LAURIE, NICKY, BAPTISMS, BLIND GROUP, "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF".

WEDNESDAY 8 MAY 2013 LAURIE, NICKY, BAPTISMS, BLIND GROUP, "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF". A very stormy day today, with Laurie, Peace Corps. Volunteer, and her newly acquired husband, Albanian David, braving the elements and arriving safely from Voskopojia. We celebrated with a little time together and catching up on plans. On May 1, Nicky, her sister visiting from England and their Albania friend came as planned to do a work session on the computer/ipad. However, as we discovered it was Nicky's birthday, work was abandoned and we enjoyed a festive visit! On Sunday last, our newly baptised entered their names in the Parish Baptismal Register that had arrived from Vlore. This was a special moment for each one. We had our first event for the Blind Group yesterday. exactly at the arranged time, our 10 blind visitors, each with their companion, usually their spouse, arrived and we had a wonderful few hours. They were truly overwhelmed by the visit and especially with the opportunity to meet their peers. Their plight is great as they rarely escape their dark world. However, they show an acceptance and were so open to enjoy the moment. Following a tentative request for a song, one man sang while the group joined in a local folk song, and the rest is history. All enjoyed our hospitality particularly the homemade scones!. Last evening, I was delighted to attend - "Fiddler on the Roof". This show was put on by the Kennedi Evangelical Foundation. Brlessings on each one. I have enjoyed seeing the photos and reports of the Kenyan Session on the internet. It was good too to see the report and photos of the 400th. Anniversary of the getting of the Charter for my home town, Clonakilty, West Cork!

PLANNING GROUP FOR BLIND GROUP.

PALM SUNDAY ORTHODOX SERVICE, KORCE, ALBANIA

IRISH-AMERICAN FLAVOUR, - 2 Photos

KORCE FRIENDS, HOSTING AMERICAN SISTERS, PLANNING MEETING FOR BLIND GROUP.

TUESDAY 30 APRIL 2013 KORCE FRIENDS, HOSTING AMERICAN SISTERS, PLANNING MEETING FOR BLIND GROUP. Thank God, all has gone well since I arrived here in Korce on Monday last. I have enjoyed meeting friends. On Saturday last, two American Maryknoll Sisters had dinner here. One of the Sisters has been here in Albania for many years. The other was her Superior General or President who was en route to Rome, to attend the Conference of Major Superiors, plus their Albanian driver. A lovely surprise for me was the discovery that Sister Janice was, in fact, Irish-American as her McLaughlin parents hailed from Donegal!! So, for me, it was a very special day and I delighted in the connections made! On Sunday, I went to the nearby Orthodox Cathedral as they celebrated Palm Sunday. In the afternoon, we had a Communion Service, after which we celebrated Mother Foundress with chocolate and ice-cream. Our Church has grown since the Baptisms of Easter, so it was good to see the larger group. We were 40 persons and this included a number of visiting footballers too! Yesterday, I met with three persons from the Blind Group and we have planned a little project for these weeks. This will hopefully be continued later in the Summer. Have a good week and I will update again soon. I have added a few photos, showing the Cathedral and a few of the visitors we have had to our house. ALLELUIAS

KORCE, ST.MARY EUPHRASIA, UPDATE, GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY!

WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL 2013 KORCE, ST.MARY EUPHRASIA,UPDATE, GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY! The Easter spirit is still very much with us as I opened the blog. A surprise photo of our Easter Dawn Mass had arrived by email so I have shared that special moment with you! Today, Mother Foundress has added to our joy and all is well. Time has slipped by since Easter Sunday. In the weeks that followed, there was time to visit family and friends in Dublin and Cork. Then, life was back to normal - we had the ALPHA Review Session - quite positive. My own companions and I decided its riches lay in the fact that four denominations were involved had contributed to its success. On Friday evening, two of us succeeded in getting that last available tickets for "The Sound of Music"! The Grand Opera House was well packed and st. Agnes Musical Society excelled with a production of very high standard. On Saturday, we had a meeting of Good Shepherd Associates. We saw the need to increase numbers for a new life-giving thrust over the coming months. Then, early on GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY, I went to Mass at Clonard, returned to say "FAREWELL" and left for Belfast City Airport en route to Albania! I was happy to be met in TIRANA by Sister AMIRA. We enjoyed a good chat, attended 7.00a.m Mass at the Jesuit Church on Monday morning. I then left for KORCE, arriving just after noon. My friend Marieta chanced to be passing as I arrived at the City Centre and she was delighted to be first to greet me. A real KORCE welcome has ensued up to the present. Anna, my teacher came this morning and we have changed our Planning Meeting to Monday next when we hope to arrange a Programme for the coming weeks and for the Summer. Our ministry here has developed well and I hope to contribute to it. Enjoy the feast today and, hopefully, I will manage updates regularly over the coming weeks! ALLELUIA!!