Invitation to support final stage of CA Lourdes Anniversary Walk

The final stages of a sponsored walk marking 125 years since the Catholic Association (CA) first made its pilgrimage to Lourdes will conclude in the Diocese of East Anglia this weekend.

The CA Lourdes 125 Sponsored Walk is raising funds to celebrate the milestone anniversary, with organisers aiming to raise £1,250. Having reached the halfway point towards the fundraising target, supporters are being encouraged to sponsor Matt and the walking team as they complete the final legs of the journey.

The walk has already passed through several dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Southwark, where Bishop Paul joined Matt for part of the route. Earlier in the pilgrimage, Matt also completed additional miles via the Shrine of Saint Jude. On Sunday, Wilma Boddeke accompanied the walk on the annual CA stage between Fordingbridge and Christchurch.

The pilgrimage now heads to the Diocese of Northampton on Saturday 8 August, where Paul and Cliona Devereux, together with local parishioners, are expected to join the route from Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church and Diocesan Shrine to Northampton Cathedral. Additional walking is also planned in Aylesbury on the preceding Friday.

The sponsored walk will conclude in the Diocese of East Anglia on Sunday 9 August. After attending Mass in Sawston, Matt will set out on the final stage to Cambridge, bringing the anniversary walk to its conclusion.

Members of the diocesan community are warmly invited to join the walk for all or part of the East Anglia route and to show their support for this special anniversary initiative.

Those wishing to support the appeal can sponsor Matt and the team through the CA Lourdes 125 Sponsored Walk fundraising page. Organisers note that arrangements remain subject to any unforeseen commitments.

The sponsorship link can be accessed here: www.justgiving.com/page/calourdes125sw