Reaching Out

My official photo entry for an online contest.

Salubong in Olutanga Island

The Salubong ("Sugat' in Cebuano) is a Filipino tradition done early in the morning of Easter Sunday, wherein the images of the Risen Christ and Sorrowful Mother symbolically meet in a pre-dawn procession.

The celebration starts with two different processions that start at different points. The first one consists of the Risen Christ carried by men while the second consist of the Blessed Virgin Mary (covered with a black veil to denote her mourning) carried by women. These two processions meet at the church courtyard from different routes.

At this point, the ceremony of the meeting begins with the choir singing alleluias as Mary approaches Jesus. Then, an angel descends on top of the head of Mary and lifts the black veil from her, exposing a happy mother who is seeing her son. Little angels will then sing songs of joy.

Pakol!

Holy Land Dream

Millions of Christians dream to reach the Holy Land. But unfortunately the need of recruiting sufficient budget to fulfill this dream is very hard for them. The good news is that HOLY LAND DREAM is now here to organize tours to the pilgrims who wish to see the places they read in the Bible.

For a very small budget, HOLY LAND DREAM can insure you the best positive adventure in your life. Come on to follow Jesus Christ Trail. The real facts about Jesus Christ in Nazareth - Bethlehem - Jerusalem - Sea of Galilee area - Judean Desert area etc. For a very small budget, HOLY LAND DREAM can insure you the best positive adventure in your life.

It is the vision of the HOLY LAND DREAM TO enable pilgrims from all the economical classes to afford fullfilling The dream of visiting the Holy Land. As a christian travel agency ,it is your best consultant for the "Holy Land". Their staff is well experienced and well-educated and can dp the best to let the pilgrims feel at home.

HOLY LAND DREAM is always at your service.

They have 7 nights and 8 days program:

DAY 1: TEL AVIV / TIBERIAS Arrival in Tel Aviv airport. Meet & Assist by the guide and driver and make our way north to Sea of Galilee to your hotel for a dinner and over night for 3 nights.

DAY 2: TIBERIAS: CAPERNAUM AND SEA OF GALILEE SITES This morning we begin with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We will visit a replica of a fishing boat from the time of Christ. Our visit continues with Capernaum, the Heptapegon . We ascend by motorcoach to the Mt. of Beatitudes to gain a panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee. We continue to the Baptismal Site at the Jordan River to renew our baptismal vows, then a visit to Bethsaida. We return to hotel for the dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: TIBERIAS / NAZARETH / CANA / MT. TABOR / TIBERIAS We make our way to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation ,. Then to Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding feast. where we invite couples to renew their wedding vows. Our next stop is the site of the Transfiguration at Mt. Tabor. Back to hotel for a dinner and over night.

DAY 4: TIBERIAS / AKKO / MUHRAKA / CAESAREA / JERUSALEM: Today we drive towards our first station Akko (Acre) the great crusaders city. Continue to Carmel mountain to visit the holy shrine "Muhraka" which take us back to the period of the prophet Elia (Eliahu). Continue to the great Roman city built by king Harods the city of Caesarea. Continue to your hotel in Jerusalem for a dinner and over night for 4 nights.

Day 5: JERUSALEM: Mt. of Olives churches, Via dolorosa , Holy Sepulchre: We start our day by visiting Mt. Of Olives churches, continue to the old city by entering the Lions gate. Visiting the way of the cross churches , continue to Holy Sepluchre church to see the Golgotha place and Jesus tomb. Visiting the Dome of Rock and Al-Aqsa mosques (temple mountain), then we continue to the wailing wall for Jews. Continue to Mt. Zion churches: St. Peter Galicantu, Dormition Abbey ,the last supper room and King David Tomb. Back to hotel for a dinner and over night.

DAY 6: JERUSALEM - BETHLEHEM- EIN KAREM - JERUSALEM: Drive to Bethlehem, visiting first Shepherds’ Field, followed by the Church of the Nativity, St. Jeromes Chapel, and St. Catherines Church. We will allow extra time for shopping in Bethlehem. Returning, we stop in Ein Karem where we visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation. The balance of the day is at leisure to browse in the local markets. You may wish to include a group visit to the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum, telling the story of the Holocaust and serving as a sober reminder of mans inhumanity to man. Back to hotel for dinner and over night.

DAY 7: JERUSALEM-DEAD SEA AREA - JERICHO: Driving to the great stronghold of Massada the last Jewish resistance place against the Roman Empire great army. Ascending up to the site by a cable car. Our next stop is Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We stop to view the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. We continue to Jericho to view the Mt. of Temptations from a distance and to see the traditional Zaccheus site. This city was the site of Joshua’s first dramatic conquest. From a distance, we view the Mt. of Temptation, now home to Greek Orthodox priests. In our way back to Jerusalem we might visit Bethany site of the resurrection of Lazarus. Back to hotel for a dinner and overnight.

DAY 8: JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV / RETURN We transfer to the Tel Aviv airport for our return flight to the USA.

NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules.

FOR MORE DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Bassam Michael Abunassar
GM – Holy Land Dream
Tel: 972-4-6550000
Cell:972-505317179
Fax:972-4-6455565
Email: info@hl-d.co.il

please also visit their Facebook Page.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=69709945608