18 JANUARY 2009 MIMOSA, "SCHOOL", MADRID AND BRUSSELS
On Saturday, Mirjam arrived in with a lovely bunch of bright mimosa. I was surprised to hear it was readily available at our street corner. Yesterday, as I was en route to church, I met a girl with a simiar bunch and could only recall a line in Patrick Kavanagh's poem "Advent" -'And Christ comes with a January flower'. In Ireland I would be on the lookout for a snowdrop!
There was a 'back to school' air over the last few days and it was not just the 7.30a.m. bustle of children passing to school. My companions all decided to double their Shqip sessions. I decided to stay with the four hours I have as they provide enough study. Also, I have got involved in a few little projects that are English-based so I am content. May I add that seeing a book on our table - " 541 Albanian Verbs" each with 10 Simple tenses and 10 Compound tenses, suggested as a good BEGINNING, I decided to be moderate in climbing the 'Shqip Mountain'!
As I wrote this blog date I was aware of Church Unity beginning and also of the Madrid Meeting of Provincials ending. Seeing a copy of the structure being proposed to replace our Justice and Peace and European Action groups, I now await hearing of a good outcome!
I really enjoyed reading a Brussels report forwarded from Wurzburg - "EU Ministerial Conf. - Towards Global Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings". Very interesting reading with a former colleague of mine - Statia Crickley, a front-page speaker who gave truly relevant input. With 600 participants that included Queen Silvia of Sweden, who is German and Queen Paola of Belgium, it was surely a fitting way to mark the annual Anti-Trafficking Day, 19-20 October.
I finish with a little flashback evoked by seeing Statia's name. Way back I did some family reports for her when she worked in London and I was at Social Services, Limerick. Later, when Head of Social Studies at Maynooth she came to dinner at Sussex Place on her way to an evening function at Queen's University. I had not even heard of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency she now Chairs in Brussels!
With a wee prayer that you have a good week!
Monday, 18 January 2010
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
ITALIAN EVENING, FLOODS AND RESIDENCE!
12 JANUARY 2009 ITALIAN EVENING, FLOODS AND RESIDENCE.
I noted the words "was unable" were repeated in error in my last entry. In fact those words were key to that morning as I "WAS UNABLE" to access my desired BBC website! My computer screen informed me - "This BBC website has no coverage in your territory". Much later I successfully accessed BBC radio just in time to hear "The Priests" sing "Receive his soul" for Cardinal Daly and I was quite content!
On Little Christmas Day we were invited by the Italian Sisters to Bilisht. Luckily, it was a clear, bright, frost-free evening. We got a drive from our Maltese friends and all enjoyed a marvellous evening. Italian tradition supplied each one of us with a miniature Christmas stocking. Our group of eleven included six nationalities and as many languages. This enriched the whole experience for us.
Early yesterday morning I got a few emails - Albania had made the National News in Ireland because of flooding here. This was completely new for Albania and happened in the North of the country. Damage, as in Ireland when the situation was similar, was extensive. The poor people were totally unprepared.
Today is of importance to me as I was with the Police and have got - "Temporary Residence" for a month. This is while my papers are being processed in Tirana. There was almost a last minute 'glitch'. My Birth Certificate had been translated and legalized by a Notary here, but was without an "Apostille" stamp from Ireland. Let's hope Tirana will accept it as genuine!!
Au revoir and God bless.
I noted the words "was unable" were repeated in error in my last entry. In fact those words were key to that morning as I "WAS UNABLE" to access my desired BBC website! My computer screen informed me - "This BBC website has no coverage in your territory". Much later I successfully accessed BBC radio just in time to hear "The Priests" sing "Receive his soul" for Cardinal Daly and I was quite content!
On Little Christmas Day we were invited by the Italian Sisters to Bilisht. Luckily, it was a clear, bright, frost-free evening. We got a drive from our Maltese friends and all enjoyed a marvellous evening. Italian tradition supplied each one of us with a miniature Christmas stocking. Our group of eleven included six nationalities and as many languages. This enriched the whole experience for us.
Early yesterday morning I got a few emails - Albania had made the National News in Ireland because of flooding here. This was completely new for Albania and happened in the North of the country. Damage, as in Ireland when the situation was similar, was extensive. The poor people were totally unprepared.
Today is of importance to me as I was with the Police and have got - "Temporary Residence" for a month. This is while my papers are being processed in Tirana. There was almost a last minute 'glitch'. My Birth Certificate had been translated and legalized by a Notary here, but was without an "Apostille" stamp from Ireland. Let's hope Tirana will accept it as genuine!!
Au revoir and God bless.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
KORCE NEW YEAR AND CARDINAL DALY RIP
5 JANUARY 2010 KORCE NEW YEAR AND CARDINAL DALY RIP
Our New Year's Eve gathering place was the nearby Greek Cathedral. We joined the crowd, met some young friends and watched a most lavish and amazing firework display. At 12.00 the Cathedral Bells rang out for about 10 minutes, signal for all to exchange -"GEZUAR VITIN E RI". We returned home to surprise callers - two friends, Maltese catechists and Caroline, sister of one, who was visiting from Malta. We were delighted to celebrate with chat and refreshments.
On New Year's Day our invited guest, Nicky, an English lay missionary who lives alone in a Muslim village, joined us for dinner after Mass. We enjoyed a Christmas meal that was fully traditional! All relaxed and even shared a few thoughts from the Irish "Get up and Go" Diary sent with other gifts from Kilmacud! This was surely a good beginning to 2010.
As 2009 was in its final hours, a telephone call from Sister Anne, Belfast, brought the news that our neighbour and friend Cardinal Daly had just died. Surely a moment to celebrate and share on his wonderful life that left us rich memories. For me, probably because I had just heard of the burning of his former Cathedral, St. Mel's, I recalled a memory too, even if not the year! In my Diocesan role, I had arranged a series of Day Retreats for Sisters. Less than 24 hours before one of these retreats, I got a phone call to say our famous speaker, Jean Vanier, was unable was unable to complete his journey, due to suffering a bout of malaria in Paris! The day could not be cancelled. I telephoned Bishop Daly way down in the Midlands, and he immediately agreed to substitute. He arrived at Belfast Good Shepherd en route to his home after 9.30p.m. to plan the next days programme!! My abiding memory is of standing at the retreat centre gate early on the following morning, to explain the change of speaker to the occupants of each car. Not a word of disappointment but delight at the thought of meeting and hearing "their" Bishop -the eighty Sisters that attended were quite happy. I gave Bishop Daly a book of Jean Vanier's for his travels and contribution to 'saving' the day! Years later he confided that he had not HEARD of Jean Vanier when I gave him the book. He thanked me for introducing him to Jean's wonderful work for mentally-physically challenged persons when I gifted him with it. May his precious soul rest in peace!
An early morning email has given me the link for Armagh. I hope to join the funeral service there for a time via the BBC. Maybe, I'll even catch up with the contribution of "The Priests" who are scheduled to sing at the finish. A very special 'Merci', Glen!
May 2010 be a good year for each one of us!
Our New Year's Eve gathering place was the nearby Greek Cathedral. We joined the crowd, met some young friends and watched a most lavish and amazing firework display. At 12.00 the Cathedral Bells rang out for about 10 minutes, signal for all to exchange -"GEZUAR VITIN E RI". We returned home to surprise callers - two friends, Maltese catechists and Caroline, sister of one, who was visiting from Malta. We were delighted to celebrate with chat and refreshments.
On New Year's Day our invited guest, Nicky, an English lay missionary who lives alone in a Muslim village, joined us for dinner after Mass. We enjoyed a Christmas meal that was fully traditional! All relaxed and even shared a few thoughts from the Irish "Get up and Go" Diary sent with other gifts from Kilmacud! This was surely a good beginning to 2010.
As 2009 was in its final hours, a telephone call from Sister Anne, Belfast, brought the news that our neighbour and friend Cardinal Daly had just died. Surely a moment to celebrate and share on his wonderful life that left us rich memories. For me, probably because I had just heard of the burning of his former Cathedral, St. Mel's, I recalled a memory too, even if not the year! In my Diocesan role, I had arranged a series of Day Retreats for Sisters. Less than 24 hours before one of these retreats, I got a phone call to say our famous speaker, Jean Vanier, was unable was unable to complete his journey, due to suffering a bout of malaria in Paris! The day could not be cancelled. I telephoned Bishop Daly way down in the Midlands, and he immediately agreed to substitute. He arrived at Belfast Good Shepherd en route to his home after 9.30p.m. to plan the next days programme!! My abiding memory is of standing at the retreat centre gate early on the following morning, to explain the change of speaker to the occupants of each car. Not a word of disappointment but delight at the thought of meeting and hearing "their" Bishop -the eighty Sisters that attended were quite happy. I gave Bishop Daly a book of Jean Vanier's for his travels and contribution to 'saving' the day! Years later he confided that he had not HEARD of Jean Vanier when I gave him the book. He thanked me for introducing him to Jean's wonderful work for mentally-physically challenged persons when I gifted him with it. May his precious soul rest in peace!
An early morning email has given me the link for Armagh. I hope to join the funeral service there for a time via the BBC. Maybe, I'll even catch up with the contribution of "The Priests" who are scheduled to sing at the finish. A very special 'Merci', Glen!
May 2010 be a good year for each one of us!
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR, RESOLUTION AND ICONS
30 DECEMBER 2009 HAPPY NEW YEAR, RESOLUTION AND ICONS
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Just before Christmas, I read the following sentence in "Enjoying God's Beauty" and thought I could use it as a New Year Resolution! "I promise to keep myself close to nature, to give a religious meaning to life, to look around me with optimism and with love" I was surprised to read that it was a quote from the 14th Century Oath of Investiture for the Tuscany Chianti League!
Today I took time to visit an Icon Museum. It is just a few minutes from our house and is the largest exhibition in the world - 6,500 icons in the area but with many in storage. Staff told me I was the first Irish person to visit! I enjoyed seeing the work that dated from the 14th Century to the 19th. A number of the religious icons were from churches that have disappeared here in Korce.
Around 4.00p.m. our Christmas post arrived and that was great and thanks to all! The post lady said I am to go to the Post Office in the morning to collect a package - hopefully the papers I await will have come at last!
May 2010 bring you good health, happiness and every blessing in your work and play.
Be assured all is well here thank God. Happy New Year!
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Just before Christmas, I read the following sentence in "Enjoying God's Beauty" and thought I could use it as a New Year Resolution! "I promise to keep myself close to nature, to give a religious meaning to life, to look around me with optimism and with love" I was surprised to read that it was a quote from the 14th Century Oath of Investiture for the Tuscany Chianti League!
Today I took time to visit an Icon Museum. It is just a few minutes from our house and is the largest exhibition in the world - 6,500 icons in the area but with many in storage. Staff told me I was the first Irish person to visit! I enjoyed seeing the work that dated from the 14th Century to the 19th. A number of the religious icons were from churches that have disappeared here in Korce.
Around 4.00p.m. our Christmas post arrived and that was great and thanks to all! The post lady said I am to go to the Post Office in the morning to collect a package - hopefully the papers I await will have come at last!
May 2010 bring you good health, happiness and every blessing in your work and play.
Be assured all is well here thank God. Happy New Year!
Sunday, 27 December 2009
GLIMPSES OF OUR KORCE CHRISTMAS
27 DECEMBER 2009 FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY GLIMPSES OF OUR KORCE CHRISTMAS
OUR PROCESSION WITH THE DIVINE INFANT ON CHRISTMAS EVE WAS A VERY SIMPLE BUT IMPRESSIVE EVENT. People listened and came out onto the streets to hear all verses of the carols. Between 45 and 50 young people and adults finished up in our house and joined us for hot drinks - fruit juice for the young people and mulled wine for the adults! We were very pleased to see so many visitors.
At 11.00p.m. we had our Mass. It was really joyful - carol music was provided by a young man on mandolin and another on guitar. These were joined by Sister Lalini on a simple organ and there were visitors that had returned home for Christmas. We all enjoyed hot chocolate in nearby church rooms while exchanging greetings. In fact, we met again at 11.00a.m. on Christmas Day for Mass. Ten or twelve visitors from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral joined us for part of the time and then wished us - "GEZUAR
Krishlindjen". There was a very happy atmosphere and Sister Daniela met all the Catholics we have known in Korce!
Another little tradition here is the "Christmas Day Visits". They are announced after Mass. We were 'at home' from 3.00p.m. to 6.00p.m. Neighbours visited and then some people we had met in Church. Eight young people came together and they were really musical. One had a guitar, then they asked if they could use our borrowed organ and the result was truly impressive. I even saw Sr. Daniela record some of the carols.
Today, after Church, we were invited out to lunch with the women who take care of our parish arrangements. Again, this was a very lively event as there was a wedding in the same building. The band was really good. One person returned here with us - Nicky who lives in a nearby Muslim village. She has just left and we now feel its time to catch up on some quiet time!
Telephone calls have been welcome during these days. There has been a complete delay on mail for the past week or more. No doubt it will arrive for the New Year. That is the main celebration here! Hopefully, will greet you for that! Clare
OUR PROCESSION WITH THE DIVINE INFANT ON CHRISTMAS EVE WAS A VERY SIMPLE BUT IMPRESSIVE EVENT. People listened and came out onto the streets to hear all verses of the carols. Between 45 and 50 young people and adults finished up in our house and joined us for hot drinks - fruit juice for the young people and mulled wine for the adults! We were very pleased to see so many visitors.
At 11.00p.m. we had our Mass. It was really joyful - carol music was provided by a young man on mandolin and another on guitar. These were joined by Sister Lalini on a simple organ and there were visitors that had returned home for Christmas. We all enjoyed hot chocolate in nearby church rooms while exchanging greetings. In fact, we met again at 11.00a.m. on Christmas Day for Mass. Ten or twelve visitors from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral joined us for part of the time and then wished us - "GEZUAR
Krishlindjen". There was a very happy atmosphere and Sister Daniela met all the Catholics we have known in Korce!
Another little tradition here is the "Christmas Day Visits". They are announced after Mass. We were 'at home' from 3.00p.m. to 6.00p.m. Neighbours visited and then some people we had met in Church. Eight young people came together and they were really musical. One had a guitar, then they asked if they could use our borrowed organ and the result was truly impressive. I even saw Sr. Daniela record some of the carols.
Today, after Church, we were invited out to lunch with the women who take care of our parish arrangements. Again, this was a very lively event as there was a wedding in the same building. The band was really good. One person returned here with us - Nicky who lives in a nearby Muslim village. She has just left and we now feel its time to catch up on some quiet time!
Telephone calls have been welcome during these days. There has been a complete delay on mail for the past week or more. No doubt it will arrive for the New Year. That is the main celebration here! Hopefully, will greet you for that! Clare
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
CHRISTMAS EVE 2009 - INTERNATIONAL GREETING
CHRISTMAS EVE 2009 INTERNATIONAL GREETING
JOYFUL, LOVING AND PRAYERFUL GREETINGS FROM A MILD AND SPRINGLIKE KORCE ALBANIA! A most welcome change after the very 'cold snap' of last weekend, thank God.
All is well here as I face into a busy Christmas Eve, due to the fact that 'our Church'is having a traditional procession of the Divine Infant that is scheduled to end in our house. Numbers are still unknown except to the God of Surprises!!!
Anyway we are really looking forward to the whole event and we will gather again at 11.00p.m. for our 'Midnight' Mass!
On Monday we had a visit from three Italian Sisters shepherded by our catechist friend Charlie and we ended that visit with a visit to our Prayer Room and the singing of the 'Adeste' in Latin - our only shared language!!! The constant International flavour deepened as we welcomed Sr. Daniela, German Province Leader on Tuesday. This is a very joyful visit even if too brief. Daniela is amazed we have got so settled in the five weeks here.
Yesterday, we were at Preca College for a very enjoyable Concert - all the Carols in English. In the evening we were returning from Mass when lots of groups of young people with sort of Cribs using icons sang for us. They were from the Greek Orthodox Church and gave a real Christmas flavour to our walk.
United in spirit with all Blog readers. Till again - with thanks for post! Clare
JOYFUL, LOVING AND PRAYERFUL GREETINGS FROM A MILD AND SPRINGLIKE KORCE ALBANIA! A most welcome change after the very 'cold snap' of last weekend, thank God.
All is well here as I face into a busy Christmas Eve, due to the fact that 'our Church'is having a traditional procession of the Divine Infant that is scheduled to end in our house. Numbers are still unknown except to the God of Surprises!!!
Anyway we are really looking forward to the whole event and we will gather again at 11.00p.m. for our 'Midnight' Mass!
On Monday we had a visit from three Italian Sisters shepherded by our catechist friend Charlie and we ended that visit with a visit to our Prayer Room and the singing of the 'Adeste' in Latin - our only shared language!!! The constant International flavour deepened as we welcomed Sr. Daniela, German Province Leader on Tuesday. This is a very joyful visit even if too brief. Daniela is amazed we have got so settled in the five weeks here.
Yesterday, we were at Preca College for a very enjoyable Concert - all the Carols in English. In the evening we were returning from Mass when lots of groups of young people with sort of Cribs using icons sang for us. They were from the Greek Orthodox Church and gave a real Christmas flavour to our walk.
United in spirit with all Blog readers. Till again - with thanks for post! Clare
Saturday, 19 December 2009
INTERNET SURPRISES AND MACEDONIA
19th DECEMBER 2009 INTERNET SURPRISES AND MACEDONIA
Within the past half-hour I had an enjoyable family 'catch-up' telephone call from Dublin. I then decided to test out once more our very erratic internet connection. To my surprise - a first for me, its fully alive just now so here goes I will write a few words!
Christmas has come a little closer within the past few days with the setting up of a skating rink close to where we live. There are lights and I believe the Greek Cathedral has now added a Crib which I look forward to seeing tomorrow. The skating was providing a lot of entertainment until the weather decided to turn the streets nearby into copycat 'skating areas'. The result has been quite a lot of difficulty for people moving about this evening.
Mirjam and I travelled to Macedonia today. It was imperative for us to go over a 'border'. Otherwise, the car would have illegal status tomorrow! The time allowed is two months and we are in Albania two months today. Our journey was very straightforward, with magnificent scenery, especially in the 40kms. from Pogradec to the next city Orhid. This part of our journey followed three frontier stops all of which were quite brief and very civil. We had a lovely drive round the right side of Lake Orhid. We then spent a few hours taking up an earlier invitation to visit the city. Our return journy was a little different. A fresh fall of snow gave us a Christmas card scene. All the fir tree covering the hillsides were sparkling! We then spent the afternoon with the young people at Pogradec which was on our way. The Bishop joined us quite late and his Fransiscan companion said a Christmas Mass for the group. The young people enjoyed a little snowballing beforehand! The lake keeps the temprature quite mild so the snow was a novelty for them. St Nicholas or Santa Claus is celebrated in some places today so we had little gifts for the children as they left.We were glad to have a reasonably good journey back in view of the unexpected change in the weather.
Now I go to enjoy the Christmas mail that the Bishop brought this evening from Vlore. Non 'Blog' readers were unaware of our move from Vlore to Korce. I will be in touch again, please God, before Christmas.
Within the past half-hour I had an enjoyable family 'catch-up' telephone call from Dublin. I then decided to test out once more our very erratic internet connection. To my surprise - a first for me, its fully alive just now so here goes I will write a few words!
Christmas has come a little closer within the past few days with the setting up of a skating rink close to where we live. There are lights and I believe the Greek Cathedral has now added a Crib which I look forward to seeing tomorrow. The skating was providing a lot of entertainment until the weather decided to turn the streets nearby into copycat 'skating areas'. The result has been quite a lot of difficulty for people moving about this evening.
Mirjam and I travelled to Macedonia today. It was imperative for us to go over a 'border'. Otherwise, the car would have illegal status tomorrow! The time allowed is two months and we are in Albania two months today. Our journey was very straightforward, with magnificent scenery, especially in the 40kms. from Pogradec to the next city Orhid. This part of our journey followed three frontier stops all of which were quite brief and very civil. We had a lovely drive round the right side of Lake Orhid. We then spent a few hours taking up an earlier invitation to visit the city. Our return journy was a little different. A fresh fall of snow gave us a Christmas card scene. All the fir tree covering the hillsides were sparkling! We then spent the afternoon with the young people at Pogradec which was on our way. The Bishop joined us quite late and his Fransiscan companion said a Christmas Mass for the group. The young people enjoyed a little snowballing beforehand! The lake keeps the temprature quite mild so the snow was a novelty for them. St Nicholas or Santa Claus is celebrated in some places today so we had little gifts for the children as they left.We were glad to have a reasonably good journey back in view of the unexpected change in the weather.
Now I go to enjoy the Christmas mail that the Bishop brought this evening from Vlore. Non 'Blog' readers were unaware of our move from Vlore to Korce. I will be in touch again, please God, before Christmas.
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