Helper Information Summary to assist new helpers with checks Below is a summary of all the checks required for new helpers. If you are an existing helper then you may not need all of these so please check in with us and we will let you know what is required: NEW HELPERS... Complete a helper Declaration if not already done: https://bit.ly/helper 25 Complete a Safeguarding Application Form: https://bit.ly/STANED-app Complete a PVG Application Form: https://bit.ly/pvg-app Book on to Safeguarding Training: Go to the link below, choose a suitable course (online or face-to-face) and email the trainer to book a place: https://archedinburgh.org/administration/#safeguarding--training Tell us what helper group you want to be in : https://www.edinburgh-lourdes.com/helper-structure Other Requirements... In addition to the above you will be required to complete online Lourdes Safety modules - links will be sent to you soon. You will also be required to attend practical preparation training on Saturday 14 June 10am OR Thursday 19 June at 6.30pm. Venue is St Augustine's High School, Broomhouse Road, Edinburgh. Click to download an inforgraphic This page has been created to assist volunteer helpers. Any information which may be useful for helpers will be posted here when it is available. Helper Declaration If you plan to be a helper in 2025 we need to hear from you as soon as possible. This is so that we can check the status of clearances and arrange for any new checks to be put in place. We only need basic contact details at this stage but may be in touch later regarding the tasks you are able to perform.. Click the button below and complete the form: Helper Declaration Helper Bookings Once you have completed your helper declaration (see above) then you should think about booking your trip via the Travel Agent. Details of the travel package are posted on the Lourdes 2025 page. Online Training In addition to practical training, helpers will be required to complete online training prior to the practical preparation day. This is provided by the BLMA (British Lourdes Medical Association). Once you have booked you will be sent a link to enrol for this training. Practical Training Helpers are required to undertake practical preparation. This normally tales place on a Sunday in June and will involve instruction on practical elements of the helper role. Typically it will involve sessions on manual handling, wheelchairs, infection control, and other tasks. Dates and details will be posted here when known. Essential Helper Reading The following essential reading items must be read by all helpers: Code of Conduct Risk Assessments Health & Safety Policy Summary of Helper Requirements Below are the requirements for helpers, however some of these may already be in place so may not be required. We will advise you further on your own individual requirements once we learn of your intention to be a helper. Church Checks: PVG Check for Vulnerable Adults (updated every 5 years) Archdiocesan Application Form & References (once only) Safeguarding Induction Training Lourdes Pilgrimage Checks: Practical Preparation attended Risk Assessments and Code of Conduct read BLMA online training completed - all 5 modules Helper Structures The structure of helper teams is changing and helpers will be asked to express a preference for the helper team that they would like to join. More information

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Lourdes 2025 Pilgrimage Lourdes 2025 Welcome to the 2025 Information Page This page will be your "go to" place for information on the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2025. Please check back regularly and we will add content and news when it is available. Pilgrimage Programme The Pilgrimage Programme is always subject to change. The most recent version is available to download (PDF file) Pilgrimage Programme Lourdes Pastoral Theme 2025 The theme for 2025 is "With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope ". If you would like to read more about the theme for 2025 please click here to download a document from the Lourdes Sanctuary. Travel Package In 2025, Tangney Tours have provided the Travel Package. Tangney Tours will make the package available when it is ready and we will signpost you to the package details from this website Pilgrimage Package Helpers 2025 If you plan to be a helper in 2025 then we invite you to complete a helper declaration. Click here for more information Questions I f you have any questions please get in touch via the contacts page on this site

Annual Safeguarding Statement Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Annual Safeguarding Announcement Please find below a message from Archbishop Cushley and Canon James Tracey in relation to the Lourdes Pilgrimage: Safeguarding concerns every one of us It is the responsibility of clergy and lay people to ensure that the church is a safe and welcoming place for everyone and to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected. Pope Francis has asked that families are made aware that they have a right to expect to be safe and secure in “our Father’s house”. The Bishops of Scotland are committed to ensuring this. Safeguarding in the Catholic Church means doing everything we can to protect our children and vulnerable adults. Firstly, we have a safe system of recruitment for clergy, religious, employees and all our volunteers. This includes PVG checks, references and safeguarding training. Secondly, we have a reporting system so people can come forward with any concerns, be listened to and have those concerns acted upon. Safeguarding also includes care and support for survivors. In this Archdiocese, we have a dedicated safeguarding team. This includes Monsignor Allan Chambers, the Vicar General for Safeguarding, Scott Mackenzie, our Safeguarding Advisor, as well as a Safeguarding Officer and Administrator. The Safeguarding team is based at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh and can be contacted by e-mail or phone to advise on any safeguarding matter. You can find details on the Safeguarding page of the Archdiocesan website. Every parish and group has trained safeguarding co-ordinators. Alongside the Parish Priest/Group Director, they ensure the safe recruitment of volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults in the church. Please contact us if you have any concerns about a safeguarding matter: enquiries@edinburgh-lourdes.com . We do an annual safeguarding audit to assess the safeguarding work being done in. The Church in Scotland has a mandatory reporting policy. This means that if an allegation of abuse is received it is immediately reported to the police. It is imperative that any abuse, historic or otherwise, will be met with a listening ear, and action taken to restore people’s trust in our Church and our clergy and religious. Archbishop Leo Cushley, Canon Tracey, and the Safeguarding Team are grateful for all the hard work done by safeguarding co-ordinators and volunteers in every parish and group across the Archdiocese in keeping the Church a welcoming and safe place for all. Thank-you.

Helper Bulletin: 12 Jun 2024 Dear Volunteer Helper, We are writing to you about this years pilgrimage as there is not long to go now. Please read the points below in case there are any items which require your attention. Mass of Welcome This takes place on Sunday (16th June) at 3pm in St Cuthbert’s Church – 104 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PT. We hope you can make it as this will be our last chance to get together prior to departure day. Practical Preparation Day Thank you to those who attended the practical preparation day last Sunday. We hope you found it useful and a good opportunity to meet other pilgrims. If you were unable to attend last Sunday then we will be in touch soon about a sweep-up session. Safeguarding Checks A small number of helpers have still not completed all of their safeguarding checks. If this applies to you then you will be aware of it already, as we will have been in touch with you about it. As time is running short, we need to get outstanding checks completed to avoid anyone not being able to volunteer in Lourdes. Someone will be in touch with you soon about this so please do engage with us and help us to help you through the checks. BLMA Online Training As we discussed at the preparation day – in addition to practical preparation and safeguarding checks, we are also required to undertake some online modules. People who have done the training before will only need to do one refresher module. New helpers will have 5 modules to complete. You should have received login instructions from the BLMA or ‘LearnUpon’. If you have not received login details or you have experienced problems in logging in or completing modules, please can you email BLMA direct at training@lourdesdoctors.org . They should be able to assist you. If you do still are experiencing problems having contacted BLMA then please contact us by replying to this email. Please ensure your online training is completed prior to departure. Travel Documentation For those travelling with Tangney Tours, your e-ticket and other instructions will be sent out by Tangney Tours in the next few weeks. If you have not used your passport in a while you may want to look it out now to avoid any last-minute panic! New Volunteer Orientation We plan to hold a session in Lourdes on to provide new helpers with an idea of they key places in the town and in the Sanctuary. We will let new helpers know about this soon. Text messages If there are any short notice changes to plans when we are in Lourdes then we will communicate with you through your groups leader and also via text messages. Departure Day – Friday 5 July 2024 When you get your e-ticket from Tangney Tours, this will advise what time you should turn up at Edinburgh Airport. As the Airport will likely be busy, please try to turn up as close to your advised arrival time as possible. Helper ID Badges Please can new helpers send a photo to patricia.shearer@btinternet.com so that your helper ID badge can be made up. Questions As always – if you have any questions, please reply to this email. The Committee

Acerca de Latest Newsletter Previous Newsletters Download Autumn 2022 Newsletter November 2022 Newsletter March 2023 Newsletter October 2023 Newsletter Download Easter 2022 Newsletter Download Easter 2021 Newsletter Easter 2024 Newsletter March 2025 Newsletter

BLMA Mass & Ceilidh 2024 The British Lourdes Medical Association (BLMA) are holding their annual conference in Edinburgh this year. They would like to invite you to join them at a special Mass at 6pm on Saturday the 2nd of November in St Cuthbert's Church, Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PT. All are welcome to join. Also that evening at 7.30pm there will be a conference Ceilidh with hot buffet at The Braid Hills Hotel. Again fellow Lourdes helpers are welcome to join. Tickets for the Ceilidh are £20 per person. The tickets are available from Scott Johnston. Please contact him on 0796 799 5875. (Tickets are limited so please contact him directly).

Acerca de Mass at the Grotto Click on images to enlarge them Return to Gallery Page

Code of Conduct The Code of Conduct is a crucial document for all volunteers as it sets out the framework for how volunteers should conduct themselves at all times. Click on the link below to download the document:

Help for Ukraine A briefing has been issued by Alistair Dutton, Chief Executive of SCIAF to Catholic organisations in response to groups who have asked what they can do to help. We are therefore publicising this briefing to our supporters for their information. You can access the briefing by clicking on the link below: SCIAF Ukraine Briefing

Canon John McAllister In Memory Donation to YFL By now, you will be aware of the passing of our beloved Fr Mac. Fr Mac's family have advised us that the retrial collection at the funeral will be in aid of our Youth for Lourdes group to enable young helpers to go to Lourdes. We are aware that it may not be possible for everyone to attend the funeral and so we would like to offer you the opportunity to make a donation to YFL in memory of Fr Mac. Below are some ways to donate: The link to our online donation portal* is http://easydonate.org/IXRZ03 . You can donate any amount. You can also donate by scanning the QR code below : Alternatively you can donate a set amount by text: To donate £3, text IXRZ03 to 70331 To donate £5, text IXRZ03 to 70970 To donate £10, text IXRZ03 to 70191 * Helpers of Our Lady of Lourdes (Hospitalite) needs to raise funds for this and for other charitable purposes. Fundraising, payments and donations will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme, operating as DONATE, a charity registered in England and Wales (1149800) and Scotland (SC045106). In addition to any text donation, you will incur your standard network message charge (based on your service provider rates). For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org

"...build a chapel here" "...build a chapel here" Lourdes 2023 "build a chapel here" On 2nd March 1858, 1,650 people were gathered at the Grotto. Bernadette knelt down, made the sign of the Cross, and recited her rosary. Her face lit up - the Lady was there. She went to the spring to drink and wash. The lady then said: “Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here and that people should come in procession .” In 2023 the Lourdes Authorities ask us to reflect on the request that our Lady gave for a chapel to be built. Our Archdiocesan Pilgrimage is planned from Friday 7 July to Friday 14 July 2023. We will update this page as we progress towards Lourdes 2023. Update: June 2023...... The Travel Agent has advised us that the plane is now full. Anyone who is not yet booked should contact the Travel Agent for further advice. E-tickets are being issued by the Travel Agent n ow so pilgrims who have booked with Tangney Tours will receive their e-ticket (and associated documents) soon, if it has not already been received. All helpers should ensure that they have completed all of their checks and training. New helpers should ensure that they have received their approval letter from the Archdiocesan Safeguarding department. New helpers should also ensure that they have completed their BLMA online training.