Lourdes holds a special place in my heart and in my calendar year. Since the age of 15 I have only missed one pilgrimage with the archdiocese. Inspired by the ministry and service of all our volunteers, and the prayer and gratitude of our assisted pilgrims, I have received many blessings over the years through our pilgrimage family. It is a privilege to play some small part in visioning and developing our pilgrimage, to meet the needs of our AP’s and ensure that their experience is the core focus of our energies. It’s through them that each of us is called to Lourdes, in response to the apparition of Our Lady to St Bernadette, and we are missioned to practise our faith through loving service. Over the past decades my faith has been renewed and reinvigorated on every pilgrimage. In that sacred place, where heaven was experienced on earth, as in each mass, I find answer to prayers yet unspoken and Gods mercy giving me strength and purpose. I pray that over the years that lie ahead, many will have the confidence to come to Lourdes with us as pilgrims of hope - especially those who need assistance, physically and medically. May the Lord continue to enable us, with generosity of heart, to bring people to Lourdes to experience the consolation of Mary’s prayer and the intercession of St Bernadette.