More of St Paul

Two of my favorite girls in the town. THE BEST at performing and so very smart.

These boys told the story so very well

The Story told by some and listened to by others......

THE END OF THE STORY.....continued to be told for so many years....

St Paul Play at the Church

Marita has the role of 'Mary'....she is the best english speaker in town, teaches Religious Education , best cantor I have ever heard, sings in the choir, sponsored a young girl into RCIA......beautiful inside and out.....she wants to become a pediatrician.....someone I wish I could help her more and more.....(one of NINE children, whose mother still wears the traditional clothes!!!)




These boys are the best of altar servers...and play the role of Paul and 'teacher'.....Easy for me to understand....in the best story of the bible. You can see that the Bishop is front and center to see the play (the young boy next to him cannot walk and given a special seat) and behind him is the production of the show on Puke TV!!!! This is local news for the region.....
And what a joy to all the students who participates.



The story continues....costumes are wonderful. A production for all in the community. Loved the continuing joy of all who attended...
Two excellent students.....the scene behind was drawn by the German student who is spending time on mission with the sisters.....

wish you could all enjoy this joy and see the bless of all these students....

Democrat Leader in F-A

The first picture is the welcoming of Jozephina to the town. The spirit of the town was exploding. Preparing


I went out to the town around 11:30 to see what was happening. My first 'role as a volunteer' was to show them how the US flag is flown.....wrong on a car, wrong on the town - upside down, trying to explain that this is a disaster sign. My site mate's husband, Nikolai was in charge!!!! He is the doctor the head of the medical department for Puke. He is also a former mayor, whose family has lived in the region long before the town was created.



Jozephina arrives and pictures were hard, because all was on TV......the flowers that she was given were sadly picked by Flora from her garden - a gift from Aunt Bubbles!!! Her joy that her husband wanted to show the 'best' of the town!!!! You can also see that some of the children came out in traditional close of the town.

In her speach she talked about all that the party has provided to the town......She talked about the road reconstruction and MOST IMPORTANTLY the arrival to internet to the schools. She paraded around to the school - which is next to the town center - with the school director to go and see the wonder of the new world the party brought to F-A!!!! OK, I can't participate in their party - but that would bring my vote!?!?!?


The last picture is the gathering and spirit.....Odd to me is that the American flag along with the Albanian flag, NATO, EU and party flags!!!! And the music of the party - in English

I will post tomorrow.....

the saint

 
 
 
 

St Anthony Part 2

This is the original church. Obviously, this crowd would never fit into the church. My guess is that there were about 10,000 people that Tuesday. I was told that on the feast it is about 100,000 people who come. Some even come the night before and campout.
The other building is the home for the many priests who were present.
Above the church people walk up to the top of the rocks toward the cross. What I was unaware of is that people bring food to share. Most come as multi-generational families. On the rocks are candles that are lighted as prayers to God.
This is walking down to the Church and open pavilion. The other building you might see, is the building where there are priests available for reconcilation. In this picture, you can see families together. Sadly, there are also people begging. And the sale of many articles plus food.

St. Anthony

 
 
 
 

St. Anthony

The Feast of St. Anthony is June 13th. For the thirteen Tuesdays before the feast people from all over Albania come up the mountain to the very old Church. Most people make the pilgrimage walking up the mountain.  When they arrive they light candles all over the rocks. I should note that people come to pray with their rosaries - or the prayer beads. It is really an equal opportunity for people of all faiths to praise God.
I chose to go up to the Church on a minibus. I am so very glad that I did that. I was told that you can walk up in about 45 min. to an hour.  While the walk would have been nice, I enjoyed the experience without sore feet.
This sign in the town points the way for the pilgrimage.  This Church(kjsha) is outside Laç (the ç is like ch). Shna is the word for Saint. Ndout is Anthony.

Mass is said in this open air courtyard. They have a marvelous sound system. So when I arrived I could hear the Mass. People were all gathered around. Many people were fervently in prayer while others were talking and moving.

My reaction was that this must have been what it was like when Jesus spoke to the crowds - but without the sound system!!!

At the time of the consecration, most people knelt...

As you look through the crowd you will see women in traditional dress, jeans for the younger and everything in between. Mostly, though, people in their 'best'.

The statue of St. Anthony was continually surrounded by people touching and holding their children up to him.

SEE PART 2