In the Gathering Space at St. Andrew's we have this small journal, inviting people to write in it their prayer intentions. We will carry it with us throughout the pilgrimage, and place it near the altar during our masses, offering those intentions on behalf of our fellow parishioners.

You are most welcome to add your own prayers, or those of your friends and family.

If you belong to a different parish or church community, you are invited to collect and carry the prayers of your community. Our prayer journal is small, just 3 1/2" by 5 1/2". Yours can be any type or size (but YOU will be carrying it to Mass, so you probably want to keep it small).

As we are just about one month from our trip, now might be a good time to begin thinking about your hopes and prayers for your own spiritual experience in France.

If you were at our last French class, you already know that Fr. Joseph, our original Spiritual Director for the pilgrimage, had to bow out for some medical issues (I saw him yesterday and he is looking good!). I'm sad for him not to be journeying with us, although I'm sure we will all carry him with us in prayer.

Fortunately, we have a wonderful replacement! Msgr. John Wall (pictured, left) has just retired for a second time (this time from campus ministry at the Newman Center in Chapel Hill. If that's not your school fear not: in his long career he has served at Duke AND NC State, too!), and is most excited to accompany us to France!  Msgr. Wall is a seasoned traveler, teller of endless stories, and a man of deep faith.

One other small change: the boat ride on the Siene will happen the day we arrive in Paris, because our final night's dinner is at a rather cosmopolitan hour and they don't want to wear us out completely!

If you did not receive Cathy's email from about 10 days ago and are interested in purchasing Euros, please be in touch in the next few days. (We sometimes have problems with emails not being delivered to Road Runner addresses).

Adult_faith[at]saintandrew[dot]org

When we land in Paris early on the morning of September 2, we'll be met at the airport by our English-speaking guide and our motor coach driver.  We will head westerly into the Normandy region and our home for the next two nights in Lisieux. In this town of St. Therese of the Child Jesus ("The Little Flower"), we will be staying in the pilgrimage accommodation, the Ermitage Sainte Therese. All rooms will have their own bathroom, but may not have a hair dryer. (I know that Cynthia just bought a dual-voltage travel hair dryer... maybe some can share?!)

This website also offers basic information about St. Therese and her family, and the main sites of Lisieux, which will be very close to our Ermitage!

Our home base for the remainder of our pilgrimage will be the Hotel Opera Cadet, on a quiet street in the midst of the Opera district in Paris.
The hotel website does mention free wi-fi - my guess is that it is available in the lobby rather than in all guest rooms- but free is good!
Of course, all rooms will have their own bathroom (with hair dryer), but please just be prepared that hotel rooms in Paris are quite... cozy (small) by American standards.

And with all things travel-related, please know that circumstances could cause a change of location. (That's not planned or expected, but I just have to add that in!)

I know that if my feet hurt, I'm miserable. So, I've already started trying out good and faithful walking shoes, to see which one(s) will make the trip, and keep me a happy pilgrim. And oh, the considerations.... which will give good support, but not be too heavy, too clunky, or just too hard to get on and off in airport security?

Please allow me encourage you to give a little thought to your footwear. Walk around for a mile or more (or wear the candidates all day on an active day) to be sure they feel good and are in good shape and don't tire you out. And if you decide you need/want to buy a new pair, now is the time to break them in (don't let Day 2 of the Pilgrimage be your first time walking in them, or I predict Day 3 will find you grumpy.). (And if white sneakers fulfill all your criteria for good footwear, so be it! Just don't be surprised if they hand you the tourist menu when you stop for lunch! Seriously: well-fitting shoes trump 'fashion' on any day that involves lots of steps.)