Pilgrimage is always remarkable one in our Christian journey

LTCC had a great privilege to encourage people to do a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 16 of us including myself joined the Special Pilgrimage Tour. 

Altogether there were 53 people journeying for 8 days (from 9^th to 16^th Nov 2013) and stayed in various Hotels at Bethlehem and Tiberius.  Rev. Leszek Gamracy led us at the pilgrimage.

Every day our journey began with prayers which was encouraging and was a good reflection for each one of us to travel to the places  where Jesus lived and worked. It helped us to focus more  on our  own spiritual lives. As we were travelling in coaches throughout these fantastic 8 days we had a great privilege to attend the Mass at historic places  such as in the church of St John the Baptist at Ein Karem, Church of Dominus Flevit  at Beth-Fage, Shepherd’s field, Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of Cana, and  the Basilica of Transfiguration. 

Our time of singing, praying, chatting, eating and reading Bibles all enabled us to think and reflect   on Jesus who was moving, walking and living to give glory to God in those places 2013 years ago and his miracle and teachings all became living again within us. This experience cannot have more words to explain! This can only be experienced individually. Because every one’s experience is different!

We were able to remind our sacraments such as Baptism and Marriage and we were led to renew our Baptismal vows at Yardenit (the Baptismal site of our Lord Jesus) and to renew our wedding vows in the traditional site of Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle: water was changed into wine.

16 of us as LTCC family members were able to reflect during our daily evening prayers separately from the larger group with reflections and readings. Some though not able to attend the prayers everyday, the conversation with them and the reflection they carried were more inspiring and encouraging one as well.

Swimming in the Dead Sea was also a remarkable experience (we were floating and not swimming). This situation made me to think more on the power of God over His creation!

When I came out of the very moving Mass at the Bascilica of transfiguration, I was challenged by some of the young people from Catholic News from Canada to interview some of us including myself to express our reflection on ‘how this pilgrimage to the Holy Land makes difference in our lives’ which was encouraging and thought provoking for our future..

Their question made me to reflect on my 8 days of journey with the ecumenical pilgrims from Catholic churches and our LTCC congregations as an Ecumenical Christian Congregation. Very challenging and thought provoking experiences to me and I do hope many of us could feel the same! Visiting these places makes the Bible real and our faith livelier. Many times I had the God given opportunity to have conversation with  other pilgrims and local people where I met them in different sacred spots and local shops. One time particularly I was perplexed when I saw the following words written beautifully on the wall in Nazareth during our lunch.

I asked our coach driver the meaning of those words: ‘’Nahunu  Noridu Ilhaya behorea’’ ,  He said,’’ we are hear for living together’’ .

What a wonderful testimony! Christians, and Jews are giving the message to us that they are there in the Holy land to live together. I took this challenge; I am here in this world to live together in the midst of perplexed and peace less people and situations. Giving peace was the unique reason Jesus came to this world to help us.

Rev. Jessie Anand

29^th Nov 2013

Day trip to West Wittering in 2013

The main purpose of this day outing was to understand each other better within LTCC.

 51 members  started the journey from London to West wittering on 10^th August.  It was marvellous to see some of  LTCC family members bring their own family members.  They too laughed and chatted with us. So we were able to realise how much more LTCC is welcoming and integrating with unfamiliar people with Christian love. Every item of the day  brilliantly revealed the participants intention to mingle with one another and sharing what we have with one another.

While we were travelling in the bus lots of Sri Lankan folk songs inspired people not to forget their childhood and the life experiences back in Sri Lanka. Songs were played loudly with Tambourine music.  Lovely breakfast was shared in the bus.

Once we arrived the seashore parking fee was a challenging one to everybody. In addition to that  the elders encouraged and inspired the members to focus on the itinerary of that day to have proper organisation and  relaxation.. When we were in the sea, an elderly friend (Rajkumar’s Aunty..75yrs old) swam in the sea which was challenging and motivating many of us never to fail to appreciate her confidence to swim in her age!

Afternoon was a time we had different choices to see the creation and men and children were able to play Cricket joyfully together.

We had  fantastic time spending time in the seashore before our lunch together and Games and later filled the day with people’s own choices in the afternoon and we retired to our bus  at 5pm.

People never forget to praise God for the food and understand Jesus miracle story of 5 loaves and 2 fish motivated which  the disciples to collect the left over which filled  12 baskets.

Only one or 2 coffee shops were on the seashore. As we came out of the seashore  people felt how much more we were able to  relax in God’s creation without any shopping .Singing, Swimming, playing, chatting and eating were the highlights s of that day.

In His Service

Rev. Jessie Anand