BISHOP'S VISIT, GLU PROJECT, TRAVEL TO KORCA AND PRE-CHAPTER SESSION.

MONDAY 15 JULY 2013 BISHOP'S VISIT, GLU PROJECT, JOURNEY TO KORCA AND PRE-CHAPTER SESSION "Every picture tells a story" is surely true of this morning's surprise visit by Bishop Ottavio Vitale, Lezha, and a few of his group. They came to thank for the lunch enjoyed by the full group of eight, yesterday, before the Bishop said Mass for us and the Bilisht Catholic community tat came with the three Franciscan Sisters. This morning the group had very little time so I just o offered a Baileys, fresh from travel last week. Those that accepted, enjoyed, and then we had a photocall, on hearing the Italian CHAMPION MOUSTACHE BEARER was in the group. See the photos! The group then left for Pogradec and Ohrid, Macedonia. On hearing of Ohrid, I spoke of our dear friend, Pere Stephan KUSAN,SJ who died suddenly in the recent past RIP. GLU - the GOD LOVES YOU Project in Belfast, now seems very far away and it was new to me. I attended the two sessions, one given by Reverend Anne Toland, local Presbyterian Minister and the one I gave on Saturday. My input was based on Ephesians 3:20 and a line from Patrick Kavanagh - "God must be allowed to surprise us" which seemed to go well. On Sunday evening, I joined representatives of the other three Churches at our local Methodist, where i did a Scripture reading. The Church was packed with young people and visitors. On Tuesday, I headed for Dublin and, having enjoyed a meal with my sister, Bernie, I headed for our Provincial House. There I met PATRIZIA from our Generalate in Rome. She was enjoying he "DREAM HOLIDAY" - seeing all the Irish beauty spots. I had heard that my friend Sister Lila Dempsey, Sister of Saint Clare, was returning to her convent in Florida on Wednesday morning too. Even though we were in the airport at the same time, we did not manage to meet. This was not surprising with the crowds traveling. My journey went quite smoothly but arrived in Tirana quite late. I was delighted to see Sisters Amira and Mirjam there when i eventuall got through Passport Control and collected baggage. Great to hear that Mirjam would travel to Korca - what a treat! \the road has two new tunnels and a super road that shortens the journey. We got very heavy rain and a flooded city en route but all was well, thank God. Mirjam gave us a splendid report on her pre-Chapter experience in Germany. Sister left us with a very clear picture of the focus of the work completed. On Friday morning we had our first Planning Meeting for a Social Project with the Blind, planned to take place over the next two months. I have asked to travel to Tirana, with Sister Lalini, tomorrow, so that we can meet and dine together with Sisters Amira and Mirjam - our final "FAREWELL" meal as it is unlikely that we will meet and minister together again when sister Amira completes her Year of formation in Canada. So, happy feast for Our Lady Of mount Carmel tomorrow and every blessing for the holidays.