Fr. Pat and Sister Joselda at St. Francis Xavier's Castle in Spain in October 2006
No more seats are available. Keep us in your prayers!
Send your Prayers with us to the Holy Land We'll find it a privilege to pray for your Intentions during our 04-15 November Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Click Here and fill out the on-line form to send it to us!
CLICK HERE for the Flight Schedule
Interested? Add your e-mail address to our e-mail group and I'll keep you informed as plans are firmed up!
Click Here for the Holy Land 2007 Brochure and Sign-Up Form + Sign up for e-mail List
Debating? Read some comments from those who have already traveled with us. Click Here!
T R A N S P O R T A T I O N - L A C R O S S E / M I N N E A P O L I S
Reasonable transportation from La Crosse (Onalaska) to Minneapolis is now available. E-mail Father Pat for details. frpat@frpat.com
A number of folks have had worries about safety in the area we'll visit. There have not been serious problems in that area, nor have there been losses of life for quite some time. Any difficulties are usually in the West Bank area. We don't spend time there anyway. Jericho is on the West Bank, but even the brochure says that we "may" be able to visit there. If there is an area that is unsafe, we simply won't go there. If there should be major difficulties, Pentecost Tours will cancel the trip and everyone will receive a full refund. Gary, president of Pentecost Tours, says that most Americans are not at all afraid to go to countries that are much more dangerous. He and Charlie, one of our frequent travelers, both say that they see going to Israel as being much safer than going to Cincinnati. Nothing at all against Cincinnati, but they both live nearby. I am personally not afraid to visit the places we'll visit. My last trip to the Holy Land was in 1978, when conditions were much more unstable. It is unlikely that things will ever be entirely peaceful in the Mideast. The choice then is whether to go ... or not to go at all. I hope that helps at least a little!
Now is a great time to sign up! The brochure and full information, including hotel links, is on-line.
Another priest in our diocese is planning a similar trip. It's one day longer, but costs $1100 more. Gary, President of Pentecost Tours, says their guides in the Holy Land are the best they have anywhere. Those of you who have been on previous trips already know of the excellent guides and escorts we have had.
A C C O M O D A T I O N S A N D F O O D
We always stay in at least 4-Star Hotels. All breakfasts and dinners are included in the tour price. And all breakfasts have hot entries as well. They are typically large buffets with fresh fruits and juices, pastries, breads, cheeses and cold meats, and generally egg dishes, hot breakfast meats, sometimes omelets and pancakes as well. It will depend on the hotels, but breakfasts are always very good and filling.
We'll stay at only two Hotels this time, the Grand Court in Jerusalem (near the old City) http://www.grandcourt.co.il/ and the Gai Beach Spa Hotel in Tiberias http://www.gaibeachhotel.com,
right on the Sea of Galilee. It's beautiful! Links to the Hotel Web Sites are found on my Web Site. Just follow the "Holy Land 2007" link from: www.frpat.com.
As always full breakfast and dinner is included, along with luggage transfer, admissions, transfers and much more. We'll take care of tips beforehand too, so you won't have to worry about tips after we get there!
We'll renew our Baptismal Promises at the Jordan River, where Jesus was Baptized by John. We'll renew our marriage vows and pray for any deceased husbands and wives at Cana in Galilee where Jesus attended a wedding with his Mother and turned water into wine. We'll take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We'll even have a chance to visit Masada and to swim in the Dead Sea. We'll visit the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem too, and see the Dead Sea Scrolls. You'll never read Scripture in the same way after this wonderful Pilgrimage! Follow the link from: www.frpat.com
T R A N S F E R S , A D M I S S I O N S A N D T I P S
Transportation to and from the airport in the Holy Land is included, as well as luggage transfer between hotels. Once you turn over your suitcase it will appear in front of your hotel room door. If we're leaving on a particular day, we just leave suitcases outside the doors of our rooms when we go to breakfast and they're automatically put on the bus and will appear again outside the door of the room of our new hotel. Admission to all the Sites advertised in the brochure are included. Pentecost Tours will collect tips before the trip. I believe it adds up to $97.50 per person this time. That includes tips to luggage handlers, food service (waiters), guides, escorts and bus drivers. It adds up to about $9 per person per day. Once in the Holy Land those tips will be taken care of for you.
F A M I L I A R F A C E S A N D N E W
Travelers from former Pilgrimages are already signed up ... including the Tkach's (California), Belia, Charlie, Thekla and Richard, the wonderful Muriel, Sister Joselda and I. You'll find that our travelers are unbelievable friendly and faith-filled. If you don't know anybody, you'll come home having made some life-long friends!
S I N G L E T R A V E L E R S
Our trips are very friendly to single travelers. We've had lots over the years. There are some signed up for this trip already. Pentecost Tours cannot make guarantees, but will do all they can to find roommates for single travelers wanting one. Some singles prefer to stay in a room by themselves. The single supplement this time is $45 a night for the nights we actually spend in the Holy Land. I believe that's ten nights this time.
L A N D O N L Y P R I C E
Land only price is $1826 for this trip. Occasionally folks want to get to the destination by themselves. Two travelers from India are considering joining us in Israel. The land-only price does not include transportation to and from Israel, but includes everything else. Of course land-only travelers would not pay airport departure taxes, etc. to Pentecost Tours, but to the airline they use to get them to the Holy Land. Contact Gary at Pentecost Tours if you'd like to make land-only arrangements!
W H Y I S T H E P R I C E S O L O W ?
Another priest from our Diocese is leading a similar trip. It costs $1000 more than ours. Pentecost Tours does not quote a price until they negotiate with hotels and airlines. It's easy to quote a hight price, knowing that a company can do it for that. It's much harder to be accurate. This year we negotiated in dollars, so the devaluation of the dollar as compared to the euro wont create a problem and an extra charge. The price of accomodations is locked in - in dollars. If you'd like to read comments from travelers on former trips, just click here: http://frpat.com/pilgrims_comments.htm
Q U E S T I O N S ?
If you have questions that can be answered by Pentecost Tours, just call them at:
1 800 713-9800
If you have questions I can answer, e-mail me at frpat@frpat.com. My personal cell phone number is: 608 769-4200
S I G N U P N O W !
Visit my Web Site for complete details. You can sign up any time now, and we expect this one to fill up quickly. It would be a great memory to be able to say you signed up during Holy Week! Gary, from Pentecost Tours, says the Holy Land has been their most popular destination! And if you've never taken a Pentecost Tour, you won't believe the quality, attention to detail, and organization. Coupled with the low price, it doesn't get any better than this! The basic cost this year is $2499 from JFK Airport in New York or $2599 from Minneapolis. That's $300 less than last year's trip. Just follow the link from:
www.frpat.com
If you sign up, let me know right away so I can keep track of the numbers. Many will sign up before the early sign-up deadline, so it's helpful for me to give accurate information to anyone who contacts me.
To view this File you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. It's most likely that you already have it. If not, just click below, download it, and you're set to go!
Click Here for the Holy Land 2007 Brochure and Sign-Up Form
Father Pat and Sister Joselda in Prague in October 2005!
Fatima, Lourdes, Spain 2006 Photos + Poland 2005 Photos + Ireland 2004 Photos + Italy 2003 Photos
Above is a photo of Sister Joselda and I on our 2005 Pilgrimage to Poland and Prague. This year's Pilgrimage will be twelve days in the Holy Land.
Hi everybody,
Air space for our 2007 to the Holy Land. We'll depart on Sunday, 04 November 2007 and return on Thursday the 15th ... so it's 12 days this time!. Single room supplement is $45 per night. Pentecost Tours will assign roommates for those desiring one on a first-come first-served basis.
Keep me in your prayers and know you're remembered in mine as well. May God continue to draw near to you and those you love and keep you safe!
Click Hotel photos below to visit Hotel Web Sites ...
The Grand Court Hotel in Jerusalem and the Gaibeach Spa Hotel in Tiberias
Day 1: Sunday, November 4, 2007, USA / TEL AVIV
Tour members are welcomed at an international airport for our departing flight to Tel Aviv via wide body aircraft arriving the next morning. Meals served on board.
Day 2: Monday 11/5, JERUSALEM
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv we board our motorcoach for our first sights of Israel. We travel up to the Holy City of Jerusalem, where we are taken to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Tuesday 11/6, JERUSALEM
This morning we enjoy a city tour of Jerusalem. We visit Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, and the Arch of Ecce Homo ("Behold the Man") and the Convent of the Sisters of Zion. We prayerfully follow the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross) through the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where we pray on the top of the Rock of Calvary and inside the Lord’s tomb. We return to the hotel for dinner and and overnight. overnight.
Day 4: Wednesday 11/7, JERUSALEM
This morning, we visit the New City of Jerusalem, Mount Zion, the Upper Room, the tomb of King David and Dormition Abbey. We view the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), then visit Yad Vashem, a memorial of the Holocaust. We continue to Bethlehem for Holy Mass and to visit the Church of the Nativity, the Manger, the Crusader’s Cloister and the Grotto of St. Jerome. We then visit the cave in Shepherd’s Field and view the Fields of Boaz. En route to Jerusalem we see the Tomb of Rachel. Pilgrims will have an opportunity to spend some time shopping in Bethlehem before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Thursday 11/8, JERUSALEM
After breakfast, we drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. We visit the Church of Pater Noster and the Chapel of Ascension. We continue with a walk down the hill to Dominus Flevit Chapel where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. We proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations where Jesus endured his Agony. Next, we visit the Church of St. Peter of Gallicantu (The Cock Crows) where Jesus was held in the house of the High Priest Caiaphas. We cross the Kidron Valley, pass the tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and St. James, on our way to the Pool of Siloam. Later, we enter the Old City through the Zion Gate and see the Cardo and the remains of Nehemiah’s Wall on the way to the Western (Wailing) Wall. We view, in passing, the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. From there, we visit the Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda. We return to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Friday 11/9, JERUSALEM / MASADA / JERUSALEM
Today, we drive to Masada and ascend by cable car to the magnificent ruins of the fortress where, from 70 to 73 AD, Jewish defenders made their last stand in the Judean revolt against Rome. We see the remains of storehouses,
cisterns and a sixth-century Byzantine church. On our return to Jerusalem, we make a brief stop at the shore
of the Dead Sea, 1300 feet below sea level (the lowest spot on earth). We have the opportunity to swim in the Dead Sea before proceeding to the excavations of Qumran, the Essene community connected with John the Baptist and the site of the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7: Saturday 11/10, JERUSALEM
Today we begin with a visit to the Shrine of the Book where we see the Dead Sea Scrolls on display. There we also have the opportunity to view the Model City of Jerusalem. From there, we proceed to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, and the Church of the Visitation, where Mary uttered the words of the Magnificat. We continue on to Emmaus, where Jesus was seen after his resurrection. Nearby is Abu Gosh where we visit the Monastery from the Crusader’s era that commemorates the journey of the ark of God. We visit Yad Hashmona, a Christian village in the Jerusalem hills, where we visit the Biblical scriptures garden. We return to our hotel for dinner and an overnight.
Day 8: Sunday 11/11, JERUSALEM / TIBERIAS
After breakfast this morning we depart Jerusalem and may have the opportunity to visit Jericho, the world’s oldest city. From the excavated tel atop the ruins of ancient Jericho we view the lush green Jordan Valley, Elisha’s spring and Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation. We travel along the Jordan River where we renew our baptismal promises before continuing on to Bet Shean, where King Saul and his sons were pinned to the walls. It became the Decapolis Capital visited by Jesus and known as Scythopolis. See the ancient theatre, Circus Maximus and Cardo Maximo. This afternoon we arrive in Tiberias where we take a relaxing boat ride across the lovely Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, then visit Tabgha and the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus appeared after the Resurrection. We proceed to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Monday 11/12, UPPER GALILEE
Today we begin with a visit to the Mount of Beatitudes. We spend time in contemplative reflection and prayer before continuing on to Caesarea Philippi, location of the testimony of St. Peter and where Jesus answered him "You are the Rock and upon this rock I will build my Church". From there, we enter Capernaum, then Tabgha to visit the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus appeared after the Resurrection. We enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the lovely Sea of Galilee and a visit to Church of the Nativity Church of All Nations the ancient boat at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, which was dated back to the time of Christ. We return to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Tuesday 11/13, UPPER GALILEE
This morning, we travel to Cana, where Jesus performed his fi rst miracle, changing the water into wine. If you wish, you may renew your wedding vows as a lasting remembrance of Cana. From there, we continue a short distance to Nazareth, boyhood home of Jesus. It is here in the Church of the Annunciation just behind the altar where you can see the grotto that is the room were Mary said "yes" to the angel of the Lord. We visit St. Joseph’s carpentry shop and Mary’s well before visiting Mt. Tabor, site of the Transfi guration. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 11: Wednesday 11/14, TIBERIAS / TEL AVIV
We board our motorcoach this morning and depart Tiberias. As we drive to the top of Tiberias we have a splendid view of the city and the Sea of Galilee. We travel to Mt. Carmel to visit the location where Elijah called down fi re from heaven. Our journey continues into Megiddo to visit the excavations of over 20 different civilizations, including Solomon’s old stables for one of his chariot outposts. From there, we will drive along the beautiful Via Maris toward Caesarea. We visit Caesarea Maritime where St. Paul was imprisoned, tried, and sent from this Mediterranean harbor to Rome. Next, we visit one of Herod the Great’s palaces and see the Roman aqueduct and port, Crusader’s Moat and the famous Roman Theater. We board our motorcoach and head to Tel Aviv for a farewell dinner and wine at a local restaurant before taking our late night fl ight back to the United States.
Day 12: Thursday, November 15, 2007, TEL AVIV / USA
Today we arrive home with unforgettable memories, knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians. Such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Christian life.
Father Pat Umberger Not to be reproduced or electronically transmitted without permission. This appears on the Web Site Father Pat's Place Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
