Friday, July 10, 2009
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Welcome to Footprints of God Pilgrimages
 


Sign up for our October Israel Pilgrimage
or
our November Egypt-Israel Pilgrimage

It is NOT TOO LATE to join us! We have a few seats left! Contact Suzanne at 1-800-727-1999 or at sparran@ctscentral.net.


Join our past cruise and pilgrimage virtually!

Click here to watch all the videos from the St. Paul Mediterranean Cruise.

Click here to watch the videos from the Ave Maria Radio-Teresa Tomeo Holy Land Pilgrimage
And here to see lot of everyone's pictures


Incredible Photo Internet site for our last trip with Dr. Scott Hahn
http://holylandpics2009.shutterfly.com/#

My Radio Interviews while in Israel
Part I and Part II


PaulTripEgnatian Sm.jpgHow Footprints of God Pilgrimages Started --

"Steve, you guide us through biblical lands with your Footprints of God videos -- when are you going to lead pilgrimages in person?"

After hearing that question a thousand times we decided to start Footprints of God Pilgrimages. Now we personally take pilgrims to the actual sites and introduce them to the Holy Lands of the Bible.

For information or to register, contact Suzanne Parran at Corporate Travel sparran@ctscentral.net, or call her at
313-565-8888, extension 121 or
800 727 1999, extension 121

You can reach me, Steve Ray, at sray@me.com

Here you will find everything you need to know about us and our pilgrimages. Browse around, read the endorsements, watch the videos, register for future trips, or contact us if you have questions.

Organize your own pilgrimage? Click here

For brochures of all our pilgrimages, click here

Check out our Virtual Pilgrimages here

Safety Updates Below


    
 


Upcoming Pilgrimages
 

Future Pilgrimages
Led by Certified Guides Steve & Janet Ray

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October 2-11, 2009  Holy Land Pilgrimage (open to the everyone)
Holy Cross Batavia

October 10-20, 2009 Legatus Holy Land Pilgrimage (exclusive group, brochure soon)

Nov 10-23, 2009 CSS & KVSS Pilgrimage to Egypt & Israel Reduced pricing (open to everyone)

January 13-22, 2010 Holy Land Pilgrimage (Open to the public or for a group to join)

March 8-20, 2010 Affordable St. Paul & Biblical Land Mediterranean Cruise (Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Malta, & Greece and more)

April 7-15, 2010 Guadalupe Radio Holy Land Pilgrimage (open to the public, brochure coming soon)

May 11-20, 2010 Turin (Shroud of Turin Display), Assisi, Padre Pio, Lanciano, Rome and more. This one is filling fast!

May 20-23, 2010 Optional Additional Days in Rome

May 23-June 2, 2010 Dr. Scott Hahn Pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi - (tentative, more info soon)

June 3-12, 2010  Ave Maria Radio-Teresa Tomeo & St. Francis Parish (open to everyone)

October 12-21, 2010 Our Lady of Sorrows with Fr. DeSimone Holy Land Pilgrimage (open to the public)

November 12-23, 2010 Affordable Biblical Lands Mediterranean Cruise (Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Malta & Greece; more info soon!)

Open Dates in 2010 for Groups to fill: 
Pilgrimages       Biblical Land Cruises
Jan. 13-22,        March 9-20
June 2-12          Nov. 12-23
Oct 12-21,         Rome, Turin, Assisi
Oct 22-31,         May 11-20
Oct 22-31

Open Dates in 2011 for groups to fill:
Pilgrimages:
Jan. 16-25
Feb. 17-26
May 11-20
May 22-April 1 (Dr. Scott Hahn group tentatively)
Sept. 4-13
Oct. 16-25
Oct. 28-Nov. 5

Questions or registration: e-mail Steve Ray or  Corporate Travel or call 800-727-1999 ext. 121, or 313-565-8888 ext 121.  

Pictures: Steve teaching about the Flesh and Blood of Jesus where Jesus taught it in synagogue in Capernaum.
 
OUR 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 PILGRIMAGES HAVE BEEN HUGE SUCCESSES!!!

For hundreds of pictures and Virtual Video Pilgrimages, visit our Photos/Videos Gallery.
 
 

screen-captureWant to See the REAL Shroud of Turin?

You've come to the right place. The Pope has announced a special showing of the Shroud in Turin Italy in the spring of 2010. And we will be there! The Shroud is only reveal every twenty-five years of so -- this this is  VERY special!

But not only will we take our pilgrimage group to see the Shroud in Turin but we will do a lot more! We will visit Lanciano -- one of the most stunning Eucharistic Miracles. You can see it up close and see the scientific documentation.


Then we will visit Assisi for a day and a night. Then on to see the incorrupt body of St. Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotundo.

After all of that we will arrive in Rome for the General Audience with Pope Benedict. We will then visit all the Patriarchal Churches, tour St. Peters, do lots of shopping. You can't go to Rome without visiting the Catacombs, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and so much more.

screen-capture-12Brochure is now ready!

Janet and I will be the guides for this exciting new pilgrimage coming in May 11-23, 2010! Stay tuned. I will be adding much more information on this trip, along with a brochure very soon. It will be here and on our blog.

To put your name on the list or to learn more, contact Suzanne at 800-727-1999, extention 121.


Watch Videos from our Last Pilgrimage to the Holy Land!
With Ignatius Press; click here

See beautiful photos from pilgrims here --
including those taken by Roy Schoeman here


E-Priest Newsletter's New Article
"Re-energize Parishioners with Life-changing Pilgrimage"

E-priest is the largest e-mail for priests across the country. In this e-letter they talk about energizing priests, parishes and young people. You can read the article here.

Would you like to go on a pilgrimage for free? Consider organizing a pilgrimage with your parish or organization. Read Reenergize Parishioners with Life-Changing Pilgrimage, then contact Steve Ray. Let us do all the work for you!



Archbishop Alex Brunett of the Seattle Diocese wrote:


“Steve, Janet and Amer collaborated with us to provide an outstanding pilgrimage.  Our group was able to visit all of the major religious sites and each day celebrate Mass at one of the significant locations connected with the life of Jesus.  Their enthusiasm allowed our group to enjoy the Holy Land as pilgrims, not tourists.”

Radio Show on Catholic Pilgrimages

I recently did a very well received show on Searching the Word on Relevant Radio with Chuck Neff. The topic was "Spiritual Pilgrimages & Why Catholics Should Take Them." You can listen here.


Steve Joins Life on the Rock December 11

Fr. Mark from EWTN's Life on the Rock just invited me to be his guest on Life on the Rock Thursday, December 11. I accepted.

(Picture: Steve and Fr. Mark swapping hats in Bethlehem.)

He joined us as a spiritual director on our November pilgrimage to the Holy Land. You can see my videos of Fr. Mark and out trip here and his blog on the trip here.  For future pilgrimages, click here.

We will be dicussing our pilgrimage together and our current pilgrimage through Advent. I am looking forward to the show. It airs live on Thursday at 8 PM Eastern and has encore shows Friday 1 AM, Friday 1 PM, Sunday 11 PM. You can listen live at www.EWTN.com.


September 2008 - Archdiocese of Seattle Holy Land Pilgrimage led by Steve & Janet Ray

What Pilgrims Said



Darla's Kind Words & Three Teenagers 



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HolyLandTempleSM.jpgWant a Fabulous Tour of Jerusalem during the Time of Christ?

At the Israel Museum there is a marvelous model of 1st century Jerusalem.

We take our pilgrimage groups there to give them an overview of the city which Jesus knew.

To see this in pictures, click here.


IsraelMap.jpgZoom into Jerusalem

This is a wonderful website where you can click on various "pinpoints" and see the sites in Jerusalem.

This is a great source to learn to learn about the many sites available for viewing in the Holy City.

We visit many of these sites during our pilgrimages. Click here to begin the discovery.


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Christmas Letter: nicely written, humorous and profound

Written by a Pilgrim to the Holy Land

Click here


Where did we pray the Rosary?
Where did our Rosaries Touch?


Custos Says New Problem Is Accommodating Growing Numbers

ROME, FEB. 24, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Pilgrims are returning to the Holy Land, affirmed the Franciscan Custos of the region, who says he is happy to face the new problem of accommodating the growing numbers.

For the whole article, click here.


Amazing Old Aerial Photo of Jerusalem (about 100 years old)
Picture on the left is unmarked   --   Picture on right marked with key sites.

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Click on images for larger pictures


Aramaic sm.jpgWhat in the World is that Scribble?

 

Click here to find out!


 


PaulDVD.jpgZenit Interview with Steve Ray
www.Zenit.org

It is always surprising to read through Zenit Catholic News and find my own interview. The Zenit.org news interviewed me a few weeks ago and wonder of wonders -- there it was today!

The interview was given in honor of Pope Benedict's proclamation that this was the Year of St. Paul in honor of the 2000th anniversary of his birth.

Since we filmed St. Paul's life story in six countries, they interviewed me about Paul and what I have learned about him as I traveled thousands of miles in his footsteps. You can read "In St. Paul's Footprints" here.

To find out more about our DVD documentary of St. Paul entitled "St. Paul: Contending for the Faith" click on the picture.


LegatusMag.jpgI was very happy to see the recent Legatus Magazine.

The article was entitled "On the Road to Truth: A Look at Faith-based Travel." The article features our Footprints of God Pilgrimages and our partner Corporate Travel. It is a nice picture spread with good information about travel and pilgrimages for Catholics. Click here or on the image to see the article.

Legatus is an organization for CEO', business owners, and financial managers. Since the inception of Legatus on May 7, 1987, its mission has been to bring Catholic business leaders and their spouses together in a monthly forum that fosters personal spiritual growth.

To see all of our pilgrimages, visit our website at www.FootprintsOfGodPilgrimage.com.


From the Virtual Tourist

"If you want to visit the Holy Land as part of a packaged tour, be sure to check out the trips offered by author Stephen Ray. His "Footprints of God" series is highly informative and the off-beat way he presents the information will give you a good laugh or two along the way. (Trying to demonstrate how Jesus rubbed mud on a blind man's eyes to cure him, Ray reenacts the scene by using chocolate syrup as a substitute. While this may be considered silly, Ray does in fact have great respect for the subject matter.)

I watched one of his videos before going to Jerusalem and it was very helpful as it not only pointed out the historical places, it put them in their proper Biblical context.

Ironically, I bumped into Ray and his wife Janet as they led a tour group through the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. As I talked to him, a few people went out of their way to recommend Ray and his tours. Stephen and Janet are very personable and will offer invaluable guidance to your trip. They offer several trips each year to Israel, Turkey, Italy and other places of historical significance
.



Teresa Tomeo's Newsletter with Comments on our March 2007 pilgrimage.
You can subscribe to her newsletter
here.


Canticle sm.jpgAn Interview with Janet Ray:
Watching God Build His Church: Our Family Journey of Faith

Interviewed by Heidi Hess Saxton

My wife Janet gave an interview a while back about our family and travels. She told the Canticle about our family, our conversion, and our travels as a family to the Holy Land. She also provided pictures.

You can imagine how surprised we were when this  magazine landed in our mailbox. We highly recommend Johnette Benkovic and her ministry -- especially this lively magazine Canticle: The Voice of Women of Grace.

My wife Janet thanks Heidi for visiting with us and writing such a nice article. Click on the magazine cover to see the whole article.


    
 


Latest News & Safety Questions!
 

Safety Update: February 14, , 2008

Just spoke again with my friends Amer and Essam in Jerusalem. Referring to the past fighting in Gaza they said: "There is always fighting down south in Gaza.This is nothing new. It has absolutely no effect on us in Jerusalem or anywhere else in Israel. Plus, now it is over and things are quiet again down there."

There is now a cease-fire so all those who cancelled trips for no good reason are now out of luck and there is no fighting at all. We watch this very carefully, would never take anyone into harm's way and ask you to trust us and our agents and friends in Israel.

****************************

In December the news was full of Christmas in Bethlehem with huge numbers of pilgrims visiting the place where Jesus was born. Then came the news  full of pictures and video of bombs dropping in Gaza. The perception is that everyone in Israel was in danger and tourism will shut down.

However, the reality is much different. I know because I've been there over 60 times and have friends there now -- and I know how it is and how it works.

The area within the blue circles are the areas we visit as pilgrims. The area in the
red circle is Gaza where all the fighting is contained. Gaza has always been a hot spot with lots of fighting. There are very few months that there is not bombs and trouble.

As you can see from the map, Gaza is way to the south on the border of Egypt. It is far from anywhere we go as pilgrims on our trips. There is no danger or reason to fear. The fighting is contained way to the south. If there was a riot in a neighborhood of Detroit it would not hinder visitors from arriving in the Metro airport and visiting our city of Ann Arbor. And so it is in Israel.

The year of 2008 has seen a record number of visitors to Israel and yet not one of them was hurt or threatened even though the fighting was going on way down south in Gaza. Don't let fear keep you from the Holy Land.



Just Returned from Israel
November 2009

The pilgrims unanimously proclaimed they never felt any danger or unease. They said they felt as safe with us in the Holy Land as they do in the United States. It was quite, safe and beautiful. Everyone was friendly and warm. Those who avoid the Holy Land because of fear have nothing to fear but fear itself.

You can read many of the testimonials on my Endorsement page.


Visiting Catholic bishops urge support for Christians in Holy Land

Jan. 18, 2007 (CWNews.com) - After a week-long visit to the Holy Land, a group of Catholic bishops from Europe and North America has issued a encouraging Catholic pilgrims to visit Israel and support the Christians of the Holy Land.


Vatican Encourages Pilgrimages to the Holy Land

JERUSALEM POST, December 12, 2006 
Pilgrimages to the Holy Land are encouraged by the new Vatican ambassador to that area of the world. The Jerusalem Post reports Monsignor Antonio Franco encouraged Christian pilgrims around the world to visit the country despite the uncertain political situation between Israel and the Palestinians. Franco said at a recent reception hosted by Israel's Ministry of Tourism that "I will do whatever is in my power to promote and encourage pilgrimages to the Holy Land."


Encounter Christ in Rome, Pope Urges Pilgrims

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 12, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI expressed his hope that the millions of pilgrims who visit Rome this year will have a living encounter with Christ.

In comments he made today in his annual address to the General Inspectorate for Public Security at the Vatican, the Holy Father said places such as St. Peter's Basilica and Bernini's colonnade are "places that contain great treasures of history and art; above all they are places where, by some inscrutable mystery, the living encounter of the faithful with the Lord Jesus takes place."


Our Bishop's Endorsement

Our bishop, His Excellency Carl Mengeling, wrote us a glowing endorsement.

You can read it here.


For other safety updates, visit http://www.goisrael.com. For advice, ideas and even more current status of conditions in Israel  call 1-888-77-ISRAEL.

There is also a 24/7 information hot-line in Israel that can provide up-to-the second information. From North America, call 011-972-3-520-7600, or during your trip in Israel, call 03-520-7600.


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In Bethlehem you will hear Our Lords' Prayer in His own language. This is the "Our Father" written in Syriac Aramaic -- the language Jesus spoke in his every day life. We think we know him and how he lived, but take a look at this prayer and see if you can make any sense out of it. Surprise! He didn't speak English! And he was not called "Jesus" -- he was called "Yeshua."

I LOVE to learn all I can about Our Lord and the culture and times in which he lived. The Holy Land is like a 5th Gospel -- it helps us understand and know more deeply.

There are still Syrian Christians who speak Aramaic and their Mass or Liturgy is still celebrated in Our Lord's language. On our pilgrimages yoiu will hear the Lord's Prayer -- the Our Father -- in the language of Jesus. Fascinating!


Support Christians in the Holy Land
Purchase Christmas Gifts from the Holy Land
 
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Also, very nice Jewish Products from my friend Alex at www.JesusBoat.com

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Recent Kind Words

John and I just finished watching the DVD of my pilgrimage with you in January. A priest friend was here for dinner and watched it with us. He has been to the Holy Land on several occasions. We were ALL impressed with the wonderful keepsake DVD.  It is just so well done.! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

Mary Ann Kuharski
Prolife Across America

 
Jim and I chose the Legatus pilgrimage to the Holy Land precisely because Steve Ray was leading it.  He exceeded our expectations in his comprehensive knowledge of the Scriptures and especially in his love for the traditions of the early Church.  Steve not only teaches with great passion and insight, but his love for the truths of the faith was palpable.  Steve and Janet made sure that we saw as much as possible of the holy sites where Jesus and Mary lived and walked, and made their presence alive for us.  We were privileged to have Mass every day at one of the holy sites.  We also made the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem, an emotional experience, despite the hustle and bustle of the city.
 We are still sharing our memories and blessings with our family and friends.  We already have friends who are ready to take the next trip with Steve and Janet, based upon our recommendations.  It was a five-star experience in every way!
 
Jim & Cathy McConn
Legatus members
 
Our trip to the Holy Land was great; the experience walking in the foot steps of our Lord will never be forgotten. We can’t say enough about our learning experience. Steve and Janet did a great job presenting the experience to us; their knowledge of the Holy Land is unbelievable. I can’t say enough about the job they have done. When Steve  says it is safe to visit the Holy Land; I would not hesitate.
 
Kenny & Kate Wood (Legatus members)

Steve & Janet: 
Louise & I would just like to thank you again for an unforgetable Pilgrimage. The planning and professionalism was first rate including not only your apologetics, but the local flair added by Amer, the daily masses conducted by Father Gerald and the logistical support by the Legatus Team.
             It's no secret that we had our concerns about security before the trip but we are so glad that we forged ahead and I must say that we never felt a moments anxiety, quite the opposite. A cloud by day and a pilar of fire by night, we were enshrouded in safety and His Love every step of the way.  I'm looking forward to returning on future trips. Thanks Again and God Bless,
Patrick and Louise Rainey (Legatus members)
 
Peggy and I had a marvelous experience.  You guys took such personal care of us , we thought we were on a family outing! The Holy Land is one of the most exciting places, bothe spiritually and politically. 
         We returned home to the Midwest with a brand new perspective on the world and on the history of our religion.
 
Larry and Peg Myers (Legatus members)

For more comments, click here


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Both in PDF format


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Read the new article about our Pilgrimages in Legatus Magazine. Click here.

For the latest on the pilgrimage in light of hostilities in the north, read below or click here.


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