Priests wanted for 2016

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you" Luke 6:38

Opportunity for Priests to put something back into the Camino

Many pilgrims to Santiago offer to volunteer as a way of putting something back into the Camino. They can serve as hospitaleros, volunteers in pilgrim offices or in their local associations. Priests can contribute to the Camino in a unique way by offering a ministry to pilgrims.      

Introduction

The Camino Chaplaincy started in 2013 and for 6 months each year from May – October we provide a place of welcome and reflection for English speaking pilgrims in the Cathedral of Santiago. Daily Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are provided as well as an opportunity for coffee after Mass. In the evenings a short Service of Reflection is also provided.

In 2015 Fr Joe Coghlan of the Diocese of Cork was appointed Director of Ministry and he served as Chaplain in Santiago for the entire season. Fr Joe will return to Santiago from May - October 2016.

Bishop Ralph Heskett of the Diocese of Hallam in England, who also regularly serves as a Chaplain, is the President of the Camino Chaplaincy.

During 2015 7000 pilgrims  attended services provided by the Chaplaincy however many said that they were disappointed that often Mass was not available on the Camino let alone in English. Many churches in rural Spain are closed due to the shortage of priests and often parish priests have to serve many parishes.

Also a number of priests who have made the pilgrimage have written to us offering to help as a way of putting something back into the Camino. 

Therefore last year we decided to operate a pilot in a community along the Camino where daily Mass was no longer available for pilgrims or the local community. This was very successful. (Read more here). 

Accommodation and finance

Accommodation is provided for priests serving in the Chaplaincy Outreach Programme. Normally priests are expected to cover all other expenses. However we do not want lack of funds to be a barrier to participating in this programme and please let us know if you need assistance.

Placements

The Archbishop of Santiago and local Bishops have been very supportive of the Chaplaincy’s activities and plans. We wish to develop two centres of ministry for 2016 in Moratinos and Sarria. This is dependent on the number of priests who apply and their availability. If because of scheduling we cannot accommodate a priest we will try to find a placement which suits in another location.

Camino Chaplaincy Outreach Programme 2016

We are seeking priests to work with us in two locations initially along the Camino Francés.

Sarria

Sarria is a town 120 kms from Santiago and pilgrims starting there qualify for the Compostela. Because of this 50% of all pilgrims who arrive in Santiago start their Camino in Sarria.

We are very keen to develop a Ministry to English speaking pilgrims in Sarria where we wish to provide a Daily Mass with a Pilgrims’ Blessing for all of those continuing their pilgrimage through the town and for those who are starting out. Five days later these same pilgrims will be welcomed by us in Santiago.

This is a new ministry full of potential and we have been encouraged to explore its development by the Arzobispado in Santiago . It will have the full support of the Bishop of Lugo.

Location – Sarria – accessible from Santiago by train/bus/car.

Accommodation – a self contained apartment in the centre of Sarria will be provided.

Duties – Be available to meet arriving pilgrims. Provide daily evening Mass and confessions in English. To be discussed: whether an early morning Mass for those setting out would be appropriate or indeed whether we should provide an early morning Mass in Sarria and an evening Mass at the end of the first day in Portomarin.   

Language – as in Santiago this ministry is aimed at English speakers however living in Sarria would be all the more enjoyable with conversational Spanish.

Duration of placement – this is a new ministry and would be well served by longer term placements. The ideal would be for one priest to serve for 6 months or two for three months each. However priests with time availability less than this who are keen to work with this new ministry are also very welcome.  

Moratinos/Terradillo de los Templarios

Moratinos is a small, delightful rural community situated on the Meseta in Palencia. It is almost in the middle of the Camino Francés and although it only has around 25 permanent residents it has an hotel, bar restaurant and an albergue. Neighbouring Terradillo de los Templarios  is positively cosmopolitan by comparison with over 500 residents and more albergue beds than Moratinos. Both lie a few kilometres from the main town of Sahagún which is only 2 hours by train from Madrid.  Among the residents of Moratinos live Paddy O’Gara and Rebekah Scott, both former journalists who have dedicated their lives and their home to the care of pilgrims. As part of their property they have a self contained apartment which will be used by chaplains.

Location – Moratinos/Terrajillo de los Templarios.

Accommodation – Self  contained luxury apartment with English speakers living close by.

Duties – Open village church daily to welcome pilgrims. Walk stretches of the Camino to meet pilgrims. Provide daily Mass for pilgrims of many nationalities. Say Sunday mass for the local community.

Language – Ability to say Mass in Castellano and speak conversational Spanish is essential.  

Duration of placement – Two/three weeks is considered to be the optimum.

For further information and to apply please email John Rafferty, Coordinator: caminochaplaincy@gmail.com