Scottish Catholic Observer

The First Holy Communicants from St Andrew’s Primary, Cumbernauld (above), and Holy Cross Primary, Croy (below), have joined with parishioners in inviting Pope Francis to the village for their June 2015 procession.

The annual event has been held in Croy for more than 80 years, tracing its roots back to the 1930s, shortly after the village was formed. This year, the two schools’ Holy Communicants were front and centre in the procession, and it is hoped that, if the Pope was to visit, the boys would serve as a Guard of Honour and the girls, in keeping with the procession tradition, would cast flower petals.

As part of the invitation, the children from the two schools made cards to send to the Pope with pupils adding their signatures in a personal appeal.

In an accompanying letter, Fr Joseph Sullivan, parish priest at Holy Cross, told the Pope about the ‘beautiful Corpus Christi Procession through the streets of the village.’

Speaking to the SCO, he said it would be ‘wonderful if Pope Francis came as he is famous for copying the God of Surprises.’

“It would simply be lovely even if we were to receive a nice letter from one of his helpers,” he said. “However I would be very surprised if His Holiness managed. As I wrote in my covering letter: ‘In sending this sincere invitation, the whole parish, including the children, appreciate that it would be most unlikely that your Holiness would be able to accept. Nevertheless, we considered that even to make this proposal would prove our devotion and esteem for Your Holiness’ leadership.’

Marie Claire Fiddler, acting headteacher at St Andrew’s Primary School said that the invitation was a lovely idea.

The cards pupils made are now on display in the foyer of Holy Cross Church as the Holy Communicants prepare for their big event next year. Martha McGuigan, acting headteacher at Holy Cross Primary, said the annual procession is a beautiful thing that has a lasting effect on the children.

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—Read the full version of this story in November 7 edition of the SCO in parishes from Friday.