Organising a pilgrimage can seem a daunting prospect. To help you,
we have identified seven simple steps to a successful pilgrimage.
STEP 1 Participate in a McCabe Introductory Pilgrimage
As pilgrimage organiser you will be invited to come and see the Holy Land. We will show you rather than tell you! The cost of this experience is heavily subsidised and is refundable if you lead a pilgrim party consisting of a minimum of 16 people. A McCabe introductory experience is conducted in the same way as a parish pilgrimage and is designed to give you both the knowledge and the confidence to lead your own parish on pilgrimage. This is also an opportunity to meet McCabe staff and our partners in the Holy Land.
STEP 2 Decide when you want your group to travel
Twelve to fifteen months preparation time is normal. Your decision will be influenced by factors such as your church calendar, school holidays and perhaps the length of time that potential pilgrims will need to save. Consider planning your pilgrimage to coincide with a major anniversary or event in the life of your church. Ideal pilgrimage months are February to June and September to November. Avoid school holiday periods if at all possible.
STEP 3 Discuss your itinerary with McCabe
We will expect major input from the leader regarding worship and the ‘feel’ of the pilgrimage. We will then produce a day by day itinerary incorporating your ideas. At this stage, we will make initial reservations with the airline and hotels.
STEP 4 McCabe will produce a personalised pilgrimage brochure
The brochure will contain a programme, hotel details, tour cost and all the information required to make a reservation. We will also design a poster for you. We will print as many brochures and posters as you require and more can be sent by return of post any time. You should plan a brochure distribution among your parishioners and perhaps a meeting to launch the project. Once the brochure is published the pilgrimage will take on a momentum of its own and firm dates and price will prompt people to pay a deposit.
STEP 5 McCabe do the administration
You collect booking forms and deposits in the first instance so that you can keep a record of who is travelling. You then send the booking form and deposit cheque to McCabe in freepost envelopes we provide. From that point we then take over all of the administration and deal directly with your people. You are not required to do any banking of cheques or corresponding with your pilgrims. We will send each traveller an individual confirmation of their place on the pilgrimage and 10 weeks before departure we will send a reminder that the balance payment is now due. 2 weeks prior to departure we send travel documents direct to each traveller. You have no personal financial commitment as pilgrimage organiser and if, for any reason, the pilgrimage is cancelled, McCabe will promptly refund all monies paid.
STEP 6 Tour Leader's Information
Before departing, we send you a comprehensive briefing pack containing passenger lists, local telephone numbers, details of your guide, tipping recommendations and notes on every aspect of the pilgrimage designed to keep you well informed and one step ahead of your party!
STEP 7 You are not alone!
A McCabe representative will meet you at your departure airport and assist with check-in formalities. On arrival in the Holy Land, you will be met by your guide who will accompany you throughout your pilgrimage. The Albina family will contact you on a daily basis and assist where necessary. Last but not least, we have worked with the same hotels for more than twenty years and staff and management understand your needs as a pilgrim party almost before you ask!