Hi to Friends of the Spirit of St. Stephens group beginning the core part of their pilgrimage today! And greetings to other Living Stones pilgrimage friends… Thanks for your interest!

Blogging will begin in earnest with today’s adventures — a hike through the Al Makhrour Valley and visits to Al Walajeh village and to the Cremisan Winery.

Meanwhile, check out the Pilgrims of Ibillin Facebook page frequently at https://www.facebook.com/pilgrimsofibillin/ for photos and brief stories.

The first Living Stones Pilgrimage to Israel/Palestine is launched, with a great group of 16 who are all either members or friends of the Spirit of St. Stephens Catholic Community in Minneapolis. Bumpy start for them as 11 of them had their original flights cancelled due to the storm that slammed the East Coast Friday. Eight got here in time to enjoy Tel Aviv area Saturday and/or Sunday and then all 8 headed to Bethlehem today with a long stop at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. The photos below are from our visit late this afternoon to Dr.Mazin Qumsiyeh and the Natural History Center he and his wife are developing together with Bethlehem University. It was an inspiring, illuminating way to start. Tomorrow our other eight should be here, so let the full adventure begin!  Here are some teaser photos to get you to want more: