Poland, and Israel with

Transcription

1 21 days Pilgrimage to Poland, and Israel with Fr. Tadeusz Seremet SDS - Spiritual Director Church: St Patrick s Parish Gosford / Address: 76 York Street, East Gosford / T: / E: patsgos@acs.net.au Francis Williams Travel Coordinator: T: / M: / E: perthfamily888@gmail.com Warsaw Niepokalanow Swinice Warckie Czestochowa Wadowice Krakow Zakopane Auschwitz Lagiewniki (Divine Mercy) Wieliczka and Israel Depart Sydney on Wednesday 29 August Return Sydney on Tuesday 18 September 2018 Day 01: Wednesday 29 August 2018, Depart Sydney for Warsaw Depart Sydney at 18:30 EK419. Your meals will be served on board. Day 02: Thursday 30 August 2018, Dubai / Warsaw, Mass. D Arrive Dubai at 06:05, Depart Dubai at 08:05 EK179, meals will be served on board. Arrive Warsaw at 12:10. Welcome to Warsaw, Poland! Upon arrival, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival's hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. Transfer to your hotel. Following check-in at your hotel, your pilgrimage will officially begin with Mass. Following Mass, enjoy a delicious dinner and have the opportunity to explore the city of Warsaw before retiring for a restful overnight. Day 03: Friday 31 August 2018, Warsaw, Mass. B/D Your day will begin with breakfast followed by Mass at St. James Church, iconic for its tower and square base. This church is where Helena Kowalska prayed extensively upon entering Warsaw. Also, it is where she confessed all that burdened her soul, and asked for the advice of Rev. James Dabrowski which eventually resulted in the Saint entering the convent. Following this prayerful morning, your day of sightseeing begins. Your group will explore the Old Town, comprised of beautiful maze-like cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture that are symbols of Poland's successful rebuild following its destruction during World War II. Some of the sites will include the Market Square (the center of the city filled with restaurants, cafes and shops), the Barbican, defense-like structures that have been rebuilt following World War II, and the Warsaw Ghetto monument that commemorates the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 during World War II. You will also take in the Lazienski Park, a beautifully landscaped

2 park, the Chopin Statue (a large bronze statue of musician, Frederic Chopin), and the Royal Castle (the official residence of the Polish monarchs). In the afternoon, visit the Stanislaw Kostka Church and view a special exhibit dedicated to Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko. This priest was a great personality of the Catholic Church, and killed by communists in In 1987, Saint John Paul II visited here to pray in front of Fr. Popieluzko's tomb. Your tour of Warsaw will conclude by returning to the hotel for a delicious meal, followed by an overnight at your hotel. Day 04: Saturday 01 September 2018, Warsaw - Niepokalanow - Swinice Warckie Czestochowa, Mass. B/D This morning, you will enjoy breakfast followed a by a transfer to Niepokalanow. This Franciscan Monastery is in the community of Teresin, and was founded by martyr, St. Maximilian Kolbe. This remarkable saint was arrested by the Nazis and died in Auschwitz, giving his life for the life of another prisoner. Following your visit to this Holy Monastery, transfer to the village of Swinice Warckie. In Swinice Warckie, visit the church of St. Casimir. This historically rich parish is the site of baptism for St. Faustina (formally known as, Helena Kowalska). Little Helena received her first confession, and First Holy Communion, at this parish. Additionally, she and her family attended Sunday Mass and other services at this church. After visiting this simple, yet elegant church, we will continue to Czestochowa. Upon arrival in Czestochowa, you will checkin to your hotel, enjoy a magnificent dinner, and a restful overnight. Day 05: Sunday 02 September 2018, Czestochowa, Mass. B/D Today, you will awake in the home of the grandest pilgrimage shrine of Poland since the 14th century! You will begin your day with breakfast and Mass at Jasna Gora Monastery. This hill-top monastery is home to the beloved icon of the Black Madonna. Additionally, Saint John Paul II is said to have made frequent visits to this monastery throughout his life. Tradition tells us that this icon was painted by Luke the Evangelist, discovered by St. Helen, and later enshrined. While here, you will have the opportunity to venerate not only the Holy Icon, but also many other priceless treasures that are contained within. Following your prayerful visit to the Chapel of the Black Madonna, and overnight Day 06: Monday 03 September 2018, Czestochowa - Wadowice Krakow, Mass. B/D After breakfast we depart for Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla (Saint John Paul II). While in the small city of Wadowice, you will have the opportunity to visit the church of where this beloved Saint was baptized, and attended Mass as a child. Following this historically captivating experience, continue onto Krakow. Enjoy dinner at the local restaurant before resting up for the next day of activities. Day 07: Tuesday 04 September 2018, Krakow - Zakopane Krakow, Mass. B/D After breakfast, we will drive through the mountains to breathtaking, yet small and rem3ote village of Zakopane. Take a cable car ride to the nearby mountaintop. At the top, you will truly experience God's magnificent Glory when you look out at the magnificent panoramic view. Following the many photos captured atop the mountain, we will head to the Jaszczorowka Chapel. This architecturally distinct chapel was visited many times by the young, Karol Wojtyla (Saint John Paul II). As a young boy, Karol Wojtyla often used the walking paths surrounding the Jaszczorowka Chapel for much prayer and reflection. After you experience this beautiful site that assisted in Saint John Paul II's Holy journey, you will continue your tour to the colourful, Krupowki Street. While on this street, you will have the opportunity to do some shopping at the local bazaar before returning to Krakow. Enjoy a beautiful dinner and an optional stroll through the old city before retiring for the evening. Day 08: Wednesday 05 September 2018, Krakow - Auschwitz Krakow, Mass. B/D After breakfast, you will explore Krakow's Market Square as the sound of the silver trumpet from St. Mary's Tower fills the air. The captivating beauty of this square is largely due to the fact that it has remained unchanged for almost 700 years. It contains a number of buildings that hold important historic value such as, the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall, and the Burgher's houses. Following your time in this longstanding square, you will make your way to Wawel Hill, where you will visit the beautiful Cathedral, and Coronation Chapel. These are among the most important sites in Poland as the Cathedral has been the coronation site of the Polish monarchs and has held numerous pieces of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicist and Modern art. Also at this site, you will have the opportunity to pray at the tomb of the patron saint of Poland, St. Stanislaus. Short drive to Auschwitz, notoriously known as a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War. Upon arriving at the former camp, you can feel the darkness and sorrow that overtakes the atmosphere as there were numerous unspeakable atrocities that occurred at this site. Additionally, while on this visit, you will have the opportunity to view the cell that imprisoned the Christ-like, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and visit the Martyrdom Museum. After this reflective day, return to your hotel in Krakow for dinner and a restful overnight.

3 Day 09: Thursday 06 September 2018, Krakow - Divine Mercy - Lagiewniki - Wieliczka Krakow, Mass. B/D On your last day of touring, after breakfast depart for your excursion to Lagiewniki, the capital of the Divine Mercy. Through the mediation of St. Faustina, Christ passed on the message of Divine Mercy at Lagiewniki. While here, you will have the opportunity to visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy that contains images of the Merciful Jesus, relics of St. Faustina, as well as, the Saint's convent chapel and her Tomb. Visit and celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Divinity, which was visited by Saint John Paul II in Following Mass, have to opportunity topray by a relic of Saint John Paul II. Continue to Wieliczka to visit Europe's oldest salt mine which has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Return to Krakow for your farewell dinner and last overnight. Day 10: Friday 07 September 2018, Krakow Istanbul Tel Aviv Nazareth. B Depart Krakow at 12:10, meals will be served on board. Arrive Istanbul at 18:35. Depart Istanbul at 20:20 Meals will be served on board Arrive Tel Aviv airport at 22:35 we are met by our guide and Proceed to Nazareth, Overnight, Legacy Hotel Nazareth Day 11: Our Lady s Birthday Saturday 08 September 2018, Tabor Cana Nazareth. Mass B/L/D After breakfast, we drive to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration, with time to reflect on Christ s Humanity and Divinity. Next, we drive to Cana renewal of Marriage Vows and praying for deceased husband, wives and loved ones. Finally we arrive to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, then continue to St. Joseph's Workshop and Mary's Well. Dinner & Overnight, Legacy Hotel Nazareth Day 12: Sunday 09 September 2018, Golan & Taberias. Mass on the boat B/L/D This day will be an exciting day in the Galilee area after a delicious breakfast. We will depart from the Roman hot springs resort city of Tiberias via a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee where we shall have our HOLY MASS CELEBRATED ON THE BOAT. We continue to Capernaum (John 6:24) to visit the ancient ruins of the first century synagogue where Jesus preached (Matt. 4:13-17). Then on to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matt. 5-7) and to Tabgha - the chapel dedicated to the multiplication of the loaves and fishes - (Mark 6:34-44). We continue to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), where Peter made his great confession. Our route then takes us over the Golan Heights, skirting Mt. Hermon, with a view toward Damascus. Dinner & Overnight, Legacy Hotel. Nazareth Days 13: Monday 10 September 2018, Jericho (Mass)/ Baptismal Site & the Dead Sea (Mass) B/L/D After breakfast checkout hotel for Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, where we view Mt Temptation and an example of a Sycamore Tree. Visit the Baptismal site on the Jordan River Kaser Al Yahud Baptismal Site Renewal of Baptismal Vows. Dinner & Overnight, Jericho Resort Hotel. Jericho Day 14: Tuesday 11 September 2018, Qumran/Ein Gedi/Swimming in the Dead Sea (Mass) B/L/D After breakfast we drive to the Dead Sea area and visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Continue to Ein Gedi and hike through its Nature Reserve to the beautiful waterfall. We will have an opportunity to "float" in the salty Dead Sea water. Dinner & Overnight, Jericho Resort Hotel. Jericho Day 15: Wednesday 12 September 2018, Haifa Mt. Carmel (Mass)/the Roman Aqueduct / Jerusalem. B/L/D Leaving Nazareth, we continue to HAIFA, We stop is the Sanctuary of Stella Maris Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Here we will celebrate Mass. This location is associated with the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Here the traditional cave of Elijah is found inside the Carmelite Church. From the beginning of Christianity it was inhabited by numerous hermits and anchorites. Thereafter, we continue south along the Mediterranean coast where we view the Roman Aqueduct. Dinner & Overnight, Ibis Hotel in Jerusalem Day 16: Thursday 13 September 2018, Jerusalem (Mass) B/L/D We stop by one of the oldest churches in the world, where it all began; THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, the birthplace of Jesus. A huge church with a long history of religious significance, you will be able to see the various chapels of the Catholic, Armenian and Greek Orthodox Christians. Next you will visit THE FRANCISCAN GROTTO OF THE LADY MARY this is the site where it is believed that Mary and Joseph took Jesus for refuge from King Herod, before fleeing across the holy land to Egypt. Our final visit for the

4 day is to THE SHEPHERD S FIELDS believed to be the location where the Shepherds sited the Star of Nativity before venturing to visit Jesus. Dinner & Overnight, Ibis Hotel in Jerusalem Day 17: Friday 14 September 2018, Mt. Olives, Mt Zion & Old City of Jerusalem (Mass) B/L/D After Breakfast Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the Old City. Stroll down the Triumphal Entry Road to the Garden of Gethsemane. You cross Kidron Valley to Mt. Zion where you visit the Upper Room, David s tomb, and the Church of St. Peter at Gallicantu. In the afternoon, we visit the Old City including Western Wall, Pilate s Judgment Hall, Via Dolorosa, and Church of the Holy Sepulchre (where Jesus was laid in a tomb). You also visit the Tower of David. Dinner & Overnight, Ibis Hotel in Jerusalem Day 18: Saturday 15 September 2018, Israel Museum & Ein Karem Jordan River (Mass) B/L/D In the morning we tour the new city of Jerusalem. Stopping at to Israel museum to see the Shrine of the Book. In the evening we will visit the city of Ein Karem, the home of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. It was here that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, visited Elizabeth, her cousin, following the news that she was with child by the Holy Spirit. Dinner & Overnight, Ibis Hotel in Jerusalem Day 19: Sunday 16 September 2018 Jerusalem / Tel Aviv / Istanbul / Dubai. B After breakfast, we proceed to to Tel Aviv Airport. Depart Tel Aviv at 06:20, meals will be served on board, Arrive Istanbul at 08:30 Depart Istanbul at 19:25 EK122, Meals will be served on board. Arrive Dubai at 01:00 Day 20: Monday 17 September 2018 Dubai Depart Dubai at 10:15, Meals will be served on board, Day 21: Tuesday 18 September 2018 Sydney Arrive Sydney at 06:05

5 21 DAYS (INCLUSIVE OF TRAVELLING TIME) Warsaw Niepokalanow Swinice Warckie Czestochowa Wadowice Krakow Zakopane Auschwitz Lagiewniki (Divine Mercy) Wieliczka and Israel fromau$6,600:00 per person twin/double share (based on 28 Pilgrims) + AU$1,500:00 single supplement YOUR COST INCLUDES: Round-trip airfare Sydney / Dubai / Warsaw Krakow / Istanbul / Tel Aviv / Istanbul / Dubai / Sydney 17 nights at centrally located 3 Star hotels: (or similar) Aug.-01 Sept. 2018: Hotel Mercure Grand/similar Warsaw 2 nights Sept. 2018: Hotel Mercure Czestochowa/similar Czestochowa 2 nights Sept. 2018: Hotel Novotel Krakow City West/similar Krakow 4 nights Sept. 2018: Legacy Hotel Nazareth 3 nights Sept. 2018: Jericho Resort Hotel Jericho 2 nights Sept 2018: Ibis Hotel Jerusalem 4 nights Accommodation at the above mentioned hotels or similar for 09 nights Breakfast & Dinner daily at hotel or Restaurant (Dinner) Meet & Assist at airports Licensed Guide Entrance fees Porterage service at hotels Transportation in a modern, comfortable Maps & Hats in Israel only Daily masses reservations Israel Ministry of tourism certificates 08 lunches in Israel only 02 bottle of water per person on the bus in Israel only Local city taxes in Poland All Airport Taxes, Security Fees, and Fuel Surcharges Tip for guide and driver Israel Visa and Departure Tax (Australian Passport Holders only) EXCLUSIONS Personal expenses & Medical Insurance Lunches in Poland Beverages with outside meals. Items of a personal nature Drinks taken with meals Travel insurance is Compulsory

6 Reservations and Payment: Please complete the attached Reservation Application and return with deposit of: AU$3,000:00 twin/double share + AU$1,500:00 single supplement. By Sunday 21 January Final Payment by Sunday 22 April 2018: AU$3,600:00 Cancellations: All cancellations must be in writing. The following per person cancellation charges will apply: If cancelled 91 days or more prior to departure, AU$ administrative fee will be charged. If cancelled days prior to departure, AU$ will be charged. If cancelled days prior to departure, AU$1, will be charged. No refunds will be made within 30 days of departure. In addition, once the airline tickets have been issued, 100% of the airfare is non refundable unless you have been advised otherwise at the time of your booking. Additional cancellation charges may apply depending upon the cancellation terms of our suppliers. Photocopy of Passport Details: Name, Passport No. Expiry Date. (Is required by Sunday 21 January 2018) I trust the above will meet your group s requirements. Should there be any queries please contact me on my mobile (anytime) or my home line (after 3.30 pm). Francis Williams (Travel Coordinator) T: / M: / E: perthfamily888@gmail.com Skype ID: perthfamily88 Note: Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication of the tour, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visits. We will have daily Mass and strive to be in places as indicated. However, sometimes this is not possible as the site may not be available for Mass or itinerary changes are forced upon us. In this case an alternative site for Mass will be arranged.

7 Reservation Application Please complete fully the following application in order to register for one of our many wonderful trips. Reservation Made By FRANCIS WILLIAMS - Passport No. E Tel: / Mob: TOUR INFORMATION Pilgrimage Warsaw Niepokalanow Swinice Warckie Czestochowa Wadowice Krakow Zakopane Auschwitz Lagiewniki (Divine Mercy) Wieliczka and Israel 21 DAYS INCLUSIVE OF TRAVELLING TIME Departure Date Wednesday 29 August 2018 Group Name Fr. Tadeusz Seremet SDS PASSENGER(s) INFORMATION (Names MUST Be Exact Match to Your Passport) Name(s) of passengers (Last / First, Middle) DOB (dd/mm/yy) Passport # Address Address City, State, Zip Code Country AUSTRALIA Home Phone Work Mobile (s) EMERGENCY CONTACT Name Phone REGISTRATION OPTIONS Departure City SYDNEY Accommodations SINGLE / TWIN / DOUBLE Roommate Request Travel Insurance Compulsory

8 SPECIAL REQUESTS Meal Request Wheelchair Request Other Needs ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR INFORMATION Details Bank: ANZ Branch: Maddington BSB: A/C: F.F. Williams & G.F. Williams PAYMENT Cash or Cheque Deposit:...Paid on.../ / 2018 Received by Final Payment:...Paid on.../. / 2018 Received by Total Payment AU$...Paid 05 November 2017