Arrival in Tel Aviv

So, when we last left off, we were waiting for our plane in St. Paul. Well, the plane we were supposed to board, supposedly needed a new part when we got there, and then it didn't, and then it really did. We ended up delayed about 1.5 hours but we made our next flight. You can see why we were a bit worried about using 

the plane below.

Here is a short video that explains more of the same.

After a short wait in New York, we were on the plane for a 10 hour flight. After a couple of movies and some restless sleep, I have come to an important conclusion: now I have heard that mothers, after they have  had a child, somehow forget the pain of childbirth because of the joy of their new child. I think the same sort of thing happens with long distance flights. We forget the jet lag because of the happiness of the trip afterward. However, I am still in the jet lag phase which makes me groggy, tired, and even a little weird. Hopefully a good night of sleep will remedy my condition and that of my fellow pilgrims. 

The plane we took from New York. 

But our reward, after a long flight, baggage, interesting cab rides, and check in is this beautiful sight of the Mediterranean Sea:

More posts will be forthcoming. But right now, I need to get some sleep. 

Tomorrow - some good group pictures so the fans back home can be satisfied.

Until then - may peace be with you my brothers and sisters.- Fr. Kristopher

The Beginning

Today marks the beginning of our pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  

As described in the Catholic Encyclopedia, pilgrimages are "journeys made to some place with the purpose of venerating it, or in order to ask there for supernatural aid, or to discharge some religious obligation." 

For us on this pilgrimage though, we can't wait to deepen our faith by seeing where Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose from the dead. This morning marks the beginning of our pilgrimage. The details are below. 

At 8:00 am, bright and really early for our flight, 7 of our group and me, the not so inspiring leader (see below) arrived in Sioux Falls for check in. Check in was smooth. I love how nice people in SD are. The flight was quick and event-less. It was Joe Gliko's first time in the air - even if was only for 30 minutes. Now we wait in St. Paul for our next leg of the journey to New York. 

Snowy Sioux Fall

Fr. Kristopher explaining the nature of a pilgrimage. 

Upon arrival in St. Paul, there was a happy reunion of family members, Pat, Lila, and Donnie, with Mary Ann. It is always good to see these reunions.

A Happy Reunion