GOOD SHEPHERD, KORCE AND COPENHAGEN!!

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!