COME AND SEE - A Pilgrimage-retreat in the Land called Holy

Encountering Christ through the Land called Holy

A pilgrimage-retreat in the Holy Land

(with optional five-day extension to Petra, Jordan)

led by Fr. John-Francis Friendship

10^th – 21^st July 2017

(Jordan: 21^st – 25^th July)

Consequent to a successful Pilgrimage-retreat in 2015 I am pleased to announce that this will be repeated in 2017 – this time with the option of visiting Petra and other sites in Jordan!

The aims of this pilgrimage/retreat are to:

encounter Christ through the Land by travelling from Nazareth to Jerusalem and visiting many of the places associated with His life;

offer ways of encountering God through prayer, liturgy and meditation;

engage in an inner journey of ‘come and see’ in order to encounter Christ afresh in the depths of our being;

enjoy ourselves!

Visits will include Nazareth, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, Mt. Tabor, Jericho, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Abu Ghosh. We will sail on the Sea of Galilee and make the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa.  In Jordan We will stay at the Petra Marriott Hotel and at the Jordan Valley Marriott Hotel and Spa, visiting Mt. Nebo, the Crusader castle of Kerak, the Treasury at Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash and Bethany beyond Jordan, celebrating the Eucharist at some of the holy sites.

Some comments following our last visit:

The Pilgrimage-retreat was a unique experience as a whole – for me, the celebration of the Eucharist , the Homilies, the Prayers& Hymns were central and to be held in a land where Jesus actually lived and walked were priceless.  So many tours to the Holy Land seem to lack the spirit of a true pilgrimage.  This was totally the opposite and that’s why it was so special. (GG-J, Australia)

I do think that the structure of reflection, liturgy and prayers really helped to help me connect with the geography and places we were visiting and therefore ‘journey with Christ’. Thank you very much for the services and prayers that were prepared for us to use. And I am also very grateful for the times of ‘space’ while we were out – giving me a real chance to meditate and reflect on the journey (the outer and inner experience). (MO’B, Glos)

I felt that sharing this pilgrimage was a special journey as I found I encountered Christ in every pilgrim who walked alongside me, shared meals with me and conversed with me throughout the trip.  The prayer, worship, meditation and reflection revealed such a deep spirituality and I believe everyone contributed to this wonderful experience. (CH, Essex)

My head has still been in the Holy Land for the last week. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to go. I’ve come back a slightly different person to how I was before we left. (CP, London)

A COMPLETE BROCHURE for the HOLY LAND is available here and for PETRA AND JORDAN here.

Further information is available from:

Fr. John-Francis Friendship Tel: (020) 3583 9312

Email: jff2209@yahoo.com

Fully inclusive cost: £1870 (Jordan extension: £740)

Organised by:

McCabe Pilgrimages and

JOURNAL of a PILGRIM to the LAND CALLED HOLY

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: Nazareth - Consider your Calling.

Today was the day we spent time in Nazareth, Considering Mary's - and our - call, as temp. climbed into the 30's.  Time at the Orthodox Church at Mary's Well before walking through the Old City and the souk to spend two hours at the Basilica of the Annunciation. Then time in Cana where people renewed wedding and partnership commitments.  Moving.  Eucharist back at the Convent of the Beatitudes.   Touched by deep sense of continuity as we encountered places still occupied by people over millennia.  Signs of Palestinian anger at Israel 's occupation evident even here.   We ended the day with moving hour of reflection in Chapel.   All early to bed tonight after not getting here until 2am this morning.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3: Galilee - Living out our Calling.

Just back from our 'cruise' on the Sea of Galilee after Mass on the shore at the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes.   This is the place where, sadly, Jewish extremists recently tried to set fire to the church but only a part of the cloister was destroyed.   I am told that there have been further threats to destroy churches unless the Pope abandons support for a Palestinian State and 'recognises' the areas occupied by Israel (i.e. the Territories which the UN confirms are illegally occupied by Israel).  Once again it is Christians who are caught in the middle of the struggle between Jews and Muslims.  O pray for the peace of Jerusalem!   And we have seen signs of the ongoing attempts at reconciliation.   So staying here seems very appropriate and we will have a time of reflection on the Beatitudes before supper.

So - Mensa Christi, Church of the Multiplication,  a visit to Capernaum and then a leisurely time sailing on the Sea/Lake.  And lots of silence between the laughter and liturgies.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4: Mount Tabor and Jericho - the Passion begins.

Left hot and humid Galilee  (38c.) and drove to Mount Tabor to visit Church of the Transfiguration where we celebrated Mass.  Such a beautiful spot where heaven touched earth and glory shone out.   But love also made itself known at the Jordan where we

stopped at the newly re-opened Baptism site.   And here I was truly moved for after travelling down mile upon mile of barbed wire border fencing between Israel and Jordan here all bathed in the waters of the Jordan just 12 feet wide.  And who urged Israel to reopen the site for Christians?   King Abdullah of Jordan  (and  'some" foreign governments  - I dare not hope one might have been our Government - might we ever regain any moral authority  - or interest?). 

So here we are at the Lutheran Hostel in the Old City where the Dome's of Holy Sepulchre and the Rock stand out just a stones throw away.  Tomorrow the Via Dolorosa after Mass in the acoustically wonderful Church of S. Anne

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5: 'Jerusalem, Jerusalem! '

Salve Regina sung in the most wonderful Church of S. Anne (at the request of one of the pilgrims)  whose acoustics are renowned; a Liturgy for Healing at the Pool of Bethesda; Stations of the Cross including prayers at Station 10 (the Coptic Patriarchate) beneath a banner in memory of the Copts murdered on the beach by ISiL, and walking down the Mount of Olives praying at the churches of Dominus Flevit, the Pater Noster until we reached the Church of All Nations and Garden of Gethsemane - a rich and full day.   At the heart of which - and the goal of this Pilgrimage  - to venerate Calvary and be present at Holy Sepulchre where we shall be at 6.45am tomorrow!  DV.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6: 'This is my body, given for you.'

Awoken by the call of the minaret(s) from 4.30am!  These Jerusalem days start with invitations to pray which last until the booming bells of Holy Sepulchre begin 40 mins. later.   What to do apart from get up  - which 6 of us did - and go to pray with the Ethiopian's (and Copts, Latins and Armenians) in Holy Sepulchre. At least one can enter Christ's Tomb and pray there!

Later most of us attended the Eucharist at S. George's  (Anglican) Cathedral, which felt a bit like an Arabic outpost of the USA...  Good sermon from the Dean, Fr. Hosam, who preached on the text of the healing of the Syro -Phoenician Woman and drew out the parallels between the lengths she was prepared to go to have her daughter healed and the lengths Syrian mothers go to today to save their children.

After excellent buffet lunch at the College we split up for the afternoon with people visiting the Western Wall,  Armenian Cathedral (and how many people know of the Syrian Genocide of 1915?) etc.  I discovered that the S. Alexander Nevsky Church and Museum was open so visited there with some of the party - and was staggered to see a complete room from the days of Imperial Russia preserved there,  looked after by some young nuns of the Nursing Order founded by the Grand Duchess St. Elizabeth who was martyred in the Revolution.  And a solitary visit to Dormition Abbey and the State - run Chapel of the Upper Room.   Just a museum now...

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7: Bethlehem - 'And we have seen His glory'

Today we're spending time in Bethlehem.  This meant passing through the Wall of Separation and considering what it means to be living in a virtual ghetto.  That's both Palestinians and Israeli 's for whilst the former suffer ongoing oppression and injustice (illegal Settlements, loss of  land,  destruction of property, curtailment of basic rights etc...) the latter are victims of their own violence and history.  

So, on the day we celebrated the Nativity of our Lord with Mass in the Shepherd's Fields we also reflected on how His members suffer today.  And, through an unfortunate event, we also experienced the way those members help each other when in need.   As we left the Fields one of our party talked of feeling unwell - and where should we be heading but to lunch at the (Christian run - but open to all) Arab Rehabilitation Centre in Beit Sahour, a centre which includes a hospital!!!  Immediately  (!) she was seen by a doctor, tests then carried out and results awaited.  Thankfully not serious and the doctors gave their all-clear 10 mins. before the pilgrims returned from visiting the Church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem. The angels were on our side!

But it gave me a chance to talk with the administration  manager who is Syrian Orthodox.  Having fled the Turkish Great Genocide (the generic name for that genocide which the Turks inflicted on minority religious groups in the region) in 1915 her family moved to Bethlehem and now fears the total destruction of their Church.  So many Christians leaving, little hope for the future in their countries, a minority Arab group amongst Arabs - who wants the Christians?  They are so grateful for our interest and support but now fear further take-over of their land - even in the Palestinian Territories - by the Israelis.  There was a deep and painful sorrow in her words and I remembered with sadness the way our government seems to have washed its hands of  (moral) responsibility to protect a deeply persecuted minority in this region.  God forgive our hardness of heart!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th: The Desert

Phew - another hot one!  This was to be our 'Desert Day', and the temperature was forecast to be in the 40's. But, in the event,  the sun was hidden all day by the effects of the 'shakir', a combination of events which brings a smog-like atmosphere throughout the region as fine dust from Egypt fills the air.  So at 8.30am we walked the steep path down (and up) the Wadi Qelt to the Monastery of S. George where Elijah is reputed to have lived in a cave.   Women with dresses and men in trousers were allowed in, together with a large group of Romanians led by their priest (in cassock - I felt I'd let the side down, being a wimp in shorts and polo shirt). Some of our group were allowed in and two came out an hour later glowing with wonder having shared in prayers with the Romanian 's,  been given a tour of the monastery (including seeing the skulls of the monks martyred by the Persians in the 7th.c.), and talking with one of the five - young - monks who seem to form the community. Others less modestly dressed walked further down the Wadi and wondered at the sheer silence,  beauty and sense of remoteness of the place which, in reality, is only a few kilometers from Jerusalem.  Yet it wasn't completely silent as all the time we heard the song of scores and scores of birds.

By noon we had left and were at the site of another community - at Qumran - probably inhabited by the Essenes at the time of Jesus where John the Baptist may have spent time and which must provide one of the roots of early Christian monasticism.  Having considered some of their practices I was struck by certain commonalities, not least by the way we all practice ritualised washing - the Essenes with twice-daily purification baths; Muslims who wash before praying, and  Christians who, apart from the bath of Baptism 'wash' themselves with Holy Water on entering a church and then may throw it over people at Asperges!  

Finally we went on to wash ourselves in the waters of the Dead Sea - and smear ourselves in mud.  And our skin feels utterly renewed!

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9: Ein Karim, Abu Ghosh - 'Did not our hearts burn within us!'

Today we journeyed to Ein Karim and Emmaus: the first the place of Visitation (between Mary and Elizabeth), the second where the eyes of disciples were opened on the day of Resurrection as they travelled, talked together and broke bread.

And that has been our pattern - to 'break bread' eucharistically (joyfully), break bread in shared meals and talk together.  So each evening - and all this afternoon - pilgrims have reflected silently, shared in pairs and then amongst us all as they have considered what this Terra Divina has communicated to us.  And today, after our Eucharist and lunch in the tranquil setting of the Convent of the Sisters of Sion (founded by a Jew who converted in 1845), we spent the whole afternoon in that simple exercise before attending Vespers in the glorious,  ancient, beautiful and sacred space of the Benedictine Abbey of Abu Ghosh, one of the sites of the village of Emmaus.  So our pilgrimage from the Annunciation to the Resurrection concluded with the haunting song ofFrench nuns and monks from le Bec Hellouin twinned, of course, with Canterbury Cathedral.

But our first stop at Ein Karim had seen us acknowledge the Visitation by singing the Magnificat and Ave in the beautiful church dedicated to that mystery and then walking through that - sacred - village, now haunted by the murder of so many Christians and Muslims in 1948 as Jewish brigades fought their way up to Jerusalem.  And houses once homes to generations of mostly Christian Arabs are now bijou residences for artists,  their Christian symbols defaced and the ancient mosque under threat of demolition.  One is never far from the realities of history and the pain of people's thwarted lives as one seeks to be open to this Land made Holy by God.

One final reflection.  Throughout it has become clear - by many conversations with different people - that it is not the obvious injustices carried out by those who exercise power and control but the gradual drip, drip of injustices - the development of illegal Settlements,  confiscation of small amounts of land, daily oppressive treatment of one people by another, obfuscation by the State - all this and more which is, slowly, wearing down a people until a sense of hopelessness sets in.  Or until people say enough is enough - which is when their pain and anger can erupt in violence.

We ended today's journey with a sense of sadness as we said farewell to Bassam Abdalla, our excellent Guide who, for nine days, had shared his faith and passion, as well as his wisdom, knowledge, hopes and fears for this Land.  Tomorrow our journey ends as we celebrate for one last time that meal which our Lord shared with His disciples in a room just metres from here.  And we shall take as our theme His Ascension which occurred from a spot we shall gaze upon from our roof top setting.  So finally we must say : O pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

COME AND SEE - Prelude to a Pilgrimage

With just over two days to go before we begin our Pilgrimage-retreat I want to share with you images of the Church and Hospice of the Beatitudes in the Galilee where we will be staying for our first few days in the Holy Land. 

But first let me explain why we are beginning here when most pilgrimages end in this peaceful spot?The answer is simple.  This – fairly unique – pilgrimage seeks to follow in the steps of the Lord and trace his journey, which means we must travel from the peaceful Lakeside to the tempestuous City.  As pilgrims who are seeking to allow the Land to speak to us it is important to begin where Jesus began his ministry and then 'go down to Jerusalem'.   For this pilgrimage is not, simply, about going to holy places, it is also intended to enter into the heart of Jesus as he responded to his calling.  And if it was important for Jesus to begin in the Galilee, it is important for us, too.

http://beatitudeschurch.com/?page_id=218

DO YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN ...

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Sermon preached in the Church of S. John Baptist, Eltham

at Parish Mass on April 14^th, 2013

INTRODUCTION

"I remember that the mist hung lazily over Galilee that morning and the Lake glistened in the early sun.  I had seen many mornings like this, sometimes alone but more often with the other fishermen.  But that morning was different: different in so many ways.

John saw him first through the light of dawn as we neared the shore.  He knew it was Jesus even tho' he was but a shape sitting alone on the small sandy beach.  John always knew, in his heart, when it was him.  There was something between them that was stronger than sight, or hearing.  You understand. 

But I hadn't noticed him!  Far too preoccupied (as usual!) with what was going on at that moment.  If I remember right I was organising the others to gather in the net.  They say I've always good at organising, even if my own life can be a bit of a mess!  That's the trouble with us enthusiasts. 

Well, you know what happened after that, the incredible haul of fish and then the meal which followed.  Did you catch the resonances as you heard the story?  It wasn't just a meal.   The lakeside ... some fish ... broken bread?  They call it eucharist now: then it was - life - that we shared.  But life with a capital 'L'.  His life: the world's life.  The Bread of Life.  John, of course, wrote about it in as many ways as he could.

Jesus!  Just saying that name reminds me of the - inadequacy – of trying to communicate what we experienced!  He wasn't just the Jesus we had known, not even the Jesus John had known!  He was ... the Christ, the anointed One, the Son of Man on whom the angels of God ascended and descended!  Flowery language?  No language (not even John’s) can do justice to that man.  Maybe you've read one of my letters: he's the only one who can save the world from itself - from its blindness and selfishness.  God is so generous!  That's what I want people to understand.

After our meal was over we began talking together in small groups.  Then Jesus took me to one side.  When he asked me to go with him I somehow knew this was going to be decisive moment.  Many thought John was to be the one whom Jesus would appoint as leader after he left us.  (We knew he must do that - leave.  He'd made that clear.  It was we who must continue the work: to be the witnesses to all that had happened).  But it wasn't to be John.  Some said it was because he was too close to Jesus.  But that wasn't the reason.  No, it wasn't their relationship that was the problem. 

So why did he chose me? 

Like the others, I thought it must be John.  I often felt I was shallow.  Impetuous.   Someone who acted on the spur of the moment.  Even my wife had found me hard to live with!  (That's why you never hear much about her).  John said, afterwards, that he'd always known that I was the one Jesus wanted as leader.  'You can hold things together', he said, 'And get things done'.  But Jesus had to make me - force me - to examine my depths.  So that question, 'Do you love me?'  Three times!   Of course Jesus knew I did!  But did I?  Did I know the depth of my love? 

Jesus had to push me, force me to examine myself.  I wasn't very good at self-knowledge!  Not at that point, at least ...  Three times.  Three times before the cocks began crowing (yes, we heard them soon afterwards - a chilling moment).  And I remembered that passage from the Books of Moses: 'If you return to the Lord with all your heart - and with all your soul - and obey his voice ... you will be made prosperous and more numerous than your ancestors'. 

The word, suddenly, wasn't far away in heaven, it was there, in front of me!  And it was in my heart - and then my mouth:  ' Lord, you know everything.  You know that I love you!'  But I also knew that in asking me to face my passion he was also asking me to face my fear and the possibility of my own death.  Because once I'm passionate about something, I'll give my life to it.  All or nothing.  That's the way it is with me.  

There are plenty of leaders who are committed.  But passionate?  That's what often is lacking in leaders, or those who aspire to leadership.  And the one who are passionate are often so focussed onto what they believe that they become dictatorial.  Megalomaniacs!  No, what we need are people passionate and committed to the good of others, especially the most vulnerable; to a way which can bring life to all.  That’s what’s needed.  And Jesus had already shown us the kind of leadership he wanted us to exercise - he wanted us to be servants - slaves of God, of his message and of his people.  There's no glory in it.  No glorifying success.  The glory can only be his.  The suffering, now, ours.  That's why you've got to love him so much that people see you as that – disciples of his love – and find that love is the meaning behind all you do.

But the world (to use a phrase John loves) finds it hard to understand that.  It can cope with success; it loves progress.  But it finds love so hard, doesn't it?  We're all crying out to be loved, but to love?  That's why he had to ask me the question - three times!  'Do you love?' 

I suppose I was fairly selfish.  I wanted everything to go my way. 

I was convinced that my existence - my ideas, hopes, desires - beliefs even – was all that mattered.  So I had to learn not to be driven by what people now call their ego but be driven by him, by love for him, not by my-self.  And that's so hard.  It's still hard to really hand my life over to him.  But that morning was, in a real sense, a moment of crisis and decision for me.  My moment of real conversion as I listened to that question, ‘Do you love me?’

You might think that strange.  After all, I had been with him for so long.  Got used to him.  But that question, ‘Do you love me?’ moved me into a new relationship with him.  Funny to use the word conversion, but that’s what it was.  Usually people use that word of Paul on the road to Damascus when he saw Jesus in a blinding flash. 

He had ‘seen the light’ and had come to believe Jesus offered new life.  Now he’s really passionate about his new-found faith!  I wish other’s shared his passion …   It changed his life and I want others to know that it can change theirs.  I suppose both of us share the same passion – and we sometimes get into passionate arguments!  But that’s life. 

Maybe you won’t come to faith in a blinding flash.  Most of us don’t.  But – let me finish with that question Jesus asked me – and asks you – that question which came so suddenly after all those years and after so many mistakes I had made.  That question which still echoes in my heart and continues to probe me so deeply.  My conversion experience, if you like. 

Do you love me ... "

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND led by Fr. John-Francis Friendship

PILGRIMAGE ITINERARY – 9th to 18th November 2010

Tuesday 9th November JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND
We depart Heathrow at 1430 hours arriving in Tel Aviv at 2105. Transfer on arrival to our hotel in the Galilee. Three night stay at the Ron Beach Hotel by the Sea of Galilee with visits to places associated with Jesus' early life and ministry.

Wednesday NAZARETH
We ascend Mount Tabor in t axis to visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration and enjoy magnificent views over the plain of Armageddon. We continue to Nazareth where we visit the Nazareth village (including reconstructions of 1st Century Galilean life) and have lunch at St. Margaret’s Guest House. We visit St Gabriel’s Church (Mary’s Well), the Synagogue Church and the Basilica of the Annunciation. We celebrate Mass in the Anglican Christ Church. We return to Tiberias visiting Cana, scene of Jesus first miracle, en route. Here we have opportunity to renew marriage and partnership vows in the Wedding Church.

Thursday THE LAKESIDE MINISTRY
Today we visit the sites associated with Jesus' life around the Sea of Galilee. We drive to the north of the lake and visit the ruins of Capernaum, Jesus’ Galilean base. We continue to Mensa Christi (where Jesus appeared to his disciples after His resurrection) and celebrate Mass on the shores of the lake at Tabgha beside the Church of the Loaves and Fishes. Lunch is at the Convent of the Beatitudes. We visit the church and garden which commemorate the Sermon on the Mount. After lunch, we walk down to the lake and sail back across the Sea of Galilee to the hotel, returning by mid-afternoon to allow time to relax and swim.

Friday JORDAN VALLEY, JERICHO and MASADA
We leave Tiberias and drive down the Jordan Valley to Jericho. En route we also visit Herod ' s desert fortress of Masada, which we ascend by cable car. We have an opportunity to float in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea before lunch in the Kibbutz Ein Gedi. We then continue to Jerusalem. Six night stay at the Golden Walls Hotel close to the Old City and the Biblical sites we shall be visiting.

Saturday AN INTRODUCTION TO JERUSALEM
We drive to the Mount of Olives where we have a panoramic view of the walled city. As we look across the Kidron Valley we see the Golden Gate, the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. On the Mount of Olives we visit the Pater Noster Church, Dominus Flevit Chapel, and the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. We enter the Old City and visit St Anne’s Church (Mass) and then have lunch in Ecce Homo. We spend the afternoon following the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa through the lanes of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Sunday MEET THE PEOPLE
Some may wish to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the early morning to experience and share in the variety of liturgy. We then have the opportunity to join with the local congregation, for example at St George’s Cathedral. We lunch at the Jerusalem Hotel. Afternoon choices include a visit to Bethany to see the Jeel al-Amal Boys Home and the Lazarus Girls Home in Bethany, both supported by the McCabe Educational Trust.

Monday BETHLEHEM
We cross into Palestinian territory to visit Bethlehem. We celebrate Mass in the Fields of the Shepherds and have time to shop in the olive wood co-operative. We have lunch at the Bethlehem Arab Rehabilitation Centre in Beit Jala. In the afternoon we see Manger Square and visit the Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity and St Jerome's Caves.

Tuesday FREE TIME IN JERUSALEM
We have a relaxed walking tour around the Old City area in the morning and the afternoon is free for leisure time. Opportunity to reflect on the pilgrimage, to spend time wandering in the bazaars or to revisit sites of special interest.

Wednesday WEST JERUSALEM and EIN KAREM
We begin our day at the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu on Mount Zion. We then drive out to West Jerusalem and celebrate Mass at the Crusader church of Abu Guosh (a possible site of Emmaus). We continue to the picturesque village of Ein Karem where we lunch at the Sisters of Sion convent and spend time visiting the Church of John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation. We continue to the Israel Museum to visit the model of Ancient Jerusalem. We also see the Dead Sea scrolls (housed within the Shrine of the Book).

Thursday 18th November HOMEWARD BOUND
A relaxed start as we leave around lunch time for the airport. During the morning we celebrate a farewell Mass on the hotel roof terrace. Our return flight departs at 1715 hours arriving into London Heathrow Airport at 2045 hours.
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The cost of this tour is£1,345 sharing a twin-bedded room with private facilities.It is being organised by McCabe Travel.

We stay in two family owned and managed hotels. In Jerusalem, the three star Golden Walls Hotel overlooks the Old City walls and is walking distance of the Holy Sepulchre. In Tiberias, we stay at the four star Ron Beach Hotel in a wonderful situation right on the lakeside. The tour is on a full-board basis with buffet breakfast, lunch and table d'hôte evening meal included daily. Touring is in air-conditioned coaches and we will be accompanied by a local guide who will share leadership responsibilities and look after the formalities of hotel check-ins etc. All entrance fees are included. Flights are with EL AL Israel Airlines between London Heathrow Airport and Tel Aviv. All airport and security charges are included and a complimentary visa is issued on arrival in Israel.

We have included most expenses in the tour cost but some items are listed separately. The travel insurance premium is £49. Everybody travelling should be insured but some may have annual or another suitable insurance. You should budget for an amount of £40 per person for a group gratuity fund which we will disburse

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Please contact the tour leader, Fr. John-Francis Friendship, The Rectory, 119 London Road, Romford, RM7 9QD Tel: (01708) 741256 Email: francis.jon@btopenworld.com