A Walk For St Mary's

30/01/2026

This page was originally created to support the Camino walk that my friends and I made to help St Mary’s RC Church, Gosport. I am very grateful to say that journey was completed in October, with your generous support.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will share more about the Camino itself: the walking, the travelling, the friendships, and some spiritual reflections along the way.

If you have questions about the Camino, practical or personal, I will be very happy to answer them as I share our experiences.

Once again, thank you to everyone who supported the Camino walk and donated to St Mary’s RC Church in Gosport. Your kindness made the journey possible.

03/01/2026

One of my most memorable moments of 2025 is with this wonderful lot who I was so privileged to be in Spain with for the Camino de Santiago.
We are all celebrating this great feat and we continue to become great friends.
❤️❤️❤️

26/12/2025

For every journey you have taken, every road you have walked, and every rise and fall along the way, I pray that all these be discoveries of faith, of love, and of hope. May the joy of Christ’s birth remain with you always.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

06/12/2025

23/11/2025

If you remember our Jubilee 'Coastal' Walk last 15th of November, I am now sharing with you our prayers and reflections along the way. All of us have copies of this leaflet and I am happy to share it with you, just in case you wish to do a reflective/contemplative walk yourself. We started at St Mary's and finished at St Mary's.
Please feel free to use it.

22/11/2025

Today was a very fruitful day for all of us Pilgrims who attended the Service at Westminster Cathedral.

22 November 2025.
One month ago today, we were walking the Camino. 🙏

22/11/2025

22nd of November is the Feast Day of St Cecilia. She was born in 200-230 AD.
She is one of the seven women, excluding the Blessed Virgin, commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass.

Saint Cecilia was a Roman virgin martyr and is venerated as the patron of music and musicians. As musicians played at her wedding, Cecilia “sang in her heart to the Lord.” Musical compositions are dedicated to her. She is also known as Cecilia of Rome.

She reminds us of the power of music to praise God and to bring comfort to those who are suffering. Her story helps us realize the power of utilizing art to transcend suffering, focus on beauty, and to connect us with God.

I took this photo at Brompton Oratory in London during my last visit. If you go to the St Wilfrid's Chapel, her statue is located to the right of the high altar and sanctuary, past the Lady altar. The shrine includes a copy of Raphael's painting above, "The Ecstasy of St Cecilia".

This recumbent figure of St Cecilia is said to describe her at the time of discovery of her uncorrupted body: lying on her side, clad in a dress, with her veiled head turned towards the ground.

18/11/2025

Jubilee (Coastal) Walk
15 November 2025
Pilgrims of Hope

We chose this one day in November for our walk. Though showers were forecast, we started our walk under grey clouds, and then the heavens surprised us with beautiful sunshine. The air was mild...gentle breeze. Along the way, we stopped now and again to admire God's creation. We prayed the Rosary together and we also stopped by the war memorial to pray for those who sacrificed their lives, remembering their courage.

In each others company, we grew closer, discovering more about one another, and forming a bond held together by faith.

The prayers and reflections offered us much to ponder, guiding us in what it means to be true pilgrims of hope.

It was a beautiful, blessed day, one we will always remember. We hope that you can join us next year!

Buen camino!

Lora, Annette, Luke, William, Annette, Vivien, Anne, Mike, Andrew, Fr Matthew, Josephine, and Clarinda.

15/11/2025

Our Jubilee Walk today was a great success! We were blessed with wonderful weather. The forecast had called for showers, but instead we got sunshine and calm air. It made our walk absolutely lovely!

More photos coming soon!

14/11/2025

This coming Saturday,15th of November, I am going on a Jubilee Walk "Pilgrims of Hope" from St Mary's Church to Bayside Cabin and back. This contemplative walk 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🚶 will start at 10am and will take the coastal route: St Mary's Church ➡️ Gosport Ferry Promenade ➡️ Haslar Bridge ➡️Haslar Sea Wall ➡️ Fort Gilkicker ➡️ Stokes Bay ➡️ Bayside Cabin, and back.

There will be Rosary, prayers, and reflections along the way with brief stops. If you have time this Saturday, do walk with me. Fr Matthew will be walking too, together with some other people who confirmed that they will be joining.

Please bring water and snacks, rain coat, comfortable walking shoes, and don't forget your Rosary! There will be a longer break by Bayside Cabin so if you wish to go in to have lunch or have something hot to drink, you are free to do so.See you on Saturday!

- Clarinda

02/11/2025

Thank you to all who donated towards this fundraising initiative. We have raised, so far, £1500 for St Mary's Church. Thank you!