IBVM (Loreto) in Albania

In 1986 two nuns hit the headlines on Teesside. Sisters Imelda Poole and Philippa Green, IBVM (Loreto) began their grassroots ministry in a deprived area called The Clarences, on the north bank of the River Tees near the famous Transporter Bridge.

They ministered wonderfully for nearly 16 years, and were loved and valued by many people from all walks of life who came into their orbit. I am a Quaker. I have been a supportive friend to Imelda for 13 years.

I was then a counsellor and trainer. We met on a course I was leading for people to prepare for dealing with large scale disasters. We soon developed a mutual respect. Imelda began to come to me for an hour-long support session once a month.

Sister Imelda moved to Tirana, the capital of Albania four years ago. The Loreto sisters world-wide discerned that their several provinces were being led to begin new work outside their own provincial area.

The English congregation felt called to open a community in Albania and the Bishop of Tirana/Durres invited them to work in Albania in the field of assistance, prevention and campaigning against the trafficking of women and children.  Sister Imelda with another Sister felt called to this work. The other sister sadly had to return to England after 6 months due to ill health.

However, after discernment, IBVM(Loreto) were drawn to develop other projects, besides continuing the work in the field of trafficking, which were of great need in Albania, one for a roma community where a school/centre has been opened and another for women from marginalized areas. You will hear more about these in future articles.

Now Imelda is working alone in Albania we continue with our regular support sessions via Skype a free means of voice communication via the world wide web.
Imelda is now embarking on her fifth year in Albania. I wanted to see first hand the situation she faces in that country. In September my wife and I spent a week with her in her flat in Tirana.  This is how I gained the information for these articles.

I am happy to respond to invitations to talk about this work to groups or congregations in the Teesside area.

Michael Wright

teesvoice.me.uk

 
The funding required to maintain these three projects of the English Province of IBVM (Loreto) is £100,000 a year. Donations can be sent to:

The Loreto Albania Donation Account
Sister Jacinta Davenport IBVM(Loreto)
Loreto Community,  28 Hartley Road
Altrincham, Cheshire. WA14 4AY 0161 928 1440