Water and Spirit: A Pilgrimage to Canada

Father Scott Boeckman (Associate Pastor at St. James the Greater), Father Rex Arnold (Pastor of Christ the King), and Judi Wilkinson (Pastoral Associate at St. Eugene’s Parish) invite you to join them on a unique pilgrimage to Canada. The theme of our pilgrimage is water and spirit. We will travel to places where water is a significant feature of the landscape and has played a role in the imagination and spirituality of local people.  We will travel first to Quebec City, one of the oldest settlements in North America where a unique formation on the St. Lawrence River made it a strategic place for French explorers.  We will travel to nearby Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré, a historic site of great healing. We explore Île-d’Orléans and the old walled city of Quebec. We then journey to Montreal, one of the great cities of North America, focusing on the early settlements of missionaries there as well as the great sites of the city including the Vieux Porte, the Basilica of Notre Dame, and the Oratory of St. Joseph, an breathtakingly beautiful and impressive monument in the city.  We then journey to Ontario to visit Niagara Falls.  This somewhat lengthy journey by motorcoach will traverse terrain that normally at this time of the year is rich in color with the changing foliage.  Our last nights will be in a charming town called Niagara-on-the-Lake, nestled amongst vineyards at the edge of Niagara Falls. Here we will see the Falls and conclude our pilgrimage.  Our program includes a full-time local tour guide/manager, first class accommodations, many meals, and liturgy daily.  This is an exciting and enriching journey to a beautiful part of our continent during a splendid time of the year. 

Program Itinerary

Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Depart Oklahoma City for Montreal.  Travel to Quebec City with an orientation to the city center and a welcome dinner.  Depending on time, perhaps a visit to the promenade and the Chateau Frontenac with view of the St. Lawrence. Overnight Quebec City.

Thursday, October 12, 2023
Breakfast.  Walking tour of the Old City of Quebec with an orientation to the history of its settlement - both Indigenous and French.  Include liturgy at Our Lady of Victories - the oldest parish there.  Include free time to shop and explore.  Afternoon visit the Plains of Abraham and the Art Museum.  

Friday, October 13, 2023
Breakfast.  Travel to Saint-Anne-deBeaupre. Enroute visit the Copper Art of Albert Gilles.  Guided visit to the Shrine + Mass there.  Continue then to the Ile de Orleans in the St. Lawrence River, and a traditional lunch in a Quebec sugar shack.  Focus some on the role of the St. Lawrence and Indigenous and French settlement here.  Return to Quebec City via the Falls of Montmorency.  Evening at leisure.  

Saturday, October 14, 2023
Breakfast. Travel to Montreal.  On arrival, guided visit to the Vieux Port area including the Point-A-Calliere museum (a fascinating place with information about the early days of Montreal). Focus on the interaction of the river and the early settlement - carrying forth the theme of water and spirit.  Include Mass at Notre-Dame-De Bon Secours - an historic structure that used to serve mariners.  Give people some free time before a mid-afternoon check in at hotel.  Free time with dinner at a local restaurant. 

Sunday, October 15, 2023
Breakfast.  Morning guided visit to the Oratory of St. Joseph with Mass.  Mid-day include a light lunch in a typical quarter of Montreal.  Afternoon guided visit to the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Some free time in the Old Port area. Evening at leisure.  Overnight Montreal.

Monday, October 16, 2023
Breakfast. Travel to Niagara on the Lake. This is a long drive but during foliage season will be pleasant/nice.  On arrival, allow people to just relax - walk around town at their own leisure/pace.  Dinner/overnight Niagara on the Lake.

Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Breakfast. Travel to Niagara Falls.  On arrival board a cruise at the feet of the Falls on the Canadian side with history of the Falls and the history of the development of hydro power.  Mass at a local church.   Visit and tasting at the Chateau des Charmes vineyard. Return to Niagara on the Lake for dinner/overnight.

Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Breakfast.  Depending on flight schedule, perhaps some free time in Niagara on the Lake.  Transfer to 
Toronto airport for a return flight to Oklahoma City.
 

Inclusive Features:

Flights Oklahoma City-Montreal and Toronto-Oklahoma City, 7-nights accommodations in centrally located 4-star hotels, breakfast daily, 2 lunches, one wine tasting, 5 dinners, local transportation via deluxe motorcoach, a full-time local tour manager and guide, and entrances and guided visits per the itinerary

Complete Program Prices:

Includes group airfare and airport transfers
$4850 per person based on double occupancy
$1300 supplement for single occupancy

Land Only Program Prices:

Excludes all airfare and airport transfers
$4350 per person based on double occupancy
$1300 supplement for single occupancy

Please note: If you have selected double occupancy but no roommate is available due to uneven numbers or if your roommate should cancel you will be in a single room and responsible for the single room supplement.

All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When paying with a credit card, you will be charged the standard base price, which is 5% higher.

All program prices are based on availability of services at the time registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect January 25, 2023—and on 2023 land and air tariffs—and are subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume’s Conditions and Clauses.

The program prices will be reviewed before the invoices for the final payment are mailed, and will reflect the current prices.

Program Registration:

With questions, please contact:

Judi Wilkinson
3901 N Harvey Parkway; OKC, OK 73118
405-627-9965
j_wilkinson@cox.net

Step 1: Complete the Event Registration Form before April 30, 2023

EVENT REGISTRATION FORM

Step 2: Submit your $1000 deposit check per person to Judi Wilkinson not later than April 30, 2023.

Checks should be made payable to illume. Please include the program number 23.10617 on the memo line.

You will receive a Welcome E-mail from illume after your check is received. You will also receive a link to add optional Travel Insurance/Protection to your program at that time.

Second nonrefundable deposit of $1500 per person due not later than: May 30, 2023

Balance of payment due not later than: July 13, 2023

Note: Any changes to the program will be outlined in the final documents which you will receive one month prior to departure. If changes are made that affect the program price, you will receive an invoice or a credit accordingly.

Program No. 23.10617