Information on France Pilgrimage

There will be an information meeting for our September 2014 Pilgrimage to France on Saturday, November 2

from 4-5pm at St. Andrew's.

(Just in case that travel bug is nibbling at you again!)

Update: The itinerary is looking amazing, and the cost is similar to the Italy trip.

Here is a link to the France Itinerary and Brochure. Paper copies are now available in the Gathering Space at St. Andrew's, and in the Adult Faith Formation office.

A little update

Ciao, familia!

I have begun to receive inquiries about our next pilgrimage trip, and wanted to give you an update here.

 We plan to travel to France in September, 2014!

  

Flight pricing will happen in mid-October, so we should have the itinerary settled and brochures printed by the end of October, 2013. We will most likely have an information meeting in early November at St. Andrew's. Please send Cathy an email if you would like to be contacted as soon as the information becomes available. Or: watch this space.

Adieu for now!!

Mmmmmm

In case you take advantage of LivingSocial Deals, and happened to miss this one- there is still time: $15 for $30 worth of food at Enrigo's Italian Bistro in Cary (that's where we had one of our family reunions).
You can click here to go directly to the offer.

Ciao!

Let us pray...

I have been thinking about you, 'family', as a new group of pilgrims prepares for our trip to Ireland just after Easter. As we did in Italy, we will be carrying a prayer journal with us (green this time) containing intentions to be offered during our masses. This journal is in the Gathering Space at St Andrew's, and you are most welcome to add your prayer intentions. If you are not able to get to St Andrew's, you can email me (Cathy) and I will write your intentions in for you.

And if you would like to follow our adventures in the Emerald Isle, here is the link to the April 2-11 Ireland Pilgrimage Blog.

We began our pilgrimage in prayer at the tomb of St. Francis, the beginning of a blessed and joyous journey in Italy.  May the beginnings of the pontificate of Pope Francis renew our Church and our own journeys of faith.

Blessings to you all!

You too?

All this week I have been thinking, "A year ago, we were....."

What are your enduring memories of our pilgrimage?

Saint Clare

Oh, I just missed it by a couple of days, but this past Saturday, August 11, was the feast of St. Clare of Assisi. 

You probably remember the Basilica of St. Clare, with the striped stone, the side chapel with the San Damiano cross and the impatient guards?

Here is a link to an article that tells the story of her leaving her home to renounce everything and eventually found the order of women religious now known as the Poor Clares.  




Right at the beginning of the article, it mentions the Cathedral of San Rufino, the one where St. Francis was baptized. That's the one with the clear areas of the floor that showed excavations, and the not well done animal carvings outside.



You might not have noticed, but there was a tiny chapel notched into the building just to the left of San Rufino (facing the church). This marked the family home of Clare. And later in the story, she is taken to the Porziuncola- which is now that small stone chapel with the large Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, down in the valley (where we celebrated Sunday mass).  It's neat to be able to read that article with the places in mind, isn't it?

Santa Chiara, pray for us!

July 28- next reunion!

We will be going to Enrigo's  in Waverly Place for dinner at 5pm on Saturday, July 28, as another 'family reunion' opportunity. As always, friends and family are welcome. An email was sent out today to the Italy pilgrims, including the list of people who have already RSVP'd to Cathy.

If you would like to come and are not on the list in the email message, please contact Cathy (or you can leave a comment here). She'll be making a reservation next Wednesday for us, to be sure we don't have to wait for a table!

And it IS a busy place, probably even more so since this recent News and Observer review:
A satisfying mix of authentic Italian fare - Dining - NewsObserver.com

Happy Summer!

With this post, I am feeling a bit like the Roman god Janus:

 

....Because I'd like to suggest one more 'family reunion'- on Saturday, July 28. If you agree, we could go back to Enrigo's at Waverly Place - and either meet early (5pm) to beat the crowds, or aim for post-5:30 mass around 7pm (but needing at least 8 people in order to make a reservation).

... And because I am now also looking ahead to the Ireland Pilgrimage, and we have just put the itinerary on our webpage for your enjoyment and information! Those dates are April 2-11, 2013.

Cincin and Slainte!