Archdiocesan Pilgrimage 2011 Basic Questions and Information

Transcription

1 Archdiocesan Pilgrimage 2011 Basic Questions and Information When is the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage? The Archdiocesan Pilgrimage will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. What about transportation for the day? Parishes should make arrangements for bus transportation both to and from the Shrine. (Smaller parishes in the same region or cluster are encouraged to make plans to share a bus together.) Buses should be scheduled for a 9:30am arrival and a 3:30pm departure. The address for the National Shrine is: 400 Michigan Avenue, Northeast, Washington, D.C. What if my parish isn t taking a bus? Can I still attend the Pilgrimage? Yes. You can contact a neighboring parish to see if they are taking a bus, or you make your own arrangements for travel. All are welcome and individuals do not need to be registered with the Archdiocese to take part. Parishes bringing groups down are asked to register so that we can have a better idea of how many will be taking part. What is the theme of the Pilgrimage? The theme for this year s pilgrimage is The Many Faces of Mary. - This theme emphasizes the National Basilica s role as the nation s preeminent Marian shrine, dedicated to the patroness of the United States the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception. - Home to over 70 chapels and oratories that relate to the peoples, cultures and traditions that are the fabric of the Catholic faith and the mosaic of our nation, the Basilica presents the many faces of Mary ranging from Our Lady of Guadalupe, to Our Lady of Czestochowa, to Our Mother of Africa. - Our pilgrimage day will offer us the opportunity to experience the many faces of Mary through prayer and sacred art. What does the schedule for the day look like? The schedule for the Pilgrimage day includes the following: 9:30am 10:00am Arrival of buses from parishes or individual cars Gather in the Great Upper Church for welcome and opening prayer

2 10:15am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:45pm 2:00pm 3:00pm The Many Faces of Mary Visits to many of the side chapels where guides will be present to explain the particular aspect of Mary that is revealed in the chapel and her image. Eucharistic Adoration with homily (Great Upper Church) Time for Lunch, exploring the Shrine, Gift Shop. Bookstore Opportunity for Confessions (in the side chapels of Memorial Hall) and Rosary (Rosary Chapel) Prelude music before Mass Pilgrimage Mass with Archbishop O Brien Bus Departure Is the National Shrine wheelchair accessible? Yes, the National Shrine is wheelchair accessible. How will lunch be handled? Lunch can be taken in the Shrine Cafeteria. Additional questions about the pilgrimage can be directed to Rev. Erik Arnold at earnold@archbalt.org or at (410) Important Information for our Parishes and Parish Leaders What Should We Do Now? 1. Designate a coordinator/contact for your parish. The coordinator or contact for your parish should take care of these basic items: Arrange for bus transportation for your parish (see below) if you have enough pilgrims or provide information for individual drivers. Publicize the pilgrimage at your parish by making use of the included bulletin inserts and announcements. Keep track of how many people from your parish will be making the pilgrimage. We need an estimated number of pilgrims from each parish in order to plan accordingly for the day. Parishes are asked to provide a general number of participants by Monday, May 2, Please send this information via to pilgrimage@olphparish.org or by calling (410) Let us know that your parish will be participating.

3 It s helpful for us (and Archbishop O Brien!) to know where our pilgrims are coming from in the Archdiocese. Just send an to pilgrimage@olphparish.org with the following information: A. Name of parish B. Name of your parish coordinator/contact C. address of your parish coordinator/contact D. Phone number at which we can contact your parish coordinator/contact You may also call (410) to provide the same information. 3. Arrange for Bus Transportation. Each parish is responsible for arranging transportation to and from the National Shrine on Saturday, May 7, When contacting bus companies the following information will be helpful: Where is the National Shrine located? The National Shrine is located adjacent to the campus of the Catholic University of America at 400 Michigan Avenue, NE Washington, DC When should our bus arrive at the National Shrine? Buses should be instructed to arrive at the National Shrine at 9:30AM on Saturday, May 7, Where should our bus drop us off when we arrive at the National Shrine? Buses should be instructed to drop off parishioners at the front circle entrance to the Shrine. As buses arrive they should pull into the traffic circle and make use of the unloading areas. When should our bus depart the National Shrine for the trip back home? Departure should be scheduled for 3:30pm. Where should we meet our bus when it's time to leave? Buses should be instructed to pick-up pilgrims in the lower parking lot. After the closing Mass, pilgrims will walk down to the lower lot (which is handicap accessible) and board their buses. 4. Let your parishioners know about the pilgrimage. Please make use of the sample bulletin announcements and modify them as needed for your parish. The Pilgrimage may also serve as a good opportunity to bring together various parish ministries (extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, lectors, pastoral visitors, etc.) to spend time with one another in prayer

4 outside of their normal parish ministries. It may also be a good opportunity to bring together other parish groups: seniors, bereavement, marriage preparation couples, etc. Important Information for Our Priests Priests will be needed to help hear confessions for our pilgrims from 11:00am to 12 Noon. All priests who are attending the pilgrimage are invited to join Archbishop O Brien for lunch on the pilgrimage day. Priests who will be attending the pilgrimage are kindly asked to RSVP to Rev. Erik Arnold so that arrangements can be made for confessions and lunch. Please earnold@archbalt.org or call (410) All priests are encouraged to concelebrate the closing Mass with the Archbishop. Mass will be celebrated at 2:00pm in the Upper Church with departure immediately following. Priests who will be concelebrating Mass are asked to bring an alb and stole. Sample bulletin announcements follow on the next page below:

5 Bulletin blurbs for the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage 2011 Please modify as needed for your parish bulletin or website A Day of Pilgrimage for the Parishes of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Saturday, May 7, 2011 Join our parish for a special day of pilgrimage with Archbishop O Brien and Catholics from parishes all over the Archdiocese of Baltimore as we celebrate The Many Faces of Mary. Our pilgrimage will take us to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. This day of prayer includes Mass with Archbishop O Brien, Confessions, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, tours of the Shrine, the Gift Shop, and opportunities for personal prayer. The theme of this year s pilgrimage is The Many Faces of Mary. What is a Pilgrimage? A pilgrimage is a spiritual and physical journey whose ultimate goal is God himself. For centuries Christians have made pilgrimages to holy sites as a way of growing in their relationship with God, of seeking spiritual favors or as an act of penance. Pilgrimages call to mind our earthly journey toward heaven and are very special occasions for renewal in prayer. On Saturday, May 7, 2011, Archbishop O Brien will lead the parishes of the Archdiocese on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., in honor of Mary. This pilgrimage of Catholics, young and old, from the Archdiocese will draw us closer to Christ as we reflect on The Many Faces of Mary. Join our parish as we make this pilgrimage of faith! The Many Faces of Mary On Saturday, May 7, 2011 our parish will join together with parishes from all over the Archdiocese for a very special day of pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. This day of prayer includes Mass with Archbishop O Brien, Confessions, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, tours of the Shrine, the Gift Shop, and opportunities for personal prayer. The theme of this year s pilgrimage is The Many Faces of Mary and will offer us a chance to experience the special role of Mary revealed in over 70 chapels and oratories. The Many faces of Mary This is the theme of this year s Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Join our parish on Saturday, May 7, 2011 for this spiritual journey with Catholics from all over the Archdiocese. This day of prayer includes Mass with Archbishop O Brien, Confessions, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, tours of the Shrine, the Gift Shop, and opportunities for personal prayer. Join our Parish for a Pilgrimage! On Saturday, May 7, 2011 our parish will join together with parishes from all over the Archdiocese for a very special day of pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. A pilgrimage is a spiritual and physical journey whose ultimate goal is God himself. This day of prayer includes Mass with Archbishop O Brien, Confessions, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, tours of the Shrine, the Gift Shop, and opportunities for personal prayer. This year s pilgrimage celebrates The Many Faces of Mary. Bus transportation will be provided by the parish but you must be registered!