23 FEBRUARY 2010 "WOMAN OF COURAGE" AND UN REPORTING
This afternoon, Sister Amira shared with us the good news that Sister Marie-Claude
Naddaf, Syria, is one of eight women chosen by the American Government from as many countries, as a "WOMEN OF COURAGE". They will be honoured first in Washington, beginning on International Women's Day, March 8, and then in New York. Marie-Claude surely deserves the award. She has had a huge involvement with 1,200 families of the 1,000,000 Iraqi refugees that have poured into Damascus since the war. Sister also has a very modern unit for victims of domestic violence. The Counselling Centre attached to this has already received an award of excellence from the French Government.
Later on this year there will be a reporting session at the UN New York on the work towards the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. Three countries are due to report - Albania, Argentina and Australia. I am due to attend to see what developments are planned in relation to Albania. Please God, the work will also include some solutions for our trafficking problems.
Winter is having a last fling this week with snow and rain! We look forward to March 1 when the Greek Orthodox celebrate the arrival of Spring. Later, on March 14, the Muslims also celebrate, so hopefully Spring for us is just around the corner!
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Thursday, 18 February 2010
TIRANA VISIT AND TRAFFICKING MEETING
18 FEBRUARY 2010 TIRANA VISIT AND TRAFFICKING MEETING.
My journey to Tirana on Tuesday went very smoothly. I was met by Imelda Poole, Loreto Sister of the English Province, who had offered overnight accommodation. We had a good evening of Loreto chat sharing on links to their Irish Province and my years in Loreto, Gorey. We did this while enjoying a meal ending with a Shrove Tuesday touch of delicious pancakes!
We went to an early morning Mass at the nearby Jesuit Church and had our ashes cross made on bowed heads rather than our foreheads!
Our meeting began with a Powerpoint presentation that included a talk on RENATE - Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation. This group was established on the 25 March 2009 and has elected a Core Group of six Sisters to carry the work forward. A photograph of the Core Group showed Sister Helene Halligon,RGS is right there on our behalf! They have undertaken to organise a European Conference in Krakow, Poland for September 2011. This will involve 100 participants, hopefully with 50 from Eastern Europe, involved in work against Trafficking! So, there is a lot to be done at ground level in the meantime. The Sisters of eight nationalities were really enthusiastic and agreed to set to work on March 17, naming the group and making a Plan of Action. I was really glad to have made the journey to this new beginning. It was nice too to hear Noreen's group APT named as a good work model.
Afterwards, Imelda and I enjoyed what was a 'FAST' meal in every way and I was happy to get a minibus immediately arriving back Korce at 5.00p.m. Au revoir.
My journey to Tirana on Tuesday went very smoothly. I was met by Imelda Poole, Loreto Sister of the English Province, who had offered overnight accommodation. We had a good evening of Loreto chat sharing on links to their Irish Province and my years in Loreto, Gorey. We did this while enjoying a meal ending with a Shrove Tuesday touch of delicious pancakes!
We went to an early morning Mass at the nearby Jesuit Church and had our ashes cross made on bowed heads rather than our foreheads!
Our meeting began with a Powerpoint presentation that included a talk on RENATE - Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation. This group was established on the 25 March 2009 and has elected a Core Group of six Sisters to carry the work forward. A photograph of the Core Group showed Sister Helene Halligon,RGS is right there on our behalf! They have undertaken to organise a European Conference in Krakow, Poland for September 2011. This will involve 100 participants, hopefully with 50 from Eastern Europe, involved in work against Trafficking! So, there is a lot to be done at ground level in the meantime. The Sisters of eight nationalities were really enthusiastic and agreed to set to work on March 17, naming the group and making a Plan of Action. I was really glad to have made the journey to this new beginning. It was nice too to hear Noreen's group APT named as a good work model.
Afterwards, Imelda and I enjoyed what was a 'FAST' meal in every way and I was happy to get a minibus immediately arriving back Korce at 5.00p.m. Au revoir.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
WEATHER AND AMAZING NEWSFLASH!
SHROVE TUESDAY - 16 FEBRUARY 2010. WEATHER AND AMAZING NEWSFLASH
The heavy snow we have had over the weekend began to clear yesterday and, even though we have plenty of slush, the bright sunshine has convinced me travel is now possible. I hope to leave in the early afternoon for Tiranna, for the 9.30a.m. meeting tomorrow.
We have just had the most amazing newsflash - truly a big surprise. Its the possibility of very special visitors during Eastertime.
All I can say is - watch this SPACE as we await confirmation!
The heavy snow we have had over the weekend began to clear yesterday and, even though we have plenty of slush, the bright sunshine has convinced me travel is now possible. I hope to leave in the early afternoon for Tiranna, for the 9.30a.m. meeting tomorrow.
We have just had the most amazing newsflash - truly a big surprise. Its the possibility of very special visitors during Eastertime.
All I can say is - watch this SPACE as we await confirmation!
Monday, 8 February 2010
WORK INVITATIONS AND OUR FIRST MASS!
8th.FEBRUARY 2010 WORK INVITATIONS AND OUR FIRST MASS!
On Thursday last an invitation arrived to a conference in Tirana. It is being organised by Loreto IBVM Sisters as part of their 400th anniversary celebrations and will take place in March. A one-day event its on Women's Rights in Albania. The second invitation arrived on Friday and is for a meeting in Tirana next week. This is a small group meeting to see what can be done for trafficked women here. I look forward to both and am glad to have already seen that Albanian Government Report on Women and its Shadow Report by 10 Non-Governmental agencies.
We have had a great weekend! Our Maltese friends have a young priest visiting and he has said Mass in our Prayer Room, not once but twice. He he will come again tomorrow before he leaves for Rome. Father Kevin is called after Kevin Keegan, footballer - I had thought there was an Irish connection! Father is just two years ordained and is completing his Doctorate in Canon Law. We were glad to see the three candidates for the Maltese Society join our group each evening.
We are very aware of today's feast as it was ceremony day so often. Au revoir.
On Thursday last an invitation arrived to a conference in Tirana. It is being organised by Loreto IBVM Sisters as part of their 400th anniversary celebrations and will take place in March. A one-day event its on Women's Rights in Albania. The second invitation arrived on Friday and is for a meeting in Tirana next week. This is a small group meeting to see what can be done for trafficked women here. I look forward to both and am glad to have already seen that Albanian Government Report on Women and its Shadow Report by 10 Non-Governmental agencies.
We have had a great weekend! Our Maltese friends have a young priest visiting and he has said Mass in our Prayer Room, not once but twice. He he will come again tomorrow before he leaves for Rome. Father Kevin is called after Kevin Keegan, footballer - I had thought there was an Irish connection! Father is just two years ordained and is completing his Doctorate in Canon Law. We were glad to see the three candidates for the Maltese Society join our group each evening.
We are very aware of today's feast as it was ceremony day so often. Au revoir.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
'A CRUMB OF HISTORY' AND 96 YEARS YOUNG!
3 FEBRUARY 2010 'A CRUMB OF HISTORY' AND 96 YEARS YOUNG!
A word about yesterday as it was truly a crumb of history!
It was snowing as we left Korce at 6.30a.m. We were eight - two Franciscan Sisters from Bilisht, two Maltese catechists and us four. We had snow for most of the first hour to Pogradec. We continued for another two hours, with caution, through slush and snowdrifts to reach Elbason. Our FIRST Diocesan Meeting for Religious was scheduled there for 9.00a.m. On arrival we were ushered into a large unheated hall, where we sat on 'infants' benches.(I was reminded of enduring similar seating when we attended meetings to get a new Nursery School in the Markets area of Belfast!!). The input was good, given by a Jesuit lecturer at Skhodra seminary. It was bi-lingual - phrases in Shqip were repeated in Italian as the composition of the sixty or so religious was largely Italian. I had a Shqip transcript, supported by an invaluable whispered English translation by Maltese David. Bishop Kabashi then said Mass. One of Mother Teresa's sisters assured me later thst she had counted 16 priests on the sanctuary with the Bishop! We were quite ready for lunch after which we had a GLORIOUS journey back. The roads were much improved and the scenery was breathtaking with sunshine on the panorama of snowscenes.
Monday morning brought a delightful greeting for St. Brigid's Day! An email came from a great Belfast Contemplative - Josephine. She told me she was 96 on Saturday last. Sister added that a few months ago she was invited to join another Sister, who was being initiated into computer skills. Josephine made such progress she quickly got her own address. I could not help thinking that Spring and new life come in many ways. Sister now enjoys having added emailing to her many gifts.
Enjoy what is new in Spring for you!
A word about yesterday as it was truly a crumb of history!
It was snowing as we left Korce at 6.30a.m. We were eight - two Franciscan Sisters from Bilisht, two Maltese catechists and us four. We had snow for most of the first hour to Pogradec. We continued for another two hours, with caution, through slush and snowdrifts to reach Elbason. Our FIRST Diocesan Meeting for Religious was scheduled there for 9.00a.m. On arrival we were ushered into a large unheated hall, where we sat on 'infants' benches.(I was reminded of enduring similar seating when we attended meetings to get a new Nursery School in the Markets area of Belfast!!). The input was good, given by a Jesuit lecturer at Skhodra seminary. It was bi-lingual - phrases in Shqip were repeated in Italian as the composition of the sixty or so religious was largely Italian. I had a Shqip transcript, supported by an invaluable whispered English translation by Maltese David. Bishop Kabashi then said Mass. One of Mother Teresa's sisters assured me later thst she had counted 16 priests on the sanctuary with the Bishop! We were quite ready for lunch after which we had a GLORIOUS journey back. The roads were much improved and the scenery was breathtaking with sunshine on the panorama of snowscenes.
Monday morning brought a delightful greeting for St. Brigid's Day! An email came from a great Belfast Contemplative - Josephine. She told me she was 96 on Saturday last. Sister added that a few months ago she was invited to join another Sister, who was being initiated into computer skills. Josephine made such progress she quickly got her own address. I could not help thinking that Spring and new life come in many ways. Sister now enjoys having added emailing to her many gifts.
Enjoy what is new in Spring for you!
Monday, 1 February 2010
ST BRIGID, THE BISHOP AND ANNE!
1ST.FEBRUARY 2010 FEAST OF ST. BRIGID, THE BISHOP AND ANNE!
This is a little entry, mainly to send greetings to each one who is fortunate enough to bear the name, BRIGID. Today heralds the welcoming of Spring in Ireland! Enjoy your special day!
Our snowscene thawed in time for our Bishop Hil Kabashi to make the six hour journey here to say Mass yesterday. Afterwards, we invited him with his driver, Dimitri, for dinner. We were also joined by Anne, a young teacher who is unbaptized and Greek Orthodox. She has expressed great interest in our Catholic Church and was at Mass with us yesterday. Anne was a great help as a 'bridge' enabling conversation! Usually, the talk would quickly drift into German but not yesterday. We welcomed blue skies and great sunshine as our visitors left for Vlore.
Today, we are back to white skies and snow. Spring does not begin here for another month! Hope you have Spring weather to celebrate the day!
This is a little entry, mainly to send greetings to each one who is fortunate enough to bear the name, BRIGID. Today heralds the welcoming of Spring in Ireland! Enjoy your special day!
Our snowscene thawed in time for our Bishop Hil Kabashi to make the six hour journey here to say Mass yesterday. Afterwards, we invited him with his driver, Dimitri, for dinner. We were also joined by Anne, a young teacher who is unbaptized and Greek Orthodox. She has expressed great interest in our Catholic Church and was at Mass with us yesterday. Anne was a great help as a 'bridge' enabling conversation! Usually, the talk would quickly drift into German but not yesterday. We welcomed blue skies and great sunshine as our visitors left for Vlore.
Today, we are back to white skies and snow. Spring does not begin here for another month! Hope you have Spring weather to celebrate the day!
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