The Diocese of Metuchen, NJ has made arrangements for bus transportation to the Papal Mass on September 27, 2015 in Philadelphia from various locations throughout the diocese. A number of parishes/groups are also running bus trips to the Papal Mass (check with your parish). The Papal Mass is scheduled for 4:00 pm on Benjamin Franklin Boulevard, Philadelphia. Once we have a clear picture of the number of people who want to participate from each site, we will assign bus coordinators and send confirmation materials with precise details. Prayer and reflection resources will also be provided to enable pilgrims to share a common experience as the Diocesan Church in preparation for and on the day of this special event.

 

The round trip bus reservation and pilgrimage package will be $55. per person. Each participant is responsible for their own meal costs on that day and also any train/shuttle expenses from the parking lot to the event site and back. Pilgrims should be physically fit and prepared to walk several miles. Reservations for bus seats are limited and will be accepted on a “first-come first-served” basis. For those interested in reserving a bus seat, you may do so starting on July 8, 2015 using the preferred online method by visiting: www.diometuchen.org/WMOF

 

You may also register via phone by calling 732-562-1990 ext. 1543 during the hours of 10am -1 pm, Monday thru Friday starting on July 8, 2015. All payments will be by credit card only. Space is limited. There will be no refunds. Once the seats are filled, a waiting list will be formed. All participants must make payment and agree to the Trip Terms and Conditions before reservations will be confirmed. Additional details regarding the Pilgrimage will be sent out at the end of the summer.

 

Bus Trip Pick-Up Locations:

 

*       Immaculate Conception, Annandale

 

*       St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bridgewater

 

*       St. Bartholomew, East Brunswick

 

*       St. Cecelia, Iselin

 

*       St. Augustine of Canterbury, Kendall Park

 

*       St. Thomas the Apostle, Old Bridge

 

*       St. John Neumann Center, Piscataway

 

*       St. John Neumann Center, Piscataway

 

*       Our Lady of the Mount, Warren

 

*       St. Joseph, Washington

 

Thank you Sr. Ruth Bolarte I. H. M., Director for the above information.

 

 

Schedule: 2015 Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to the United States of America

 

 

Here is the schedule for Pope Francis’ September 2015 Apostolic Journey to the United States of America as released by the Vatican on June 30, 2015.  All times listed are Eastern Daylight Time.

tuesday, september 22 (washington, dc)

• 4:00 p.m.    Arrival from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews

wednesday, sePtember 23 (washington, dc)

• 9:15  a.m.  Welcome ceremony and meeting with President Obama at the White House
• 11:30 a.m. Midday Prayer with the bishops of the United States, St. Matthew’s Cathedral
• 4:15  p.m.  Mass of Canonization of Junipero Serra, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

thursday, september 24 (washington, dc, new york city)

• 9:20  a.m.  Address to Joint Session of the United States Congress
• 11:15 a.m. Visit to St. Patrick in the City and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
• 4:00 p.m.   Depart from Joint Base Andrews
• 5:00 p.m.   Arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport
• 6:45 p.m.   Evening Prayer (Vespers) at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 (NEW YORK CITY)

• 8:30  a.m. Visit to the United Nations and Address to the United Nations General Assembly
• 11:30 a.m. Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial and Museum, World Trade Center
• 4:00  p.m.  Visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School, East Harlem
• 6:00  p.m.  Mass at Madison Square Garden
• Tickets will not be sold and they will be extremely limited. Tickets will be primarily distributed to parishes within the Archdiocese of New York, with a limited number distributed to the other dioceses in New York State. Other Catholic organizations and institutions throughout the archdiocese of New York will also receive tickets, who will then extend invitations to their members. You can contact your own diocesan chancery office after July 1 for more information. There will be no tickets available publicly through any other means, if you live in New York, we suggest that you reach out to your parish after July 1. 

saturday, september 26 (new york city, philadELphia)

• 8:40  a.m.  Departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport
• 9:30  a.m.  Arrival at Atlantic Aviation, Philadelphia
• 10:30 a.m. Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
• 4:45  p.m.  Visit to Independence Mall
• 7:30  p.m.  Visit to the Festival of Families Benjamin Franklin Parkway

sunday, September 27 (philadelphia)

• 9:15   a.m.  Meeting with bishops at at St. Martin’s Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
• 11:00  a.m. Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
• 4:00  p.m.   Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• 7:00   p.m.  Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families, Atlantic Aviation
• 8:00   p.m.  Departure for Rome