We arrived home safely. After a rather lengthy day of travel we made it home!
We received wake-up calls at 3:00am on Saturday in Jerusalem and left the hotel at 4:15. We made our way by bus to Tel Aviv and then flew to Paris. Then we had a quick layover in Paris and flew to O'Hare where we boarded the bus for the return trip to Peoria. Thankfully, all the luggage made it.
Thanks be to God for a wonderful, smooth, and blessed trip to the Holy Land.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Thursday, February 12th
Another beautiful day in the Holy Land. We were blessed with sunny, clear weather. We began our day in the Old City of Jerusalem visiting the Western Wall, a sacred sight for the Jewish people.
We then went to visit the Haram es-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), formerly the Temple Mount. It is here that we saw the Dome of the Rock.
We visited the Church of St. Anne and then left the Old City to visit the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. .
After a brief stop at the tomb of David on Mt. Zion, we headed toward Bethlehem. After a lunch of falafel and shawerma, we went to the Church of the Nativity where we celebrated Mass in the Cave of St. Jerome. We celebrated a little bit of Christmas commemorating the gift of Jesus becoming one of us and living among us.
At Shepherd's Field we recalled the message of the angels and the response of the shepherds who went to venerate the Baby Jesus.
Tomorrow is our free day. Some plan to be part of an organized tour to the Israel Museum and Ein Karem, the hometown of John the Baptist. Others plan to go off in smaller groups to savor the richness of Jersualem.
We then went to visit the Haram es-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), formerly the Temple Mount. It is here that we saw the Dome of the Rock.
We visited the Church of St. Anne and then left the Old City to visit the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. .
After a brief stop at the tomb of David on Mt. Zion, we headed toward Bethlehem. After a lunch of falafel and shawerma, we went to the Church of the Nativity where we celebrated Mass in the Cave of St. Jerome. We celebrated a little bit of Christmas commemorating the gift of Jesus becoming one of us and living among us.
At Shepherd's Field we recalled the message of the angels and the response of the shepherds who went to venerate the Baby Jesus.
Tomorrow is our free day. Some plan to be part of an organized tour to the Israel Museum and Ein Karem, the hometown of John the Baptist. Others plan to go off in smaller groups to savor the richness of Jersualem.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
On Wednesday we began early in the Old City of Jerusalem. We made our way along the Via Dolorosa recalling Jesus carrying the cross on the way to Calvary. We ended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which is built over Calvary and the Tomb. We celebrated Mass here in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The walk, the visit, and the Mass made up a very moving and significant highlight of the pilgrimage.
We walked through the Old City of Jerusalem to Mount Zion where we visited the Upper Room and the Church of the Dormition. We later made our way to the Mount Olives and visited the Chapel of the Ascension, the Church of the Pater Noster, and Dominus Flevit. We enjoyed some beautiful views of Jerusalem and were grateful for another good day. The weather was a bit colder than we would have liked, but we did see the sun a few times.
We walked through the Old City of Jerusalem to Mount Zion where we visited the Upper Room and the Church of the Dormition. We later made our way to the Mount Olives and visited the Chapel of the Ascension, the Church of the Pater Noster, and Dominus Flevit. We enjoyed some beautiful views of Jerusalem and were grateful for another good day. The weather was a bit colder than we would have liked, but we did see the sun a few times.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tuesday, February 10th
The weather reports this morning called for rain and cold near Jerusalem, so we altered our itinerary a bit to take advantage of better weather in the south and will spend more time in the Jerusalem area later in the week.
When we left the hotel, we went first to the great fortified city of Masada. Masada is set high on a hill in the dry, desert region of Israel. The wind was incredibly intense and the sand was blowing furiously. Luckily we finished our visit and make back down the mountain before they shut down the cable cars.
Next we traveled to Qumran to visit the ruins of the Essene community there where the DeadSea Scrolls were discovered. The wind had died down by this point and the weather began to warm up.
After eating lunch at Qumran, we journeyed to the Dead Sea. Thankfully, the weather was cooperating and many of us got into the salty waters to "bob" and "float." Others dangling their feet in the water on the shore while some chose to appreciate the view from afar. All seemed to enjoy the respite offered by visiting this site at the lowest point on the face of the earth.
We passed through Jericho and stopped for a bit of shopping and then headed to Bethany where we celebrated Mass at the Church of Lazarus, recalling the friendship of Jesus with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
Everything continues to go well on this pilgrimage. No major glitches or problems of any kind.
Thanks be God.
When we left the hotel, we went first to the great fortified city of Masada. Masada is set high on a hill in the dry, desert region of Israel. The wind was incredibly intense and the sand was blowing furiously. Luckily we finished our visit and make back down the mountain before they shut down the cable cars.
Next we traveled to Qumran to visit the ruins of the Essene community there where the DeadSea Scrolls were discovered. The wind had died down by this point and the weather began to warm up.
After eating lunch at Qumran, we journeyed to the Dead Sea. Thankfully, the weather was cooperating and many of us got into the salty waters to "bob" and "float." Others dangling their feet in the water on the shore while some chose to appreciate the view from afar. All seemed to enjoy the respite offered by visiting this site at the lowest point on the face of the earth.
We passed through Jericho and stopped for a bit of shopping and then headed to Bethany where we celebrated Mass at the Church of Lazarus, recalling the friendship of Jesus with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
Everything continues to go well on this pilgrimage. No major glitches or problems of any kind.
Thanks be God.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Monday, February 9th
On Monday we visited the Church of the Beatitudes where we celebrated Mass.
We stopped in Tabgha at the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves & Fishes, then made our way toward Jerusalem with a stop in Bethlehem where we shopped for olive wood items and other purchases.
We ended the day with a stop on Mount Zion and took in some beautiful views of the Old City of Jerusalem.
We stopped in Tabgha at the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves & Fishes, then made our way toward Jerusalem with a stop in Bethlehem where we shopped for olive wood items and other purchases.
We ended the day with a stop on Mount Zion and took in some beautiful views of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Sunday, February 8th
We had a another packed day of visits and experiences. We began the day with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee and recalled the stories of Jesus calming the storm and walking on the water.
We visited Capernaum, considered the "town of Jesus" in Galilee. There we visited the old synagogue and listed a Gospel story of Jesus in Capernaum.
The Sea of Galilee was a significant region in the ministry of Jesus and we have been able to enjoy many wonderful views of the water. The weather continues to be very good, but we hear that colder days may be ahead for us. For now, though, we gratefully take advantage of sunny, clear days.
Lunch provided a welcome break today. The more adventurous in the group ate St. Peter's fish, while others ate chicken or shish-ka-bobs. The first course of pita bread and assorted "salads" provided the bulk of our sustenance and was enjoyed by most.
In the afternoon, in Nazareth, we celebrated Mass at the Church of the Annunciation where Mary received the message of the angel and opened herself to God's plan and the birth of Jesus.
After leaving Nazareth, we journeyed to Cana where the married couples in our group renewed their marriage vows and prayed for God's blessings for them.
Tonight, we are again grateful for another good, packed day. We were happy to return to the hotel for a bit of relaxation as we get ready for dinner.
We visited Capernaum, considered the "town of Jesus" in Galilee. There we visited the old synagogue and listed a Gospel story of Jesus in Capernaum.
The Sea of Galilee was a significant region in the ministry of Jesus and we have been able to enjoy many wonderful views of the water. The weather continues to be very good, but we hear that colder days may be ahead for us. For now, though, we gratefully take advantage of sunny, clear days.
Lunch provided a welcome break today. The more adventurous in the group ate St. Peter's fish, while others ate chicken or shish-ka-bobs. The first course of pita bread and assorted "salads" provided the bulk of our sustenance and was enjoyed by most.
In the afternoon, in Nazareth, we celebrated Mass at the Church of the Annunciation where Mary received the message of the angel and opened herself to God's plan and the birth of Jesus.
After leaving Nazareth, we journeyed to Cana where the married couples in our group renewed their marriage vows and prayed for God's blessings for them.
Tonight, we are again grateful for another good, packed day. We were happy to return to the hotel for a bit of relaxation as we get ready for dinner.
Saturday, Feb 7th
We began the day visiting the ancient ruins of Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea.
Here we are listening to our guide, Johnny, in the ancient theatre.
During the day we visited Haifa and saw some spectacular views of the city and port from Mount Carmel. While there we celebrated Mass at the Carmelite church of Stella Maris and saw a cave that once was home to the prophet Elijah.
In the afternoon, we toured the archeological site of Megiddo and enjoyed wonderful views of the Jezreel Valley and far off Mt.Tabor and Nazareth. Our journey then took us to Yardenit, on the Jordan River, where we renewed our Baptismal promises and remebered Jesus' own Baptism in the Jordan.
Here we are listening to our guide, Johnny, in the ancient theatre.
During the day we visited Haifa and saw some spectacular views of the city and port from Mount Carmel. While there we celebrated Mass at the Carmelite church of Stella Maris and saw a cave that once was home to the prophet Elijah.
In the afternoon, we toured the archeological site of Megiddo and enjoyed wonderful views of the Jezreel Valley and far off Mt.Tabor and Nazareth. Our journey then took us to Yardenit, on the Jordan River, where we renewed our Baptismal promises and remebered Jesus' own Baptism in the Jordan.
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