Holy Land Pilgrimage, 1981

Here is a wonderful look back at the parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1981. The sunshine and palm trees in the background are a distinct change from home, though the fashions - from the sensible knitwear to the wide 80s collars - are distinctly British.

The Clergy Fr Keoghan and Fr Doyle are standing front and centre in their albs. We are so grateful for their guidance during that trip and beyond. We remember the late Fr Keoghan with fond gratitude for his years of dedication, and we appreciate Fr Doyle for the warm community spirit they built together.

In Memory 

Looking at this gathering from over forty years ago, it is touching to realise that, like Fr Keoghan, many of the faithful smiling back at us have since passed away. These men and women were the backbone of our community. They didn’t do it for the recognition; they just worked together to keep the parish alive.

We remember the tireless work of that generation in every area of parish life. No single role was more important than another, including: CAFOD, Catholic Women’s League, choirs, cleaners, counting the offering (money), Eucharistic ministers, flower arranging, Legion of Mary, Parent and Toddler helpers, parish finance, readers, school governors, supporting Fr Damien, SVP, welcomers to church, and many more.

We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. We are here today because of the work they put in back then.

Can You Help? 

Do you recognise anyone in this photograph? Perhaps you were there yourself, or you spot a family member in the crowd. We would love to hear the stories behind the smiles. If this image sparks a memory - funny or serious - please get in touch with Fr Adrian.

We want to save these stories so the history of this journey isn’t lost. Use the form below, or if you prefer, write it on paper (with your name included) and pass it to Fr Adrian.

Also, if you have other photos from this trip, please let us scan the originals so we can get the best quality possible. Thanks in advance for your help.

A Prayer for Peace 

Finally, seeing our parishioners standing peacefully in that land reminds us of the difficult reality there today. We pray for peace across Israel and the Palestinian Territory. We hope that the communities in Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, and beyond can find a way to live side by side in safety.