Recalling 1982 – Certificates Awarded

2 September 2010

Today’s memory of the 1982 papal visit comes from our Keynsham parish.  We hear about the awarding of special certificates.

David Strong from St Dunstan’s in Keynsham has sent us an image of a special certificate he was awarded following Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1982.

David told cliftondiocese.com: “The certificate was awarded to those who helped at the last visit.  Our parish of St Dunstan’s in Keynsham Knights of St Columba group sent nine of us up to Coventry to assist with the visit.

“We hired a minibus and arrived there around four in the morning and spent the whole day marshalling and then drove straight back home again!  We didn’t actually see the Pope close up!  Because we had to stand facing the crowds while he passed behind us in the popemobile.”

You can see David’s cherished certificate in our image gallery on the right.

Yesterday's 1982 memory is still online.

We look forward to welcoming Pope Benedict who comes to help us, as a society, to see that faith in God is not so much a problem to be solved as a gift to be discovered afresh.

The papal visit begins for our diocese on the eve of the Holy Father’s historic visit to the United Kingdom.  A special evening of prayers will take place in the Cathedral led by Bishop Declan and Bishop Tom Burns of Menevia, we will join together and pray that the papal visit lights up the heart of our nation.  All are welcome to take part from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm on Wednesday 15 September.  You can find out much more about this unique celebration by listening to our 'Taper Tales' podcast series preseneted by Father Jason Jones, the ector of the National Shrine of Wales.

As we prepare to welcome Pope Benedict XVI we invite you to an evening with the man who’s presenting the BBC’s portrait of the Holy Father.  Award-winning TV documentary maker Mark Dowd will share with us how he’s grown in his understanding of the Holy Father’s vision for our world.  All are welcome to this free event as we look forward to welcoming the Bishop of Rome.  It takes place in Bath on Friday 10 September at 7.00 pm.

The official website thepapalvisit.org.uk is the best place to find out the most up-to-date information in the build up to the special time in the life of the Church in our countries.  It will also provide full coverage during the visit - a great place for you to follow the visit virtually if you are unable to be at any of the large public papal events.

You can also make your donation towards the visit at the official website.  It's simple, secure and direct.

Sign-up to the e-alert packed with the latest news about the Holy Father’s historic visit.

Our striking posters, displayed in all our parishes and many other places, welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom are available to all.  You can download your copy in the multimedia panel on the right and put them up to welcome the Holy Father and his historic visit.  You can also download posters promoting the events in Bath and the Cathedral.