HCPT Carols at Westminster Cathedral

Choir from St Bernadette's Primary School with teacher Linda McDonald

Westminster Cathedral resounded with the action hymn 'Rise and Shine' on Tuesday as hundreds of HCPT supporters gathered for its popular biennial Carol service. The atmosphere was welcoming and warm. A crib at the entrance was surrounded by members of HCPT groups in their distinctive colours greeting friends from the Easter pilgrimage, and two enormous, decorated Christmas trees stood on the altar at the front.

HCPT's president, Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrew's and Edinburgh presided. He thanked HCPT for its culture of love and respect, especially for the children it takes on pilgrimage holidays to Lourdes. In the concluding prayer he said: "Help us to bring your love to all those we are able to help, especially our family and friends and all those we meet in the Trust."

The service was introduced by HCPT youth representative Samantha Cassar, who welcomed readers of scriptural texts who had years of experience helping to organise HCPT trips. There was beautiful singing from school choirs with strong links to HCPT. They came from Coloma Convent Girls' School, Croydon; St Richard's Catholic College, Bexhill-on-Sea; Salesian College, Farnborough, St John's Roman Catholic Special School, Woodford Green; and St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School in Harrow.

The Coloma School - which has travelled to Lourdes with HCPT since 1987 - sang and swayed to the Nigerian carol 'Betelehemu'. St Richard's - performing at the service for the fourth time - offered a dramatic rendering of 'O Come O Come', arranged by their teacher and musical director Beccy Byrne. The Salesian College - which has travelled with HCPT since 1982 - offered a Basque traditional song, 'I saw a maiden'. St Bernadette's - which has taken groups for 15 years - sang 'Peace Child' by Bernadette Farrell. This focus on Jesus as a bringer of peace seemed very poignant at a time of violent conflict in the Holy Land.

The congregation joined in traditional carols and towards the end the HCPT unofficial anthem 'Rise and Shine'. Pupils from St John's School led actions for it and the congregation joined in enthusiastically and joyfully, just as they do in Lourdes.

The letters 'HCPT' stand for the 'Hosanna House and Children's Pilgrimage Trust'. Founded in 1956 by Doctor Michael Strode, whose cause for canonisation is being advanced, HCPT provides life-changing pilgrimage holidays for disabled and disadvantaged children and adults. Every Easter over 1,000 disabled and disadvantaged children enjoy a week in Lourdes, staying in hotels with their volunteer helpers. Each Summer over 1,500 people, many of them disabled adults, enjoy a week at HCPT's Hosanna House in Bartrès, near Lourdes.

LINK

HCPT: www.hcpt.org.uk/