31 October 2009 GOOD SHEPHERD, KORCE AND COPENHAGEN!!
Our departure for Korce is set for Tuesday. Fr. Marek OFM.Conv., a Slovakian Friar in the next city, Fiere, has a minibus so he will travel with us. I think we will need all the space!
Now, I hear we will have Mass once a month - we have been 'spoiled' here with Mass each day in the house. Having always been in Ireland this will be a new experience for me. The only similar memory I have is of being asked to work in Denmark for 7 weeks without Church or Mass. Having reflected and knowing the project depended on my response, I felt I could cope. When I was only three days there, I was on a bus passing through the town, Koge,(well known to Clare and Cheeser!) en route to Copenhagen to meet a Limerick woman, when I heard the Angelus. That night a Lutheran
pastor confirmed there was a Church in Koge and the following morning he rang with its name and address. I went along and discovered, not only a Church, but an English Jesuit who, very kindly said an English Mass for us on Thursdays. We always travelled at weekends and churches were scarce. Catholics were part of the 2% that included all denominations and non-believers. The Bishop is trying to get a priest for Pogradec and Korce but as yet without success.
Last evening we visited the mosque and met the Imam for Vlore. We had an interesting conversation, having Sr. Amira to translate from the Arabic for us. The mosque is small considering the size of the city and very old. It was well attended and we left as the recording rang out over the city.
I am not sure about a further word from Vlore - have a good weekend!
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Thursday, 29 October 2009
ITALIAN CONSUL; TOWER OF BABEL
29th. October 2009 ITALIAN CONSUL; TOWER OF BABEL
Yesterday, the Bishop had a formal visit from the Italian Consul so we were included. The Consul spoke excellent English having studied near London in Kingston University for a year. A young man in his 30's he had previously completed a term as Consul in Budapest.
We have six nationalities here in the house so meals and other times can be somewhat complicated and often hilarious - slight pronunciation differences can be a diaster!!
We have said more than once - "Its the Tower of Babel"! We have not got formal lessons in Albanian since we arrived but hopefully when we get to Korce I will be able to learn through English.
The Bishop goes to Kosove at the weekend to see his sister and celebrate Mass on Monday for their Mother who died during the year. He returns on Monday. We plan to leave later in the week and will be accommodated by the Maltese Community of Brother Catechists. We will need a little time to get - SHTEPITE TONA - our house sorted out and please God we will be able to move in fairly quickly! Au revoir from Vlore!
Yesterday, the Bishop had a formal visit from the Italian Consul so we were included. The Consul spoke excellent English having studied near London in Kingston University for a year. A young man in his 30's he had previously completed a term as Consul in Budapest.
We have six nationalities here in the house so meals and other times can be somewhat complicated and often hilarious - slight pronunciation differences can be a diaster!!
We have said more than once - "Its the Tower of Babel"! We have not got formal lessons in Albanian since we arrived but hopefully when we get to Korce I will be able to learn through English.
The Bishop goes to Kosove at the weekend to see his sister and celebrate Mass on Monday for their Mother who died during the year. He returns on Monday. We plan to leave later in the week and will be accommodated by the Maltese Community of Brother Catechists. We will need a little time to get - SHTEPITE TONA - our house sorted out and please God we will be able to move in fairly quickly! Au revoir from Vlore!
Monday, 26 October 2009
POGRADEC YOUTH PLUS KORCE HOUSEHUNTING
26 OCTOBER 2009 - POGRADEC YOUTH PLUS KORCE HOUSEHUNTING
We left Vlore oa tn Saturday prepared to stay overnight and went directly to Pogradec - it took five hours. We met with an Orhid team - two Croatian Jesuits and a young graduate. Over lunch got to know the scene in Macedonia - it will be very close to us in Korce.
We then went to the Youth Centre where 12 young people aged five to 17 were gathered, supervised by a young teacher, 27 year old Veronica, who is a convert having been a Muslim. The young people took part in the Mass but there was no Catholic among them. They did a brief sketch on "Creation". Later, we went to the Greek Orthodox Church where the priest welcomed us. The Church had been used as a garage during Communism so the floor was pretty damaged. He has retrieved a number of icons that were hidden during the Occupation and they are beautiful.We then travelled on to a town Bilisht where we stayed with Franciscans - a new congregation whose foundress, aged 66 lives in Sicily.
Early yesterday we went to Korce and began house-hunting. Our first house was good but needed alterations. We then had Mass with fine singing from the 25 or so people that attended. All then welcomed us at the entrance while cookies were served. A few went with us for coffee and came to see another house that we thought would meet our needs. However, we continued to see a third house which was too small. We have consulted and a decision made to take the second which is a double apartment, in very good condition and in an excellent location. We are very happy with this development as we feel we will have support and the possibility of development in Korce.
We are here just a week today and the weather has been mixed - like summmer several days and definitely like winter three other days with violant wind and electric storms plus plenty of good heavy rain! Au revoir.
We left Vlore oa tn Saturday prepared to stay overnight and went directly to Pogradec - it took five hours. We met with an Orhid team - two Croatian Jesuits and a young graduate. Over lunch got to know the scene in Macedonia - it will be very close to us in Korce.
We then went to the Youth Centre where 12 young people aged five to 17 were gathered, supervised by a young teacher, 27 year old Veronica, who is a convert having been a Muslim. The young people took part in the Mass but there was no Catholic among them. They did a brief sketch on "Creation". Later, we went to the Greek Orthodox Church where the priest welcomed us. The Church had been used as a garage during Communism so the floor was pretty damaged. He has retrieved a number of icons that were hidden during the Occupation and they are beautiful.We then travelled on to a town Bilisht where we stayed with Franciscans - a new congregation whose foundress, aged 66 lives in Sicily.
Early yesterday we went to Korce and began house-hunting. Our first house was good but needed alterations. We then had Mass with fine singing from the 25 or so people that attended. All then welcomed us at the entrance while cookies were served. A few went with us for coffee and came to see another house that we thought would meet our needs. However, we continued to see a third house which was too small. We have consulted and a decision made to take the second which is a double apartment, in very good condition and in an excellent location. We are very happy with this development as we feel we will have support and the possibility of development in Korce.
We are here just a week today and the weather has been mixed - like summmer several days and definitely like winter three other days with violant wind and electric storms plus plenty of good heavy rain! Au revoir.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
OUT AND ABOUT IN ALBANIA!
21 October 2009
A restful day got rid of our train-car-ferry tiredness and so we were ready for a journey today. We went to a very rural area where there is a Franciscan presence and there was a new school being opened. The name of the school is Soterprifti! The Bishop gave a speech and then I had the honour of cutting the ribbon so that the 100 pupils were able to enter the building. A number of the teachers speak English and so the children have it as a subject from the beginning. We joined the engineer and a few of the school staff for a meal in a local restaurant and enjoyed a very good meal of steaks and salad, while getting to know the locals! We will settle quite far away from this area of Fiere.
We were planning on going to our area tomorrow but now will probably go on Sunday as it would mean Mass for the people. We could meet them and see the houses that are available for us too. So with hope I say - "Watch this space" after the weekend!
A restful day got rid of our train-car-ferry tiredness and so we were ready for a journey today. We went to a very rural area where there is a Franciscan presence and there was a new school being opened. The name of the school is Soterprifti! The Bishop gave a speech and then I had the honour of cutting the ribbon so that the 100 pupils were able to enter the building. A number of the teachers speak English and so the children have it as a subject from the beginning. We joined the engineer and a few of the school staff for a meal in a local restaurant and enjoyed a very good meal of steaks and salad, while getting to know the locals! We will settle quite far away from this area of Fiere.
We were planning on going to our area tomorrow but now will probably go on Sunday as it would mean Mass for the people. We could meet them and see the houses that are available for us too. So with hope I say - "Watch this space" after the weekend!
Monday, 19 October 2009
ALBANIA, JOURNEYAND TRAFFICKING
19 October 2009
Arrived mid-morning in Vlore, Albania, thank God!
En route from Dusseldof to Verona from 5.30p.m. Friday to 11.30a.m. Saturday, when we shared our rail carriage with a very well-travelled couple, they did not like our proposed route - the highest ratio of accidents in Italy, delays due to clearing the results of accidents rather than traffic congestion and by far the most expensively- tolled road in Italy.......we consulted and changed direction. We drove down the east coast using the ordinary roads, at times in sight of the sea! A message to Naples to say we would not visit was followed shortly with my seeing a sign - "Loreto 6kms." I told Mirjam I had heard of this town when in school at Loreto, Gorey and we decided to take the next turn - 4 kms. only. At once we saw the town clinging to the hillside, dominated by a huge Basilica that envelops the House of the Holy Family since 1294. We went through the house and prayed for a nice home in Albania, then joined the fine group gathered for Mass. Afterwards, we sought accommodation in Cittanova Marche - a spotless hotel, warm and welcoming, ensuite of course and a very good breakfast all for 31euros 50cents each!
!8th. October MISSION SUNDAY
An early start and we continued on our coastal route; Mirjam said in surprise - "Our next town is Lanciano" I had heard of its fame and we made a visit. Way back in the 8th Century a monk had doubts about the Real Presence in the Host and Chalice after the Consecration. As he struggled, one morning the Host turned to real Flesh and the Chalice to Blood, congealing into five clots. Both of these are to be seen today. We prayed half an hour and then attended Mass with pilgrims and locals in the thronged Church.
There was more to come! In the afternooon we saw San Giovanni Rotondo and decided a detour would not lengthen our journey and so we saw the whole background to St Padre Pio. Truly, I wondered how Mairin and Kevin found their way to this spot at the time of the exhumation of Padre Pio.
Finally we continued to Bari - a huge city with massive castle, cathedral and Bascilica! In fact we had boarded our ferry well before 9.00p.m. for sailing at 11.00
A late reflection on Sunday being the annual date for Anti-Trafficking led me to Newton's hymn from the Wilberforce film "Amazing Grace" and I spent the next few hours matching the rhythm of its verses to the roll of the waves - not a recipe for a good nights sleep!
Due to mixed messages about landing we decided to show up at 7.00am just in case we would have gone on to Greece! In fact we disembarked at 8.00 and got here before 11.00a.m.
A final word - Mirjam and I shared yesterday that neither of us had looked forward to the four days journey but we had lots of wonderful surprises surely. So, all is well and a big "Thank you" for the letters and cards that surprised me here. Till again!
Arrived mid-morning in Vlore, Albania, thank God!
En route from Dusseldof to Verona from 5.30p.m. Friday to 11.30a.m. Saturday, when we shared our rail carriage with a very well-travelled couple, they did not like our proposed route - the highest ratio of accidents in Italy, delays due to clearing the results of accidents rather than traffic congestion and by far the most expensively- tolled road in Italy.......we consulted and changed direction. We drove down the east coast using the ordinary roads, at times in sight of the sea! A message to Naples to say we would not visit was followed shortly with my seeing a sign - "Loreto 6kms." I told Mirjam I had heard of this town when in school at Loreto, Gorey and we decided to take the next turn - 4 kms. only. At once we saw the town clinging to the hillside, dominated by a huge Basilica that envelops the House of the Holy Family since 1294. We went through the house and prayed for a nice home in Albania, then joined the fine group gathered for Mass. Afterwards, we sought accommodation in Cittanova Marche - a spotless hotel, warm and welcoming, ensuite of course and a very good breakfast all for 31euros 50cents each!
!8th. October MISSION SUNDAY
An early start and we continued on our coastal route; Mirjam said in surprise - "Our next town is Lanciano" I had heard of its fame and we made a visit. Way back in the 8th Century a monk had doubts about the Real Presence in the Host and Chalice after the Consecration. As he struggled, one morning the Host turned to real Flesh and the Chalice to Blood, congealing into five clots. Both of these are to be seen today. We prayed half an hour and then attended Mass with pilgrims and locals in the thronged Church.
There was more to come! In the afternooon we saw San Giovanni Rotondo and decided a detour would not lengthen our journey and so we saw the whole background to St Padre Pio. Truly, I wondered how Mairin and Kevin found their way to this spot at the time of the exhumation of Padre Pio.
Finally we continued to Bari - a huge city with massive castle, cathedral and Bascilica! In fact we had boarded our ferry well before 9.00p.m. for sailing at 11.00
A late reflection on Sunday being the annual date for Anti-Trafficking led me to Newton's hymn from the Wilberforce film "Amazing Grace" and I spent the next few hours matching the rhythm of its verses to the roll of the waves - not a recipe for a good nights sleep!
Due to mixed messages about landing we decided to show up at 7.00am just in case we would have gone on to Greece! In fact we disembarked at 8.00 and got here before 11.00a.m.
A final word - Mirjam and I shared yesterday that neither of us had looked forward to the four days journey but we had lots of wonderful surprises surely. So, all is well and a big "Thank you" for the letters and cards that surprised me here. Till again!
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
MISSIONING, DEPARTURE AND ADDRESS
14 October 2009 MISSIONING, DEPARTURE AND ADDRESS
Today we were missioned formally by Sr.Daniela, Leader of our German Province. The ceremony which was included in a special Mass was both artistic and devotional - and very meaningful for us, the community and visitors. Afterwards all enjoyed a champagne celebration and meal during which Sr. Magdalena, Province Leader of France presented us four with specially little Angels - mine is an "Angel of the Heart" and at 5" is small enough to get, even now, space to travel!
Srs. Amira and Lalini leave at 5.45a.m. and will fly Brussels-Tirana via Hungary - we hope this stop in Budapest will go smoothly. Even a brief re-fuelling can present visa hiccups at times!
Sr. Mirjam and I will leave on Friday after breakfast and will travel by car to Dusseldorf. I will give further details in retrospect - we too hope and pray our days will go smoothly and, with the various changes, we are due to arrive about midday Monday. I now include our temporary address, pending our getting a house. We hope, please God, our house-hunting will be brief - you will be kept informed!
Laglija "Pavaresia"
Rruga "Sadik Zotaj"
Kutia postare 4355
Al 9401 - VLORE
Telephone - 00355 3323 0864
Au revoir and God bless - until Vlore!
Today we were missioned formally by Sr.Daniela, Leader of our German Province. The ceremony which was included in a special Mass was both artistic and devotional - and very meaningful for us, the community and visitors. Afterwards all enjoyed a champagne celebration and meal during which Sr. Magdalena, Province Leader of France presented us four with specially little Angels - mine is an "Angel of the Heart" and at 5" is small enough to get, even now, space to travel!
Srs. Amira and Lalini leave at 5.45a.m. and will fly Brussels-Tirana via Hungary - we hope this stop in Budapest will go smoothly. Even a brief re-fuelling can present visa hiccups at times!
Sr. Mirjam and I will leave on Friday after breakfast and will travel by car to Dusseldorf. I will give further details in retrospect - we too hope and pray our days will go smoothly and, with the various changes, we are due to arrive about midday Monday. I now include our temporary address, pending our getting a house. We hope, please God, our house-hunting will be brief - you will be kept informed!
Laglija "Pavaresia"
Rruga "Sadik Zotaj"
Kutia postare 4355
Al 9401 - VLORE
Telephone - 00355 3323 0864
Au revoir and God bless - until Vlore!
Saturday, 10 October 2009
ALBANIA DAY VIA LIEGE AND VISIT TO DOUR
10 October 2009
On Thursday we set out early for Liege and had a good journey. As we entered the city we took instructions from a borrowed SAT-NAV - different name here for the borrowed item we called 'the machine'! A totally unplanned tour of the city for an hour followed! We arrived EVENTUALLY just 200 yards from where Sister Lalini and I had given a day on Trafficking of Women to an international meeting of Daughters of the Cross! A great day followed at the home of our Albanian teachers. Esme taught us from 11.00a.m. to 3.00p.m. when we were served steaks, mushroom-cheese sauce, chicken salad and savoury rice - all cooked by Adrian. Quite a superb meal and I must share a word about the MUSHROOMS! Adrian thought he had not got sufficient so he went out to buy and was amazed to see our car being loaded onto a truck as it was in a Tourist Car Park which was free for four hours. Apparently, our car was partly parked in the bicycle area; fortunately, Adrian was able to retrieve the vehicle, continue for the mushrooms and so all ended well!! Before we left, a short documentary on south Albania proved an ideal ending to our day and, in fact, to our Albanian course.
This afternoon we had an enjoyable visit to another Good Shepherd just over half an hour from here - the town has the unlikely name of DOUR and the community is just four Sisters. They feel their house is a bit small, and our reaction was -"The space at Dour would more than suffice for us in Albania!" We enjoyed the time as they have a glorious garden and it was a sunny afternoon - there are three French Sisters and one Sri Lankan all involved in parish ministry.
Conversations via computer from Inchydoney to Belfast via Dublin end this post!
Au revoir.
On Thursday we set out early for Liege and had a good journey. As we entered the city we took instructions from a borrowed SAT-NAV - different name here for the borrowed item we called 'the machine'! A totally unplanned tour of the city for an hour followed! We arrived EVENTUALLY just 200 yards from where Sister Lalini and I had given a day on Trafficking of Women to an international meeting of Daughters of the Cross! A great day followed at the home of our Albanian teachers. Esme taught us from 11.00a.m. to 3.00p.m. when we were served steaks, mushroom-cheese sauce, chicken salad and savoury rice - all cooked by Adrian. Quite a superb meal and I must share a word about the MUSHROOMS! Adrian thought he had not got sufficient so he went out to buy and was amazed to see our car being loaded onto a truck as it was in a Tourist Car Park which was free for four hours. Apparently, our car was partly parked in the bicycle area; fortunately, Adrian was able to retrieve the vehicle, continue for the mushrooms and so all ended well!! Before we left, a short documentary on south Albania proved an ideal ending to our day and, in fact, to our Albanian course.
This afternoon we had an enjoyable visit to another Good Shepherd just over half an hour from here - the town has the unlikely name of DOUR and the community is just four Sisters. They feel their house is a bit small, and our reaction was -"The space at Dour would more than suffice for us in Albania!" We enjoyed the time as they have a glorious garden and it was a sunny afternoon - there are three French Sisters and one Sri Lankan all involved in parish ministry.
Conversations via computer from Inchydoney to Belfast via Dublin end this post!
Au revoir.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Preparation and Mission Theme - Reach out
6 October 2009
Yesterday we began the second part of our preparation for Albania. It was very much an introductory session with Guy der Fall. We hope it will be better as time goes on.
Our days are slipping away with one week to departure.
Just this evening I heard from Noeleen in Belfast that the theme for the 2009 Mission Day - 18 October, is -'Reach Out'. It will surely be true of the four of us as, hopefully, Lalini and Amira will already have arrived in Vlore,Albania. They will await our arrival there. Mirjam and I are due to be on the Adriatic Sea so the day will indeed have the flavour of a missionary journey.
Thank you for all the emails indicating your interest in this Blog. For me it is such a new and different way to communicate and I can see it has a value.
Au revoir.
Yesterday we began the second part of our preparation for Albania. It was very much an introductory session with Guy der Fall. We hope it will be better as time goes on.
Our days are slipping away with one week to departure.
Just this evening I heard from Noeleen in Belfast that the theme for the 2009 Mission Day - 18 October, is -'Reach Out'. It will surely be true of the four of us as, hopefully, Lalini and Amira will already have arrived in Vlore,Albania. They will await our arrival there. Mirjam and I are due to be on the Adriatic Sea so the day will indeed have the flavour of a missionary journey.
Thank you for all the emails indicating your interest in this Blog. For me it is such a new and different way to communicate and I can see it has a value.
Au revoir.
Friday, 2 October 2009
A TASTE OF SHQIP
2nd. October 2009 e enjte, de Tetor 2009
My attempt to use 'Bold' on the date has failed but all else seems in order. I thought it well to put the date in Shqip anyway.
We finished the first part of our preparation on Wednesday by cooking an international meal for the Ursuline community whose Leader facilitated our sessions. I felt our three cooks in a little kitchen needed space so my contribution to the evening was Irish Coffee. It was good even if in miniscule glasses!!
We are very fortunate to have excellent teachers for Shqip. Their background - they are both engineers but have obliged us and their preparation of each session is really thorough. Also they include quite a bit of cultural information which is invaluable for us in a stange country. Today we shared with them a change in our plans. We will not now go to the Language School in Shkodra. They feel this is positive, as the Northern accent differs from that of the South in many ways. It will be better to learn in our own environment. We have been invited to spend a day with the couple at their home in Liege next week and we are looking forward to that.
This is all for now.
I think of Ireland today and hope the Lisbon Treaty will turn out for the best.
Enjoy the weekend!
My attempt to use 'Bold' on the date has failed but all else seems in order. I thought it well to put the date in Shqip anyway.
We finished the first part of our preparation on Wednesday by cooking an international meal for the Ursuline community whose Leader facilitated our sessions. I felt our three cooks in a little kitchen needed space so my contribution to the evening was Irish Coffee. It was good even if in miniscule glasses!!
We are very fortunate to have excellent teachers for Shqip. Their background - they are both engineers but have obliged us and their preparation of each session is really thorough. Also they include quite a bit of cultural information which is invaluable for us in a stange country. Today we shared with them a change in our plans. We will not now go to the Language School in Shkodra. They feel this is positive, as the Northern accent differs from that of the South in many ways. It will be better to learn in our own environment. We have been invited to spend a day with the couple at their home in Liege next week and we are looking forward to that.
This is all for now.
I think of Ireland today and hope the Lisbon Treaty will turn out for the best.
Enjoy the weekend!
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