Pilgrimages - 2005
Go back to PFMC HOME PAGE.
PFMC Pilgrimage to Medjugorje (PPM) (05PPM05), Tuesday, 17 May 2005, through Wednesday, 25 May 2005 or Friday, 27 May 2005 (Father Guiterrez):
This Pilgrims of Faith Marian Center (PFMC) Pilgrimage to Medjugorje (PPM) is combined with one already scheduled by 206 Tours.
They have set up a web page for all the PFMC pilgrimages coordinated with them. An information sheet with a reservation form for 05PPM05 prepared in conjunction with 206 Tours is available.
An information sheet with reservation forms for 05PPM05 was prepared by the PFMC and mailed out with the February - March 2005 issue of "The PILGRIM."
An information sheet with reservation forms for 05PPM05 was prepared jointly by 206 Tours and the PFMC. It was mailed out with the April 2005 issue of "The PILGRIM."
Here is the latest information on this 05PPM05 pilgrimage.
Last updated: 23 April 2005
Depart Tuesday, May 17th 2005 from New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK)International Airport transferring Austrian Group (OS) planes in Vienna, Austria on Wednesday, May 18th 2005, fly to Dubrovnik, Croatia, where there will be customs to be cleared and visa control. Board a motor coach for transfer to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
On arrival at a private home in Medjugorje, in the vicinity of Saint James Church, on Wednesday, May 18th 2005, pilgrims will be met by members of the host family and shown their rooms. Each room, double occupancy, is simple but comfortable with a private bathroom. The dining room accommodates pilgrims for family style breakfasts and suppers. Lunch or snacks are readily available at outlets nearby. Fasting is encouraged.
Medjugorje supports many experiences in Our Lady’s arms, Apparition Hill (Podbrdo) and Cross Mountain (Krizevac) to climb, moments for prayer, talks by visionaries, priests, guides, and pilgrims.
The 7(9) days and nights in Medjugorje will normally consist of morning English and evening Croatian Holy Mass, with Confessions available every afternoon, visits to the visionaries present in Medjugorje, and presence at any apparitions where we are allowed. We will also visit the Oasis of Peace, and the Cennacolo communities. Veneration of the Cross is scheduled on Friday. Adoration with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is scheduled on Wednesday and Saturday and available in many Adoration Chapels some of which are open 24 hours per day. A shrine schedule will be provided.
There will be excursions outside of Medjugorje to visit places and people of significance to the Medjugorje experience.
If he is available, we will travel to see Father Jozo Zofko, the pastor of Saint James Parish in 1981. He normally resides in the Franciscan Monastery at Siroki Brijeg. If we go to Siroki Brijeg we will make a round trip return to Medjugorje via Tihaljina and the Church of Saint Elijah. This church contains the Statue of the Immaculate Conception whose face has become a symbol for Medjugorje. Father Jozo Zofko was Pastor of this parish after he got out of prison and pilgrims to Medjugorje were brought to him for his talks and blessing. He gave out thousands of pictures of the faces of this statue to the pilgrims.
We plan to visit Mostar and the Cathedrals, Old and New, of the local Bishop of the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno which includes Medjugorje; Slano and the Church of Saint Jerome who grew up near there; and Dubrovnik, the walled city protected by Saint Blase. In an effort to complete this list of excursions without missing anything in Medjugorje we have planned an extension of 2 nights in Medjugorje. The estimated ~$199 extension cost helps cover the cost of these extra excursions. They will be individually priced per person based on numbers taking them.
On either Wednesday, May 25th 2005 or Friday, May 27th 2005, depart Medjugorje on a motor coach trip across the mountains for the flights to Boston, MA, or JFK, NY.
Currently all of the PFMC coordinated pilgrims are returning to JFK, NY. Most are departing on Friday, May 27th 2005 with a motor coach ride to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and a flight to Vienna, Austria for the return to JFK, NY.
Return home spiritually refreshed.
PFMC Pilgrimage to Lourdes (PPL) (04PPL08) via Paris, Monday, 1 August 2005 through Tuesday, 9 August 2005 (On hold):
Nancy West from Saint Mary Parish in Williamstown, NJ asked Kathleen to coordinate a pilgrimage to Lourdes for the dates indicated above.
Nancy West had to leave the area for family reasons and has not been in contact to complete pilgrimage arrangements. Planning is currently on hold.
PFMC Pilgrimage to Medjugorje (PPM) (04PPM09), Monday, 5 September 2005 through Tuesday, 13 September 2005 (Father Calloway):
Rafael Villongco is coordinate this pilgrimage to Medjugorje with 206 Tours but asked if we would advertize for him. Any pilgrims responding to PFMC advertizement of this pilgrimage will be credited to the PFMC by 206 Tours.
An information sheet with reservation forms for Villongco is available.
Package cost is $1499 plus $160-$250 to cover air taxes and $99 for travel / medical insurance.
This Pilgrims of Faith Marian Center (PFMC) Pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo (Saint Padre Pio of Pieltrelcino), Lanciano (8th Century Eucharistic Miracle), and Monte Sant' Angelo (Cave of Saint Michael the Archangel), Italy was set up for us by 206 Tours.
They have set up a web page for all the PFMC pilgrimages coordinated with them.
Their information sheet is available at 206 Father Hartman.
A copy of the PFMC information packet with reservation and payment form is available on this web site at PFMC Father Hartman.
Package donation is $2499.
The package includes:
Airport Taxes of about $150.
Breakfast and dinner daily.
Hotel accommodations (double occupancy) 3-4 Star, taxes, and service charges.
Baggage handling (1 piece per person).
Round trip air from Newark to Bari via Rome on Alitalia / Delta.
Stop in Bari for panoramic tour and a visit to Saint Nicholas Church, with Holy Mass, if possible, there.
English speaking escort / guide for all transfers.
Coordinator from the PFMC throughout the pilgrimage assisting with arrangements for daily Holy Mass and all spiritual activities.
All guided tours and admission fees.
Tour through the shrine of Saint (Padre) Pio, monastery living quarters, and hospital.
Holy Mass daily, and, if possible, at the tomb of Saint (Padre) Pio.
Guided air conditioned motor coach round trip to Lanciano and the shrine of the 8th Century Eucharistic Miracle with Holy Mass there.
Motor coach to Monte Sant’ Angelo and Saint Michael the Archangel Cave with admission. Holy Mass, if possible, there.
Visits to Christian sites in Rome including the Coliseum, Catacombs of Saint Callixtus, and four Basilicas - Saint Mary Major, Saint John Lateram, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and Saint Peter in Vatican City where we will pray at the grave of Pope John Paul II. There will be an option to visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel during Saturday morning free time at a cost of $15.
Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents for each pilgrim.
All reservations are held with $500 deposit donation by cash, check made out to PFMC and sent to 61 Cooper Road Voorhees, NJ 08043 or, charge to MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. The PFMC asks that any charges be accompanied with a 3% additional donation to cover handling fees.
Final or full donations are due 90 days in advance and with applications after July 11, 2005.
Donations to the PFMC for self or others may be solicited and collected to support those who cannot afford this pilgrimage. See Donations.
Travel insurance is not included because the cost is age dependent as in most insurance. An excellent package is available and is highly advisable. Policy application forms with costs which range from $68 to $362 will be sent with reservation confirmation letters to each pilgrim. The PFMC provider M. H. Ross Travel Insurance Services is available via 800-423-3632.
Special meals or dietary arrangements are not included. These must be arranged for at least 10 days before pilgrimage departure and before 30 September 2005. Lunches and snacks as well as alcoholic beverages are not included. Plan about $10 for a light lunch and about $20 for hot lunch.
Single Supplement (private room) requires an additional $350 per person included with deposit.
Transportation to/from Newark International Airport (EWR) is not included. Add-on air transportation is available from other airports to meet up with this pilgrimage group in Newark. Local limousine service information and a willingness to coordinate pilgrim transportation is available from the PFMC.
Tips for the guides, hotel staff, and motor coach drivers are not included because tips are an individual pilgrim’s option based on service received. The PFMC offers the following suggestions: Guides about $5 per day; hotel staff about $1 per bag for bell person, or $1 per room night for maid service, food service staff is tipped in the pre-arrangements but you can leave a $1 bill on the table if the service was special to you; motor coach drivers who handle bags should be tipped about $1 per bag in addition to about $2 for a transfer. Following these suggestions, here is what we prepare for tips for this pilgrimage: Escorts / Guides $45, hotel staff $13-$17 depending on number of bags, motor coach drivers depends on number of bags: Bari to San Giovanni $3-$4, Lanciano $2, San Giovanni to Bari $3-$4, into Rome $3-$4, out of Rome $3-$4, or total of $72-$80. To make it easier on pilgrims, the PFMC offers to collect tips in separate envelopes of $80 (in $5 (10) and $1 (30) bills) at the airport before departure and disburse them as appropriate. Pilgrims are always welcome to add extra tips for particularly good service.
Need for wheelchair or other medically approved assistance must be stipulated with medical documentation from a medical provider. The PFMC coordinator or nurse will speak to each pilgrim needing special assistance to assess the individual need. This must be approved prior to registration confirmation.
The PFMC coordinator or nurse is responsible to assist all pilgrims to Italy, and throughout this PFMC pilgrimage.
Father Hartman is not required to handle airline tickets, rooming, or other non-spiritual details.
An agent coordinator, escort, or guide will be with this pilgrimage group and will be available for questions about scheduling, rooms, and airline transfers. He/She will assist and coordinate the daily program with the PFMC Coordinator and the Spiritual Director.
A medical information sheet will be sent with confirmation of each pilgrim’s reservation. This is to be filled out completely, and sent with a photo copy of each pilgrim’s passport photo page, with computer code at bottom of page visible in photocopy, to the PFMC at 61 Cooper Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043. Processing for ticketing will not proceed until the PFMC has these two documents as ticket names must agree with passport names and we must accommodate all medical needs within the ticketing process. Tickets will be carried to Newark by the PFMC Coordinator and personally handed to each pilgrim in the Alitalia / Delta baggage / check-in area.
P>This Pilgrims of Faith Marian Center (PFMC) Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Canada - Montreal and Quebec (Saint Joseph Oratory, Saint Anne de Beaupre, Our Lady of the Cape) - (05PPC10) is via motor coach from Saint Theresa Church, Bronx, NY.
A copy of the PFMC information packet with reservation and payment form is available at 05PPC10.
Package donation is $580.
Current PFMC Pilgrimage Conditions:
All PFMC groups that fly to near their destinations leave from either Philadelphia or Newark unless that is impossible then from JFK.
Every pilgrimage is planned to have a priest spiritual director assigned and offers a full daily spiritual program. A pilgrimage coordinator, usually a volunteer at the PFMC, trained in pilgrimages, rooming lists, and pilgrim needs, etc. will accompany each pilgrimage allowing the priest spiritual director pay attention to the spiritual needs of the group.
We have travel insurance with many options, including medical, available for all pilgrimages. We always recommend that pilgrims carry travel insurance and if a medical problem exists that the PFMC coordinator be made fully aware of that problem in advance and that all medical options in the travel insurance be considered.
A full time English speaking escort or guide will accompany us. Land transportation is in comfortable air-conditioned motor coaches. Unless otherwise noted, breakfast and supper is included so that pilgrims do not have to worry about finding reasonably priced and nutritious meals. Mid-day snacks or meals such as lunch are not included. Stops are made for rest and relaxation at places where snacks or meals are available. Many pilgrims choose to fast from breakfast until supper.
We hope that you will review the above pilgrimage destinations, dates, itineraries, and, especially, our very competitive package costs. We will be using regularly scheduled airlines. The only catch is that you are asked to sign up no later than 45 days ahead. Click on the underlined links where available to view a more detailed information sheet and registration form.
Airlines try to recoup their seats at 60 days and ask for advance payments on all named pilgrims. We indicate that full payment is due at the 60 day point in order to cover these payments to the airlines and the travel agents who are booking the hotels. The agents, airlines, and hotel managers become very aggressive about the advance payments at 45 days. Seats and rooms without names generally have to be surrendered. Reservations after 45 days will be taken with full payment and attempts will be made to find seats and rooms with the pilgrimage group. It is very important that pilgrims sign up as soon as the spark of your prayer leads you to go on a specific pilgrimage. Only the deposit, usually $500, is needed prior to 60 days before the departure date. Travel or pilgrimage interruption insurance will greatly assist in recovering costs if there is a problem that arises after initial sign-up. Click on underlined links where available to view a more detailed information sheet and registration form.
Group Pilgrimages Tailored to YOUR Needs:
If anyone wishes to make a pilgrimage with PFMC coordination please contact us at (856) 768-9228.
Go back to Pilgrimages HOME PAGE.
Go back to PFMC HOME PAGE.
You are the 
visitor to this page. Thanks for visiting.
