Lady that we would be back again in two years. |
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After lunch I was told that Ellie
needed me.
It was an excuse to embarrass me with a presentation. As usual the
gifts were tasteful and useful (bought by the young ones) - a glow in the dark
Virgin Mary, a glow in the dark rosary, a mouse shaped purse for the rosary with
a picture of our lady underneath, a tortoise with a gift from Lourdes on it, a
corkscrew with the same on it and a plastic statue of St Michael the Archangel
with his foot on satan’s head.
Obviously knew I was a lady of taste!!!
But I
also got a beautiful designer bag which even came in its’ own protective bag.
What a wonderful group.
The return trip was uneventful apart from a couple of
people trying to take Holy Water through as hand luggage and having it
confiscated, however my corkscrew went through OK! |
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We saw all of our pilgrims
off safely and happily until Simon went to get his suitcase, the only case left
belonged to Angela from Marlow, she had gone off with Simon’s case, I knew that
she was off to Poland after the weekend so would need her case. Told Simon I
would sort it tomorrow.
On arriving home after taking Ellie home I had several
messages from Angela who was quite embarrassed about the mistake (not her fault
I might add) and arranged to swap the cases tomorrow. So everyone home safely,
no disasters, time for a rest. |
Thursday 5th. June.
e-mailed Tangney Tours and booked 50
places for Bank Holiday week 2010.
Staying at the Mediterrannee.
Thanks to everyone involved - and now it's
...... over to Ray.
Teresa Mynett |
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Here are
Ray Mengham's
personal thoughts
on the pilgrimage.
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Monday 26th May; 5.30am
at the Holy family Church and what a
morning! Rain and more rain, but still we
all managed to board the coach for Standsted.
This was going to a special trip, not only
for the Golden Jubilee of St Bernadette but
40 years of the Priesthood for Fr Clarke and
that grand age of 65 years young. Bus pass
now in pocket!
Our
journey went without any hitches and the
staff on the flight were superb. |
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We arrived at our Hotel and went off for our
evening meal. Then we went to the Grotto
for the opening of the Pilgrimage.
It was great to meet all those that I had
travelled with over the past years, although
Mary had been the last couple of times.
All went to schedule during the week with
our arranged Masses and candle lit
processions.
I was contracted out to push our own lovely
Gemma Meek, who was a laugh a minute. (By
the way all our love to her as I believe she
had a fall recently – hope you’re better
now. xxx )
It was nice to have our son Liam with us
again He first travelled to Lourdes when he
was 4 years old.
On
Thursday lunch time we celebrated Judith’s
birthday 21st - again!! Then
after evening meal the group presented Fr
Clarke with a cake and present for 40 years
in the Priesthood. After his speech we all
drank a toast and a great evening was had by
all.
On Friday we ended our Pilgrimage and it was
back to airport for the journey home
On Sunday, 3rd August, 2008 Father Clarke
came along to Holy Family and celebrated a Special Care Benediction Mass.
Afterwards, Mary and I invited everyone
along to our home for a bit of a party, and
from the feedback I got everyone seemed to
enjoy themselves.
Many thanks to Graham Wheeler for these
photos.
Ray ,Mary and Liam Mengham. |
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Sunday, 3rd
August – am. |
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It’s tea break time again at Ray
Mengham’s but the solitary figure of
Graham Wheeler keeps on working,
helping to prepare the site for the
forthcoming invasion. |
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At Holy Family Church, Canon Bosco Clarke has
finished the Benediction service and is showing
everyone his new Chasuble – a gift from the
Special Needs Group.
And then it’s Party Time -
at the home of Ray and Mary Mengham where as
usual the family has laid on a feast of tasty
goodies. |
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Above
right,
Graham
Mengham
knows
how to
prepare
a yummy
burger! |
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Left,
some of
the
group
admire
Ray’s
large
sunken
fish
pool
containing
lots of
species.
Fortunately
for them
fish
isn’t on
the menu
today. |
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And after the meal -
the entertainment started offering plenty of
music and displays of Irish dancing.
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Teresa Mynett,
on behalf of Langley
Special Needs Group,
thanked the family
for their
outstanding kindness
in providing such a
wonderful day for
the group and
presented the couple
with a bouquet of
flowers.
She is looking forward
to seeing everyone
again at their next
pilgrimage
in 2010.
Our Thanks to Teresa Mynett,
Ray Mengham and Graham Wheeler
for their words and
images
© Holy Family, August, 2008
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Dear Friends,
As you now know 2008 was not our
last Pilgrimage we will be going
back for the Spring Bank holiday
week (2nd. Bank Holiday
at the end of May) in 2010. I have
already booked 50 places at the
Mediterranee Hotel and hope that
lots of old friends and some new
will be joining us. I really was
intending this year to have been the
last but as soon as I get to the
Grotto I have to promise to come
back and I’d hate to go alone. I
am taking provisional bookings
already and some people have
asked if they could start saving in
the groups account. Many thanks to
the many people from Holy Family
Parish who have supported us over
the past 21 years.
Teresa |
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A commerative, fund raising DVD
compiled by Ray Mengham featuring lots of memorable photographs
taken over the 20 years.
This fascinating disc is available at only £3.00 or a
donation. All Monies raised from this DVD will go into the
Special Needs fund.
Special thanks for their help goes to Graham and
Maggie Wheeler.
To order your copy please contact Ray via his
Website
www.raymengham.co.uk |
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"
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This year I have come across a DVD - LOOKING BACK 20 YEARS, which is Teresa
Mynett's Handicapped Pilgrimages every two years, I have had the privilege to go
on these several times so I was delighted, and have bought a copy. It is very
interesting and well constructed record of these memorable pilgrimages and
unfortunately it may be the last. It was made by our good parishioner Raymond Mengham and if anyone is interested I would certainly recommend it. . . "
Gemma Meik
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