| Meeting Holy Land
Christians |
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| Sample Living Stones Itinerary |
DAY 01:
DEPART USA
We depart from Chicago for Tel Aviv, Israel with complimentary meals and
beverages served aloft. |
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DAY 02:
ARRIVE TEL AVIV / TRANSFER TO NAZARETH
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we are met by our Catholic Travel Center representative
and escorted by bus north into the Galilee region to Nazareth. We stop
at Caesarea by the Sea to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Next we settle in
at our accommodations overlooking the boyhood town of Jesus, our home for
the next three days. Dinner is followed by an orientation. Looking forward
to the coming days, some might choose to conclude the day gazing into the
night sky, pondering how Jesus, too might have spent many childhood nights
counting these same stars. (D) |
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DAY 03:
NAZARETH: VISIT AND EXCURSION TO MT. CARMEL
We begin the day with Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation and a meeting
with the Bishop of Nazareth. Afterward we visit the synagogue where Jesus
began his ministry. His inaugural address, found in Luke chapter four,
will focus our journey. During lunch we will hear from Palestinian Christian
peacemaker Ellias Jabour.
The afternoon finds us quietly listening for God’s whisper in
Elijah’s cave and visiting the Church of Mt. Carmel in Haifa. This
evening we visit House of Grace/Melkite Church and Center in Haifa where
we learn of the work to empower Israeli Arabs and share in the evening
meal. This population could play an essential role in bridging the gap
between Israel and the Arab world. (B, L, D)
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DAY 04:
NAZARETH: MOUNT TABOR EXCURSION
We visit Naim’s empty Catholic Church, now being kept by a Muslim
family. Lunch is with a parish community. After lunch we visit with the
pastor and staff and children of the Latin Patriarch school which serves
children from the surrounding area. We celebrate Mass on Mt. Tabor. We
return to Nazareth. For our evening meal we will be joined by leadership
of the local interfaith group. (B, L, D) |
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DAY 05:
NAZARETH: MOUNT OF BEATITUDES & THE SEA OF
GALILEE
We travel next to the Mount of Beatitudes where we consider the Kingdom
of God. We will walk down the Mount to the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
After a visit to Tabgha we celebrate Mass at the Chapel of Peter’s
Primacy. Following lunch at a Kibbutz, we board the “Jesus Boat” for
a peaceful excursion on the Sea of Galilee. (Water walking is by invitation
only).
We make our way around the shore to Capernaum
where Jesus spent 2 ½ years of his
life. Dinner will be at our hospice at
the Mount of Beatitudes. Afterwards, we
have time to enjoy this area where Jesus
often spent the evening in prayer. Dinner
and overnight are on the Mt. of Beatitudes.
(B, L, D)
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DAY 06:
GALILEE / JERUSALEM: JORDAN RIVER – BAPTISMAL
VOWS RENEWAL
We make our way to the Jordan River. Wading into the waters, we renew our
baptismal vows. The Holy Spirit upon us, we travel south through the wilderness
to the Mount of Temptation. We fast in spirit only, though, for lunch is
waiting for us at a local restaurant in Jericho.
We continue our journey up to Jerusalem! We make our home just outside
the walls of the Old City. This evening, representatives from Catholic
Relief Service will join us to give an overview of their work in the
Holy Land. (B, L, D)
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DAY 07:
JERUSALEM: WAILING WALL, TEMPLE MOUNT AND THE
HOLY SEPULCHER
We begin the day by joining the parish community at St. Saviour Church
for Mass. After lunch at St. Vincent’s Orphanage in Bethany and a
visit with a local peacemaker, we visit the Wailing Wall and the Temple
Mount. Next is an orientation at the Holy Sepulcher. Dinner is at our accommodations,
where we are joined by a local Jewish peacemaker. (B, L, D) |
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DAY 08:
JERUSALEM: MOUNT OF OLIVES AND GETHSEMANE
This day sees us on the Mt. of Olives where we take in the panoramic views
of Jerusalem. We visit Bethpage, the traditional starting point of the
Palm Sunday procession and follow the path that Jesus took that day. We
will celebrate Mass at the Sanctuary of Dominus Flevit with reflections
of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. We continue on with a prayerful visit
to the Garden of Gethsemane. We take lunch at Bethlehem University where
we will interact with students and professors. The afternoon includes visits
to a Bedouin camp, Nativity Square and the Basilica of the Nativity. We
have requested a meeting with the Latin Patriarch. Dinner is at our accommodations.
(B, L, D) |
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DAY 09:
JERUSALEM: CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES – BETHLEHEM
After Mass in a cave at the Garden of Gethsemane, we will be hosted for
the day by the staff of Catholic Relief Services of Jerusalem. We immerse
ourselves in the realities of life here. We visit CRS sites, women’s
centers, and parishes. We witness efforts for peace, justice and development.
Our lunch will have a special local flavor today. Dinner is served at our
accommodations. (B, L, D) |
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DAY 10:
JERUSALEM: CHURCH OF ST. PETER IN GALLICANCTU,
THE UPPER ROOM
We visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicanctu (where Peter denied Christ);
we reflect upon our own faithfulness and pray for grace to fulfill the
new commitments we have made to Christ during this pilgrimage. Our tour
includes to the House of Caiphas, the Church of the Dormition of Our Lady,
the Tomb of David, and the Upper Room, where we commemorate Pentecost.
We celebrate Mass in the Cenacle Church. Our lunch meal will be at a local
restaurant. We end the day by joining some members of a local parish community
for dinner and conversation. (B, L, D) |
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DAY 11:
JERUSALEM: BASILICA OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE
Dawn's first light finds us celebrating Mass at Christianity's holiest
site, the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher inside the Empty Tomb of Jesus
Christ. We pause for reflections down at the Chapel of St. Helen's and
make a devotional visit to Calvary Altars. Breakfast is at our accommodations.
The morning is given to packing and shopping. Lunch is at the Rosary Sisters’ in
Ein Karem, followed by a visit to the church where we commemorate the birth
of John the Baptist. Our evening meal will be at a local Palestinian Christian
restaurant. (B, L, D) |
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DAY 12 -
RETURN USA
We depart Israel for our return to the States. (B) |
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