These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today? However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children's children. (Dt 4:1, 5-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031523.cfm
How important it is to teach your children and your children’s children the story of what God has done for us. As the old grandpa said, ¨We must tell the story . . . for when we stop remembering, we forget.’
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.¨ (Mt 18:21-35)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031423.cfm
As Peter discovers, it´s risky asking Jesus questions. Forgiveness is not optional—it is rather the heart of the gospel that Jesus preaches and lives.
Naaman, the army commander of the king of Aram, was highly esteemed and respected by his master, for through him the LORD had brought victory to Aram. But valiant as he was, the man was a leper. Now the Arameans had captured in a raid on the land of Israel a little girl, who became the servant of Naaman’s wife. “If only my master would present himself to the prophet in Samaria,” she said to her mistress, “he would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kgs 5:1-15ab)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031323.cfm
So much depends on the anonymous characters in the Scriptures. Today the little slave girl who bravely speaks up about the prophet in her country becomes the means by which healing comes to the Syrian commander. And then Jesus speaking about God intervening on behalf of ¨foreigners¨ proves to be too much for the people of his home town of Nazareth—they want to kill him. Today´s photo is of two pilgrims washing in the Jordan River.
Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done. (Jn 4:5-42)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031223.cfm
Water, like salvation itself, runs through the readings of this third Sunday of Lent. For those who are preparing for Baptism at Easter, their thirst will be satisfied with the Living Water that Christ provides for a person to drink and never thirst again. In one sense, Lent is an extended retreat preparing us all to renew the vows of our Baptism and inviting us to drink the Living Water that gives eternal life.
Dear Friends,
It is with great joy that I announce a Pilgrimage to France in May 2024. Below please find further information about our trip to visit with the Shrines and Historical Sites of France. Our pilgrimage will be organized by Proximo Travel. Our trip will culminate in our visit to the Shrine of Lourdes. Please prayerfully consider deepening your faith by joining us on our pilgrimage. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or call directly to Proximo Travel, (855) 842-8001. For those who are interested, we hope to provide an extension to the Shrine of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain at the end of our pilgrimage to France. Please let Proximo Travel know if you are interested in the extension to Santiago de Compostela.
Fr Morris Boyd
Blessings from the Padre!
PILGRIMAGE to FRANCE with FATHER MORRIS BOYD, 2024
Paris • Versailles • Chartres • Caen • Normandy • Mont Saint-Michel • Rouen • Lisieux • Taize • Ars-sur-Formans • Avignon • Toulouse • Lourdes
* 13 Days - THIS PRICE INCLUDES AIRFARE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE U.S.
$5,299.00
* May 19-31, 2024
* PROXIMO TRAVEL https://www.proximotravel.com/
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Departure from USA.
Day 2: Arrival. Tour the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and visit gift shop. See the beautiful sites of the Hotel des Invalides, the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe. Dinner and overnight in Paris.
Day 3: Visit the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and the winged victory Nike. After lunch, visit the Basilica of Sacre Coeur and see the artists along Montmartre. Mass at Sacre Coeur. Dinner and overnight in Paris.
Day 4: Tour of Chartres with its Gothic Cathedral and the beautiful Castle of Versailles. Dinner and overnight in Paris.
Day 5: Tour of Roeun and related sites of St. Joan of Arc. Drive by the Rouen Cathedral, resting place of King Richard the Lion-Hearted and Duke Rollo (Viking ancestor of William the Conqueror and blood relative to all sitting crowned heads of Europe). Tour of Normandy D-Day Beaches and visit the Museum of Bayeux Tapestry. Dinner and overnight in Caen.
Day 6: Visit Caen Cathedral, the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry. Tour of Mont St Michel and of Lisieux and the sites related to St. Therese of the Little Flower. Dinner and overnight Lisieux.
Day 7: On the way to Taize, visit the Chapel of Apparitions (St. Margaret Mary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) at Paray-Le-Monial then on to the Basilica in Paray-Le-Monial. Tour of Taize. Celebrate Mass or common prayer with world renown Taize Chant. Dinner and overnight in Taize.
Day 8: On the way to Avignon, visit Ars, the church, shrine, and home of St. John Vianney. Dinner and overnight in Avignon.
Day 9: Tour Avignon and marvel at its Papal Palace; discover the historic significance of St. Catherine of Siena’s prophetic ministry at Avignon. Dinner and overnight in Avignon.
Day 10: Drive to Toulouse. Tour of Toulouse and visit to the historical district. Dinner and overnight in Toulouse.
Day 11: When departing Toulouse, drive by and take photos in front of St. Dominic House, home of the first official Dominican community. Celebrate Mass at the Church of Les Jacobins, Mother Church of the Dominican Order, where the relics of St. Thomas Aquinas are venerated. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.
Day 12: Full day in Lourdes. Begin with Mass and our daily Rosary, afterwards visit the Grotto, the underground Basilica or the Miraculous Baths. After dinner, gather for the evening Candlelight Rosary Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.
Day 13: Fly back home.
Trip Includes
* Flights from anywhere in the United States and flights between countries as per your itinerary. (all necessary flights on your trip are included)
* Daily Mass will be scheduled.
* Airport Taxes, Security Fees & Fuel Surcharges Saving you an average of $400-$600!
* Transfers as per itinerary.
* 4 or 5 star hotels in downtown areas.
* Transportation with luxury bus.
* All breakfasts and all dinners. Wine included with all dinners.
* All tips to driver, hotel, and tour guide. If you feel that the tour guide did a great job, offering them extra tips is greatly appreciated.
* Guided Tours and Tour Fees ~ Our tour guides are very caring, licensed, and well educated. Many of our guides have their PhD's.
* Luggage handling (1 suitcase and 1 carry-on per person)
* Single Supplement (as long as the passengers is willing to room with someone and allows us to provide them with a roommate. If the passenger wants a guaranteed room of their own, then they have to pay the $900 single supplement)
Trip Does Not Include
* Lunch
* Covid Testing Costs (time for required Covid tests will be built into the tour)
* Trip Insurance. Work directly with Travel Guard to protect your investment and insure your money. There are different packages to choose from depending on what your travel needs are. Use the above link or the link right below the picture of the Pope on our home page to visit their site.
Steps For Registration
1. Call us (855) 842-8001 or register online (https://www.proximotravel.com/) with a credit card and pay your $500 deposit per person to save your spot. The $500 deposit is part of the total price of the trip.
2. A $1,000 Additional Deposit (AD) per person is due one month from the registration. The AD is paid ONLY in the form of Check (personal, money order, or bank check).
3. The balance is due 4 months before the trip departure date. The balance is paid ONLY in the form of Check (personal, money order, or bank check).
4. PLEASE NOTE: If you are registering online, please go to CLERGY TRIPS on the Proximo Travel webpage https://www.proximotravel.com/ and then scroll down to find the Pilgrimage to France with Father Morris B (May 19-31, 2024). Pilgrimages are listed by DATE.
Mail all checks and correspondence to:
Proximo Travel
PO Box 561
Auburn, MA 01501
NOTE: If you sign up for a trip within 4 months of the departure date, you pay the deposit of $500 with a credit card and the balance is required to be overnighted in the form of a personal check, money order or bank check.
