HOLHISHT PICNIC AND ENCOUNTERS TODAY!!

14 JUNE 2012 HOLHISHT PICNIC AND ENCOUNTERS TODAY Yesterday was quite an event! Typical of Albania, our 'little' picnic grew, and our 18 Seater bus very kindly expanded to carry 30 of us to a place of Pilgrimage at Holhisht. There, about half an hour from Korce, there is a little very old church dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damien. Really it was more the size and shape of an ordinary house, surrounded by trees and very pleasant for the picnic. Apart from the huge number in our bus, from the back emerged rugs and ice-boxes and so much more to provide us with a veritable banquet!!!!! We had a great morning, it was a fitting celebration for the feast of St. Anthony - name of the Braille teacher with us as he is leader of the group. All enjoyed the time spent there and persons went to pray before the many icons as they wanted. I just got the idea this morning of getting a few photos and including them!! The little girl, Doris, is grandaughter of the lady with whom I went shopping. On the way back, I met the artist, Stephen, in our street and one of the road workers came to admire Stephen's painting, so I included him too! Lastly, I met Natasha, the new engineer who is now responsible for the road restoration and she came to our home - just to take a drink of water. All this had happened, together with the shopping before Ana arrived at 11.00a.m. I thought it good to give you the feel of part of my day. I prepare to journey to Tirana tomorrow for a URAT meeting and that will complete our year. Monday evening brought us Sisters Mirjam and Amira - they were bubbling over with all the events and new ministries they are now involved with. Also, they had found suitable accommodation and got furniture and goods ready for transport. On Tuesday, we were delighted to have our lunch with Rainer - a farewell meal as he leaves shortly for Malta. The four of us would not be together again when he is here. Happy Feast to each one for the Feast of the Sacred Heart and also for Saturday for Our Lady. I will be in Ireland on Sunday - in Spirit!!! if I can get the Eucharistic Congress Mass on my computer or TV!! I had a brief chat with Sister Bernie - her broken wrist is really a problem with another surgery to remove screws soon and also the knowledge that she will have a plate in for life, I gathered. I had a word with Dolores as I had got a generous donation for Albania and wanted it kept safe until I am returning, please God, in October!!! Love to All - hope the photos make sense with the entry!!!