Even though I will make at least one more post here sometime soon regarding the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, I wish this morning to thank the Pilgrim Center of Hope for their outstanding work in preparing for and leading this pilgrimage. More specifically, I wish to thank Mary Jane and Tom Fox for their faith-filled ministry and service to our pilgrim group.
Mary Jane and Tom Fox with Bishop Etienne, Sea of Galilee
Mary Jane and Tom have been leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land since the early 1980’s. It was in an early visit to the Holy Land as a couple that they felt the Lord calling them to dedicate their life to this unique ministry of bringing pilgrims here to encounter the Risen Lord and to deepen their faith. Our pilgrimage was (I believe) their 46th group to the Holy Land.
This couple are people of deep faith. Our group was so blessed to have been introduced to the Pilgrim Center of Hope, and to have them serve as our guides.
I have been very intentional about referring to this trip as a pilgrimage, because that is indeed what it was. It was not a tour, not a vacation, not another international trip. Mary Jane and Tom were instrumental in making it a true pilgrimage, focused very intentionally on seeking the Lord, encountering Him in this land he made holy by his very presence. We literally prayed our way across this land, and indeed, met the Risen Lord, his mother, Mary and so many of the other holy men and women who lived and died here.
Rula, our guide for the Holy Land
Another critical component of our pilgrimage was not just visiting the ancient stones and sites, but also meeting the ‘living stones,’ those descendants of the early Christian community who still live in Palestine and Israel. One such Palestinian Christian was our guide, Rula Shubeita.
Rula grew up in the old city of Jerusalem and is Greek Orthodox. She and many other Palestinian Christians can trace their Christian roots through their ancestry to the time of Christ. She knows the faith, and she certainly knows these sites where Christ lived, ministered, suffered, died and rose from the dead. This community of faith is truly our “Mother Church.” It was such a privilege to meet so many of these Palestinian Christians, and to worship and pray with them. They need our presence, prayers, and support.
Mohamad, best bus driver in the world!
People are curious if we felt safe during our time in the Holy Land. The answer is a definitive “Yes.” From the time we departed the US throughout our stay and our flight home, I never once worried about our security. The Christian community in the Holy Land needs our presence, needs Christians from the rest of the world to continue to make pilgrimages and support them in their day-to-day life.
One other person who gets an honorable mention is Mohamad, our bus driver. He, too, is a local Palestinian, and he is truly the best bus driver in the world! He is a servant in every sense of the word. He was amicably present for every move of our group, including a few very early morning starts. He made sure we always had water, he handled the luggage, and miraculously maneuvered our bus through streets and spaces I never dreamed possible!
Notre Dame Hotel, otherwise known as the Pontifical Institute of Jerusalem
Finally, Mary Jane and Tom handled all of the details of our trip with professional excellence. From arranging for Masses in the many basilicas and day-to-day schedule, to daily meals and wonderful lodgings. The preparations materials for the pilgrimage to an excellent pilgrimage book that contained all the daily schedules, prayers and Mass readings, along with important and helpful historical information about the Holy Land.
If you are wishing to plan a pilgrimage of any sort, but particularly to the Holy Land, I highly recommend to you, Pilgrim Center of Hope, San Antonio, Texas, and its founders, Mary Jane and Tom Fox.
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