This is a summary of the news published on the website of the Vedruna Province of Europe. It can be read in full here:
Thanksgiving to end 35 years of “dedicated life” in Albania
At the beginning of November, the sisters of the Fushë Mamurras community in Albania bid farewell to the mission in this country. The thanksgiving was attended by Maria Gracia Gil and Inma Eibe of the Provincial Team. The Eucharist was presided over by Angelo Massafra, Archbishop Emeritus of Shkodrë-Pult, who was thanked for the good disposition and collaboration he has always shown us.
In her words, the Provincial, Maria Gracia Gil, underlined that the mission of the sisters, who for many years have been accompanying the faith of this people, will continue in the hands of the local Church which will continue to be present in Fushë Mamurras:
“Thank you for giving continuity and continuing to care for the seed of the Word of God in this town so dear to us […] Faliminderit!”
During the celebration, the arrival of the first sisters in 1992 and the beginnings of the mission, undertaken by very courageous religious, supported by the Vedruna community of Italy, were recalled. They began by teaching Italian, running a dispensary, visiting the sick and collaborating in pastoral activities, and eventually opened a school for children and youth. Their work counted on the joint work of priests, collaborators and volunteers, as well as the support of the Italian parish of Mantua.
Maria Gracia appreciated the effort of the last sisters to leave, who until the last moment made an effort to be faithful to the task of accompanying the life of the people of Albania. She recalled that, although in Spain they sing “Something dies in the soul when a friend leaves”, in our Vedruna Family we believe that there is much life left, given and shared . He concluded by giving thanks and trusting that “the Lord will make it bloom and the time will come to see the plants full of fruits“.
