Scottish Catholic Observer

WHEN Anne Sloan received a call asking if her son, Elliot would like to take part in the Offertory procession during the Papal Mass at Bellahouston Park, she was somewhat more than absolutely delighted.

The call came from James Connelly, formerly headteacher of Firpark School, Motherwell, and a long time stalwart of the Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust. Elliot Sloan, 18, has serious learning difficulties. A former pupil of Firpark School he has now moved on to Motherwell College.

“Elliot goes to the college two days per week,’ his mother said. “He takes classes on everyday living skills and enjoys keep fit.” Elliot and his classmates are taken in small groups out and about in the local area, for example going somewhere for lunch. “If he could, Elliot would get to Mass every day, but sometimes it just isn’t possible,” according to his mother

Anne, her husband Daniel, Elliot and their other children, Lucy, 12, who has Down’s Syndrome, and Daniel, 6, are parishioners of St Francis Xavier, Carfin.

Elliot spends hours at a time on computer websites devoted to Pope Benedict.

“Elliot’s enthusiasm for the Pope has been greatly enhanced by his two trips to Rome with Firpark School,” Mrs Sloan said. “He went first in 2008 and then again in May of this year. He is enchanted by Pope Benedict’s beautiful smile.”

At the General Audience on Wednesday, May 5, the eight children and four staff members from Firpark School were delighted to hear their group being singled out among the English-speaking pilgrims to Rome by His Holiness.

As well as Rome, Elliot has also been three times to Lourdes: once with his father, once with the whole family, and once with the HCPT; which latter accounts for his invitation to take part in the Papal Mass Offertory procession.

Elliot and his mother travelled to Bellahouston Park with the parish, led by Fr Tom Millar and Deacon Jim Aitken.

“On Thursday morning he was quite nervous even although I don’t think he realised the importance of what he was about to do,” Mrs Sloan said. “At the Mass he was seated in the front row and I was sat right behind him. For the procession Elliot was paired with Rena McLellan (above right with Elliot) from the HCPT and she was sitting beside him.”

Another great supporter of the HCPT is Michelle McManus. “Michelle has been to the last two HCPT Masses at Carfin Grotto,” Mrs Sloan said. “She seemed to be aware that Elliot was there representing the HCPT and spoke to him before the Mass started. She said: ‘How are you doing, Elliot? Are you as excited as I am about seeing the Pope?’”

And, of course, he was.  “As soon as he caught sight of the Popemobile he got really, really excited,” Mrs Sloan said. “He was jumping up and down.”

When it came to the Offertory procession, Rena and Elliot went up together and the Pope stood and blessed them.

Elliot was so happy that he sang hymns all the way back to Carfin on the coach.

Pic: Paul McSherry