EASTER JOY! ALPHA UPDATE AND KORCA TOO!!

31 MARCH 2013 EASTER SUNDAY. EASTER JOY! ALPHA AND KORCA UPDATES!! ALLELUIA!! Happy Easter! My greetings come almost directly from our "DAWN MASS" on the Lagan riverside in Belfast. For me the Mass, celebrated this year by a Canadian Jesuit, is a very special highlight. Chilly yes, even in the shelter of a massive ancient tree. Otherwise, a warm, welcoming parish community that knew how to celebrate - even to rewarding all with an Easter Egg as we left reluctantly! I joined two people who climbed a nearby hill to roll the eggs thy had brought along and so this added to the festive spirit as we returned to the river towpath. A young man who had greeted me with a question as I left the car - "Is there any prayer service around here?" - told me, as we walked along the river bank, that he prays regularly at our Lys Marie Adoration, with Youth 2,000 so I felt at home in his company. Dessie has promised me a photo of our Mass setting and I promise to share it with you when possible. I was happy to see his delight when I told him we were en route to Mass and he fell into step with me immediately. On Good Friday, I re-connected with another local get-together. All our parish denominations gathered in nearby Ormeau Park, the Cross was carried and we followed, in procession, to the Presbyterian Church where a most meaningful Service followed. These two events have been key to Easter for me over the years and I am so glad that they are alive and thriving too. I must admit I missed them over the past three years when in the mountains of south Albania. Now, its the turn of Korca to be in my mind and heart as I heard, with joy, of its five Baptisms and nine first Communions due to take place there last evening at the Easter Vigil. This surely brings NEW LIFE to the women of Korca and Good Shepherd has helped nurture this development in a very small, but strong, Catholic Church, kept alive over the years by the great work of Maltese Catechists. These good friends of ours nurtured our insertion into Korca community life! And just one word about our ALPHA Course. We gathered for 12 weeks and this needed good commitment. What joy it was to greet all these new friends, when we met at the Service on Good Friday. We will meet once more to review the 12 weeks and reflect on a way forward for us. I may not be part of the next phase, or at least the begginning of it, as i plan to respond to a mini-call to Albania a few days after our planned celebration and meeting! Now I go to see Pope Francis as he gives his Easter Blessing. Happy Easter again to each one.

101 BIRTHDAY, PRIMROSES, POPE FRANCIS!

19 MARCH 2013. FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH. 101 BIRTHDAY, PRIMROSES, POPE FRANCIS. Saint Patrick's Day really began when we went to Lys Marie for Mass. The Chapel had been very simply and beautifully decorated by Sisters Vivienne and Regina. The Sri Lankan touch was very obvious. We began with -"The Deer's Cry" and our Liturgy included a few other Irish touches for the special day! Towards evening we began to prepare for our dear Lelia's 101 Birthday and all was well by the time our Pre-Chapter Facilitator arrived for our first meeting. THE BIRTHDAY began officially at 8.50a.m. Sister Lelia had already received President O'Higgins commemorative Medal and its accompanying personal letter. Then, her dear friend Denis Maloney came to wish her well. He presented her with a beautiful heart-shaped box of chocolates and drank a cup of tea with his friend. His earlier than usual visit was due to the fact that he was on his way to our nearby City Airport. With his sister, Maria, he was en route to the inaugural Mass for Pope Francis and so his visit for Sister Lelia's birthday was brief. We had Mass celebrated for her at Lys Marie and again it was a very joyous moment. The rest of our day was a little different as we had three, quite long, Pre-Chapter Sessions. At evening meal, we sang once more and cut the beautiful cake. This had been made and iced in Sister's favourite white, with touches of pale green shamrocks and a pale pink greeting. All enjoyed this very special community event. Very beautiful floral bouquets arrived but the primroses that adorned our garden and parts of the house were a constant reminder of our Birthday Lady as she has always loved them. We were just delighted when our Dublin Newscaster announced that the Inaugural Mass would be broadcast from Rome. Early this morning we were "on-site" and so happy to see the glorious sunshine in Rome for this wonderful event. In fact, the election of Pope Francis has dominated recent times and we have eagerly shared fragments of his family and priestly history as they emerged. However, it has been his own personality, plus his very significant choice of name, that has given us great hope that he will accept the directive given by Christ - "Go and rebuild my Church". This evening we plan to join religious and local people at our Cathedral for our Belfast Celebration to mark Pope Francis taking on his responsibilities. In our own Good Shepherd community, we had a new beginning with the feast, as Sister Cait took up her responsibilities as Leader. We now feel on the last stretch of the journey towards Easter and so let us be united with one another a we pilgrim towards the coming week. Peace and Blessings to each one!