206 Tours Inc.

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206 Tours Inc.
333 Marcus Blvd
Hauppauge, NY 11788

800-206-TOUR (8687)

Email: sales@206tours.com

Dear Pilgrims,

As 206 Tours enters into its 25th year, I pray with gratitude to the Lord for the immense blessings He has bestowed upon me. I also acknowledge my staff, as nothing 206 Tours has done could have occurred without them. I appreciate the selflessness of our priests who have blessed us with caring and invaluable spiritual direction. My gratitude goes to our ground representatives and tour guides. Most of all, it has been a tremendous honor to serve you, my beloved pilgrims! I’m humbled by your loving spirit and trust.

How did 206 Tours develop? I strongly believe it was my destiny. My childhood was humble and no one in my family traveled - but yet I had a strong urge to travel and see the world. Given my circumstances this did not seem like a possible scenario. In 1974, when I moved to America, the opportunities to travel suddenly presented themselves. In late seventies, I starting working in the Airlines - a perfect job for someone with the desire to see the world. Life seemed great, I had a great family and we were able to travel almost anywhere we wanted to. Through my travels I was able to visit sacred sights and many shrines. However, it was during my first pilgrimage in which I realized " this is it" ! It was then that I believed this could be my calling. I elected to depart a great, well paying job to begin 206 Tours. I look back and recall that many people did not think this was a wise decision. Nevertheless, I was determined and had one large advantage - I felt God was on my side. That is how 206 Tours was born. 25 years later, I believe that I followed the courage of my convictions.



When I began 206 Tours my goals were simple, arrange several pilgrimages per year and find a few good priests to lead them. I knew that every pilgrimage needs a good priest and I only knew a few priests. However, over the years, I have been honored to know and to have more than thousand priests lead our pilgrims to holy sites around the world. Surely there has been so many challenges including economic ups and downs, conflicts around the world, and many outside factors that impacted the desire and ability for pilgrims to travel.

It takes time, hard work and a lot of planning for a single pilgrimage to materialize. As each anniversary came I was fascinated how smoothly another year had passed. Today, I am still motivated by the challenges in putting a pilgrimage together. The end result is often nothing short of a miracle. Prior to the group coming together, I realize the lengths and hardship many of our pilgrim must endure to get to their ultimate destination. This makes me believe it truly is a calling for these pilgrims to complete their journey. Pilgrims often should arrive exhausted but most do not feel the exhaustion since they are following their calling.



A pilgrimage starts before one embarks on the flight, rather at the very moment when one books the journey. During the trip, pilgrims are united in prayer and they are all walking in the same direction –towards God. Demographics, economy, intellect and cultural diversity no longer matter. Pilgrims are on a mission of fulfilling God’s purpose and they feel the electrifying “juice”.

How does it all work out? The secret is an alignment that only heavens can provide. While we embrace fellow pilgrims and saints that we meet along the way, we realize that we are on a course and doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing! We are then, fulfilling Christ’s intentions. We know that our hearts have desired for “it” all along.



We have done the footsteps of most known saints, and we have reflected on saint which are not well known. What touches one person has completely different impact upon another person. Yet, one thing is for sure - pilgrims are inspired and elevated. From this moment forward pilgrims have the power of spiritual awareness.

Yet, I always felt that when someone had a calling, nothing was going to stop them. Our pilgrims steadfast desire to walk to God energize me every day to do what needs to be done, work hard and to trust in Gods purpose.

During the pilgrimage, with open heart we strive for connection with Jesus and Mary and we ask for “it”. What is "it"? There are thousands of books in self help section of bookstores claiming that "it" the power, love and peace is in you! I feel that “it” is through you as only The Lord, source of it all can bestow “it”.

Wonder what happens after the pilgrimage? For the most part I believe that the same old awaits us, we continue to stumble, but we no longer fall because we got "it" summum bonum (our ultimate good and life center).

I look at the journey of my life and the ongoing mission of 206 Tours in a very simple manner. I am on a river rowing a boat, exerting equal effort on both oars is necessary in order to get to my destination. For me, one oar represent my actions and the other my faith. If I only put effort on one of the oars I'm going in a circle. Providing attention to both oars has allowed my life to be both rewarding and fulfilling. Let us continue a life's pilgrimage loving one another and holding on tight to both oars.

May God's richest blessings be with you.


Milanka

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