Maria Mortimer, a parishioner of The Divine Infant of Prague, took part in the sponsored walk on 1st April 2017. She recorded her thoughts on the event which are detailed below.
A CHARITY WALK: Sileby and Syston Step out for the Diocesan Sick and Retired Priests Appeal.
I would like to share with you my experience of a charity walk recently undertaken by my parish to raise funds for the sick and retired priests of our Diocese on 1st April 2017.
Being April Fool’s Day, we could have questioned our sanity for turning up when it started out as a grey, miserable and rainy day - you know when you get that feeling of ‘really, do we have to be here?’ My son Patrick, who is nearly 15, had been doing the first expedition for his bronze Duke of Edinburgh award the day before, which meant he had already walked in excess of ten miles with a back pack nearly as big as him. We had only picked him up at 9.30am that morning after he had camped overnight at Beaumanor Hall. In addition, Leicester City were playing at home in the afternoon and, being season ticket holders and ardent fans, that couldn’t be missed; so in the days preceding the walk we had repeatedly questioned whether we could manage it or not. Three things spurred us on: the first being the reason for the walk, a very worthy cause and one which, being a lifelong Catholic, brought to mind the priests who have supported me over the years. The second being Father Clement Orango, our relatively new Parish Priest who came up with the idea and who we, as a family, want to feel part of that family and supported within the parish. The third reason was our son Patrick who, despite his exertions the day before, was determined to undertake at least the five miles for the charity, having already undertaken challenges in previous years to raise money for ‘Let the Children Live’ and ‘CAFOD’. So as parents what do you say apart from ‘let’s go for it!’
Our spirits were lifted as Father Clement and some 30 people (children included) from our parishes of St Gregory’s in Sileby and The Divine Infant of Prague in Syston kicked off the sponsored walk to raise money towards St.Gregory’s quota for this very important Diocesan Appeal. Father was also joined by six further walkers, friends from his previous parishes of Bourne and Deeping.
The walk started at Launde Abbey in Leicestershire at 10.30am on Saturday morning and, depending on how energetic everyone was feeling, there were two possible routes. The shorter option which was meant to be five miles (and the one taken by the majority of parishioners) followed a circular route from the Abbey to Loddington and then back to the Abbey. A smaller group of five included Anna Muggleton who represented all the ladies on the extended route of fifteen miles with Father Clement. This route ran from the Abbey to Loddington then on to Belton in Rutland, Ridlington, Brooke, Braunston in Rutland and back to the Abbey.
I have to say that trying to talk to fellow parishioners whilst ascending the incline that faces you immediately on exiting the Abbey grounds and also recovering from a cold is not an ideal situation. I thought at one point I may need an oxygen mask or, if the worst came to the worst, CPR! However, both proved unnecessary and shortly after starting the walk the rain thankfully cleared up and we were rewarded with sunshine, allowing us to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. Patrick was feeling the pain by the time we reached Loddington with blisters and stiff ankles from the day before, so I suggested the next time the safety car came round he jumped in and relaxed. I was told that this was cheating and he wasn’t about to give up, so on we all went until we got back to the Abbey and a much needed cup of tea. It was the consensus of opinion, however, that someone had definitely been fooling us when Pierre, one of the Syston walkers who had come equipped with a pedometer informed us the so-called five mile route had actually been just over six miles! Anna completed the extended route convinced ‘it was more than fifteen miles!’ Even Father Clement had said in previous days, ‘it’s a long way’ and he wasn’t talking about Tipperary!
Father very much enjoys walking out in the countryside and was hoping to raise about £1000.00 through this initiative. However, thanks to everyone’s generosity and ‘the sheer grit’ of his walkers the figure raised is likely to be in excess of £2000.00. He said after the walk, ‘I am very touched by all members of the parishes, my friends, those who have sponsored me and those who came to do the walk with me in support of the Sick and Retired Priests' Appeal. Some of the parishioners have enjoyed it so much they have suggested we try and do this once a year, which would be a great way of bringing people together and raising money for a worthwhile cause at the same time. I can honestly say that this is one of the nicest things to have happened to me as a priest since arriving in Sileby and Syston parishes’.
Many of us have fond memories of priests who are now retired, priests who were there to share our happiness or support us at critical times in our lives. We can all help to say thank you to them by supporting this appeal which provides them with an annual support grant. For more information and ways to donate please visit http://www.retiredpriestsappeal.com.
I can certainly recommend this walk, the lovely tea at Launde Abbey and all efforts to support our priests to have a happy and peaceful retirement.
- Maria Mortimer (Divine Infant of Prague Parish)
A CHARITY WALK: Sileby and Syston Step out for the Diocesan Sick and Retired Priests Appeal.
I would like to share with you my experience of a charity walk recently undertaken by my parish to raise funds for the sick and retired priests of our Diocese on 1st April 2017.
Being April Fool’s Day, we could have questioned our sanity for turning up when it started out as a grey, miserable and rainy day - you know when you get that feeling of ‘really, do we have to be here?’ My son Patrick, who is nearly 15, had been doing the first expedition for his bronze Duke of Edinburgh award the day before, which meant he had already walked in excess of ten miles with a back pack nearly as big as him. We had only picked him up at 9.30am that morning after he had camped overnight at Beaumanor Hall. In addition, Leicester City were playing at home in the afternoon and, being season ticket holders and ardent fans, that couldn’t be missed; so in the days preceding the walk we had repeatedly questioned whether we could manage it or not. Three things spurred us on: the first being the reason for the walk, a very worthy cause and one which, being a lifelong Catholic, brought to mind the priests who have supported me over the years. The second being Father Clement Orango, our relatively new Parish Priest who came up with the idea and who we, as a family, want to feel part of that family and supported within the parish. The third reason was our son Patrick who, despite his exertions the day before, was determined to undertake at least the five miles for the charity, having already undertaken challenges in previous years to raise money for ‘Let the Children Live’ and ‘CAFOD’. So as parents what do you say apart from ‘let’s go for it!’
Our spirits were lifted as Father Clement and some 30 people (children included) from our parishes of St Gregory’s in Sileby and The Divine Infant of Prague in Syston kicked off the sponsored walk to raise money towards St.Gregory’s quota for this very important Diocesan Appeal. Father was also joined by six further walkers, friends from his previous parishes of Bourne and Deeping.
The walk started at Launde Abbey in Leicestershire at 10.30am on Saturday morning and, depending on how energetic everyone was feeling, there were two possible routes. The shorter option which was meant to be five miles (and the one taken by the majority of parishioners) followed a circular route from the Abbey to Loddington and then back to the Abbey. A smaller group of five included Anna Muggleton who represented all the ladies on the extended route of fifteen miles with Father Clement. This route ran from the Abbey to Loddington then on to Belton in Rutland, Ridlington, Brooke, Braunston in Rutland and back to the Abbey.
I have to say that trying to talk to fellow parishioners whilst ascending the incline that faces you immediately on exiting the Abbey grounds and also recovering from a cold is not an ideal situation. I thought at one point I may need an oxygen mask or, if the worst came to the worst, CPR! However, both proved unnecessary and shortly after starting the walk the rain thankfully cleared up and we were rewarded with sunshine, allowing us to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. Patrick was feeling the pain by the time we reached Loddington with blisters and stiff ankles from the day before, so I suggested the next time the safety car came round he jumped in and relaxed. I was told that this was cheating and he wasn’t about to give up, so on we all went until we got back to the Abbey and a much needed cup of tea. It was the consensus of opinion, however, that someone had definitely been fooling us when Pierre, one of the Syston walkers who had come equipped with a pedometer informed us the so-called five mile route had actually been just over six miles! Anna completed the extended route convinced ‘it was more than fifteen miles!’ Even Father Clement had said in previous days, ‘it’s a long way’ and he wasn’t talking about Tipperary!
Father very much enjoys walking out in the countryside and was hoping to raise about £1000.00 through this initiative. However, thanks to everyone’s generosity and ‘the sheer grit’ of his walkers the figure raised is likely to be in excess of £2000.00. He said after the walk, ‘I am very touched by all members of the parishes, my friends, those who have sponsored me and those who came to do the walk with me in support of the Sick and Retired Priests' Appeal. Some of the parishioners have enjoyed it so much they have suggested we try and do this once a year, which would be a great way of bringing people together and raising money for a worthwhile cause at the same time. I can honestly say that this is one of the nicest things to have happened to me as a priest since arriving in Sileby and Syston parishes’.
Many of us have fond memories of priests who are now retired, priests who were there to share our happiness or support us at critical times in our lives. We can all help to say thank you to them by supporting this appeal which provides them with an annual support grant. For more information and ways to donate please visit http://www.retiredpriestsappeal.com.
I can certainly recommend this walk, the lovely tea at Launde Abbey and all efforts to support our priests to have a happy and peaceful retirement.
- Maria Mortimer (Divine Infant of Prague Parish)
