Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus - February 9, 2023

 February 9, 2023

Wow..this has been a long time coming. I can't believe it has taken me this long to complete our travel adventure to Israel - the Holy Land. It was an adventure, a life-changing event that will forever be with us all. It is so hard for me to put into words - you know that is true if you have ever talked to me about the trip. It is still hard to completed comprehend what I experienced. God was with us. Jesus was with us. The Holy Spirit was with us. Our triune God was walking with us as we walked in the footsteps of Jessus.

So basically, we landed in Tel Aviv - slept in Netanya (right on the Mediterranean Sea) - drove north/northeast to Nazareth - Cana - Mt of the Beatitudes at the northern most end of the Sea of Galilee - visited much around the Sea of Galilee for several days including a day trip through the Golan Heights (north - east - then south back to our hotel). We drove south along the Jordan River to the Dead Sea and then west from the Dead Sea to Jerusalem. After several days in Jerusalem, we drove west/northwest to return to Tel Aviv for our flight home. If you Google a modern map of Israel, you should be able to mark these spots and see what a large area of Israel we journeyed to and through.

Our last day in Israel started with a little later wakeup call; breakfast; and then Mass at the Notre Dame Jerusalem chapel (2nd floor). 

We took our last look at Jerusalem - from the north and from the south. Such history and beauty.

Then off to Emmaus, lunch (with Elvis):

We stopped at the Benedictine Church in Abu Gosh (at preciously 2:30 pm).  This was a beautiful church but the “caretaker” was a bit of a curmudgeon.

Church at Abu Gosh

Church at Abu Gosh

Church at Abu Gosh

Church at Abu Gosh

Church at Abu Gosh

Church at Abu Gosh

We drove on to the beautiful seaside city of Jaffa, situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. We visited St. Peter’s Church there, spent free time roaming the city in varying degrees, and then had our final dinner at yet another amazing restaurant. The food was delicious and the company extraordinary.

on the way to Jaffa

St. Peter's Church, Jaffa

St. Peter's Church, Jaffa

St. Peter's Church, Jaffa

St. Peter's Church, Jaffa

Jaffa - Mediterranean

Jaffa - Mediterranean

Water fountain next to St. Peter's - Jaffa

Jaffa - Mediterranean

Jaffa - Mediterranean - Our last sunset in Israel

Beautiful square near St. Peter's - Jaffa

Jaffa - Mediterranean

Jaffa - our last photograph as a group

Farewell Israel, until we meet again.

The 15-hour flight to San Francisco was long and most of us did not sleep much. We arrived at San Francisco in the late morning (I think that is correct) and then on to Seattle. I am so glad that we had seats on a early evening flight to Pasco because we were sooooo ready to get home to our own beds. Traveling is such a joy but there is nothing better than coming HOME!

To the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Kennewick, WA - thank you for all the prayers you sent our way during our pilgrimage. We prayed for everyone back home at every Mass throughout our trip.

Note: come back here from time to time as I may try to add more photos to a new post or two as I stumble across them. Thank you for reading our story. God bless.