Preparation Day for Easter
Each Easter nearly all the helpers from the groups of the Manchester Region take part in a day of preparation in the Bolton Catholic Sixth Form Centre. Many of the sixth formers volunteer to become helpers and play an active part in the groups. Here you can read about a typical training day:
The day started at 9.00am with a welcoming cup of tea or coffee and Bill O'Connor, our Regional Chairman, helped us to focus on our Mission Statement, with a moment of prayer. There were some opening ice-breakers and a sharing of happy memories from the older helpers, and a slide-show of Lourdes to help the new helpers get their bearings.
We were privileged to have with us a Mum and Dad, who explained what it was like from the parents' point of view when their disabled son went to Lourdes with HCPT last year. This was followed by a reflection, led by Phil Doyle, on the theme of this year's pilgrimage, "How Great are the Gifts!". An important part of the preparation for Easter is raising funds to pay for the children's fares, so there was a workshop where everyone was asked to come up with new fundraising ideas.
The afternoon began with some very practical sessions. Mealtimes, moving and handling and risk assessment were followed by exercises with wheelchair management. The ramps, steps and kerbs outside the Sixth Form Centre came in very useful. The comfort and safety of the children were always uppermost in our minds - together with the need to avoid injury to the helpers!
The day ended, as it had begun, on a spiritual note, with time for the sacrament of reconciliation and a joyful celebration of the Sunday Eucharist.
Phil Doyle has kindly sent some of the photographs he took during the day.
Click here to see more pictures. Move mouse over picture for title.
