TIRANA TWICE, SNOWSTORM, URAT MEETING!

15 JANUARY 2012. TIRANA TWICE, SNOWSTORM, URAT MEETING!
When en route to Tirana on Wednesday last, a fellow-traveller said - "Tirana has three seasons - no Winter!" Sure enough, while it was reasonably cold, there was no sign of snow. Sr.Mirjam and I went together to the Nunciature to meet with our advocate. Later, as we were leaving, we met the Papal Nuncio. We declined an invitation to take coffee, but had a good chat instead.

This week, we have had more than usual internal Good Shepherd contacts as we coped with the sadness of Gabrielle's death RIP. Otherwise, life is back to normal after the Christmas holiday. Both the taking and the giving of classes began, plus our other ministry as well. The last of the Christmas post came too, including letters from Belfast, that were posted more than two weeks before Christmas. The envelope sported a large printed sign - "MISSENT TO BARBADOS"!!

I had an unforgettable journey to Tirana yesterday, for our URAT meeting. We had a snowstorm and so it took us three and a half hours to complete what would ordinarily take an hour! Then, suddenly, we left the white fields, snow-covered hills and slushy roads behind. Roads were dry, green fields, blue skies and glorious sunshine! What a contrast! We had a good meeting and had a new member - a Kosovan Sister. Sister had been in Poland and she is very pleased to be involved. We got our Korce meeting planned for the Spring, please God, so, all is well. Mainly, because of the snow, I requested that we have our February meeting using SKYPE. This suggestion was readily accepted and we welcome having a get-together, without 9-10 hours travelling.

Have a great week. I go to Mass now at 3.00p.m. and will say a wee prayer for all blog readers!