Kirk and Debbie Whitney, Rome

Name:

Kirk Whitney

Vocation:

Retired

Location:

Fresno, CA

Website:

• Missionimage.blogspot.com
• lasurlytable.blogspot.com

Social Media Links:

Google+: Kirk Whitney Facebook: Kirk Whitney

How often do you travel?

We try to travel at least once a month, in our current situation, it is difficult to be away from home for more than one or two days. Fortunately we live in the center of California, so even that limitation offers us many great destinations to choose from.

Where are some of your favorite destinations?

Italy has been our favorite so far. Most of our travel has been domestic. Boston, Washington DC and believe it or not, Los Angeles and Kansas City are among our favorite cities.

How is travel a spiritual experience for you? How do you turn any travel opportunity into a pilgrimage?

I was travel averse when I was younger. I got a bit more relaxed about travel in my thirties. (You have to relax when you are on a road trip with three kids.) When I started to travel a lot for work, my research on cities usually included places to go to church. I’ve had the pleasure of attending mass at some interesting and historically significant churches. Some of these include, the Cathedral of St. Augustine (The first Catholic Church in North America), The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Duomo in Florence. Attending mass or just visiting a church in a new place can turn even a simple weekend trip into a pilgrimage.

Have you ever had a “travel nightmare”? How did your faith help you through the experience?

We booked a tour with a “Catholic” tour company that went bankrupt just before our scheduled departure. We were all packed up with no place to go. We were crushed initially, but resolved to not “let our hearts be troubled”. We got in our car, and took a road trip through Southern California and Nevada (yes, Vegas!). Once we recovered our money (From the tour company, not Las Vegas), we booked a tour with an established secular tour company. We still managed to have a very “Catholic” experience on our own while on the tour. High points included a private (36 people), 40 minute viewing of the Sistine Chapel and the opportunity to attend a canonization Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Things we would not have experienced if not for our “disaster” the year before. Keep Calm, Carry On, Have Faith.

What advice would you give to a fellow Catholic tourist?

Get the Catholic “scoop” on cities before you visit. You may find a shrine, or other point of interest that goes beyond just finding a place to meet your Sunday obligation.

What destination is on your “must see” list for the future?

Andalusia, Flannery O’Connor’s Georgia estate, There is also much that we missed in Rome our 1st time around so we would like to go back soon, and of course the 15 Missions that we have yet to visit this year as our Year of Faith Pilgrimage.

What are some of your favorite tourism related websites, apps and books?

Google Maps, Trip Advisor and Yelp are the obvious go-to resources. Magnificat and Hail Mary for iPhone help with the “prayer anywhere” part of travel. While abroad, I found the Rick Steves’ travel books both useful and entertaining.

Do you have any additional comments you’d like to share with our readers?

Attending mass in a strange city or another country is a powerful experience. Since the Mass and the readings for a particular day are the same the world over, you really get tuned in to the power of the Universal Church. Travel has led me to a better appreciation of the Mass and attending Mass has given me a better appreciation of travel.

Visit Kirk Whitney at Missionimage.blogspot.com or lasurlytable.blogspot.com

Copyright 2013 Lisa M. Hendey

Kelly Wahlquist

One of the awesome things about being an active Catholic traveler is the opportunity to meet “virtual” friends in “real life”. This happened to me recently when I had the chance to meet and spend time with today’s “Faith on the Move” interview subject, Kelly Wahlquist. Along with being an amazing writer and speaker, Kelly is a bundle of creative energy and a blast to spend time with. I hope you enjoy getting to know this frequent Catholic traveler who spends time on the road spreading the Good News.

Name:

Kelly Wahlquist

Vocation:

Wife, Mother, Catholic Evangelist, Speaker and Writer

Location:

Plymouth, MN

Website:

www.KellyWahlquist.com

Social Media Links:

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.wahlquist
Twitter: @KellyWahlquist
Google+: Kelly Wahlquist
Pinterest: Kelly Wahlquist

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I am a happily “stressed-out” wife, mom, perpetual chauffeur of kids, and passionate Catholic woman who loves to live the joy of the New Evangelization amid the chaos of life. The wife and mom were part of my plan, the “stressed-out” part, not so much, and becoming a passionate Catholic was part of God’s plan that I didn’t see coming.

Ten years ago I was a Nursing Supervisor when a friend signed me up for The Great Adventure Bible Study and the Lord grabbed my heart through Scripture. My life changed and I knew I wanted others to experience what I had experienced. For the next 5 years, I worked for Jeff Cavins as the Director of Community Relations for The Great Adventure and traveled the country teaching leaders how to lead fruitful Bible studies. During that time I also worked with Jeff to implement the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute, an institute of solid Catholic formation for the laity in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In the past year I helped to create and currently oversee the Hearts Afire Parish-based Programs for the New Evangelization, an apostolate of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. In my down time, I write for CatholicMom.com, The Integrated Catholic Life, and The New Evangelizers.

I have been blessed to travel the world helping to lead pilgrimages to places where Jesus, Mary, the Apostles and many of the great saints walked, and I am blessed to be able to travel the country and speak at many diocesan conferences and parish events about my passion, living the New Evangelization. My heart is drawn to speaking to women and sharing with them the beauty of being a “stressed-out wife, mom, kid chauffeur and Catholic woman striving to live her faith” — because that’s the beauty of womanhood —that’s the beauty that comes from placing oneself at the service of others in everyday life.

How often do you travel?

I travel two to three times a month to various cities and states giving talks on the New Evangelization. Once a year, we pack up the family and leave snowy Minnesota for the desert. I also have helped to lead pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Turkey, Greece, Rome, and a Scripture Cruise through Alaska, and will be traveling to the Philippines and Assisi in 2014.

Is the majority of your travel for business, pleasure, spiritual enrichment, or “all of the above”?

All the above. My life seems to be a tapestry woven by the Lord. My business is building His kingdom. My pleasure is sharing His message. And my spiritual enrichment comes from doing both.

Where are some of your favorite destinations?

Jerusalem, Galilee, Rome, Ephesus, Istanbul, Alaska, Hawaii, Denver, Houston, Palm Desert, CA, and just up north to “the lake”.

How is travel a spiritual experience for you? How do you turn any travel opportunity into a pilgrimage?

Every trip is a spiritual experience for me from the get-go. I always pray for the person I will sit next to on the plane, and the Lord somehow always puts the perfect person in that seat. The conversations are guided by the Holy Spirit, Who I beg to assist me as I listen to where the person next to me is on his/her spiritual journey, and I share my journey, my faith with them. A pilgrimage is a journey undertaken for a specific purpose, and that type of journey can be trying. If your purpose is alway to share Jesus, then each step of a trip can be a pilgrimage, meaning you are making a conscious effort to be the hands, heart, and words of Jesus in all you do, even when your flight is delayed on the tarmac for 3 hours, when your hotel is over-booked, when the waitress is rude, or when you’re lost and your GPS keeps saying, “recalculating route.”

Have you ever had a “travel nightmare”? How did your faith help you through the experience?

Looking back, I have probably had hundreds of travel nightmares, but I believe it has been my faith and my belief that God has a plan of sheer goodness that has kept those nightmares in the realm of “really bad dream” or sometimes “fabulous encounter.” One of my greatest “nightmares” occurred when I was stuck in the Atlanta airport at a gate with 600 of my closest friends (no, not really) and no morning coffee (yes, really!) This experience has become a pivotal time in my life and a much engaging story I tell when I speak of our role in the New Evangelization. In the midst of what I thought my worst traveling experience, God showed me mercy through the actions of a  young mother traveling with a toddler—He showed me that acts done in great joy are received in great joy, and He changed the hearts of hundreds that day.

What advice would you give to a fellow Catholic tourist?

“Rejoice in the Lord always!” Sounds like crazy advice for traveling, but it is actually quite sound advice. Traveling can be exhausting, frustrating, exhilarating, and relaxing and each of these experiences can be enhanced for the greatest good by being in constant contact with the Lord and thanking Him always; for, in each situation, He is offering us a chance to be the light of Christ to the world. Sometimes viewing obstacles as opportunities can be the first step to bringing someone to Christ.

What destination is on your “must see” list for the future?

Assisi, Italy. I want to spend a long, quiet, reflective time in Assisi. I need to get in touch with my inner “Francis” and “Clare”.

What are some of your favorite tourism related websites, apps and books?

Anything recommended by Thomas Smith. He’s my go-to travel guru!

Visit Kelly Wahlquist at www.KellyWahlquist.com

Copyright 2013 Lisa M. Hendey

Thomas Smith

Today, we debut a brand new feature at CatholicTourist.com — “Faith on the Move”. We’ll spotlight a new sojourner each week, sharing their tips, memories, and spiritual insights. I had an incredibly difficult time naming this feature, so I called in my fellow journeyers at Facebook for a naming contest. 40+ suggestions later, I was even more confused! So I’m going for now with one of the most simple, Faith on the Move. I hope to share in this space the stories of many different types of travelers, including “staycationers” and armchair travelers. Some of our interviews will feature business travelers, some will feature campers, some will even spotlight married couples and families.

Today, we share a conversation with Thomas Smith, an amazing author, speaker and evangelist, who spends much of his life on the road sharing the good news of the Gospel. I know you’ll enjoy hearing Thomas’ insights on travel, faith, and turning any journey into a pilgrimage.

Name:

Thomas Smith

Vocation:

Catholic evangelist, retreat director, parish mission leader, conference speaker, author

Location:

Southeastern Idaho

Website:

www.gen215.org

Social Media Links:

Twitter - @Gen215
Google+

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I was born a 6th generation Mormon, and later was a Protestant minister who was received into the Catholic Church in 1996. I’m a repeat guest on EWTN and Catholic radio as well as a parish mission and conference speaker. I co-authored “Revelation: The Kingdom Yet to Come” with Jeff Cavins, and I’m an international presenter for the Great Adventure Bible Timeline. Currently, I am writing and will be filming a new ten-part series on the Prophets. I was an adjunct professor at the St. Francis School of Theology in Denver, and is the former Director of the Denver Catholic Biblical School and the Denver Catechetical School. I now live on a 500-acre family ranch in southeastern Idaho, it’s my personal retreat, and base of operations for my apostolate.

How often do you travel?

I’m on the road between 160-180 days a year.

Is the majority of your travel for business, pleasure, spiritual enrichment, or “all of the above”?

Most of my travel is ministry related, but I build in two “vacations” a year, typically lead one pilgrimage a year, and love to camp locally in Idaho/Wyoming/Montana with my family.

Where are some of your favorite destinations?

I have favorites based on some different factors.  I love Singapore b/c it is so compact (one of the world’s last remaining city-states), modern and multi-cultural and has a very vibrant Catholic parish there that I’ve had the joy of working with for the last 3-4 years.  In terms of natural beauty, Catholic culture, and people I am in love with the Philippines (I would love to retire there).  It is stunningly beautiful, especially Mindanao, home to some wonderful and exotic fruits we never see in the states, and the people are wonderful.  I have a foundation that provides bible study materials to needy parishes and groups in the Philippines, so I’ve created some lasting friendships there.  I will be heading back there in February 2014 to train seminarians. catechists and laity on the Word of God.

As far as pilgrimages go, my heart is in the Holy Land.  I’ve lead seven pilgrimages there, and spent some time studying in Israel.  It changes the way you hear the Gospels, and feeds your imagination with wonderful images for reflection and prayer. Finally, I’m an Idaho boy at heart, and my state is one of the most beautiful for raw natural beauty.  The Sawtooth Mountains and Redfish Lake are some of my favorite camping spots here, and I’m only a few hours from Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole, both places I never tire of visiting.

How is travel a spiritual experience for you? How do you turn any travel opportunity into a pilgrimage?

Blessed John Paul II said that each one of us is a “homo viator”, a human being on a journey.  That journey is both external and interior.  I have a simple travel prayer that I pray not only daily on pilgrimages but in my apostolate work as well, “Lord, help me to see Jesus and to be Jesus.”  In some ways, that is the essence of the journey for me. When I can do each of those (even marginally well), a simple trip to the local bank can also feed my interior journey to Christ, if I keep him in my vision, words and deeds wherever I am.

Have you ever had a “travel nightmare”? How did your faith help you through the experience?

I have had my share.  Luckily no real nightmarish scenarios.  I’ve been stuck in airports for 7-8 hours, lost luggage, etc. I have accepted those as just parts of the long journey of life. There’s no use getting upset, anxious or angry over these little inconveniences, because those emotions can ruin a journey and they don’t ever solve the problem at hand.  Another little prayer that is helpful for me is, “Lord, help me to find a lesson in this.”

What advice would you give to a fellow Catholic tourist?

Firstly, the attitude we carry with us on the journey is one of the most important factors. I tell my pilgrims, when they are packing for a pilgrimage, to not forget St. Paul’s great advice for dressing in layers, “as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12-13).  Secondly, pack lightly, it’s a great life principle.  I had a dying woman tell me once, “Thomas, learn to hold loosely all that is not eternal.  There aren’t many things that are forever: God, his Word, his love and his people. Everything else is passing away.”  I’ve carried her advice with me for the last twenty years. Travel teaches me what is essential and what isn’t, what has its grip on me (carrying 4-5 electronic devices), and what I can do without.  It helps me travel loosely and lightly through the world, and if embraced can help me spiritually detach from the things that have a hold on my heart and are keeping me from fully trusting Jesus in the journey.

What destination is on your “must see” list for the future?

I’ve had a bucket list dream to trace out the steps of Sts. Francis and Clare in the Rieti Valley especially. That is coming true this year.  I will be joining a 25-day study/prayer pilgrimage with three fantastic Franciscan scholars/guides this fall.  It is especially exciting, given our new holy Father Pope Francis will be in Assisi when we are on the Feast of St. Francis.  I’ve always wanted to visit the British Isles (my ethnic heritage) and hope to do that with my brother who has traced some of our genealogy back to the 1500s.

What are some of your favorite tourism related websites, apps, books and tips?

One of the keys for me that can reduce a lot of stress and weariness of travel is to reduce the variables.  I stick to one airline (90% of the time) and one hotel chain (85% of the time).  For me, this helps immensely, because I know generally what to expect.  I use one suitcase for all my trips (whether its two days or twelve).  It is a miracle bag called the Zuca Flyer (www.zuca.com).  It is super light, super functional, you can sit on it when you are waiting in a line, and it fits into overhead compartments (regional jets excepted).  You fill it with color coded stackable cubes. I keep a set of travel gear (charging dongles, etc) and toiletries in it all the time, and simply remove the clothing cubes to refresh for the next trip. No more lost luggage, and the packable cube means everything stays organized when I arrive at a hotel or rectory.

Travel has changed dramatically for me in the last 5 years because of devices like the iPhone.  My boarding pass is now on my phone, the TripIt app organizes all my travel details and puts it at my fingertips (and even alerts me before the airlines about delays in my flights)  I carry a sturdy folder called Read/Review with me all of the time.  It contains the latest issues of The Week magazine (my go-to news summary magazine, its great), a print copy of my itinerary (courtesy of TripIt), and a hard copy of my presentations. On takeoff and landing (when you can’t use electronics), it’s my go-to folder, instead of paging through SkyMall magazine.  The Kindle app means I don’t have to lug around heavy books anymore, and the Feedly app gathers all my favorite Catholic news and bloggers in one easy interface.  Check with your airline about signing up for something called TSA pre-check, it’s a special line at most major U.S. airports now that pre-screens you as a non-threat to airline safety.  I now can get through airport security in less than 60 seconds, and don’t have to remove shoes, liquids, laptops from my bags.  What these all have in common is they simplify the experience of travel for me and minimize the impact of the unexpected.

Visit Thomas Smith at www.gen215.org.

Copyright 2013 Lisa M. Hendey