Photo Update - Wednesday

Each day of the pilgrimage begins and ends with prayer and reflection:

The group enjoyed a swamp tour in kayaks and canoes on Wednesday.  Rumor has it they did see an alligator, but not up close.

The J2A group has spent the past six months planning for our trip to New Orleans and now it's nearly here! The weather in Chicago is preparing us for the weather we expect down south. This weekend we will be deciding what to pack, what we really need and what we can leave behind. Monday morning we will be leaving Calvary at 5:15 to head for O'Hare.

Getting Ready

On Monday June 20th , our group of 7 teenagers and 2 adults met with parents to get final details for the trip. We practiced praying and reflecting together like we will do every morning and evening on pilgrimage.

Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

Mark 6:7-11

When Jesus sends his disciples and friends out to explore the world independently, he tells them to take nothing with them, and accept whatever hospitality is offered - but to let go completely when they leave a place that does not welcome them or the gospel.

Reflection Questions:

* What are you planning to pack? What would it be like to go to New Orleans without luggage, depending on God to take care of you?

* What “baggage” – attitudes, old experiences, ways of doing and being –do you think Jesus wants you to leave behind when you prepare for pilgrimage?

* What do you usually do when something goes wrong? How do you “shake the dust off” and let it go, so that it does not affect what comes next?

* What are your words of advice to the pilgrims?

Prayer:

May the strength of God pilot us.

May the power of God preserve us.

May the wisdom of God instruct us.

May the hand of God protect us.

May the way of God direct us.

May the shield of God defend us.

May the host of God guard us

Against the snares of the evil one

And the temptations of the world.

May Christ be with us

Christ above us

Christ before us.

May your salvation Lord,

Be always ours

This day and for evermore. Amen