An Awesome Pilgrimage

Tuesday Evening I returned home from the Pilgrimage to Israel, and a few days off afterward (in Sicily). The Pilgrimage was terrific, and other than the first day - there was no rain that got in our way!  

Sunrise in Haifa - overlooking the Port

After celebrating an outdoor Mass on Mount Arbel - overlooking the Sea of Galilee

The Chapel of St. Joseph in Nazareth - remembering that St. Joseph taught Jesus a trade.

An Icon from the Greek Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth.

Touching the past at Kfar Kedem - dressing in garb of the time of Jesus - this is Charlotte.

From outside of the Church of St. Peter in Capurnaum - where we celebrated Mass in a church that is built hovering over the House of Peter - uncovered from an archelogical dig.

Shore of Sea of Galilee - that mark the place where Jesus asked Peter 3 times: "Do you Love me?"

Chruch of the Transfiguration - with Moses and Elijah on either side...

The Sacristy in Church of Transfiguration - Bishop of Stolkholm being shown old vestments.

Our Ride on the Sea of Galilee

This is a boat from the 1st Century - preserved on the Kibbutz where we stayed - Knof Ginosar

The caves of the Dead Sea Scrolls are not far from this Spa on the Dead Sea.

Dawn in Jerusalem 

The Parish Church in Bethlehem - Built by the site of the birth of Jesus.

St. Jerome - was the first one to translate bothe the Hebrew and Greek scriptures into Latin.

A Pillar in the "Upper Room" which has carved on it a Pelican.

A new glass cross in the lower chapel of the Last Supper that the Franciscans have built.

The Famous Chagall Windows in the Synagoge of the Hadassah Hospital 

Just outside of Jerusalem - near Ein Karem

Lions Gate in Jerusalem

The Empty Tomb - "why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has Risen!"

A piece of artwork in the chapel of the Holy Seplecre - the Tomb of Jesus

Chapel where we celebrated our last Mass of the Pilgrimage - Resurrection!

St. Peter in Gallicantu

One of the most interesting churches I have seen built in Israel in the 8 trips over the 20 years I have been going there is St. Peter in Gallicantu. This is built over the ancient place where Jesus would have been held Holy Thursday night - after his arrest.
It is the site where St. Peter denied the Lord 3 times before the Cock Crowed. 

In the church there are 2 icons - on on either side of the Altar on the lower level of the church:

 
On the left - Peter denies Jesus 3 times - on the right - Peter declares his love 3 times.
Peace

Busy Times

As I head off on pilgrimage to Israel - there are 3 upcoming events that have been in the works for some time now.

1) On Sunday, May 1st Jerry Galipeau (who conducted our Parish Lenten Retreat 4 years ago) will be speaking at St. Elizabeth Seaton Parish in Newmarket. (Directions Here)

The topic is:   "Living as the One Body of Christ"
Gathering: 7:00 pm      Evening Prayer: 7:30 pm
Presentation: 7:50 pm followed by refreshments!

I hope many will make the 40 Minute drive to Newmarket for this delightful evening!

2) On Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:00 pm we have Dr. Moira McQueen speaking on the Catholic response to the Issues of Physician Assisted Death. after the presentation there will be time for Questions and Answers. (You may remember that this was the talk that was rescheduled from March 1st.)

3) On Sunday, May 22nd we will have a Walking Pilgrimage from Holy Family Parish to St. Patrick's Parish (Wildfield).  St. Patrick's is one of the Jubilee Doors of Mercy for the Archdiocese of Toronto. This pilgrimage will be less than 10 km, and be an opportunity for us to recall that all of our life is a pilgrimage! From the Womb, to the Tomb; From Birth, to Death; From the Font, to the Altar.  This will be an opportunity to also partake of the Jubilee of Mercy Indulgence. 

Please hold our pilgrim group in Israel in your prayers as I will hold you in mine these weeks!
Peace