The following churches, organizations and parishioners in Arkansas submitted their plans to visit holy sites in 2008.
Holy Land/Rome Tour: The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is sponsoring a 13-day pilgrimage to sites in Rome, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Tiberias, Mt. Zion, Kidron Valley, Megiddo and Jericho Nov. 3-15. Father Gregory Pilcher, OSB, pastor of Holy Redeemer Church in El Dorado, is spiritual director. The cost is $3,890 per person. The deadline is Aug. 1. For more information, call Father Pilcher at (870) 863-3620 or e-mail .
Miracle of the Sun: Fatima Apparitions -- In their Footsteps: Regina Tours, a New York travel agency, is sponsoring a pilgrimage to Portugal and Spain Sept. 18-27. Fran Boudreaux, a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Hot Springs Village, is coordinating the trip. The trip includes an optional extension to Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia. The cost is $2,998 and deadline to sign up is July 18. For more information, call Boudreaux at (888) 948-3837 or visit http://www.regina-tours.com.
Pilgrimage to Italy: Christ the King Church in Fort Smith is sponsoring a trip to the holy sites of Italy Oct. 6-15 directed by pastor Father Tom Elliott. Pilgrims will visit sites in Rome, Assisi, Orvieto, Florence, Padua and Venice. The trip is full but names are being accepted for a waiting list. The cost $2,985. The deadline is Aug. 1. For more information, call Karen Mills at (479) 783-7745, ext. 30 or e-mail .
"In the Footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and Padre Pio": Travel Tyme in Ellisville, Mo. is sponsoring a pilgrimage to Italy Sept. 22-Oct. 3. Cities to be visited include Assisi, Loreto, Lanciano, San Giovanni Rotundo and Rome. Spiritual director is Father Gregory G. Hart, pastor of Mary Mother of God Church in Harrison. The cost is $3,540. For more information, call Travel Tyme at (800) 886-2151 or visit their Web site http://www.traveltymenow.com.
Eucharistic Pilgrimage: St. Theresa Church in Little Rock is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the Eternal Word Television Network and Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Birmingham, Ala. June 11-13. Pilgrims will attend a EWTN show live, a televised Mass and tour the Ave Maria Grotto. Father Thomas Keller, pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Carlisle and Holy Trinity in England, is spiritual director. The cost is $230 per person. Registration deadline is April 28. To sign up, call Marjorie Hunecker at (501) 681-4621.
Lourdes Pilgrimage: Sue Smith Vacations in North Little Rock is sponsoring a pilgrimage to mark the 150th anniversary of the Marian apparitions in Lourdes, France, Oct. 7-17. The trip also includes holy sites in Lisbon, Santarém and Fatima in Portugal; Burgos, Spain; and Ars, Nevers and Paris in France. Travel agent Kathy Primm is a member at Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock. Pastor Father James West will be the spiritual director. Deadline to register is July 1. For more information, call Primm at (501) 771-0987 or e-mail .
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