Red Shirts

The Red Shirts are a young peoples' group in our diocese. They make pilgrimage to Lourdes with the diocesan pilgrimage and make a significant contribution to the workings of the pilgrimage. They are not quite old enough to be helpers but many of them will become helpers; they are too old to be part of the regular family groups.
Ray Mooney, a long standing Lourdes friend of mine and our lead diocesan youth worker, pioneered this group. On Saturday the Red Shirt Group Leaders attended the Vigil Mass at St Pancras with Ray (pictured far right) and stayed on to supper in the Presbytery. We ate a meaty lasagne, green salad and stawberries and cream.
The preparation Ray and the leaders undertake is crucial for the success of the group. The excellent Fr Rob Esdaile is the group's chaplain.
Ray talked about 'a top of the mountain experience' for young people. Like Moses in today's Trinity Sunday first reading they descend with shining faces and make a real diiference, in the grace of Almighty God, to their families, parishes and schools.
My godson George is next to Ray in the picture. He was a red shirt two years ago. This year his younger brother Henry (another godson- I am very proud of them both) is called to shine in Lourdes with some 120 others.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for us

St Bernadette, Pray for us