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PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLYLAND

WITH FR. MATT WILLIAMS

Novemberﾠ9 - 20, 2010

 Dear Friends,

I am pleased to be able to invite you to join me on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this fall. I have been to the Holy Land before and am anxious to return and revisit this sacred place and to share that experience with you. My experience and that of others who have been there is that it changes forever the way you read and listen to the Sacred Scriptures. When you have stood before the Lord's tomb, walked the valley where David and Goliath faced off against each other, knelt at the cave where once the manger held the Precious Infant, stood where the Temple of Solomon once stood, you understand why pilgrims have gone to that land, despite all the hardships they sometimes had to endure, for two thousand years (and more, if you count the Jewish pilgrims, like, Jesus himself, who made the trip from Galilee through Samaria to the Temple in Jerusalemﾠthe same route we shall take). There are some requirements: Many sites to be visited are not handicapped accessible. There will be several walking tours during the program. To enjoy this program, you should be in good health and able to walk several miles a day at a moderate pace over uneven ground. And it is BYOB (bring your own Bible). But it won't be all work. We will also have time to browse shops in Bethlehem and the markets of the Old City of Jerusalem, visit Palestinian Christians for a meal, and relax in an outdoor cafe on a warm evening. It is an over-used expression, but for most this really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Matt

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TOUR SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Nov. 9: Depart Boston on US Airways late afternoon connecting through Philadelphia to Tel Aviv. Dinner will be served after taking off in Philadelphia.

Nov. 10: Arrival in Tel Aviv mid-afternoon and transfer to Natanya for an overnight. (B&D)

Nov. 11: Travel to Caesarea Maritima, where the Romans held Paul prisoner. Visit the Roman and Crusader ruins. Drive to Megiddo for a visit at Tel Megiddo National Park. Continuing to the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth. Tour Nazareth then drive to Cana, the village of Jesuss first miracle of changing the water into wine. Overnight in Tiberias (B&D)

Nov. 12: Take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to see the Synagogue and St. Peter's house, and enjoy a visit to the Mount of Beatitudes. Continue on to Tabgah to see the splendid mosaic about the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and to the nearby Church of Peters Primacy where Peter was told Feed my lambs, feed my sheep. Mass will be celebrated near the shores of the Sea of Galilee at the Church of Peters Primacy. In the afternoon, we will take a trip to Tel Hatzora good stop for archeology buffs! Overnight in Tiberias. (B&D)

Nov. 13: The day starts by remembering our baptism at Yardenit on the Jordan River. Continue to Mount Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration. We then continue heading south through Bet Alfa and Samaria making stops on the way to Jerusalem. Upon arrival you will go to Mt. Scopus to get an overview of the city. Spend next five nights in Jerusalem. (B&D)

Nov. 14: Tour Jerusalem visiting Spring of Gihon, city of David, Ophel Hill, Pool of Bethesda, Hezekiahs tunnel and Temple Mount. (B&D)

Nov. 15: Today enjoy a morning tour which will include the Garden of Gethsemane and enjoy a special Mass at the Holy Sepulchre. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon. (B&D)

Nov. 16: Take a trip to the desert and Dead Sea for the day. Visit Masada, Ein Gedum / Qumran and Tek Jericho. (B&D)

Nov. 17: Visit the Cenacle, Burnt House, New City: Model, Shrine of the Book, Yad Vashem (memorial to the Holocaust). Enjoy some free time in the afternoon. (B&D)

Nov. 18: Depart the hotel late morning for Bethlehem for a tour of the city and Ella Valley. At 5:30 pm you will have dinner with twelve local Christian Palestinians in Bethlehem, giving you an opportunity to hear their side of the story on the life as a Palestinian living in Israel. Depart for the Tel Aviv airport at 7 pm for your non-stop flight to Philadelphia. (B&D)

Nov. 19: Upon arrival in Philadelphia you will clear US Customs and then proceed to your flight back to Boston.

Nov. 20: Arrive Bostonﾠﾠ

• Round-trip air from Boston to Tel Aviv
• 9 nights accomodations in Budget guest houses
• Hotel Taxes
• All land transportation via deluxe air conditioned motorcoach
• A Roman Catholic English speaking guide
• All admissions per itineraryﾠ
• Breakfast & dinner daily
• All gratuities for driver
• All gratuities for Tour Escort
• All meal taxes & gratuities
• Informational kit to prepare you for the Pilgrimage
• Luggage tags

Prices per person:

ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Double Occupancy $2,499.00

ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Single $2,898.00

There may be a slight adjustment for the fuel surcharges at the time of final payment.

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