28 DECEMBER 2011 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AND POGRADEC!
On Christmas Eve, which seems a long time ago now, we had a procession of the Divine Infant,through some of the city streets. This is a tradition of our Maltese Society friends. It ended in our Oratory here where all, about 25 or 30 adults and young people, crowded in for a prayer and a carol. Mulled wine and some goodies followed and these helped to round off the event well - a good reward for travelling through the snow for part of the time!
The snow added a little time to our Mass journey as well. Our choir for 11.00p.m. Mass was superb. We had two organs, two guitars and a mandolin, plus all of us sang!! Afterwards, we had hot chocolate and biscuits, while Christmas greetings were exchanged, so we were well prepared for our homeward journey, when fog had joined the weather context! On Christmas Day, we had 11.00a.m. Mass, during which a few men from the Orthodox community joined us. Then, we were open for visitors from 3.30p.m. - another local custom! More than 30 came throughout the afternoon and evening. We enjoyed meeting our friends and parish folk.
On Monday evening, we decided to view the DVD - "Of Men and Gods" - the story of the Trappist monks in Algeria. A few of us had already seen it but thought it would be appropriate as its in Arabic and French, Amira's two languages. Lalini and I have been to Pogradec today - we heard Father Marek will come from Fier tomorrow so we wanted to ensure all was in order. The countryside and, of course, the mountains are completely white - the temprature is too low to melt the snow. Thank God, the roads were completely clear and the scenery was so beautiful, especially close to the blue lake and we had sunshine all the way!
We had three power cuts during the past week, so there was internet disturbance. Also, mail has been delivered this evening - the first since a few days before Christmas, so, together with Skype and phones, we have had great contacts.
I am sure you will continue to enjoy the 12 days of Christmas. Hopefully, I will be in touch for the New Year!
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Thursday, 22 December 2011
POGRADEC, URAT MEETING AND CHRISTMAS!
POGRADEC, URAT MEETING AND CHRISTMAS! 22 DECEMBER 2011
Sunday last was very free as Mass had been celebrated on Saturday. We went, with the young people, to visit the small children in care. There were 10, aged 4-6 years, and they really enjoyed the music, dance and especially a visit from our Santa Claus. There were also 10 younger children, right down to one little one that arrived in the past month. She was aged just five days on admission! The staff was grateful to us for visiting.
In the afternoon, Lalini and I went to Pogradec by furgon. We were delighted that we left Korce very promptly and we completed our little project very easily. In fact, we met the people we needed to contact, right on the street! Our return was easy too - there is a good service to Korce!
On Monday, Ana, my teacher, and I went out for lunch. We went to the bar at the new Five Star - Life Gallery Hotel!!! While we enjoyed our simple lunch, Ana got a call to employment. This followed training she had undertaken with Vodafone in Tirana. In fact, however, she decided to remain with her present work and part-time receptionist at Life Gallery.
We had a very good meeting in Tirana on Tuesday and Korce is included as a meeting venue around Easter. We have a lot of work, following on the Krakow Conference. It is most helpful that there can be a co-ordinated working strategy. This will enable even language development, where needed, in the future.
We had planned a Community Day for today. However, a really heavy snowfall, that was still continuing, led to us abandoning the idea of travel. Here in Korce, people never grumble about the weather!! They just shrug their shoulders and say - "Dimer" which is Winter. Then they add - "Bukur" which I find usually means, plenty of slush and packed ice!! Life continues as normal in the city.
We are busy preparing for the Christmas Mass and, also, for visitors over the festive days, as I am sure you are too. We start with a procession scheduled for Christmas Eve that is due to finish in our house! Let us be united at the crib - Happy Christmas. Hopefully, we will meet again before the New Year.
Sunday last was very free as Mass had been celebrated on Saturday. We went, with the young people, to visit the small children in care. There were 10, aged 4-6 years, and they really enjoyed the music, dance and especially a visit from our Santa Claus. There were also 10 younger children, right down to one little one that arrived in the past month. She was aged just five days on admission! The staff was grateful to us for visiting.
In the afternoon, Lalini and I went to Pogradec by furgon. We were delighted that we left Korce very promptly and we completed our little project very easily. In fact, we met the people we needed to contact, right on the street! Our return was easy too - there is a good service to Korce!
On Monday, Ana, my teacher, and I went out for lunch. We went to the bar at the new Five Star - Life Gallery Hotel!!! While we enjoyed our simple lunch, Ana got a call to employment. This followed training she had undertaken with Vodafone in Tirana. In fact, however, she decided to remain with her present work and part-time receptionist at Life Gallery.
We had a very good meeting in Tirana on Tuesday and Korce is included as a meeting venue around Easter. We have a lot of work, following on the Krakow Conference. It is most helpful that there can be a co-ordinated working strategy. This will enable even language development, where needed, in the future.
We had planned a Community Day for today. However, a really heavy snowfall, that was still continuing, led to us abandoning the idea of travel. Here in Korce, people never grumble about the weather!! They just shrug their shoulders and say - "Dimer" which is Winter. Then they add - "Bukur" which I find usually means, plenty of slush and packed ice!! Life continues as normal in the city.
We are busy preparing for the Christmas Mass and, also, for visitors over the festive days, as I am sure you are too. We start with a procession scheduled for Christmas Eve that is due to finish in our house! Let us be united at the crib - Happy Christmas. Hopefully, we will meet again before the New Year.
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
ST.NICHOLAS, BEAR, BISHOP, CHRISTMAS AIR!
15 DECEMBER 2011 ST.NICHOLAS, BEAR, BISHOP, CHRISTMAS AIR!
More than ten days since I opened the blog. I have been busy! On the 6 December, two of our friends celebrated their feasts. Here in Albania, we visit for a feast - in this case it was two householders. Usually the visit is short and we are invited to take light refreshments.
Then on the 8th, it was a school and statutory offices holiday. Celebration of democracy was mentioned but it is hoped it will become a Youth Day. I went along to a Photographic Exhibition of local scenes, well worth seeing. While there I met a teacher who lives near her school that I visited last week. She told me she was in her kitchen one evening, looking out the window. Her garden gate was open and in walked a BEAR, picked some quince fruit from the tree and then walked out again! She was amazed and was told by neighbours there are bears higher up in the mountains.
On Sunday, we had an unexpected visit from our Bishop. I was preparing dinner and Lalini had a few girls preparing for the Roma Christmas celebration. He came with our friend, Charlie, who translated for him. He told us that there is a Day of Prayer in Fier tomorrow. Fier is more than four hours drive each way and the day begins at 9.00a.m. We said we would not travel as also, the talks there are usually in Italian!.
There is a great air of Christmas here these days and post has actually arrived beginning with a hamper from Bernie and family. This was followed by goodies from Belfast and just today from Dublin, with a new book - "A Road Less Travelled" or Tales of the Irish Missionaries. It looks interesting and has contributions from Sisters Catherine Veale and Teresia Byrne.
Every blessing on this last busy week of preparation for Christmas!
More than ten days since I opened the blog. I have been busy! On the 6 December, two of our friends celebrated their feasts. Here in Albania, we visit for a feast - in this case it was two householders. Usually the visit is short and we are invited to take light refreshments.
Then on the 8th, it was a school and statutory offices holiday. Celebration of democracy was mentioned but it is hoped it will become a Youth Day. I went along to a Photographic Exhibition of local scenes, well worth seeing. While there I met a teacher who lives near her school that I visited last week. She told me she was in her kitchen one evening, looking out the window. Her garden gate was open and in walked a BEAR, picked some quince fruit from the tree and then walked out again! She was amazed and was told by neighbours there are bears higher up in the mountains.
On Sunday, we had an unexpected visit from our Bishop. I was preparing dinner and Lalini had a few girls preparing for the Roma Christmas celebration. He came with our friend, Charlie, who translated for him. He told us that there is a Day of Prayer in Fier tomorrow. Fier is more than four hours drive each way and the day begins at 9.00a.m. We said we would not travel as also, the talks there are usually in Italian!.
There is a great air of Christmas here these days and post has actually arrived beginning with a hamper from Bernie and family. This was followed by goodies from Belfast and just today from Dublin, with a new book - "A Road Less Travelled" or Tales of the Irish Missionaries. It looks interesting and has contributions from Sisters Catherine Veale and Teresia Byrne.
Every blessing on this last busy week of preparation for Christmas!
Sunday, 4 December 2011
NURSERY, THEMISTOKLUI GERMENJI, TRAVEL!
4 DECEMBER 2011 NURSERY SCHOOL, THEMISTOKLI GERMENJI, TRAVEL!
December slipped in quietly during the week as we moved into Advent and worked our way through two school holidays. Weatherwise we are fortunate that the snow has kept away and we are without intense cold. I visited a Nursery School on Thursday. The class of 22 chidren aged 4-5 years was a joy. They sang, played and joined in activities, rather like a Playgroup in Ireland!
Yesterday, I met a teacher searching for class books - he wants to learn German! He was disappointed to hear we had disposed of ours! This man is a direct descendent of Germenji Themistokli, a man who worked to improve the life situation of the people of Korce. He did this to the extent that a huge statue was erected in his honour!The man who called yesterday has good English. For this reason, I was greatly enlightened about the regime that people had had to endure prior to the granting of democracy.
There was an international flavour to the week. Our Maltese friends were at Medejugore. Other contacts included folk back from USA Thanksgiving. As for ourselves here, we awaited our visitor from Germany on Tuesday last. His initial plane from Germany was delayed and he just missed his connection to Tirana in Vienna. News came that he had returned to Germany and will visit at another time.
Every blessing on all your activities during the coming week and happy feast for the 8 December!
December slipped in quietly during the week as we moved into Advent and worked our way through two school holidays. Weatherwise we are fortunate that the snow has kept away and we are without intense cold. I visited a Nursery School on Thursday. The class of 22 chidren aged 4-5 years was a joy. They sang, played and joined in activities, rather like a Playgroup in Ireland!
Yesterday, I met a teacher searching for class books - he wants to learn German! He was disappointed to hear we had disposed of ours! This man is a direct descendent of Germenji Themistokli, a man who worked to improve the life situation of the people of Korce. He did this to the extent that a huge statue was erected in his honour!The man who called yesterday has good English. For this reason, I was greatly enlightened about the regime that people had had to endure prior to the granting of democracy.
There was an international flavour to the week. Our Maltese friends were at Medejugore. Other contacts included folk back from USA Thanksgiving. As for ourselves here, we awaited our visitor from Germany on Tuesday last. His initial plane from Germany was delayed and he just missed his connection to Tirana in Vienna. News came that he had returned to Germany and will visit at another time.
Every blessing on all your activities during the coming week and happy feast for the 8 December!
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