Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Sac, CA, USA! Thanks GOD for the special lifetime journey to the Holy Land / Israel; my bucket is brimming full with Blessings – gifts of Humility, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety; Cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, Justice; the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love; and all the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and more. . .  more . . . more!!!

            I joined the group of 32 pilgrims led by Pinoy Fr. George Snyder and Sister Adele Gerlach; starting on Sun, Nov. 3, staying overnight at El Rancho Hotel, SFO for our early 7:00AM flight via United Air to JFK, NY; then by EL-AL airlines to Tel-Aviv, Israel; Mon, Nov. 4 – on flight.

Tuesday, Nov. 5 – arrived Tel-Aviv, preceded by Bus to our hotel:  The Royal Plaza Hotel in Tiberias (stayed 5 nights), overlooking the Sea of Galilee;

Wed, Nov. 6 – We visited Capernaum with Mass on the Church of St. Peter (I was assigned Lay Eucharistic Minister for Blood of Christ); went to the site of the Primacy of Peter along the shore and the Church of the Multiplication at Tabigha; continued around the lake at Kursi where Jesus cast out evil spirits. Enjoyed lunch of St. Peter’s fish($18, tilapia) and took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and viewed an ancient boat from Jesus’ day; (Song: Be Still);

Thurs, Nov. 7 – We began our day with Mass on the Mt. of Beatitudes church. Then we proceeded to Korazim, one of Jesus’ ministries. We walked through the Tel Dan nature reserve, then continued to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter identified Jesus as the Messiah; then we drove south toward Bethsaida, the village of at  least 3 apostles;

Friday, Nov. 8 -   We traveled to Cana for the renewal of wedding vows, 3 couples (Bill and Ann, Alan and Becky, Don and Marie) during Mass. Then we visited the nearby Roman city of Sephoris and took the short drive to Nazareth and the Churches of the Annunciation and St. Joseph, before continuing to the Mt. of Precipice; waded on the Mediterranean sea;

Sat., Nov. 9 – We visited Mt. Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration for Mass; continued to Beth Sean, only city of the Decapolis on the Western side of the Jordan river. We conclude our day with the renewal of baptismal promises in the Jordan River. Fr. George (assisted by Bill and Dr. Michael, CD taped) actually immersed us on the river: wonderful experience!

Sun, Nov. 10 – We left the Sea of Galilee, drove west to visit Mt. Carmel for Mass; where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. We visited Meggido, the site of many battles; then on to Caesarea Maritima, a city and port built by Herod the Great. After dipping our feet in the Mediterranean Sea, we drove south to Jerusalem – magnificent nighttime city view with welcome drinks from Hana, before proceeding to St. George Hotel;

Mon, Nov. 11 -  We ascended by Bus to the Mt. Of Olives; from there we took the Palm Sunday walk to the Garden of Olives and Gethsemane. We prayed at the site of the Agony, and then crossed the road to the tomb of Mary. After lunch, we visited Mt. Zion, Dormitian Abbey and the Upper Room. We celebrated Mass in the Church of St, Peter in Gallicantu; settled at the Olive Tree Hotel for next 6 days.

Tues, Nov. 12 – We drove to Bethlehem (under Palestinian Authority, Nimer – our guide), visited the sites connected to the birth of Jesus, the church of the Nativity where we had Mass in the cave of Jerome; then visited the shepherd’s field where the good news was first heard; long queue to kiss the Altar of Nativity – so humbling and LOVE experience!!!

Wed, Nov. 13 – We began our day early following the Via Dolorosa / modern Way of the Cross from the Antonia Fortress along the Via Dolorosa; carried cross for stations 4 & 5 with Becky, Lyn & Marie) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where we had Mass; the site of the Crucifixion, the Tomb and Resurrection; took the hour long queue: LOVE, Patience, Perseverance, Humility; managed by 3 different religious groups: Greek Orthodox, Moslems, and Christians; entrance by Ethiopian priests; Time for Prayer, lunch and shopping in the Old City; then to the new city to visit Yad Vashim, the Holocaust Memorial;

Thurs, Nov. 14 – We began our day with Mass at the Church of Agony / Gethsemane; then traveled out heading east to Jericho (the oldest city in the world); stopped for a view of the Wadi Kelt; visited Qumran the site where the Dead Sea scrolls were found; visited the Southern Wall excavations; continued to the Western / Wailing Walls to pray, offer written petitions; walk across the Antonia Fortress and Ecce Homo; the Church of St. Anne and the Pools of Bethesda;

Fri, Nov. 15 – We had Mass at Church in Bethesda; where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived; enjoyed a Camel ride; proceeded to Masada – Herod’s fortress, 1300 ft ASL; 50 yrs AD, powerful insurgents crushed Herod’s Roman garrison at Masada; site of Sodom and Gomorrah; after lunch went bathing in the Dead Sea – body covered black sand to absorb minerals;

Sat, Nov. 16 – Cross the city to visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book where some Dead Sea scrolls are exhibited. We toured the Model of Jerusalem from Jesus’ Day. We continued on to Ein Karem and the Church of the Visitation for our final anticipated Sunday Mass at a Carmelite convent where Tagalog Our Lord’s Prayer were displayed in Church: a fitting finale of our Holy Land Journey: our One, Holy, Apostolic, Universal Church!!!       

Sund, Nov. 17 – Flight back to U.S.A., onboard EL-AL, entry JFK, New York; then United Air to San Francisco; met at Vacaville by Sean; 9pm, finally back home in SAC, thanks GOD for amazing pilgrimage!!!

Attached are 4 photos with family and friends. Let us continue to pray for our country and people. Peace and Joy to You and God Bless Us All!

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG