PAPAL VISIT INFORMATION
Those who are going to Hyde Park should come to the church at 11.00am on Saturday 18th September, to collect security passes, security wrist bands and Pilgrim Packs.  You MUST complete your security pass before you get to Hyde Park and wear your wrist band at all times.  If you have not yet paid your £5.00 then please do so before Saturday – thank you (less than half the people who said that they wanted to go have actually paid so far).   To get into the enclosure at Hyde Park you will also need to have with you some form of photo identity (eg. Driving Licence, Passport or Freedom Pass) as well as the pass and wrist band.  Without your photo ID you will not be admitted to the enclosure!  We will not be going as a group to Hyde Park, so once you have your security pass and wristband, you can make your own way there.  Please bring your copy of ‘Magnificat’.

The gates will open at 1 pm, and the Pope is expected to arrive for the Prayer Vigil at 6.30 pm. We understand that there is no seating available in Hyde Park, so you will need to take with you something to sit on, eg. blankets, small folding chairs.  There will be catering facilities and opportunity to buy souvenirs of the event.  You will see from the programme that this promises to be an enjoyable and memorable afternoon and evening.  Don’t forget your camera!!!

Those who are going to Coventry (Cofton Park) on Sunday 19th September are asked to be here by 1.45 am for a prompt 2 am departure.  The coach will travel from New Southgate to Cockfosters and then on to Birmingham.  We expect to be back in New Southgate by 6pm on the Sunday evening. If you have not yet paid your £25, then please do so before Saturday – thank you.  You will be given your Pilgrim Packs and security passes on the coach.  You will need to have some sort of photo identity with you (see above) – please do not forget this.  If you do forget your photo ID then YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED to the Mass. You will also need to take with you your copy of, ‘Magnificat’.

The Bishops of England and Wales have produced a prayer Book / Missal called, ’Magnificat’ for us to use during September in conjunction with the visit of the Holy Father and contains all the services, prayers and hymns that will be used when Pope Benedict is here.  The Archbishop has asked that every family should have a copy of this book and it will be a memento of the State Visit of the Holy Father.  The books are available from the Paper Shop this weekend and they are free but we are asked to make a donation of £2.00 for each copy.

All the Papal Events are being broadcast live on BBC television and radio, ‘streamed’ live via the internet and will be on EWTN (if you have Sky) Please check Press or internet for details, or see the poster in the Porch.

There are also opportunites to see the Pope pass by:
Friday 17th September
Between approximately 5 – 5.15 pm the Popemobile will travel along Millbank between Lambeth Palace and Westminster.  You are advised that vantage points are limited on this route.
Saturday 18th September
From 6 pm, the  Pope will travel along Horse Guards Road, The Mall, Constitution Hill and Hyde Park Corner before arriving at Hyde Park for the Prayer Vigil at around 6.30 pm.

PLEASE CHECK WWW.THEPAPALVISIT.ORG.UK FOR LOTS MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE EVENTS, INCLUDING ADVICE ON WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN’T TAKE WITH YOU. We have been advised that if you bring the following items with you, they will be confiscated and may not be returned:

• Alcohol
• Gazebos
• Canopies
• BBQs
• Animals (except registered assistance dogs)
• Open flames eg. candles
• Musical instruments
• Whistles
• Bicycles
• Standing platforms
• Glass items of any type
• Compressed gas cylinders and other fuel containers.