Albania 2006
Never has so much been done by so few for so many. (Winston Churchill)
The above quote is been used (not for military purposes) to explain the absolute miracle that took place in a small enclave of Catholics outside the city of Tirana ,Albania. This place known as “Shkoza” is surrounded by Muslims who have no interest in their Catholic neighbours. It was to this place that a group of professional tradesmen, mainly from the Thurles and Ballycahill area in Co Tipperary descended on the 12th Oct 2006.
Their reason for been there was to erect a building to include a Church, sacristy, utility room, three class rooms and two toilets. For ten whole days these men gave everything to complete this task and with just two hours before the church was to be officially consecrated this work was completed.
To best sum up the joy felt by the natives I insert an unabridged letter read out at this first Mass:
Today we are happy because we have a new Church, we have our house to pray.
The road that we have walked was long but patience is our best friend. We want to thank our friends from Ireland who built our Church. Thanks for everything. You have worked for two weeks for this Church here and we don’t have words to thank you.
We are very happy to have you here in Albania.
We had an old Church and we were happy but now that we have a new we are filled with happiness and this is your gift. I hope that it was a beautiful experience your stay here. All the good that you have done for us are very important and we will never forget what you done. We don’t give you anything just our love but I hope its enough for you. You give us very much, you give us a Church ,a new Church, and God bless you for the gift. Thanks very very much from our heart. I don’t know what to say but I want to thank you in the name of all our faithful. So thanks again. It’s strange how God works with nothing and accomplishes to build a kingdom. The most beautiful, the most shining kingdom, the kingdom of faith.
God works with nothing and manages to do everything.
For our friends from Ireland
From : Eljoni, Eldona,Ecola and Ernest.
Their reason for been there was to erect a building to include a Church, sacristy, utility room, three class rooms and two toilets. For ten whole days these men gave everything to complete this task and with just two hours before the church was to be officially consecrated this work was completed.
To best sum up the joy felt by the natives I insert an unabridged letter read out at this first Mass:
Today we are happy because we have a new Church, we have our house to pray.
The road that we have walked was long but patience is our best friend. We want to thank our friends from Ireland who built our Church. Thanks for everything. You have worked for two weeks for this Church here and we don’t have words to thank you.
We are very happy to have you here in Albania.
We had an old Church and we were happy but now that we have a new we are filled with happiness and this is your gift. I hope that it was a beautiful experience your stay here. All the good that you have done for us are very important and we will never forget what you done. We don’t give you anything just our love but I hope its enough for you. You give us very much, you give us a Church ,a new Church, and God bless you for the gift. Thanks very very much from our heart. I don’t know what to say but I want to thank you in the name of all our faithful. So thanks again. It’s strange how God works with nothing and accomplishes to build a kingdom. The most beautiful, the most shining kingdom, the kingdom of faith.
God works with nothing and manages to do everything.
For our friends from Ireland
From : Eljoni, Eldona,Ecola and Ernest.