5TH. FEBRUARY 2011 ELBASON MEETING AND VISIT TO SISTERS.
A beautiful sunny day in Korce and I am glad to see the snow disappearing from the rooftops!
We enjoyed our day in Elbason on Wednesday, in spite of our early start! We were happy to travel with our Maltese friends. The roads were fine even though there was plenty of snow on all sides. The upgrading of the road, which has been in progress since we came, has now been successfully completed. About 50 religious came together and our bishop was absent,due to 'flu. All nationalities were included in the prayer. I detected an American accent as one of the psalms was read in English. Later, I sought out the reader and met a fine American, Sister Adrienne, member of a German congregation. Sister said she had also identified an Irish accent as I read! The Bishop had already given Adrienne my name and phone number, in case she ever wanted to talk English! We had lunch together with Mirjam and Adrienne's community leader whom Mirjam already knew. We plan to keep in touch. Their convent is more than five hours away. They would like us to visit in the summer, please God.
We were invited to Mother Teresa's Sisters in the afternoon. The Sister that invited us had lived in Korce for a few years. They have a nursery for children, aged 0-6 and they are caring for 26 very small children. Their house is newly built but with few facilities,- they do not accept State Aid. They picked two bags of lovely oranges from the garden for us as we left.
The recent problems in Tirana have had only a few ripples here. A march planned by the Opposition here yesterday passed off peacefully, thank God.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Saturday, 29 January 2011
SNOWY KORCE, PLANS AND FEASTDAYS!!
29TH. JANUARY 2011 SNOWY KORCE, PLANS AND FEASTDAY WISHES.
We have had snow here most days this week! Thank God we have been able to get out and about each day and all is well! Next Wednesday, snow permitting, we will travel to Elbason, three hours or so from here for a 9.00a.m. meeting of religious. There are no talks on the programme, this time, for our halfday meeting. Usually these are in Shqip/Italian or Italian/Shqip so we will not miss them!
On Tuesday last we were invited to "Cut the cake" at our landlady, Behije's 50th. Birthday! She was very happy when we invited her to join us for dinner the next day, when we presented her with a gift.
During our Community Meeting this week, we planned for the coming months! A number of exciting moments are included - visitors early in June, World Youth Day in Madrid, for which a Korce group is shaping up nicely. This will also include the Eudist preparation experience. Later on, there is a European Conference at Krakow, to be facilitated by Sister Clare Nolan, New York Province. Hopefully, Mirjam will attend as she has been invited to represent Germany and I will go for Albania.
However, before any of these events, next Tuesday is a special feast of an Irish Patron! Happy Feastday, dear Sisters Brigid, in Rome, Belfast, Derry, Waterford and wherever this name heralds the arrival of Spring! Blessings on each one.
We have had snow here most days this week! Thank God we have been able to get out and about each day and all is well! Next Wednesday, snow permitting, we will travel to Elbason, three hours or so from here for a 9.00a.m. meeting of religious. There are no talks on the programme, this time, for our halfday meeting. Usually these are in Shqip/Italian or Italian/Shqip so we will not miss them!
On Tuesday last we were invited to "Cut the cake" at our landlady, Behije's 50th. Birthday! She was very happy when we invited her to join us for dinner the next day, when we presented her with a gift.
During our Community Meeting this week, we planned for the coming months! A number of exciting moments are included - visitors early in June, World Youth Day in Madrid, for which a Korce group is shaping up nicely. This will also include the Eudist preparation experience. Later on, there is a European Conference at Krakow, to be facilitated by Sister Clare Nolan, New York Province. Hopefully, Mirjam will attend as she has been invited to represent Germany and I will go for Albania.
However, before any of these events, next Tuesday is a special feast of an Irish Patron! Happy Feastday, dear Sisters Brigid, in Rome, Belfast, Derry, Waterford and wherever this name heralds the arrival of Spring! Blessings on each one.
Saturday, 22 January 2011
FIRST REPORT, CLINIC AND CREPERIE!
22ND.JANUARY 2011. FIRST REPORT, CLINIC AND CREPERIE!
Over the past week, we completed a report on our first year here! As we concentrated on learning Shqip at first, our projects are in the early stages with sound roots! As usual, we included a number of photos.
On Tuesday, Mike, our American Peace Corps. Volunteer, and I visited the Mary Potter Clinic. This Cancer Clinic was built by the Little Company of Mary, that we know so well in Limerick. It was opened in 1996 and was considered a 'State of the Art' facility. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the civil unrest of 1997 and the Sisters left. Now, a very skilled staff continue the good work, with patients coming from as far away as Tirana and Durres for day and overnight treatment. The Director and staff welcomed us warmly and invited us to work a little with them. Mike may have time for a project before he leaves. I will have to get in touch again to see what role they would envisage for me - I got the impression they would just like to see a Sister now and then!
Tomorrow, we hope to have a Franciscan Friar from Fier - about five hours from here -for Mass.
Have a good week. Politics in Ireland, I hear, are exciting these days, with a General Election in the offing!
Over the past week, we completed a report on our first year here! As we concentrated on learning Shqip at first, our projects are in the early stages with sound roots! As usual, we included a number of photos.
On Tuesday, Mike, our American Peace Corps. Volunteer, and I visited the Mary Potter Clinic. This Cancer Clinic was built by the Little Company of Mary, that we know so well in Limerick. It was opened in 1996 and was considered a 'State of the Art' facility. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the civil unrest of 1997 and the Sisters left. Now, a very skilled staff continue the good work, with patients coming from as far away as Tirana and Durres for day and overnight treatment. The Director and staff welcomed us warmly and invited us to work a little with them. Mike may have time for a project before he leaves. I will have to get in touch again to see what role they would envisage for me - I got the impression they would just like to see a Sister now and then!
Tomorrow, we hope to have a Franciscan Friar from Fier - about five hours from here -for Mass.
Have a good week. Politics in Ireland, I hear, are exciting these days, with a General Election in the offing!
Saturday, 15 January 2011
BYZANTHINE EXHIBITION AND BISHOP HERE!
15TH. JANUARY 2011 BYZANTHINE EXHIBITION AND BISHOP HERE!
Ana, my teacher, and I got to the Byzanthine Exhibition of handwritten manuscripts before it ended. I found it very interesting. Most of the books were discovered in the 14th Century but were written much earlier. One dated back to the seventh century! All were written in Old Greek and were found in Korce and four other cities. The art work was very similar to that in "The Book of Kells"
Tomorrow, the Bishop comes to Korce to say Mass and afterwards he will visit us here for a meal. Its his first visit for a long time.
On Monday last we got a lot of Christmas post. It seems they stop delivering mail some days before Christmas and then take up again well into the New Year!
I also got another Sacred Space compliment from Bolivia -"I do hope that the priests of Sacred Space see that their word is reaching even these parts of the Earth. I am going to pass the site to two persons that have already told me they want to know about it, and I believe will use it well. And so the rippling effect continues".
God's blessing on the coming week!
Ana, my teacher, and I got to the Byzanthine Exhibition of handwritten manuscripts before it ended. I found it very interesting. Most of the books were discovered in the 14th Century but were written much earlier. One dated back to the seventh century! All were written in Old Greek and were found in Korce and four other cities. The art work was very similar to that in "The Book of Kells"
Tomorrow, the Bishop comes to Korce to say Mass and afterwards he will visit us here for a meal. Its his first visit for a long time.
On Monday last we got a lot of Christmas post. It seems they stop delivering mail some days before Christmas and then take up again well into the New Year!
I also got another Sacred Space compliment from Bolivia -"I do hope that the priests of Sacred Space see that their word is reaching even these parts of the Earth. I am going to pass the site to two persons that have already told me they want to know about it, and I believe will use it well. And so the rippling effect continues".
God's blessing on the coming week!
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
A NOTE - SPRING HAS COME TO KORCE!
12th. JANUARY 2011 A NOTE - SPRING HAS COME TO KORCE!
This morning as I was going to an Exhibition with my teacher, Ana, we passed by a barrow of mimosa - a beautiful splash of colour on a rather dull morning. As always, on first sight of a Spring flower, Patrick Kavanagh came to mind with, - "And Christ comes with a January flower." We both left with a bunch of mimosa, postponed our visit to the Exhibition until tomorrow, and returned home to arrange the flowers!.
Somehow, seeing the flowers, I felt the worst of the snow is over and we are facing better weather. The snow has receded from the mountains close to us, though it is still quite visible in the distance. The mimosa seems to herald a spirit of Hope!
Maybe tomorrow, I will finish this entry! After class, please God, we will get to this Exhibition as it closes very shortly!
Au revoir and God bless!
This morning as I was going to an Exhibition with my teacher, Ana, we passed by a barrow of mimosa - a beautiful splash of colour on a rather dull morning. As always, on first sight of a Spring flower, Patrick Kavanagh came to mind with, - "And Christ comes with a January flower." We both left with a bunch of mimosa, postponed our visit to the Exhibition until tomorrow, and returned home to arrange the flowers!.
Somehow, seeing the flowers, I felt the worst of the snow is over and we are facing better weather. The snow has receded from the mountains close to us, though it is still quite visible in the distance. The mimosa seems to herald a spirit of Hope!
Maybe tomorrow, I will finish this entry! After class, please God, we will get to this Exhibition as it closes very shortly!
Au revoir and God bless!
Sunday, 9 January 2011
EPIPHANY - WATER CEREMONY AND BILISHT
9TH. JANUARY 2011 EPIPHANY - WATER CEREMONY AND BILISHT
Early in the morning on Thursday, a couple of us presented our residency papers for renewal. The process takes time! Later in the morning, we gathered with many others outside the Orthodox Cathedral. At 11.00a.m. six priftis in full vestments came to the side of a pool and chanted prayers. The focus of the prayer was the Baptism of Jesus. At one point, the main prifti threw the crucifix that he was holding, into the pool. At once, a number of persons, mainly young people, jumped in to retrieve it. The successful person was rewarded financially for his work! Also, television and camera crews were there in plenty.
In the evening we were invited to dinner by the Franciscan Sisters, Bilisht. The Sisters have just moved into their newly built house. They are delighted with it.For us, as it is larger, we found it a little chilly! We had a marvellous meal, and we were given little gifts to celebrate the feast - an Italian custom.
Today finishes Christmastime. There is a 'Back to school' feeling about it. As I came to do the blog, a sentence caught my eye.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed its the only thing that ever does" Margaret Mead.
This lady was our guiding light in sociology student days - we respected her material!
Have a great week!
Early in the morning on Thursday, a couple of us presented our residency papers for renewal. The process takes time! Later in the morning, we gathered with many others outside the Orthodox Cathedral. At 11.00a.m. six priftis in full vestments came to the side of a pool and chanted prayers. The focus of the prayer was the Baptism of Jesus. At one point, the main prifti threw the crucifix that he was holding, into the pool. At once, a number of persons, mainly young people, jumped in to retrieve it. The successful person was rewarded financially for his work! Also, television and camera crews were there in plenty.
In the evening we were invited to dinner by the Franciscan Sisters, Bilisht. The Sisters have just moved into their newly built house. They are delighted with it.For us, as it is larger, we found it a little chilly! We had a marvellous meal, and we were given little gifts to celebrate the feast - an Italian custom.
Today finishes Christmastime. There is a 'Back to school' feeling about it. As I came to do the blog, a sentence caught my eye.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed its the only thing that ever does" Margaret Mead.
This lady was our guiding light in sociology student days - we respected her material!
Have a great week!
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 AND GREEK ODYSSEY
5TH. JANUARY 2011 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 AND GREEK ODYSSEY!
Our New Year's Eve get-together with our Maltese friends was enjoyed by all. Prayer reflected letting-go of 2010 and our hopes for 2011. Ou "cuppa" began with a lighting Irish Plum Pudding helped with a good dash of Skenderbeau whiskey!! David arived with walnut-stuffed dates and jam tarts. So, we went, well fortified, to herald in 2011!! The Cathedral Bells could hardly be heard with the great volume of fireworks, but the event was captured very nicely for Facebook.
On New Year's Day we had Mass, courtesy of a Slovakian Franciscan. Afterwards, our TV was in excellent form for the Viennese Concert. We enjoyed it for more than an hour. As always, a real traditional treat.
Our Greek odyssey yesterday was good. Thessaloniki is an imposing, beautiful city, with a long waterfront ferry access and a good shopping area. We ate in a small restaurant, unaware it was round the corner from the Courts of Justice! I asked directions to the Catholic Cathedral and we got much LEGAL advice as the diners, who had come with their briefcases, helped out the owner!!! Obviously, the court had a little recess! Our only disappointment was that the Cathedral - a very fine building indeed, was closed. We had hoped to get a letter of invitation for Sister Amira, in order to facilitate her getting a travel visa.
In the late afternoon, we went to the airport, a few miles outside the city, but listed as Macedonia. It's a lovely airport and very busy. I noted flights to Rome, Munich, Athens, Larnaca and Crete listed for the evening. Obviously, flights to Frankfurt and those to London are earlier in the day. According to a taxi-driver, and our friend Kliti, this airport is two and a half hours from Korce. The highway is excellent, but with two Border frontiers and two tolls, I consider that is an over-optimistic timescale. There is a fine Ring Road that eliminates the need to go near the city. We had very little delay yesterday and we passed exits to two other airports on our journey.
Again, I pray 2011 will be a year of many blessings for each one of you.
Our New Year's Eve get-together with our Maltese friends was enjoyed by all. Prayer reflected letting-go of 2010 and our hopes for 2011. Ou "cuppa" began with a lighting Irish Plum Pudding helped with a good dash of Skenderbeau whiskey!! David arived with walnut-stuffed dates and jam tarts. So, we went, well fortified, to herald in 2011!! The Cathedral Bells could hardly be heard with the great volume of fireworks, but the event was captured very nicely for Facebook.
On New Year's Day we had Mass, courtesy of a Slovakian Franciscan. Afterwards, our TV was in excellent form for the Viennese Concert. We enjoyed it for more than an hour. As always, a real traditional treat.
Our Greek odyssey yesterday was good. Thessaloniki is an imposing, beautiful city, with a long waterfront ferry access and a good shopping area. We ate in a small restaurant, unaware it was round the corner from the Courts of Justice! I asked directions to the Catholic Cathedral and we got much LEGAL advice as the diners, who had come with their briefcases, helped out the owner!!! Obviously, the court had a little recess! Our only disappointment was that the Cathedral - a very fine building indeed, was closed. We had hoped to get a letter of invitation for Sister Amira, in order to facilitate her getting a travel visa.
In the late afternoon, we went to the airport, a few miles outside the city, but listed as Macedonia. It's a lovely airport and very busy. I noted flights to Rome, Munich, Athens, Larnaca and Crete listed for the evening. Obviously, flights to Frankfurt and those to London are earlier in the day. According to a taxi-driver, and our friend Kliti, this airport is two and a half hours from Korce. The highway is excellent, but with two Border frontiers and two tolls, I consider that is an over-optimistic timescale. There is a fine Ring Road that eliminates the need to go near the city. We had very little delay yesterday and we passed exits to two other airports on our journey.
Again, I pray 2011 will be a year of many blessings for each one of you.
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