27 May 2012 PENTECOST SUNDAY! RAINER'S FOLLOW-UP AND PILGRIMAGE! Greetings to every reader and especially to all Good Shepherds gathered in Rome these days, - a busy time for the Holy Spirit! This is a very brief entry! I want to note that Rainer continues with follow-up meetings on his Internet Security Survey. A participant in our Pogradec Conference, realized the importance of his message, and so, two follow-up meetings have been held at Alliance Francaise. These are for young people and their parents. They have been well attended. Another event - Sister Lalini took her group to a place of pilgrimage in the North of the country yesterday and had a good day. There were poor weather conditions at times, both on their very long journey and during their visit. Not sufficient to dampen the work of the spirit! Enjoy this beautiful time! Have a great day and week!

TIRANA, SOCIAL MEDIA SECURITY TRAINING!

MONDAY, 21 MAY 2012 TIRANA, SOCIAL MEDIA SECURITY TRAINING. We have had two most valuable days in Tirana. On Friday, we visited the museum, Lalini managed to get catechetical books she needed, and, in the evening after Mass, we enjoyed a lovely visit to Sisters Mirjam and Amira in their apartment. Saturday was a super experience! Led by Annie Bannister, internet Marketing Consultant and Social Media Trainer, who had come from Manchester specially for the day, we learnt much that we needed to know! Rainer's day in Pogradec had opened up so many internet areas that need securing. Then Annie was able to show us how to cope with security measures and deal more confidently with this new area of social need, even though her expertise is mainly used in the marketing area. We were delighted to have this most contemporary input as it is very closely linked to preventive work in our ministry with women. Over the weekend, we have had something of a "bombshell"! Rainer, who has been such a good friend and guide, helping us in all our "IT" problems, is leaving us. In the recent visit of his Superior General, Rainer was transferred to Poland and he will leave Korce, going directly to Poland, in the second half of June. This news is only gradually sinking into our reality! Every blessing to each one. Have a great week! With a special greeting for the Euro-Provincial Leader's Meeting in Rome!

KUCOVE, TIRANA AND SOCIAL MEDIA TRAINING.

17 MAY 2012 KUCOVE, TIRANA AND SOCIAL MEDIA TRAINING. Today, we have a return to winter weather - heavy hailstones and rain! Our temperature is 9 degrees. It's time to say - "A wet and windy May, fills the barn with corn and hay"! Saturday last was really hot in Tirana - so very different to Korce. The roses had finished blooming! We had our URAT meeting at the Cathedral. Towards the end, we were joined by Mons. George Frendo, Maltese, Auxiliary Bishop. He is our link person in relation to the pre-Olympic Liturgy. Hopefully, an event that will be well supported in June. On Sunday we had an Italian priest from Kucove. He was accompanied by two Sisters(Filipinos) and three Italian friends. We invited them here for coffee and so we had a nice group, plus an American friend, Laurie. In fact, I was on my own as Lalini was at a youth meeting. Our week since has been one of classes and meetings and, thank God, all is well. Lalini and I go to Tirana tomorrow. we gather for our Social Media Training before 9.00a.m. on Saturday! It would not be possible for us to arrive as early as that when travelling by public transport. This means we will miss the Prize-Giving Evening at Preca College. Instead, we plan to see Sisters Mirjam and Amira. So, an early wish for the weekend,especially for Ascension Day. Yesterday, I was saying "Happy Birthday" to a young man whose Ordination to Priesthood takes place on Sunday next - a beautiful feast for the ceremony. Every blessing for the weekend!

MONDAY MASS, MANY VISITORS AND PICNIC!!

10 MAY 2012 MONDAY MASS, MANY VISITORS AND PICNIC!! We were happy to welcome Fr. Marek, OFM for Mass on Sunday afternoon. Afterwards, he told us he could come for Mass at 7.00a.m. on Monday. This was a special treat for us. As Father Marek was travelling by minibus back to Fier, we invited him to breakfast. Already, Natalino, Superior General of the Maltese Society was coming, with David, the local Superior. Then, we added three Sisters, Franciscans, from Bilisht, so we had a full house! All our guests had left well before 9.00a.m. so, shortly after, I was en route to the city centre to join a group outing. This was the group of blind persons, a number of whom had minders on Monday. We went to a very nice wooded area about half an hour from the city where we had a very enjoyable morning. All enjoyed a great picnic too and we were back in the city by 1.00p.m. Today, I visited the Mary Potter Clinic for the first time this year. My long absence was due to the continuing snow that went on right up to mid-March in our part of the city. Then, with Easter a visit was postponed until now. The Hospice, which is non-residential is really busy. Today, they were a few staff short due to staff training, so time was very limited. Most of their work is done out in the villages, so they give a very comprehensive service indeed. Have a good weekend. I go to Tirana for a meeting on Saturday

MAY DAY, "SPRING" ART AND REMEMBRANCE!

5 MAY 2012 MAY DAY, "SPRING" ART AND REMEMBRANCE! May Day came filled with greetings! Instead of the "Muguet de Bois" of Belgium, here, bunches of very fragrant lilac are exchanged. Apparently, this is a tradition in Korce! In the evening, we had a visit from a parishoner, who had got a very quick hospital call for a hysterectomy for which she requested our prayers as she left for surgery in Tirana. Last evening, I went along, with a friend, to an Art Exhibition in our nearby Cultural Centre. Its theme was "Spring". Possibly, because it was a very sunny evening, there seemed to be more artists than viewers! Today is a Day of Remembrance here, of those killed in the Second World War. There was a wreath laid at the special cemetery here. Also, the city is decorated with Albanian flags and banners! At a personal level, today is also a 'day of remembrance' of Reception and Profession! This has meant contact with companions and a recalling of memories too. Am trying to adjust to the new blog format - paragraphs and other details disappear and altogether its more a 'block' than a blog! Have a great weekend - with many blessings at this special time!