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This Pilgrims of Faith Marian Center (PFMC) Pilgrimage to the Scriptural Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan (06HLP04) is being organized by Anne Breslin, Great Experiencs, Oradell, NJ.
An information packet with reservation forms for 06HLP04 was prepared by the PFMC and mailed out with the July-August 2005 issue of "The PILGRIM." and every issue since then.
Information packets are available for distribution to prayer groups, etc. please call (856) 768-9228 and let us know how many you need.
Presentations on this pilgrimage and any others you might be interested in are also available. Ask your pastor if we can visit your parish and speak about this pilgrimage and other PFMC programs.
Depart Easter Monday, April 17th 2006 from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on El Al Israel Airlines and fly to Ben Gurion International Airport serving Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel, where there will be customs to be cleared and visa control. Board a motor coach for transfer to Old Jaffa, Israel for dinner and an overnight.
The complete itinerary is printed with pictures in the 06HLP04 Infornation Packet.
Overnights will be spent in 4 star hotels or quality religious houses with each room, double occupancy, with a private bathroom. Breakfast and supper each day will normally be in the hotel or religious house dining room accommodating the pilgrims for breakfasts and suppers together as a group. Lunch or snacks are readily available at outlets near the places we visit with designated stops selected by the guide and motor coach driver working for the best accomodations of all pilgrim needs. Fasting is encouraged.
The Holy Lands support many experiences in Our Lady’s arms, moments for prayer, talks by the Father Tino, Kathleen, and Keith, as well as the guides and pilgrims. The 14(15) days and nights in the Holy Lands will normally consist of Morning Prayer using the Liturgy of the Hours, English Holy Mass, with Confessions available by appointment on request, visits to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as often as it can be scheduled and Evening Prayer. A daily schedule will be posted each evening for the next day.
On either Sunday, April 30th 2006 or Monday, May 1st 2006, depart Old Jaffa, Israel on a motor coach to Ben Gurion International Airport for the return flight to. JFK, NY.
Return home spiritually refreshed.
All reservations are held with $500 deposit donation by cash, check made out to PFMC and sent to 61 Cooper Road Voorhees, NJ 08043 or, charge to MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. The PFMC asks that any charges be accompanied with a 3% additional donation to cover handling fees.
Final or full donations are due 90 days in advance and with applications after January 17, 2006.
Donations to the PFMC for self or others may be solicited and collected to support those who cannot afford this pilgrimage. See Donations.
Travel insurance is not included because the cost is age dependent as in most insurance. An excellent package is available and is highly advisable. Policy application forms with costs which range from $68 to $362 will be sent with reservation confirmation letters to each pilgrim. The PFMC provider M. H. Ross Travel Insurance Services is available via 800-423-3632.
Special meals or dietary arrangements are not included. These must be arranged for at least 30 days before pilgrimage departure and before 17 March 2006. Lunches and snacks as well as alcoholic beverages are not included. Plan about $10 for a light lunch and about $20 for hot lunch.
Single Supplement (private room) requires an additional $500 per person included with deposit.
Transportation to/from John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is not included. Add-on air transportation is available from other airports to meet up with this pilgrimage group in JFK. Local limousine service information and a willingness to coordinate pilgrim transportation is available from the PFMC.
Tips for the guides, hotel staff, and motor coach drivers are not included because tips are an individual pilgrim’s option based on service received. The PFMC offers the following suggestions: Guides about $5 per day; hotel staff about $1 per bag for bell person, or $1 per room night for maid service, food service staff is tipped in the pre-arrangements but you can leave a $1 bill on the table if the service was special to you; motor coach drivers who handle bags should be tipped about $1 per bag in addition to about $2 per day they are with us. Following these suggestions, here is what we prepare for tips for this pilgrimage: Escorts / Guides $70, hotel staff $28-$32 depending on number of bags, motor coach drivers, depends on number of bags: Israel $26-$32, Jordan $12-$18, [Egypt $2-$4], Isreal $8-$12 or a total of $144[$146]-$164[$168]. To make it easier on pilgrims, the PFMC offers to collect tips in separate envelopes of $144[$146]-$164[$168] (in $5 (20) and $1 (44[46]-64[68]) bills) at the airport before departure and disburse them as appropriate. Pilgrims are always welcome to add extra tips for particularly good service.
Need for wheelchair or other medically approved assistance must be stipulated with medical documentation from a medical provider. The PFMC coordinator or nurse will speak to each pilgrim needing special assistance to assess the individual need. This must be approved prior to registration confirmation.
The PFMC coordinator or nurse is responsible to assist all pilgrims throughout this PFMC pilgrimage.
Father Tino is not required to handle airline tickets, rooming, or other non-spiritual details.
An agent coordinator, escort, or guide will be with this pilgrimage group and will be available for questions about scheduling, rooms, and airline transfers. He/She will assist and coordinate the daily program with the PFMC Coordinator and the Spiritual Director.
A medical information sheet will be sent with confirmation of each pilgrim’s
reservation. This is to be filled out completely, and sent with a photo copy of
each pilgrim’s passport photo page, with computer code at bottom of page visible
in photocopy, to the PFMC at 61 Cooper Road, Voorhees, NJ
08043. Processing for ticketing will not proceed until the
PFMC has these two documents as ticket names must agree with
passport names and we must accommodate all medical needs within the ticketing
process. Tickets will be carried to JFK by the PFMC
Coordinator and personally handed to each pilgrim in the El Al
baggage / check-in area.