As many readers of the Catholic Chronicle may be aware, this newspaper and our staff are members of the Catholic Press Association. This professional organization for Catholic journalists helps those of us in the Catholic press stay connected to other Catholic journalists throughout the United States and Canada.

Besides the networking and idea sharing we participate in all year, the Catholic Press Association also offers webinars and an annual convention that allows us to learn of best practices and reconnect on a more personal level. Industry awards are given to member publications during the convention. Visitors to the Chronicle offices can see the many awards won by our staff, including our most recent, “Best Online Content Not Published in Print.”

Being a member of this professional organization is an honor and a privilege. Another perk of membership came at the end of November when members were given the opportunity to apply for an all-expenses-paid trip to the Holy Land, sponsored by the Israel Ministry of Tourism. There were a few requirements: have a circulation of at least 30,000 (we’re at 31,500) and be willing to communicate the experience. Knowing that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for travel to such a destination, I immediately filled out the application and emailed it, along with a scanned copy of my passport.

Then I waited. I fantasized about the trip. I waited some more. Prepared myself to not be one of the applicants chosen. Waited some more. Fantasized some more. Hoped I would learn whether I was chosen before Christmas. And continued to wait.

Just a couple days before Christmas I learned I was one of 11 journalists chosen to make the trip. As I write this, it is only a week after receiving the news and I’m finally descending from cloud number nine and thinking of everything that needs to be done before I leave Jan. 25.

What’s at the forefront of my mind is my desire to share this experience with Chronicle readers, friends and family. One way in which this will be accomplished is through a blog I will write while traveling throughout Israel. I plan to post at least brief commentary and photos to www. catholicchronicle.org while on the trip.

Before I leave, I plan to create a Google map that pinpoints each location we are visiting, which include Mount Carmel, areas around the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Masada and many more over the course of eight days.

For those without Internet access, photos and stories are to be published in the March and April print issues as well.

Please keep my colleagues and me in your prayers for safe travels. And any of you who have any advice for this novice international traveler, contact me at editor@toledodiocese.org.