Pilgrimage awakens God’s Spirit within us in a way that almost nothing else does.
If you were unable to attend our meeting on January 19, 2022, or want to review what was discussed, feel free to look through the presentation here.
Results of the Questionnaire
This past fall members of the congregation potentially interested in travelling to Spain next September to walk the Camino de Santiago, and/or participating in a number of local pilgrimage walks, were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Almost 30 parishioners did so. We have now reviewed the responses. There is considerable support for both a pilgrimage to Spain and a series of local walks. About 20 individuals indicated possible or definite interest in travelling to Spain, and about 25 individuals indicated possible or definite interest in walking locally.
At this juncture, we are focusing upon a pilgrimage to Spain, because of the need to plan for such a pilgrimage well in advance of next September. Early in the new year, we will begin to formulate a plan for local walks.
Most individuals who indicated an interest in travelling to Spain prefer to start a pilgrimage in either Sarria (approximately 117 km from Santiago) or from O Ceibreiro (approximately 165 km from Santiago). The vast majority of persons responding desire to stay in mid-level accommodation, with daily support to move their luggage from lodging to lodging. A number of individuals expressed some desire to ensure that supports were in place in the event that they could not complete a daily walk. This is something that can definitely be accommodated.
Our Vision and Next Steps
We propose, therefore, a pilgrimage to Spain in mid-September 2022, with potentially one group beginning in O Ceibreiro and the next joining the pilgrimage in Sarria.
The next step in this process will be to have a meeting with any individuals who are potentially interested in making a Spanish pilgrimage. That meeting will be held by way of Zoom at 7:30 pm on January 19, 2022. Please plan to attend! During this meeting, we will outline a potential proposal for this Camino, provide more information about travel and lodging (including the costs involved), seek your input, and answer your questions. Shortly thereafter, individuals who are prepared to make a pilgrimage to Spain will be asked to confirm their interest, and we will begin making the necessary arrangements.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any of us for information. And spread the word that Redeemer is going!
An Invitation and a Prayer
We are all called to follow Jesus as pilgrims on this Earth and so we pray:
Guardian of my soul,
Guide me on my way this day.
Keep me safe from harm.
Deepen my relationship with you,
Your Earth, and all your family.
Strengthen your love within me
That I may be a sign of your presence in our world.
(Adapted from Joyce Rupp and Tom Pfeffer)
From The Becoming Pilgrims Committee
Rev. Susan Haig
Henry Krol
Tony Crosbie
Joan Robinson
Lee Shouldice
