30 DECEMBER 2009 HAPPY NEW YEAR, RESOLUTION AND ICONS
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Just before Christmas, I read the following sentence in "Enjoying God's Beauty" and thought I could use it as a New Year Resolution! "I promise to keep myself close to nature, to give a religious meaning to life, to look around me with optimism and with love" I was surprised to read that it was a quote from the 14th Century Oath of Investiture for the Tuscany Chianti League!
Today I took time to visit an Icon Museum. It is just a few minutes from our house and is the largest exhibition in the world - 6,500 icons in the area but with many in storage. Staff told me I was the first Irish person to visit! I enjoyed seeing the work that dated from the 14th Century to the 19th. A number of the religious icons were from churches that have disappeared here in Korce.
Around 4.00p.m. our Christmas post arrived and that was great and thanks to all! The post lady said I am to go to the Post Office in the morning to collect a package - hopefully the papers I await will have come at last!
May 2010 bring you good health, happiness and every blessing in your work and play.
Be assured all is well here thank God. Happy New Year!
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Sunday, 27 December 2009
GLIMPSES OF OUR KORCE CHRISTMAS
27 DECEMBER 2009 FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY GLIMPSES OF OUR KORCE CHRISTMAS
OUR PROCESSION WITH THE DIVINE INFANT ON CHRISTMAS EVE WAS A VERY SIMPLE BUT IMPRESSIVE EVENT. People listened and came out onto the streets to hear all verses of the carols. Between 45 and 50 young people and adults finished up in our house and joined us for hot drinks - fruit juice for the young people and mulled wine for the adults! We were very pleased to see so many visitors.
At 11.00p.m. we had our Mass. It was really joyful - carol music was provided by a young man on mandolin and another on guitar. These were joined by Sister Lalini on a simple organ and there were visitors that had returned home for Christmas. We all enjoyed hot chocolate in nearby church rooms while exchanging greetings. In fact, we met again at 11.00a.m. on Christmas Day for Mass. Ten or twelve visitors from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral joined us for part of the time and then wished us - "GEZUAR
Krishlindjen". There was a very happy atmosphere and Sister Daniela met all the Catholics we have known in Korce!
Another little tradition here is the "Christmas Day Visits". They are announced after Mass. We were 'at home' from 3.00p.m. to 6.00p.m. Neighbours visited and then some people we had met in Church. Eight young people came together and they were really musical. One had a guitar, then they asked if they could use our borrowed organ and the result was truly impressive. I even saw Sr. Daniela record some of the carols.
Today, after Church, we were invited out to lunch with the women who take care of our parish arrangements. Again, this was a very lively event as there was a wedding in the same building. The band was really good. One person returned here with us - Nicky who lives in a nearby Muslim village. She has just left and we now feel its time to catch up on some quiet time!
Telephone calls have been welcome during these days. There has been a complete delay on mail for the past week or more. No doubt it will arrive for the New Year. That is the main celebration here! Hopefully, will greet you for that! Clare
OUR PROCESSION WITH THE DIVINE INFANT ON CHRISTMAS EVE WAS A VERY SIMPLE BUT IMPRESSIVE EVENT. People listened and came out onto the streets to hear all verses of the carols. Between 45 and 50 young people and adults finished up in our house and joined us for hot drinks - fruit juice for the young people and mulled wine for the adults! We were very pleased to see so many visitors.
At 11.00p.m. we had our Mass. It was really joyful - carol music was provided by a young man on mandolin and another on guitar. These were joined by Sister Lalini on a simple organ and there were visitors that had returned home for Christmas. We all enjoyed hot chocolate in nearby church rooms while exchanging greetings. In fact, we met again at 11.00a.m. on Christmas Day for Mass. Ten or twelve visitors from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral joined us for part of the time and then wished us - "GEZUAR
Krishlindjen". There was a very happy atmosphere and Sister Daniela met all the Catholics we have known in Korce!
Another little tradition here is the "Christmas Day Visits". They are announced after Mass. We were 'at home' from 3.00p.m. to 6.00p.m. Neighbours visited and then some people we had met in Church. Eight young people came together and they were really musical. One had a guitar, then they asked if they could use our borrowed organ and the result was truly impressive. I even saw Sr. Daniela record some of the carols.
Today, after Church, we were invited out to lunch with the women who take care of our parish arrangements. Again, this was a very lively event as there was a wedding in the same building. The band was really good. One person returned here with us - Nicky who lives in a nearby Muslim village. She has just left and we now feel its time to catch up on some quiet time!
Telephone calls have been welcome during these days. There has been a complete delay on mail for the past week or more. No doubt it will arrive for the New Year. That is the main celebration here! Hopefully, will greet you for that! Clare
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
CHRISTMAS EVE 2009 - INTERNATIONAL GREETING
CHRISTMAS EVE 2009 INTERNATIONAL GREETING
JOYFUL, LOVING AND PRAYERFUL GREETINGS FROM A MILD AND SPRINGLIKE KORCE ALBANIA! A most welcome change after the very 'cold snap' of last weekend, thank God.
All is well here as I face into a busy Christmas Eve, due to the fact that 'our Church'is having a traditional procession of the Divine Infant that is scheduled to end in our house. Numbers are still unknown except to the God of Surprises!!!
Anyway we are really looking forward to the whole event and we will gather again at 11.00p.m. for our 'Midnight' Mass!
On Monday we had a visit from three Italian Sisters shepherded by our catechist friend Charlie and we ended that visit with a visit to our Prayer Room and the singing of the 'Adeste' in Latin - our only shared language!!! The constant International flavour deepened as we welcomed Sr. Daniela, German Province Leader on Tuesday. This is a very joyful visit even if too brief. Daniela is amazed we have got so settled in the five weeks here.
Yesterday, we were at Preca College for a very enjoyable Concert - all the Carols in English. In the evening we were returning from Mass when lots of groups of young people with sort of Cribs using icons sang for us. They were from the Greek Orthodox Church and gave a real Christmas flavour to our walk.
United in spirit with all Blog readers. Till again - with thanks for post! Clare
JOYFUL, LOVING AND PRAYERFUL GREETINGS FROM A MILD AND SPRINGLIKE KORCE ALBANIA! A most welcome change after the very 'cold snap' of last weekend, thank God.
All is well here as I face into a busy Christmas Eve, due to the fact that 'our Church'is having a traditional procession of the Divine Infant that is scheduled to end in our house. Numbers are still unknown except to the God of Surprises!!!
Anyway we are really looking forward to the whole event and we will gather again at 11.00p.m. for our 'Midnight' Mass!
On Monday we had a visit from three Italian Sisters shepherded by our catechist friend Charlie and we ended that visit with a visit to our Prayer Room and the singing of the 'Adeste' in Latin - our only shared language!!! The constant International flavour deepened as we welcomed Sr. Daniela, German Province Leader on Tuesday. This is a very joyful visit even if too brief. Daniela is amazed we have got so settled in the five weeks here.
Yesterday, we were at Preca College for a very enjoyable Concert - all the Carols in English. In the evening we were returning from Mass when lots of groups of young people with sort of Cribs using icons sang for us. They were from the Greek Orthodox Church and gave a real Christmas flavour to our walk.
United in spirit with all Blog readers. Till again - with thanks for post! Clare
Saturday, 19 December 2009
INTERNET SURPRISES AND MACEDONIA
19th DECEMBER 2009 INTERNET SURPRISES AND MACEDONIA
Within the past half-hour I had an enjoyable family 'catch-up' telephone call from Dublin. I then decided to test out once more our very erratic internet connection. To my surprise - a first for me, its fully alive just now so here goes I will write a few words!
Christmas has come a little closer within the past few days with the setting up of a skating rink close to where we live. There are lights and I believe the Greek Cathedral has now added a Crib which I look forward to seeing tomorrow. The skating was providing a lot of entertainment until the weather decided to turn the streets nearby into copycat 'skating areas'. The result has been quite a lot of difficulty for people moving about this evening.
Mirjam and I travelled to Macedonia today. It was imperative for us to go over a 'border'. Otherwise, the car would have illegal status tomorrow! The time allowed is two months and we are in Albania two months today. Our journey was very straightforward, with magnificent scenery, especially in the 40kms. from Pogradec to the next city Orhid. This part of our journey followed three frontier stops all of which were quite brief and very civil. We had a lovely drive round the right side of Lake Orhid. We then spent a few hours taking up an earlier invitation to visit the city. Our return journy was a little different. A fresh fall of snow gave us a Christmas card scene. All the fir tree covering the hillsides were sparkling! We then spent the afternoon with the young people at Pogradec which was on our way. The Bishop joined us quite late and his Fransiscan companion said a Christmas Mass for the group. The young people enjoyed a little snowballing beforehand! The lake keeps the temprature quite mild so the snow was a novelty for them. St Nicholas or Santa Claus is celebrated in some places today so we had little gifts for the children as they left.We were glad to have a reasonably good journey back in view of the unexpected change in the weather.
Now I go to enjoy the Christmas mail that the Bishop brought this evening from Vlore. Non 'Blog' readers were unaware of our move from Vlore to Korce. I will be in touch again, please God, before Christmas.
Within the past half-hour I had an enjoyable family 'catch-up' telephone call from Dublin. I then decided to test out once more our very erratic internet connection. To my surprise - a first for me, its fully alive just now so here goes I will write a few words!
Christmas has come a little closer within the past few days with the setting up of a skating rink close to where we live. There are lights and I believe the Greek Cathedral has now added a Crib which I look forward to seeing tomorrow. The skating was providing a lot of entertainment until the weather decided to turn the streets nearby into copycat 'skating areas'. The result has been quite a lot of difficulty for people moving about this evening.
Mirjam and I travelled to Macedonia today. It was imperative for us to go over a 'border'. Otherwise, the car would have illegal status tomorrow! The time allowed is two months and we are in Albania two months today. Our journey was very straightforward, with magnificent scenery, especially in the 40kms. from Pogradec to the next city Orhid. This part of our journey followed three frontier stops all of which were quite brief and very civil. We had a lovely drive round the right side of Lake Orhid. We then spent a few hours taking up an earlier invitation to visit the city. Our return journy was a little different. A fresh fall of snow gave us a Christmas card scene. All the fir tree covering the hillsides were sparkling! We then spent the afternoon with the young people at Pogradec which was on our way. The Bishop joined us quite late and his Fransiscan companion said a Christmas Mass for the group. The young people enjoyed a little snowballing beforehand! The lake keeps the temprature quite mild so the snow was a novelty for them. St Nicholas or Santa Claus is celebrated in some places today so we had little gifts for the children as they left.We were glad to have a reasonably good journey back in view of the unexpected change in the weather.
Now I go to enjoy the Christmas mail that the Bishop brought this evening from Vlore. Non 'Blog' readers were unaware of our move from Vlore to Korce. I will be in touch again, please God, before Christmas.
Sunday, 13 December 2009
MARY POTTER MEETING AND CHRISTMAS
13 December 2009 MARY POTTER MEETING, INTERNET AND CHRISTMAS
Yesterday, we were invited to the annual meeting of the Mary Potter Hospice. Due to our lack of Shqip I decided to attend early, meet the staff and leave once the meeting began and that worked out well. The meeting was held at the city centre Grand Hotel and had a very large attendance of hospice supporters. The Blue Nuns
'came in' via SKYPE and addressed the meeting from London. Modern communication surely! They will visit as usual in March in connection with the financial support of the hospice
Speaking of communication, our internet is 'arriving' since we came but this entry is historic as its my first from our house. I half-expect it to disappear at any moment!
Today, we had a young Italian priest for Mass - he has no English. The good news is he will come, please God, from the 23-25 which is just great for us.
Have a good week!
Yesterday, we were invited to the annual meeting of the Mary Potter Hospice. Due to our lack of Shqip I decided to attend early, meet the staff and leave once the meeting began and that worked out well. The meeting was held at the city centre Grand Hotel and had a very large attendance of hospice supporters. The Blue Nuns
'came in' via SKYPE and addressed the meeting from London. Modern communication surely! They will visit as usual in March in connection with the financial support of the hospice
Speaking of communication, our internet is 'arriving' since we came but this entry is historic as its my first from our house. I half-expect it to disappear at any moment!
Today, we had a young Italian priest for Mass - he has no English. The good news is he will come, please God, from the 23-25 which is just great for us.
Have a good week!
Thursday, 10 December 2009
ELBASON, CELEBRATION AND SHQIP
10 DECEMBER 2009 ELBASON, CELEBRATION AND SHQIP
On Tuesday we decided to journey to Elbason, our nearest option for Our Lady's feast. We enjoyed a beautiful two-hour mountainy drive, with spectacular scenery. Then we attended an afternoon Mass in the Church of the Italian Divine Providence priests. After the Mass we met members of four congregations of Sisters working in the city, including Mother Teresa's Sisters who moved from here almost ten years ago. That was when the last priest to serve here left Korce. As always, English is their first language so I spoke easily with the Slovakian and Kenyan Sisters. The other groups included Dominicans who have schools nearby, Italian Sisters who run Nursing Homes in the area and also a German group.
On our journey it emerged that Tuesday was the anniversary of Mirjam's entry and beginning of Novitate twenty years ago. This was a very good reason for us to stop in Pogradec on our return to celebrate with the local, almost unique fish KORAN. We were on the shores of the 'Lake of Light' which is one its two habitats worldwide!
I start my Shqip later today at Kennedy. So far all is well thank God. I expect the study through English will be easier and I am impatient to gain even limited skill for ministry. The textbook recommended was given to me by one of the Maltese catechists a few weeks ago so I welcome some guidance in its use.
Snow has covered the nearby hills lightly overnight. It is really picturesque - the white Cross on top of the nearest one has almost disappeared as the sky is grey and the mountains are hidden by the clouds.
Au revoir - or I can now say -'MIRUPAFSHIM' - as a beginning!
On Tuesday we decided to journey to Elbason, our nearest option for Our Lady's feast. We enjoyed a beautiful two-hour mountainy drive, with spectacular scenery. Then we attended an afternoon Mass in the Church of the Italian Divine Providence priests. After the Mass we met members of four congregations of Sisters working in the city, including Mother Teresa's Sisters who moved from here almost ten years ago. That was when the last priest to serve here left Korce. As always, English is their first language so I spoke easily with the Slovakian and Kenyan Sisters. The other groups included Dominicans who have schools nearby, Italian Sisters who run Nursing Homes in the area and also a German group.
On our journey it emerged that Tuesday was the anniversary of Mirjam's entry and beginning of Novitate twenty years ago. This was a very good reason for us to stop in Pogradec on our return to celebrate with the local, almost unique fish KORAN. We were on the shores of the 'Lake of Light' which is one its two habitats worldwide!
I start my Shqip later today at Kennedy. So far all is well thank God. I expect the study through English will be easier and I am impatient to gain even limited skill for ministry. The textbook recommended was given to me by one of the Maltese catechists a few weeks ago so I welcome some guidance in its use.
Snow has covered the nearby hills lightly overnight. It is really picturesque - the white Cross on top of the nearest one has almost disappeared as the sky is grey and the mountains are hidden by the clouds.
Au revoir - or I can now say -'MIRUPAFSHIM' - as a beginning!
Monday, 7 December 2009
KENNEDY CENTRE, GENEVA, JUSTICE AND PEACE
7 DECEMBER 2009 KENNEDY CENTRE, GENEVA, JUSTICE AND PEACE
I visited the Kennedy Centre today and have an appointment tomorrow morning to look at the possibility of learning Albanian there. So far it is promising! In the meantime I am still attending the Alliance Francais course!
A few days ago I had an email from Hedwig in Geneva to say Albania was reporting to the Committee there on that afternoon. I was unable to get to an internet cafe to listen to the reporting live. The company setting up our internet access seem to have enormeous difficulty, and when one comments, people shrug their shoulders and say -"this is Albania"!
Today I sent my suggestions and reflections to Sr.Shirley. She is the Irish part of the Irish-Belgian-Hungarian planning group for the European setup to replace our EAGLE - European Action Group for Life in Europe - meetings that ended in 2008. I look forward to seeing the regrouping of the countries. We found it most useful to share what was happening at the EU - especially when it impinged on Good Shepherd ministry at ground level!
A more down-to-earth happening was a phone call from Sr Anne in Belfast. It was good to chat with her plus a few Sisters who happenned to be nearby. I sure caught up on all the local news. Very glad of that!
I visited the Kennedy Centre today and have an appointment tomorrow morning to look at the possibility of learning Albanian there. So far it is promising! In the meantime I am still attending the Alliance Francais course!
A few days ago I had an email from Hedwig in Geneva to say Albania was reporting to the Committee there on that afternoon. I was unable to get to an internet cafe to listen to the reporting live. The company setting up our internet access seem to have enormeous difficulty, and when one comments, people shrug their shoulders and say -"this is Albania"!
Today I sent my suggestions and reflections to Sr.Shirley. She is the Irish part of the Irish-Belgian-Hungarian planning group for the European setup to replace our EAGLE - European Action Group for Life in Europe - meetings that ended in 2008. I look forward to seeing the regrouping of the countries. We found it most useful to share what was happening at the EU - especially when it impinged on Good Shepherd ministry at ground level!
A more down-to-earth happening was a phone call from Sr Anne in Belfast. It was good to chat with her plus a few Sisters who happenned to be nearby. I sure caught up on all the local news. Very glad of that!
Thursday, 3 December 2009
MINISTRY BEGINS. CHANGE 'SCHOOLS'?
3rd DECEMBER 2009 Feast of St. Frances Xavier. MINISTRY BEGINS. CHANGE 'SCHOOLS'?
We had time to reflect a little on our second meeting with the women that took place in our house yesterday evening. The group came together slowly - I was reminded of a few similar meetings in Belfast! We felt the content was most worthwhile and even included ongoing plans. Those that attended the little group are most enthusiastic so we hope their optimism will continue.
This morning as I left the house, I greeted a neighbour living opposite. He quickly realized my greeting had exhausted my Albanian language skills! I told him I was en route to Alliance Francais to learn Albanian. Hearing my Irish accent, Holger, of German extraction, surprised me by saying -"There's an Albanian Class through English for new missionaries where I work". He is employed at the Evangelical Protestant Kennedy Centre. I only heard in the past week that there is such a centre here. Holger is making further enquiries and I'll hear details tomorrow. I had been questioning the wisdom of continuing to study Shqip through French so maybe another door will open. Watch this space!
We had time to reflect a little on our second meeting with the women that took place in our house yesterday evening. The group came together slowly - I was reminded of a few similar meetings in Belfast! We felt the content was most worthwhile and even included ongoing plans. Those that attended the little group are most enthusiastic so we hope their optimism will continue.
This morning as I left the house, I greeted a neighbour living opposite. He quickly realized my greeting had exhausted my Albanian language skills! I told him I was en route to Alliance Francais to learn Albanian. Hearing my Irish accent, Holger, of German extraction, surprised me by saying -"There's an Albanian Class through English for new missionaries where I work". He is employed at the Evangelical Protestant Kennedy Centre. I only heard in the past week that there is such a centre here. Holger is making further enquiries and I'll hear details tomorrow. I had been questioning the wisdom of continuing to study Shqip through French so maybe another door will open. Watch this space!
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
2nd DECEMBER 2009 NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER AS REQUESTED
THIS IS A RESPONSE RATHER THAN MY USUAL ENTRY - HERE GOES-
SR.CLARE O'MAHONY
GOOD SHEPHERD SISTERS OR MOTRAT E BARIUT TE MIRE
17 RRUGA "GAVRIL PEPO"
LAGJIA 3
KORCE
7000 ALBANIA
TEL NUMBER - 00 355 82 253104.
The ordinary postage stamp for Europe arrives within a week. Service may be even better, now that we have our own Post Box!!!
I decided to send this as a number of requests arrived since yesterday. Clare
THIS IS A RESPONSE RATHER THAN MY USUAL ENTRY - HERE GOES-
SR.CLARE O'MAHONY
GOOD SHEPHERD SISTERS OR MOTRAT E BARIUT TE MIRE
17 RRUGA "GAVRIL PEPO"
LAGJIA 3
KORCE
7000 ALBANIA
TEL NUMBER - 00 355 82 253104.
The ordinary postage stamp for Europe arrives within a week. Service may be even better, now that we have our own Post Box!!!
I decided to send this as a number of requests arrived since yesterday. Clare
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
WEEKEND AND RESIDENCY!
2nd December 2009 WEEKEND AND RESIDENCY
News has come in so many emails of the flooding in Ireland. I hope the situation has improved by now and that life is getting back to normal for those badly affected. I hear the fallout from the Murphy Report and related matters have caused much distress too.
Our weekend was quiet - we began Advent with a beautiful wreath prepared by Mirjam. We were very happy to welcome an Italian priest for Mass on Sunday. We met him after, just to thank him. He had no word of English or French so our conversation was indeed brief! Our neighbours had visitors from Tirana - a jurist and a lawyer who came to help us with our Residency papers - we have some time yet but my own progress is slow at the moment.
I was close to a Memorial Service on Saturday when walking near our house. The music was very beautiful and the service was quite moving - there have been a number of such events over these days. Today finishes the holiday weekend and commemorates the Flag.
Recently we met the father of the architect who designed our little church. He was very pleased to tell us his son, with five of his friends, had protected our church during the 'bombardment' of 1998. This man had courageously brought them food each day and the church was not damaged. The Blue Nuns building got badly damaged at that time and they did not continue in Korce.
Good health to all at this time. Till again.
News has come in so many emails of the flooding in Ireland. I hope the situation has improved by now and that life is getting back to normal for those badly affected. I hear the fallout from the Murphy Report and related matters have caused much distress too.
Our weekend was quiet - we began Advent with a beautiful wreath prepared by Mirjam. We were very happy to welcome an Italian priest for Mass on Sunday. We met him after, just to thank him. He had no word of English or French so our conversation was indeed brief! Our neighbours had visitors from Tirana - a jurist and a lawyer who came to help us with our Residency papers - we have some time yet but my own progress is slow at the moment.
I was close to a Memorial Service on Saturday when walking near our house. The music was very beautiful and the service was quite moving - there have been a number of such events over these days. Today finishes the holiday weekend and commemorates the Flag.
Recently we met the father of the architect who designed our little church. He was very pleased to tell us his son, with five of his friends, had protected our church during the 'bombardment' of 1998. This man had courageously brought them food each day and the church was not damaged. The Blue Nuns building got badly damaged at that time and they did not continue in Korce.
Good health to all at this time. Till again.
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