Our Office will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2010

Dear parishioners of Holy Family,

As many of you already know, I will be taking a seven month sabbatical in a few weeks. I will be attending the Pontifical North America College in Rome, Italy but before arriving at Rome, I will be doing a 40-day spiritual walk journey in Spain which is well known as The Way of Saint James. It is one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during the medieval times and a pilgrimage route on which a plenary indulges can be earned. I will be doing the French Route which begins in Saint Jean Pied de Port. This is the route, from the French and Spanish border, which was and still is followed by pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Some of you may not be familiar with the Basilica of Santiago de Compostela. It is believed that St. James the Apostle’s remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northem Spain where he was buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago of Compostela. Since I will be walking from 7 to 9 hours a day, which will not only be physical, but also emotionally demanding as well. I would like to ask for a favor from each one of you. I would like you to say a prayer for me everyday and in return as a sign of my gratitude, I would like to carry with me the names of your family or relatives who are suffering from any kind of illness or your name if you are the one who is ill. I will say a prayer for you as well, in every church that I will enter in my way to St. James’ Basilica and then when I arrive at the city of Santiago I will present your intentions at the feet of the Apostle St. James. Also, I would like to carry with me the names of your loved ones who are in the military service.

I encourage you to follow me on my blog at http://picasaweb.google.com/Fr.Santos.Ortega Thank you and God bless you, Fr. Santos

Here you can read first-hand accounts of all the pilgrims involved of our experiences as we prepare our journey to World Youth Day as well as receive updates on the group while we are there!

Also, here is the best place for fellow pilgrims to keep each other updated on current projects and activities that occur in the time before we travel overseas, documenting our fundraising, retreats and miscellaneous adventures together as one big happy family! Please keep us in your prayers as we start our spiritual adventure. If you would like to donate to our pilgrimage, you can do so by mailing your tax deductible donation to: Holy Family Church, 9974 I Ave, Hesperia. Make checks payable to Holy Family Church attention: WYD2011. 

Visit us on our blog at http://hfcpilgrimpage.blogspot.com