On Saturday 29th November VIDES celebrated 25 years in the UK.

The day began with a wonderful celebration of Mass in St. James', Bootle where VIDES held a camp for 5 years. The Mass was celebrated by Frs. Gerry O'Shaughnessy and Michael Winstanley. However, special thanks must also go to Fr. Michael Cunningham who has always been very willing to support VIDES through the celebration of Mass.

The theme of the Mass was, 'Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart' and that is certainly what we did. Volunteers past and present joined the FMA, members of the Salesian family and local parishioners to give thanks for the memories, formation, service, friendships and fun they have experienced through VIDES in the last 25 years.

Also present with us on the day were Sr. Maria Grazia who founded VIDES International back in 1987 and who now works in the Human Rights Office of the UN in Geneva and Sr. Leonor Salazar Garcia, delegate of VIDES International in Rome. They were very impressed by all our volunteers and the sense of family spirit amongst us all.

In the evening we gathered in the Firwood Cricket Club, Bootle to celebrate...VIDES style! Some memories people would have perhaps rather have been forgotten were brought to light through Iain Biddle's fabulous quiz and finding of the 1996 VIDES promotional video; "Pure gold!" I think was the phrase used!!!

It was certainly a wonderful day of celebrations and giving thanks for the last 25 years and, encouraged by the words of Sr. Leonor, having remembered and given thanks we now renew and look forward to the next 25 years of VIDES UK!