Newsletter - April 2026 To download a copy of the latest newsletter, click on the document below:

Acerca de Calendar February Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes Sunday 15 February 2026, 3.30pm St Cuthbert's RC Church, 104 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PY Refreshments in hall afterwards Annual General Meeting Monday 11 May 2026, 7.30pm Held online via Zoom Joining details will be emailed to supporters and members nearer the time Quiz / Social Evening Friday 22 May 2026, 7pm Venue to be announced asap Practical Preparation (Helpers Only) Thursday 11 June 2026, 5.30pm Helpers will be invited by email Practical Preparation (Helpers Only) Saturday 20 June 2026, 10am Helpers will be invited by email Lourdes Pilgrimage Mass of Welcome Sunday 5 July 2026, 3pm St Cuthbert's RC Church, 104 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PY Refreshments in hall afterwards All welcome whether you are going to Lourdes or not Mass of Thanksgiving for the Lourdes Pilgrimage Sunday 23 August 2026, 3pm St Cuthbert's RC Church, 104 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PY Refreshments in hall afterwards

Risk Assessments In line with good practice, the Pilgrimage Committee creates Risk Assessments which are used to inform and guide the organisation of the Pilgrimage. The Risk Assessments for 2022 have been updated to reflect recent guidance, and also taking account of the COVID-19 pandemic. The updated Risk Assessments are detailed in the document below.

Quiz Night 2023 Join us on Saturday 29th September for our big quiz night. St Kentigern's Catholic Church Hall, Parkgrove Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 7QR. 7.30pm. BYOB

Helper Information Friday 10th to Friday 17th July 2026 ALL HELPERS All helpers are required to do the following: 1. Complete a helper declaration - click here 2. Tell us what group(s) you want to be in 3. Complete a set of Lourdes-related online 'BLMA' modules 4. Attend a Practical Preparation session NEW HELPERS In addition to the requirements detailed above for all helpers, new helpers are also required to undertake Safeguarding checks: Being a helper in Lourdes is considered to be 'regulated' work. This means that volunteer helpers are required to gain clearances from the Catholic Church. This consists of: Completion of an Archdiocesan Application Form (and provision of 2 references) Completion of a PVG Application Form and a PVG Check Undertake Safeguarding Training - this can be done online or face-to-face The Safeguarding Office from the Archdiocese will contact new helpers and arrange for these checks to be completed. New helpers should also read the Risk Assessments and Code of Conduct . EXISTING HELPERS In addition to the requirements listed above for ALL HELPERS, existing helpers may be required to update their Safeguarding checks, if any of them are due for renewal. If this is the case then the Safeguarding Office from the Archdiocese will be in touch. Existing helpers may also only have to do a shorter version of the Lourdes-related online 'BLMA' modules. We will let you know which modules you are required to do. Existing helpers should also remind themselves of the Risk Assessments and Code of Conduct . 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

Acerca de Fundraising The Hospitalité Committee raises funds in order to carry out its aims including promoting the message of Lourdes in the Archdiocese, and providing financial assistance to helpers and sick pilgrims. In order to carry out this work, it is vital that a steady stream of income is maintained. Below are some of the ways that our committee (and associated groups) raise funds. We hope that you will be able to support our work. Online donations * We have set up an easy way to make donations via the web or via text, with or without GiftAid. To donate £5, text IXRZ02 to 70970 To donate £10, text IXRZ02 to 70191 Larger donations can be made online at http://easydonate.org/IXRZ02 Subscriptions & 200-Club We rely upon members subscriptions each year to assist with administration costs, etc. Our ‘Subs’ are minimum donation of £5 per year. You can either pay this directly to Paul Barry at any event, or by Standing Order. Information regarding payment of 200 Club and ‘Subs’ by Standing Order is outlined below. To download a 200-Club form - click here EasyFundraising Make your shopping easy by visiting: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/edinburglourdes . You shop with over 2,000 well-known retailers such as John Lewis, Boots, Tesco, Argos, M&S and many more. When you make a purchase online, the retailer makes a donation to Edinburgh Lourdes Hospitalité Committee. To remind you to use easyfundraising please follow the link... https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/extra-ways-to-raise/ ...which will remind you to use easyfundraising for all of your purchases. Easy Fundraising also has an App which can be downloaded to iPhone or Android phones. It is an easy and way to support us and it doesn’t cost you any more than your normal shopping would! Legacy Giving Leaving a gift to charity keeps your money work towards the causes that are important to you. Would you consider leaving a legacy to the Edinburgh Lourdes Hospitalite? Please contact us if you would like more information. * 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

News Items Mairi Allan - award Click here Bernadette Barry - Papal Medal Click here Joe McBride RIP Click here Christine Newton RIP Click here Liverpool Archdiocese declares Lourdes miracle Click here British Lourdes Medical Association Mass & Ceilidh Click here Liam Gillon - RIP Click here Carfin Pilgrimage 2024 Click here Pilgrimage Package for 2024 now available Click here Mansfield School of Music Christmas Concert Click here Lourdes 2024 Click here Helpers 2024 Click here Quiz Night 2023 Click here In dependent Travellers Click here F r Mac - RIP & Funeral arrangements Click here Cheese & Wine - Social Evening Click her e November 2022 Newsletter Click here Youth for Lourdes Testimony Click here Lady Helper Testimony Click here St Bernadette's relics visit the UK Click here Veronica (Ronnie) Laidlaw, RIP Click here Michael Johnston, RIP Click here AGM 2022 - President's Video Report Click here Help for Ukraine Click here Easter 2022 Newsletter Click here Time for Pilgrims to express an interest in the 2022 Pilgrimage Click here Annual Safeguarding Statement Click here February Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes Click here Lourdes Pilgrimage 2022 Click here Canon McAllister at 90 Click here Join our mailing list Click here

Changes to Helper Structures In 2025, we’re making some changes to the structure of our helper teams. These changes are based on feedback from helpers and are designed to better meet the needs of our supported pilgrims. We will be transitioning from our current arrangements to a role-based structure. There will be several new teams, and all helpers will be asked to consider which team they feel they are best suited to. Click on the buttons below to see a description of the duties for each role. Once you've reviewed the information, kindly click the button below to complete a form which lets the organising committee know your helper group preferences: If you have any questions or would like to discuss the options further, please don’t hesitate to contact David Bald at 07816 761922. Transport Team Healthcare Team Saint Frai Team Other Information Submit my Group Preferences Top Transport Team There will be two groups working within the Transport Team. The first group, which will be a larger team will concentrate on transporting supported pilgrims to and from wherever they need to go. This may be to a Mass or ceremony, to a social event, cafe, or shopping. Helpers on this team will work around the pilgrimage programme so the daily shift pattern will vary depending on the programme. The main duty is pushing wheelchairs and pulling voitures (purpose build carriages). This task requires helpers to be able to cope with the physical demands of this work. The second group will be a smaller team and will involve supporting the helpers who are transporting pilgrims by coordinating the movement in and out of the Saint Frai centre. This may involve reserving a lift, or matching up helpers with supported pilgrims in the loading bay. Back to Top Transport Team Healthcare Team The Healthcare Team is comprised of registered doctors, nurses and care assistants and provide care to our supported pilgrims. Back to Top Healthcare Team Saint Frai Team The Saint Frai team supports the work that is done in caring for our supported pilgrims in the Saint Frai Centre The work may involve assisting the medical team with personal care, cleaning of the wards and related areas, or assisting pilgrims in the refectory. Helpers on this team may choose to be involved in one or more of these duties (care, cleaning or refectory) depending on their skills and preferences. The rota structure on this team will likely be more fixed than the Transport Team, for example: Day 1 early to 1pm & 8pm to end of day Day 2 1pm until 8pm Please note that work in the Saint Frai does not restrict people on this team to the Saint Frai itself as they would also take part in the full pilgrimage experience and so may get involved in others tasks - for example assisting pilgrims at Mass, and socialising with pilgrims in cafes and at the excursion. Back to Top Saint Frai Team Other Information Helpers will be asked to stipulate their first and second preference for the team that they would like to be part of. The organising committees will do their best to accommodate all helper preferences but may also need to assign helpers to a different team in order to ensure appropriate care for supported pilgrims. It is envisaged that most young helpers will be involved in the Transport team but it may also be possible for helpers to gain experience in other teams should they wish to do so. It is also important to note that helpers who are part of one team will also be involved in the wider range of general duties - for example, socialising with supported pilgrims, helping at the airport, and giving out water at Mass. Back to Top Other Information

Lourdes 2026 Pilgrimage Lourdes 2026 Friday 10th to Friday 17th July 2026 Welcome to the 2026 Information Page This page will be your "go to" place for information on the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2026. Please check back regularly and we will add content and news when it is available. Please select an item to view Pastoral Theme 2026 Pilgrimage Programme Travel Package Helper Information Questions

Liam Gillon RIP We were very sad to hear about the passing of Rosemary Gillon's son - Liam. Our prayers are with the whole family. Liam's funeral will be held on Tuesday 27th August 2024 at 12:00 in the Church of St Mary, Star of the Sea, Leith. Thereafter to Mount Vernon Cemetery. Rosemary would like to thank everyone from the Lourdes community for their prayers and support at this very difficult time. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for him St Bernadette, pray for him

Acerca de Mass in St Joseph's Chapel Click on images to enlarge them Return to Gallery Page

Acerca de In loving remembrance of Monsignor Tony Duffy: 1947-2021. RIP. Lourdes was a place that was close to Mgr Tony's heart and so those of us involved in Lourdes mourn our Director, colleague and friend. Eternal rest grant unto him O lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him, and may he rest in peace. Amen St Patrick, pray for him St Paul, pray for him St Anthony, pray for him St Mary Magdalene, pray for him Our Lady of Lourdes pray for him St Bernadette, pray for him Our Lady Mother of the Church, pray for him St Augustine, pray for him St Cuthbert, pray for him Please click on the links below to see tributes, condolence messages and other expressions of support Links: Condolence Book Online Service from Staff & Pupils at St Augustine's High School Lourdes Tribute to Mgr Tony (Video) Obituary