tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15895111.post1617226957978373432..comments2023-11-03T12:44:19.948+01:00Comments on Orwell's Picnic ~: Distinctions vs. DifferencesHilary Jane Margaret Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03771332473693479830noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15895111.post-3282564728542945352010-08-19T19:13:10.027+02:002010-08-19T19:13:10.027+02:00Yeah. Huge success. Crowds of pilgrims in hysteric...Yeah. Huge success. Crowds of pilgrims in hysterics when they can't get a ticket. Sorry: a special passport for all the faithful.<br /><br />Actually, if the authorities had tried to make things difficult and unwelcoming, everything would have looked very similar. For instance, the Beatification Mass begins at 9.30 am, and 'pilgrims' are asked to be in their places by 8.30. Since the coaches have to park about a mile from Cofton Park, that means those arranging the trips from the various parishes/dioceses/pastoral areas have ordered the coaches for incredibly early hours - I'm in Bournemouth, and our coach is probably going to leave at - wait for it - 3.30 am. Why could the Mass not begin at, say 11.30?<br /><br />Then there's no possibility of special arrangements for people in wheelchairs, who can't get on to ordinary coaches; no way a large family (a few large Catholic families do still exist) can get a discount from the £25 per person it's going to cost, or make their own way there. In my 'pastoral area',only about 70% of the available tickets - sorry, specialpassportsforallthefaitful - have been taken up. (I volunteered to be 'pilgrim leader' for my church, so have the names of everyone going.)<br /><br />HOWEVER, we will see the Holy Father, and be present at Ven.JHN's beatification, so it's worth it.<br /><br />I think.Sue Simshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15868265477624790008noreply@blogger.com