Sr Jacinta was privileged to represent the Province for the Mass in thanksgiving for the Mary Ward Loreto Foundation.
The NGO Mary Ward Loreto is an umbrella organisation covering all the activities that IBVM (Albania) has been involved in except ‘The Little Angels’ which is still totally funded through the IBVM and monitored by IBVM but managed by SHKEJ (NGO Education for Life).
Imelda wrote: “On June 7th, the feast of the Sacred Heart, a celebratory Mass was held in her apartment as a Thanksgiving for the Mary Ward Foundation and to pray for guidance and wisdom. The group present represented the staff, some of the members of the Board of Directors, Erion Prendi, the manager of the Little Angels and his wife, Brikena who will go to the UK in August to study for a TESOL MA at Durham University. We also welcomed Sr Jacinta Davenport IBVM(Loreto) from the UK. Don Marjam Lumci, who led the Mass, is the chaplain of 9 prisons in Tirana/Durres diocese, and is funded through Mary Ward Loreto, for his prison work. Gazi, one of our colleagues from the Little Angels came over with his guitar and led us in the music. It was a very happy occasion which ended with a delicious meal at a local restaurant. For the occasion, and with the opening of the new offices taking place by the end of June, Anne Bromham IBVM(Loreto) painted a wonderful picture of Mary Ward sending out co-workers to bring hope to those seeking hope. This is now hanging in the new offices and is loved by all of the staff and those who come into the building. We are very grateful to Annie for doing this great work.”
Group after Mass, composed of the Board of the Foundation and Friends of Mary Ward.
This is the picture painted by Sr Annie Bromham for the occasion.
Those in the left hand corner represent the people of Albania who have lost hope. Mary Ward is looking on with compassion and sends her co-workers (Friends of Mary Ward) to bring them hope.
Don Marjam also bought a picture for the occasion to ask God’s blessing on our work. 
The image, beside that of Mary Ward, also depicts the picture of Jesus carrying a sheep on his shoulders.
“Later in the month and once the internet and all the furniture had arrived, and were connected, we moved into the new offices and once again Don Marjam joined us to bless each of the areas and to wish us well. We had a small buffet to celebrate this day. All the food was home made by Majlinda who has now joined the staff as our cleaner, cook when necessary, and assistant in the copying and printing needs. The buffet was totally delicious and we wondered why Majlinda had not opened her own restaurant years before!”
Sr Jacinta says, “I was delighted to meet the Team and Board of Directors.
By the end of the three days I felt invigorated and, having been there three years earlier for the Women’s Movement, it was wonderful to see the development that has taken place in those three years.”
Her prayer was:
“Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus your Son, I give thanks for the establishment of the Mary Ward Loreto Foundation. Give a special blessing to all the Mary Ward Loreto co-workers who have worked so hard to make this day possible. Give each one the strength, love and generosity to bring Mary Ward’s values of Freedom, Justice, Sincerity, Truth and Hope to the people of Albania.”
More information can be found on the Albania website.
