This Pilgrims of Faith Marian Center (PFMC) Pilgrimage to Medjugorje via London with extension to Ireland (06PPM10) is being arranged through Anne Breslin, Great Experiencs, Oradell, NJ with Kathleen and Keith Werner as Coordinators.
An information packet with reservation forms for 06PPM10 was prepared by the PFMC and will be mailed out with the May-June 2006 issue of "The PILGRIM." and every issue after that until October 2006.
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 Thursday, October 26th 2006 from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on British Airways and fly to Heathrow International Airport serving London, England, where there will be customs to be cleared and visa control. Transfer to a British Airways flight to Split, Croatia. Board a motor coach for transfer to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Hercegovina for dinner and overnight accomodatins in a private house.
The complete itinerary is printed with pictures in the 06PPM10 Infornation Packet.
Medjugorje overnights will be spent in a private home expanded to accomodate pilgrims. While Ireland overnights will be in 4 star hotels or quality religious houses. Overnight rooms, double occupancy, will have a private bathroom. Breakfast and supper each day will normally be in the house, 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 accomodation of all pilgrim needs. Fasting is encouraged.
Both Medjugorje and Ireland support many experiences in Our Lady’s arms, moments for prayer, talks by Father O'Leary, Kathleen, and Keith, as well as the guides and pilgrims. The 8(13) days and nights on this pilgrimage 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 Thursday, November 2nd 2006 we leave Medjugorje for Dubrovnik, Croatia and a British Airways flight to London, England.
Those returning to the U.S. will remain in London, England for an
overnight and 1/2 day sightseeing tour prior to transfer to Heathrow
International Airport for the flight home on British
Airways.
Those extending their pilgrimage to visit Ireland will transfer to Heathrow International Airport for an Aer Lingus flight to Dublin. Overnights will be in Dublin, Galway, Killarney, and Knock.
The complete itinerary is printed with pictures in the 06PPM10 Infornation Packet.
On Wednesday, Novmeber 8th 2006 depart Knock, Ireland on a motor coach to Shannon International Airport for the return flight to Heathrow International Airport for the flight home on British Airways to JFK, NY.
Return home spiritually refreshed.
Until 26 July 2006, all reservations will be 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.
Single Supplement (private room) requires an additional $250 Medjugorje and $300 Ireland for a total of $550 per person included with deposit. The decision to request a Single Supplement, if desired, is required at the time of registration application and a Single Supplement Donation is required at that time.
After July 26, 2006 full package donations are required with registration applications. The remainder due after deposit and other donations is due 90 days in advance of departure, July 26, 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
total package donation and age dependent as in most insurance. An
excellent package is available and is highly advisable. Policy application
forms with costs which range from $67/$123 to
$292/$511 for Part A M/ M+I plus $25 to
$160 for Part B regardless of M or M+I for ages
=30 to =81 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 60 days before pilgrimage departure and before 26 September 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.
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
$40[65], house/hotel staff $4-8[12-$24] depending on number of bags, motor
coach drivers, depends on number of bags $8-16[10-$20], or a total of
$52-$64[$87-$119]. To make it easier on pilgrims, the PFMC
offers to collect tips in separate envelopes of $52-$64[$87-$119] (in $5
(10[16]) and $1 (2[7]-14[39]) bills) at the airport before departure and
disburse them as appropriate. Pilgrims are always welcome to add extra tips
for particularly good service.
Health - Medical needs and problems must be identified.
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 O'Leary 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
three photo copies 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 British
Airways baggage / check-in area in JFK Terminal 5.