Useful Holy Land Links...

Here's some links you can use to learn more about Israel:

First, maps:

http://www.mideastweb.org/misrael.htm
click into the detailed map - very nice topographical detail

http://www.eyeonisrael.com/
an interactive map with tourist info.

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/asia/il.htm
maps, plus basic outline info

http://www.bible-history.com/geography/ancient-israel/israel-first-century.html
ancient israel

If you want to get oriented, try clicking on a couple of those! Then, as Mike and I travel around, you can put the different places in perspective. One of the things that strikes me as I've looked at these maps is how small Israel is! It's probably a little smaller than the Upper Peninsula in total area!

-Ben

Out and about in da U.P.!

Greetings, pilgrims!

Well, Mike and I have been drumming up a little excitement for the pilgrimage! We've visited 3 of our lovely Catholic Schools this past week. Hopefully the youth, especially the middle-schoolers, will be able to plug into our experience.

Here are a few pictures of the mini-tour. Because we only had a few days on our break, we weren't able to visit all the schools. If we didn't visit yours, write us an email, and we can start the conversation!

Mike had his guitar along... We say a song based on Psalm 122: "Let us go unto the house of the Lord."

The Holy City... this panorama shot shows the Old City and the Temple Mount, looking across the Kidron Valley.

I talked about what it means to be a pilgrim. This exterior journey is sacramental. Like a sacrament, the exterior reality of journey and travel points to the interior reality of spiritual growth and conversion. Even if you can't go on the pilgrimage with us, you can definitely participate in this part of it. We're all on a journey towards God - heaven is the target and purpose of our lives.
He also sang a beautiful song based on Psalm 137. The psalm tells of how much the Israelites longed for Zion when they were exiled in Babylon as slaves.
This is a little oil lamp... like in Psalm 119: Thy Word, O Lord, is a lamp unto my feed, and a light unto my path!

Finally, Mike spoke of his first visit to the Holy Land, when he went with his dad for 10 days. Even that short journey was rich in learning and growth. I can't imagine what 11 weeks is going to be like!

Welcome to Yooper Pilgrims!

Welcome one and all to Yooper Pilgrims! Soon, Mike and I will be departing for the Holy Land for a full quarter of pilgrimage. Less than a year from ordination to the diaconate, this will be an opportunity for study and prayer in the place where it all started. I look forward to sharing the experience with you in some small way via this blog.

-Ben

Yeeeeehaw-! Hey Everyone- we're pretty excited to be taking off here. We especially want to welcome the teachers and students of UP Catholic schools to our site- don't forget to send us questions-! We'll be praying for you at the Holy Sites.

-Mike