Fifth Annual AOS NE Regional Pilgrimage to Holy Island
The fifth annual pilgrimage to Holy Island by AOS workers and supporters in the north east region was held on Saturday 28th June 2008, when the highlight of the day was an open air Mass, celebrating the feast of SS Peter & Paul, led by the Rt Rev Terence Drainey, Bishop of Middlesbrough.
Five other priests, Mgr Ronnie Brown (AOS Trustee), Fr Tony Owens (Parish Priest at St Aidan, Seahouses and Holy Island), Canon Eddie Gubbins (St Andrew’s Teesville, Middlesbrough), Fr John Reid (Our Lady & St Thomas, Willington) and Fr David Bingham (a Mill Hill father from Durham) concelebrated the Mass which was held in dry but blustery conditions.
Bishop Terence addresses the congregation
Around 550 people had arrived earlier in the day on coaches from parishes in South Shields, Tow Law, Blyth, Sunderland, Penshaw and Middlesbrough (3) including others who had made the journey by car from as far away as Liverpool.
The pilgrimage had followed it’s now familiar format with ‘Celtic Prayer on the Beach’, held in glorious sunshine in the early afternoon, after which pilgrims had free time to have lunch, explore the island, or take time for reflection before Mass was celebrated at 4.30pm.
Prayer on the Beach with Bishop Terence
Looking up the beach to the assembled crowd
There was also an opportunity to visit St Aidan’s Catholic Church on the island where a display depicting the work of the AOS ministry to seafarers had been assembled, and where pilgrims could talk to Chaplains and other AOS workers and obtain prayer cards and other literature.
One pilgrim commented, “This is my first visit to Holy Island and I am delighted to have shared in such a wonderful occasion and Mass, with so many people, in a truly spiritual setting, and to learn more about the work of the AOS. It is definitely my intention to return next year".
The date for next year’s pilgrimage has already been set as Saturday 27th June 2009.
Mr Tony McAvoy AOS NE Regional Co-ordinator
e-mail teesportnorth@aposmar.net
See also Diocesan Societies-Apostleship of the Sea