FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Diocesan Pilgrims, Bishop to Celebrate Jubilee Year with Trip to Rome

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, August 8, 2007—The Most Reverend William Murphy, bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, will host the diocese’s first pilgrimage to Rome from November 4 to November 12, 2007 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diocese. Msgr. James McNamara, pastor of Holy Cross parish, Nesconset, will be the spiritual leader.

Participants will visit the four major basilicas of Rome: St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul outside the Walls. At each of the basilicas, four different speakers, including Msgr. McNamara and Bishop Murphy, will talk about the four marks of the church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic.

The purpose of the pilgrimage is to gain “a deeper appreciation for the mysteries of the Church,” Msgr. McNamara said.

Mass will be celebrated each day. November 8 will be a free day to take one of three optional tours to Florence, Assisi or Pompei.

To date, approximately 120 people have registered for the pilgrimage.

The cost is $2,146 and includes round-trip airfare from JFK to Rome, seven nights at 4-star Hotel Cicerone in Rome, daily breakfast, three dinners at local restaurants, two dinners with wine and music and a farewell luncheon at a restaurant outside of Rome. It also includes a tour escort throughout the stay, guided tours and admission fees as per itinerary, hotel taxes and service charges, baggage handling, and flight bag/portfolio of all travel documents. It does not include meals not listed above and airport taxes.

Space is limited. For more information or to book online, please visit www.pilgrimages.com/rvcd or call 1-800-206-8687 for a brochure from 206 Tours in Smithtown.


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About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
Celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,198 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 2.8 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 18,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 19,000 first communions and 4,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are approximately 22,000 students in Catholic elementary schools; 13,000 in secondary schools and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 69 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. There are also 120,189 total students in religious education. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 59,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island. (4/20/07)
 

For more information Contact:
Sean P. Dolan
Director of Communications
516-678-5800, ext. 625
sdolan@drvc.org
 

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