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A Pilgrimage of Peace to the Holy Land Prayer Solidarity Peace
Dear Friends: Welcome to a Pilgrimage of Peace to the Holy Land. This past May, Pope John Paul II encouraged
"pilgrimages of peace" to the Holy Land to express solidarity
with the local Christian community. In his address to the general
assembly of the Italian bishops' conference, the Pope applauded the
initiative adopted last year by Italian dioceses to promote
"pilgrimages of peace to the Holy Land." "Many of you have visited personally those places, taking numerous pilgrims with you. It is also a strong sign of closeness and solidarity for the Christian communities that live there and that are in great need of your help." the Holy Father said. Co-sponsored by Catholic Relief Services and the Joliet Diocese Peace and Social Justice Ministry along with Koinonia Retreats, this pilgrimage responds to the Pope's call and the example of the Italian bishops to find solidarity with the people of the Holy Land. Our pilgrimage will include visits to the Holy Places, the "Ancient Stones", important to the People of God. We will walk where Jesus walked. But, we will also take time to visit God's Holy People, the "Living Stones", the Palestinian Christians who live in Israel. We will walk in solidarity with the descendants of the people with whom Jesus walked. Each day will be steeped in scripture reflections, prayer times, and liturgy. We will also have an opportunity to hear from the oppressed of the land, to witness efforts to bring justice and peace through development and empowerment, to learn from peacemakers and Middle-east issue experts. This will not be a tourist trip, but a pilgrimage. It will be a pilgrimage of prayer, solidarity, and the quest for peace.
Catholic
Travel Centre
Worldwide
Tours and Pilgrimages
presents A Pilgrimage of Peace to the Holy Land Prayer
– Solidarity - Peace Co-Sponsored
by: Catholic Relief Services, with the Joliet Diocese Peace and Social
Justice Ministry and Koinonia Retreats 12-Days: Monday,
November 29 to Friday, December 10, 2004
MON,
NOV 29, DAY 01: DEPART USA We depart
from Chicago for Tel Aviv, Israel with complimentary meals and beverages
served aloft. TUES,
NOV 30, DAY 02: ARRIVE TEL
AVIV / NAZARETH Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we are met by our Catholic Travel Center representative and escorted by bus north into the Galilee region to Nazareth. We stop at Caesaria by the Sea to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Next we settle in at St. Margaret's Retreat Center, overlooking the boyhood town of Jesus, our home for the next three days. Dinner is at St. Margaret's followed by an orientation. Looking forward to the coming days, some might choose to conclude the day gazing into the night sky, pondering how Jesus, too might have spent many childhood nights counting these same stars. (D) WED,
DEC 1, DAY 03: NAZARETH VISIT AND EXCURSION TO MT. CARMEL We begin
the day with Mass at the Basilica of
the Annunciation and a meeting with the Bishop of Nazareth.
Afterward we visit the synagogue where Jesus began his ministry. His
inaugural address, found in Luke chapter four, will focus our journey. During lunch at St. Margaret’s we will hear from
Palestinian Christian peacemaker Ellias Jabour. The afternoon finds us
quietly listening for God’s whisper in Elijah’s cave and visiting
the Church of Mt. Carmel in Haifa.
This evening we visit House of Grace/Melkite Church and Center in
Haifa where we learn of the work to empower Israeli Arabs and share in
the evening meal. This population could play an essential role in
bridging the gap between Israel and the Arab world.
(B, L, D) THU,
DEC 2, DAY 04: Mt Tabor We begin this day celebrating
Mass on Mt. Tabor. Following we visit Naim’s empty Catholic Church,
now being kept by a Muslim family. We reflect on the Holy Land’s
“endangered species”, the Palestinian Christians.
Lunch
is with a parish community in Zabbadeh, the most Christian city in the
West Bank (80% of
population of 3,000). We
visit with the pastor and school of the Orthodox community whose church
grounds have been damaged by Intafada.
This is seven miles from Jenin. Christian and Muslim children
come to this school from there on days the Israeli forces allow.
For our evening meal at St Margaret’s we will be joined by
leadership of the local interfaith group.
(B, L, D) FRI,
DEC 3, DAY 05: MOUNT OF BEATITUDES & THE SEA OF GALILEE We
travel next to the Mount of Beatitudes where we consider the Kingdom of
God. We will walk down the
Mount to the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
After a visit to Tabgha we celebrate Mass at the Chapel of
Peter’s Primacy. Following
lunch at a Kibbutz, we board the “Jesus Boat” for a peaceful
excursion on the Sea of Galilee. (Water
walking is by invitation only). We make our way around the shore to
Capernaum where Jesus spent 2 ½ years of his life.
Dinner will be at our hospice at the Mount of Beatitudes.
Afterwards, we have time to enjoy this area where Jesus often
spent the evening in prayer. Overnight on Mt. of Beatitudes.
(B, L, D) SAT,
DEC 4, DAY 06 – GALILEE / JERUSALEM:
Jordan River – Baptismal vows renewal We make our way to the Jordan River. Wading into the waters, we renew our baptismal vows. The Holy Spirit upon us, we travel south through the wilderness to the Mount of Temptation. We fast in spirit only, though, for lunch is waiting for us at Al-Rawdah Restaurant in Jericho. Afterward we visit a Franciscan funded housing project for Palestinian families to learn of the housing difficulties. We continue our journey up to Jerusalem! We make our home at the Notre Dame Centre just outside the walls of the Old City. This evening, representatives from Catholic Relief Service will join us to give an overview of their work in the Holy Land. (B, L, D) SUN,
DEC 5, DAY 07: JERUSALEM: Wailing
Wall, Temple Mount and the Holy Sepulcher We begin
the day by joining the parish community at the Latin Patriarchate for
Sunday Mass followed by a visit with the Latin Patriarch. After lunch at
St. Vincent’s Orphanage in Bethany and a visit with a Palestinian
peacemaker, Zoughbi Zoughbi, we visit the Wailing Wall and the Temple
Mount. Next is an
orientation at the Holy Sepulcher. Dinner is at our accommodations where Yheskal Landau, Jewish
peacemaker joins us. (B, L,
D) MON,
DEC 6, DAY 08: JERUSALEM: Mt of Olives and GETHSEMANE This
day sees us on the Mt. of Olives where we take in the panoramic views of
Jerusalem. We visit
Bethpage, the traditional starting point of the Palm Sunday procession
and follow the path that Jesus took that day. We will celebrate Mass at
the Sanctuary of Dominus Flevit with reflections of Jesus weeping over
Jerusalem. We continue on with a prayerful visit to the Garden of
Gethsemane. We take lunch at
Bethlehem University where we will interact with Palestinian students
and professors. We hear their stories of pain and their dreams of hope
The afternoon includes visits to a Bedouin camp, Nativity Square and the
Basilica of the Nativity. Dinner is at Notre Dame. The night is free for
our own considerations. (B,L,D) TUES,
DEC 7, DAY 09: Catholic Relief Services – West Bank and Gaza
Immersion After
Mass in a cave at the Garden of Gethsemane, we will be hosted for the
day by the staff of Catholic Relief Services of Jerusalem.
We immerse ourselves in the realities of life in the West Bank
and Gaza. We visit CRS
sites, women’s centers, and parishes.
We witness efforts for peace, justice and development.
Dinner is
at Notre Dame Center. (B, L, D) WED,
DEC 8, DAY 10: JERUSALEM:
Church of St. Peter in Gallicanctu, The Upper Room We begin the day with a visit to the Church of St. Peter in Gallicanctu (where Peter denied Christ); we reflect upon our own faithfulness and pray for grace to fulfill the new commitments we have made to Christ during this pilgrimage. We continue to the House of Caiphas, the Church of the Dormition of Our Lady, the Tomb of David, and the Upper Room, where we commemorate Pentecost. We end the day by joining St. Therese’s Parish community in Beit Sahour for mass, visiting and dining. (B, L, D) THURS,
DEC 9, DAY 11: JERUSALEM: BASILICA OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE Dawn's
first light finds us celebrating Mass at Christianity's holiest site,
the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher inside the Empty Tomb of Jesus
Christ. We pause for reflections down at the Chapel of St. Helen's and
make a devotional visit to Calvary Altars. Breakfast is at our
accommodations. The morning is given to packing and shopping.
Lunch is at the Palestinian Children’s Hospital followed by a
visit to the church where we commemorate the birth of John the Baptist.
Our evening meal will be at a local Palestinian restaurant. (B,
L, D) FRI,
DEC 10, DAY 12 - RETURN USA We depart
Israel for our return to the States.
(B) Note: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules and all meetings with groups subject to final confirmation. For further information please call us at 815-834-4028 or you may email. You may also download the pilgrimage terms and agreement form. IMPORTANT: Due to the extended registration time, you must mail the registration form and fee directly to Catholic Travel Center. (address on registration form) |
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