Duc in Altum chapel sits on a bluff overlooking the Sea of Galilee in the town of Magdala. “Put out into the deep.” That’s what “Duc in Altum” means. It was the directive of Jesus to His fishing disciples after he had taught the crowds from their boat. With a fishing boat for an altar, the main chapel is equally stunning for its panoramic view of the sea, also known as the Lake of Gennesaret. That’s where we found ourselves on the second day of our eight-day stay in the Holy Land back in May.
Organized by our director of religious education, Nancy Carter, our pilgrimage was months in the planning, a delightful assemblage of parishioners of St. Rita, Clarklake Michigan, not far from Camp De Sales, along with some of their family members and friends. Fellow Oblate Louie Komorowski, whom I lived with during my time as pastor of St. Mary’s in Adrian Michigan, had encouraged me to go to the Holy Land. His time there touched him deeply. Another Oblate, Fr. Bob Mossett, always had a panoramic picture of the Holy Land in his office, a reminder of the impact his time there had on him.
Frankly, I never thought I’d make it… until Nancy Carter tapped me on the shoulder and all the pieces came together neatly.
Have you ever seen an altar like this one?
Back at that chapel on the Sea of Galilee, after vesting in a large sacristy, I joined our group in one of the smaller side chapels which was just the perfect size for a tour-bus-load of pilgrims like us. I walked to the front of the altar to share a few words of welcome and preparation before beginning Mass. I don’t cry often, but when I mentioned how deeply touched I was to realize we were walking where Jesus walked, well, the tears came like a flood. All through that Mass, it was the same thing, spontaneous tears to the point of embarrassment, and concern that we’d be in big trouble if this continued throughout the trip.
Fortunately, that would not be the case, with one exception….
There was no way I was going to miss out on an opportunity to fish in the Sea of Galilee. I brought along a pack rod I’d received 45 years ago as an ordination gift, a spinning reel and a bit of tackle. Our delightful guide, Mary, connected me with a fellow who told me how it was done, and early that Sunday morning I was at the spot he recommended, hoping to be like St. Peter and catch a fish, maybe even with a coin in its mouth. (Check out Matthew 17:24-27.)
I caught nothing!
But I was back again in the late afternoon and finally had some success… not just in catching fish but in a couple of delightful encounters….
Fr. Tom with the newlyweds from Galilee.
In the very spot where I was fishing, a newly married couple arrived to get some photos taken. I was happy to step out of the way, but when they and the photographer started to leave, I appealed for one more picture. And here we are! (see photo)
I kept fishing. A man and two women began watching, delighted when a cat snatched my catch after I brought in a little one. We chatted a bit and I learned they are all pastors from Texas, a husband and wife and a friend. I told them about our parish in Michigan and my plans to retire in late summer 2024. Then we shared a prayer together, and that’s when the tears came again… I prayed a blessing on them, asking for the healing of our denominational differences. I mentioned how even when Jesus walked in our midst, the seashore had a way of bringing people together, just as it had with us.
There are countless tears being shed in the Holy Land these days, especially among those who had loved ones killed or kidnapped in recent events. Please keep praying for peace. Pray that it will soon be safe again to visit the Holy Land and walk where Jesus walked.
Fr. Thomas Helfrich, OSFS
Pastor of St. Rita’s Church
Clarklake, MI
