Volunteering in Lourdes since 1901
The Catholic Association (“CA”) is a UK-based charity that has been running pilgrimages to Lourdes, France for over a hundred years. The CA is comprised of the diocesan pilgrimages of Clifton, East Anglia, Northampton, Southwark and Stonyhurst College, as well as the Glanfield Children’s Group. Our vast community of volunteers is made up of a diverse range of age groups and backgrounds, all of whom share a commitment to returning to service in Lourdes every year.
Lourdes is a town in the French region of Bigorre, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, where in 1858 the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, appeared eighteen times to a simple teenage girl, Bernadette Soubirous, in order to draw people into a deeper relationship with her son Jesus. Nearly 150 years later, the Lourdes shrine attracts over six million visitors a year, which includes our pilgrimage of approximately a thousand people. We spend a week in Lourdes every August. Whether we are assisted pilgrims or helpers, young or old, clergy or laity, we are all in need of spiritual renewal, and our journey to Lourdes helps our pilgrims to refocus in their life’s journey to God.
As Chairman of the Catholic Association, I am immensely proud of our work and encourage all newcomers interested in joining us, whether as individuals or groups, to reach out to a member of our team. We hope that the information we have compiled in this website, including the various resources, is helpful to you.
Rev Paul Hendricks, President
Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees manage and oversee the Catholic Association’s activities and guard its funds.
Hospitalité Council
The Catholic Association Hospitalité of Our Lady of Lourdes is responsible for coordinating the welcome and care of all pilgrims in Lourdes, with a particular focus on the assisted pilgrims who travel with us.
Simon Gallop
Trustee - Chair of P.E.G.
Anna Macer-Wright
Trustee
Theresa Mahon
Trustee
Matthew Betts
Trustee
Dr Rosemary Belderbos
Trustee
John Wynne-Jones
Honorary Secretary
Christopher Page
Chair of Trustees
Bishop Paul Hendricks
President
Dr Sadie Vile
Trustee
Fr Peter Wygnanski
Trustee
Anne Hoskins
Trustee
Dr Steve Gill
Honorary Treasurer
Ella Corcoran
Secretary
Lina Alaraj
Chief Handmaid
Sophy Annison
Youth Representative
Brendan Roche
Chief Brancardier
Cliona Devereaux
Safeguarding Officer
Molly Ingleton
Elected Member
Bishop Peter Doyle
Northampton (Patron)
Mark Smith
President
Dr Adrian Hayter
Chief Medical Officer
Tina Quinn
Chief Nurse
Fr Nick King SJ
Chaplain
Andy Joyce & Sarah Sparrow
Young Helpers Group Leaders
Committees
Dioceses & Groups
The CA Pilgrimage is made up of the diocesan pilgrimages of Clifton, East Anglia, Northampton, Southwark, as well as the Stonyhurst College Lourdes Pilgrimage and the Glanfield Children’s Group, with each of these groups being overseen by a Diocesan or Group Director.
Pilgrimage Executive Group (P.E.G.):
Fr Simon Blakesley
CA Pilgrimage Director
Chantal Hobday
Glanfield Leader
Cliona Devereux
Safeguarding Officer
Andy Joyce
Young Helpers Group
Sarah Sparrow
Young Helpers Group
Simon Gallop
Trustee - Chair of P.E.G
Dr Adrian Hayter
Chief Medical Officer
Tina Quinn
Chief Nurse
Brendan Roche
Chief Brancardier
Lina Al-Araj
Chief Handmaid
Chantal Hobday
Director, Glanfield Children’s Group
Dr Nuala Mellows
Director, Stonyhurst College
Fr Edward Perera
Director, Southwark
Frances Hicks
Director, CA Annual
Fr Simon Blakesley
CA Pilgrimage Director
Fr Eugene Campbell
Director, Clifton
Deacon Huw Williams
Director, East Anglia
Neil Roseman
Director, Northampton