Come see St. Peter's Basilica
We are putting together a custom tour of Rome and Assisi, Italy for high school and college students from our parish and the area. This 8-day educational pilgrimage will take place in June of 2010. Participants will tour the many sights of Rome including the Vatican (with a possible general audience with the Pope), the Sistine chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and much more. We will also spend a day in the beautiful city of Assisi where we will visit the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare.
The cost is approximately $3,360 for students 12-22. Adults 23 and older may also attend for a slightly larger fee (Approximately $3,665 per person). Included with the cost is round trip airfare, six nights in a centrally located hotel, guided tours, ground transportation, breakfasts at the hotel and dinners while in Italy. 
This is a perfect graduation gift or instead of spending thousands of dollars on a party for your daughter's 15th birthday, send her to one of the most amazing cities in the world. For more information, contact Scott Lawson. You can also visit the EF Educational Tours website at www.eftours.com/parents. Go to the lower right hand part of the web page where it says, "Get Started Here," and type in our tour number 576264.
Space is limited. We currently (as of February 7, 2010) have 49 people attending (including our Bishop Kevin Vann). We have room for 5 more people. To secure your spot on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, you may visit the website or call 1-800-665-5364. The fee must be paid by February 24, 2010 in order to secure your spot. Here is a brief tentative itinerary:
Day 1 Monday, June 14, 2010
Board your overnight flight to Rome!
Day 2 Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Arrive in Bella Roma, the Eternal City. Here, Charlemagne was crowned emperor by the pope in A.D. 800.
Day 3 Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Papal audience. Join worshippers from across the globe as you attend the weekly Papal Audience in St. Peter's square. (subject to availability)
Free time in Vatican City. Take time to explore more of one of the world's smallest states.
Day 4 Thursday, June 17, 2010
Guided sightseeing of Rome. Your guided sightseeing of ancient Rome takes you to places like the Forum Romanum, the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain.
Free time in Rome. Take an opportunity to sit by the banks of the Circus Maximus and imagine what it was like to watch chariot races there. Walk down dare to put your hand in the Boca de Veritas (Mouth of Truth). Take some time to visit some of the most fashionable shops in the world, or just relax with some delicious gelato.
Day 5 Friday, June 18, 2010
Free Day. Spend part of the day venturing out to St. Paul Outside the Walls or shopping in one of the many piazzas (town squares). This is the day to see and do what you want at your own pace.
Day 6 Saturday, June 19, 2010
Guided Sightseeing of Vatican City. The world's largest dome is located in the world's smallest country. Visit St. Peter's, the Vatican Museum, and the incredible Sistine Chapel.
Free time in Rome. Take the metro to St. John Latteran, the parish where the Pope celebrate regular Sunday liturgy. The baptistry at St. John Latteran contains the Sacred Steps that Jesus walked up to be judged by Pontius Pilot (they were brought to Rome at the request of the wife of Emperor Constatine), try some Italian cuisine, visit the Castel de San Angelo, shop, or just sit at an Italian cafe and enjoy some cappucino.
Day 7 Sunday, June 20, 2010
Excursion to Assisi
Transfer to the hilltop town of Assisi, home of the stunning Basilica of St. Francis and birthplace of both St. Francis and St. Clare. Attend Sunday Mass at one of the beautiful churches in Assisi. After Mass, tour the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare.
Day 8 Monday, June 21, 2010
Return flight home.
We currently have 3 parishes participating in this awesome event:
St. Joseph in Arlington
Sacred Heart in Muenster
St. Catherine in Carrollton