Ireland Pilgrimage
November 10, 2011
New Summer 2012 Trip
Spending time with my brothers and sisters from other parts of the world really opened my eyes to the universality of the Church. We are all awesome sons and daughters of God!
-Jordan Opperman, University of Pittsburg
Dates: June 1st-June 16th*
Trip Director: Michelle Dupong
Trip Co-Leaders: TBD
Amount to Fundraise: $3000-$3500*
*Dates and Prices subject to change
Ireland is filled with wonder and allurement as many are drawn to the story of this land. A key part of its heritage is its strong Catholic roots initiated by the missionary efforts of St. Patrick. The Catholic identity of its people was world renowned. Today, the attack against the Church here has been brutal leaving the Faithful staggering on, but holding fast to hope. The opportunity awaits to reawaken the hearts our brothers and sisters in Faith to reclaim their identity in Christ and His Church. It is realistic to believe if this nation turns back to its Catholic roots, it could lead to a change within the whole of Europe.
The layout of this trip will begin with following in the footsteps of the saints before us as we pilgrimage to Knock, where our Lady appeared, and from there, traveling to other Sacred sites, including Croagh Patrick, monasteries, and other holy sites in Ireland. Following this, we will seek to share our Faith by engaging in evangelization. There is a possibility of joining efforts with St. Patrick’s Evangelization School located in Soho, the red-light district of London. The trip would be concluded by us joining the American delegation participating in the 50th International Eucharistic Congress held in Dublin as we experience the universality of the Church. The purpose of the Congress is two-fold: promoting the centrality of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church and showing us as Catholics the duty we have of reflecting the Eucharist through the way we live our lives.
Camino de Santiago
October 23, 2008
My life was rocked by the great saints along the Camino. I admired their devotion to Christ and the Church. Even more than that, I saw the need to love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Through the devotion to the Sacred Heart, I was awakened to praise Him in my reception of the Eucharist, and any time I enter His house. I couldn’t get over how desperate He loves us, and how humble He makes Himself to us.
-Former FOCUS Missions Pilgrimage Participant
Dates: July 10th-26th*
Mission Director: Marnee Peterson
Mission Co-Leaders:Gina Koshute
Amount to Fundraise: $2900*
*Dates and Amount to Fundraise Subject to Change
The Way of St James has existed for over a thousand years and was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times. It is considered one of three pilgrimages on which a plenary indulgence can be earned. The others are the Via Francigena to Rome and the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. St. James’s remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem, by his disciples, to northern Spain where they were buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.
Today, tens of thousands of Christian pilgrims and other travelers set out each year from their front doorstep, or popular starting points across Europe, to make their way to Santiago de Compostela. Most travel by foot, some by bicycle, and a few travel as some of their medieval counterparts did, on horseback or by donkey.
You have the opportunity to join our group on this amazing adventure! For 13 days, we will travel on the path that thousands of other pilgrims have traveled for centuries before them. We will spend time in prayer and conversation as a group and with many other pilgrims along the way, and stay in a different hostel each night. On July 24, we will participate in mass in the Cathedral of St. James on the Feast Day of St. James and see one of the greatest firework shows in all of Europe!
Price includes: Roundtrip airfare from Denver (or other US departure city determined by the Mission Director), travel insurance, pre-trip orientation retreat, post-trip debriefing retreat, all food, lodging, and in-country transportation.(Does not include immunizations and travel meds, your travel to/from departure city, passport/visa expenses, other personal incidentals).
*Dates and Amount to Fundraise Subject to Change
