We have a small, intimate group going to visit the Holy Land in April, right after Easter. Janet and I will be your guides. The weather will be gorgeous, the people friendly, and the holy sites are waiting to inspire and enthrall you.

The food is great, the hotels comfortable and located right at the holy sites!

Click here to download the brochure. Give Suzanne a call if you have questions at 800-727-1999, extension 121 or write her at sparran@ctscentral.net. You can also write me at sray@rc.net.

Also, click on the image to right to visit our pilgrimage website. Hope to see you in Jerusalem!

“Thanks first.  What a great pilgrimage.  Thank you so much for all you do for the Kingdom of God.  What a blessing to experience the land where God walked with our family and such experienced and knowledgeable guides.”

“Thank you all once again for being part of one of the most memorable experiences of my life.  The gospels will have new colour from now on; the seasons and mysteries of Christmas and Easter will be filled with memories of the places where these events took place.”

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Sorry I did not get videos up yet for Tuesday but I had no time. I will catch up on Wednesday. Today we went to Mass at Gethsemane and then toured the Mount of Olives. After a marvelous overview of Jerusalem from the Promenade where I gave a 20-minute account of the story of salvation from Adam and Eve until today with the whole story before our eyes.

Then we had lunch at Ramat Rachel Kibbutz before touring Mount Zion — including the Abbey of Dormition where Mary fell asleep, the Upper Room and St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus, where Jesus was imprisoned over Holy Thursday night and the Holy Steps Jesus walked on.

We then had a few hours free during which I took eight of us for a run around the walls of Jerusalem with the Archbishop (see separate video) before boarding the bus again to go back to Bethlehem for a delicious lamb dinner and dancing.

On Wednesday we start with a 4:30 AM wake up call to go on the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows, Stations of the Cross) through the Old City and end up at the Holy Sepulchre at 6:30 for Mass at the Tomb of Christ.

Why were the shepherds the first to be told about the birth of Jesus? Hint: where was he born? In a stable with animals?

The reason the Shepherds were notified first is because shepherds are ALWAYS the first to be notified of the BIRTH OF A LAMB! Jesus is the Lamb of God born where lambs are born.

Here is the video of our day in Bethlehem!

Great day and great group. Very cooperative pilgrims which make it possible to cover lots of ground and get a lot done with joy and excitement. Today we finished touring around Galilee, ate St. Peter’s fish and headed south — UP to Jerusalem. Beautiful weather though we found rain in the night in Jerusalem.

Before stopping at our hotel we drove to Ein Kerem, the place of the Visitation and the birth of John the Baptist. Then to the Notre Dame Hotel for check in and dinner. Many then took walks in the Old City. Tomorrow we spend the day in Bethlehem.

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Great day with marvelous weather! First bus to arrive at Mount Tabor so we quickly ascended the Mount of Transfiguration in the taxis. Renewal of wedding vows in Cana was again a moving ceremony. Nazareth is always an exciting visit seeing the home of the Holy Family, the grotto of the Annunciation and a good lunch. Mass was beautiful at the Church of Annunciation. We prayed three Mysteries of the Rosary today at these sites.

Part One:
Muslims are trying to take over the Holy Land. It is not just about theology but about the land, every square foot of it. Christians only make up 1.5% of the population in Israel, Muslims over 16% and Jews over 80%. Christians are leaving in droves and the land is being acquired by Muslims.

It this continues the holy sites could be turned into mosques or museums and we will lose ever so crucial Christian presence in the Holy Land. So, I bought a small piece of land and planted an olive tree on it. You will see the video.

Part Two:
The pilgrims arrived today and we are now in Tiberias and settled in for the night. Tomorrow we begin our pilgrimage at the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt. Tabor), wedding renewals at Cana, and Mass at the Church of Annunciation in Nazareth.

Everyone is happy, healthy and excited. You can watch the video and join us on a virtual pilgrimage!

EveryTrail tracking of my run with a few pictures. The Valley of Hinnom was the city dump at the time of Jesus and smoke was billowing out and maggots infested the stench and garbage. Jesus pointed to this dump when he warned us to avoid Gehenna, the Valley of Hinnom.

Link to my run on EveryTrail.