Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury

28/09/2026

12/09/2026

Pilgrimage 🙏🥾

A word of reflection and thanksgiving from Fr. Tom:

It's great to be back in the Parish after five days away completing the Thanksgiving Pilgrimage.
Yesterday afternoon's climb to the heights of Shining Tor was a fitting end with challenging terrain, wonderful views and good company.
Once again, we had very little rain - one of the features of the whole pilgrimage for which I am very thankful.

As I reflect on all the graces of the last nine days, I give thanks particularly for all those who helped organise the pilgrimage: Trish, Deacon John and especially Claire from Caritas; the Priests and Parishes who welcomed me so warmly along the way and the volunteers who so generously helped me to get from stops along the route to the Parishes hosting the Masses we offered along the way. Thank you to Kevin, Tom, Barry, Ian, Becky, Mark, Christine, Tony, Patrick, Morris & Fran, Mark & Marie and Jerome, whose local knowledge helped enrich our experience of the final day.

Thanks to all who have prayed for vocations and donated to the important work of Caritas Shrewsbury. You are all in my prayers.

12/09/2026

❤️ THANK YOU.

Nine days. Approximately 130 miles. One extraordinary journey across our Diocese.

Fr Tom’s Dimensions of Love pilgrimage may have reached its destination, but it has been carried by far more people than one pilgrim.

To every parish that welcomed Fr Tom, every person who walked alongside him, every volunteer who helped make the journey possible, everyone who followed his progress, prayed the Novena, shared a post or supported Caritas - thank you.

Above all, we give thanks for Fr Tom’s 10 years of priestly ministry and continue to pray for vocations across our Diocese.

The journey has taken us through Breadth, Length, Height, and Depth; through walking together, serving others, answering God’s call, and thanksgiving.

Now we are Sent Forth.

Thank you for walking with us. ❤️
💛 Walking for Families.
💛 Praying for Vocations.
💛 Giving

Want to support Fr. Tom as he walks the length, the width, the depth of our Diocese?

Follow the GiveTap link to donate: https://donate.givetap.co.uk/d/msdbgdbu?qr-id=1

11/09/2026

Day 9 Update from Fr. Tom…🥾🙏

DONE!

11/09/2026

Day 9

Photo Ops! 🥾🙏📸

11/09/2026

Day 9

Morning update from Fr. Tom:

Day 9. Last day.Mass at the bountiful Church of St Alban here in Macclesfield at 9.30 and then the climb up into the Peak District to the highest point in the Diocese. Forecast doesn't look too bad:

Peak District The southernmost Pennines, covering the entire Peak District National Park, also extending north to hills accessed from Hebden Bridge, and including the hills immediately north of Manchester. Today's Forecast × Moderate breeze, locally gusty A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exp...

11/09/2026

🥾 DAY NINE - SENT FORTH
The final day.

After nine days, approximately 130 miles, and a journey across the breadth, length, height, and depth of our Diocese, today Fr Tom makes his way towards Shining Tor.

But our final Novena theme reminds us that reaching the destination is not really the end.

It is a sending forth.

🙏 Today’s Scripture: Matthew 28:19
As this pilgrimage draws to a close, we pray that the love, prayer, and generosity carried through these nine days will continue far beyond them - into our homes, parishes, and communities.

For those who have walked.
For those who have prayed.
For those who have welcomed.
For those who have given.
For every vocation, known and still being discovered.
Today, we climb the final miles together. ❤️
💛 Walking for Families.
💛 Praying for Vocations.
💛 Giving Thanks Together.

https://www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk/fundraising/

Want to support Fr. Tom as he walks the length, the width, the depth of our Diocese?

Follow the GiveTap link to donate: https://donate.givetap.co.uk/d/msdbgdbu?qr-id=1

11/09/2026

10/09/2026

Day 8

Evening update off Fr. Tom:

It was a long day today. With the detours it was over 30km or 18.75 miles. The grey weather and light rain throughout the afternoon was good for walking but a bit of a let down for the arrival at Ludlow.

10/09/2026

Day 8 update from Fr. Tom:

A beautiful, but at times steep, morning coming out of Little Stretton today. Some lovely views and, despite a road closure and a malfunctioning level crossing, things have gone ok. 15km left to Ludlow!