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Dielli | The Sun

Albanian American Newspaper Devoted to the Intellectual and Cultural Advancement of the Albanians in America | Since 1909

Miratohet Ligji mbi krimet e komunizmit ne Florida

May 11, 2022 by s p

Nga Moza Boletini

New York/


Governatori i Shtetit ne Florida, Ron DeSantis, njoftoi me date 9 Maj 2022, se ne te gjitha shkollat e mesme publike te Floridas do te perkujtohet cdo vit “Dita e Viktimave te Komunizmit” me 7 Nentor. Nxenesit do te informohen e edukohen mbi genocidin e persekutimin nen rregjimet komuniste neper bote, perfshi ketu edhe partine komuniste te Kines e Bashkimin Sovietik. Ky ligj u miratua unanimisht kete vit nga Senati dhe Kongresi i Floridas.Governatori DeSantis u shpreh se: “Qytetaret e Florides, sidomos studentet tane, do te mesojne per krimet e komunizmit, per diktatoret neper bote qe kane qene ne krye te regjimeve komuniste dhe per qindra miljona njerez qe kane vuajtur dhe ende vuajne nen peshen e kesaj ideologjie. Organizata e Viktimave te Komunizmit ka vleresuar se regjimet komuniste kane shkaktuar humbjen e rreth 100 miljone jeteve nepermjet persekucioneve politike apo religjioze, nga skamja dhe uria masive, si dhe duke kryer krime te renda ndaj njerezimit gjate shekullit XX. Ne krye te ketyre regjimeve – vijoi DeSantis – qendron partia komuniste e Kines, e cila eshte perllogaritur t’i kete marre jeten 80 miljone shtetasve kineze.Ligji amerikan aprovuar ne Florida kete vit, thote gjithashtu se “Mbi 100 vjet kane kaluar nga Revolucioni Bolshevik ne Rusi si dhe krijimi i qeverise se pare konuniste nga Vladimir Lenin, qe coi me pas ne dekada represioni e dhune nga regjimet komuniste neper bote. Ligji gjithashtu ve ne dukje se qeverite komuniste kane shkelur idealet e lirise, prosperitetit dhe dinjitetit te jetes njerezore dhe kane ngritur ne krye diktatore totalitare si Josef Stalini, Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong e Pol Pot. Sipas studiuesve e historianeve, regjimi Mao mund te kete shkaktuar me shume se 80 miljone viktima ne njerez midis viteve 1949 deri ne vdekjen e tij ne 1976.Grupime te te drejtave te njeriut si dhe disidente, thone qe partia komuniste e Kines, qe zyrtarisht eshte ateiste, vazhdon represionin me ligjet e Maos, duke persekutuar grupime njerezish perfshi ketu edhe Falung Gog, Uyghuret e te krishteret.Instruktimi mbi tmerret e komunizmit ne Florida do te nisi ne vitin shkollor 2023 – 2024. Sipas historise, komunizmi u instalua ne qeverine ruse nga bolsheviket pas rrezimit te Carit, qe coi ne krijimin e Bashkimit Sovjetik. Florida ka nje numer te konsiderueshem banoresh, te cilet jane larguar nga shtetet e tyre komuniste, sidomos shtetase te Kubes, te vendosur ne Amerike pas ardhjes se Fidel Kastros ne fuqi ne 1959. Te shumte jane gjithashtu shqiptaret e larguar nga Shqiperia, Kosova, Mali i Zi, Maqedonia e trevat e tjera shqiptare, per shkak te persekucionit sllavo-komunist, e jane vendosur ne Florida apo shtetete te ndryshme te Amerikes. Ky projektligj eshte mjaft i rendesishem, pasi femijet dhe brezat e periudhes post-komuniste, do te marrin informacionin e duhur mbi genocidin ne vendet ish-komuniste ku pershihet edhe Shqiperia, qe perjetoi nje nga diktaturat me te egra ne Europe.

Filed Under: Komunitet

Monsignor Lush Gjergji  in Washington DC

May 9, 2022 by s p

By Merita B. McCormack*/

On Saturday, May 7th, on the Eve of Mother’s Day, Albanian Community in the Diocese Of Arlington, Virginia, welcomed Monsignor Lush Gjergji of Kosova, the Albanian Biographer of Saint Mother Teresa. The Mass and reception were hosted by Divine Mercy University in Sterling, Virginia and the Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Charles Sikorsky, LC , President of the University.  During his homily Dom Lushi spoke about the teachings of  the church , commenting on the passages read  from Holy Scripture and also spoke  about the  virtue of love and the message of mother Teresa in our times.

He emphasized the role and values of family, particularly the role of the mother, which was poignant due to the fact that Mother’s Day Feast fell on Sunday, May 8th. He said among many other things, that a complete traditional Albanian family is that of three generations, with parents, grandparents and children. Dom Lushi blessed the mothers present at the end of Mass and then after Mass he blessed the congregation with the relics of Albanian martyrs. The mass servers and gift bearers were from the Crnkovich family and the cantor was from the McCormack family. Denis Guma and Nela Crnkovich helped with the readings in Albanian.

After mass, we moved to a reception hall, where coffee, soft drinks and desserts were served. The desserts were provided as a donation by Ira Mehani, owner of “Sweet Treats by Irene”. During the reception Denis Guma recalled the history of the community and thanked the rest of the core members of this group.  The author of this note summarized Dom Lushi’s homily for English speakers present and provided translations onwards. 

Dom Lushi had a conversation with the community and many questions were asked  during a reception. During that Q&A session  Dom Lushi touched again upon the revered Albanian traditions as that of love, compassion , multifamily generations and harmony in the family. He called to our attention the dangers of today’s 5 dictatorships which are: 1. materialism, 2. consumerism, 3. hedonism, 4.relativism and 5.practical atheism.

 There was a question  regarding divisions among the faith communities, and Dom Lushi elaborated on the nature of  common good, true love and the unity through diversity by respecting each other’s freedom and loving each other truly as God does love us. In the post Mass reception he answered several questions and shared his vocation story. He said he was 13 years old when he saw his parish priest being arrested by the communist  government and felt filled  with sorrow. At that time he said he asked  God :” If you will, please make me your priest” And his brother too became a priest.

He shared the story of Mother Teresa’s Grandfather , Lazer Bojaxhiu from Prizren, Kosovo in the mid 1800 and  how he escaped the massacre and moved to Skopje, Macedonia, where he established the business ( Trade and Real Estate). His son Nikolle Bojaxhiu, mother Teresa’s father, continued his charitable work with the poor and owned ten homes, nine of which were used for the homeless. 

Dom Lushi shared that he met Mother when he was 18  years old and at a Seminary in Rome and that she was so happy to meet an Albanian seminarian that she would  not let go of him and checking his health and asking about all Albanian related issues. He said at that moment he knew she was a saint and began writing about her.

When Dom Lushi was asked about his books, he mentioned that one book with selected writings on Mother Teresa is soon becoming available in English. It is published by “Illyria” Newspaper owner, Mr. Vehbi Bajrami. 

Also he mentioned the newly printed book about St. Jerome, the Illyrian(Dalmat), which is available in Kosova.

Preservation of Albanian Culture and Tradition in Washington DC (PACT DC), an artistic youth dance group welcomed Dom Lushi, performed a few dances and invited everyone to join the dances (valle).

After the event, several families went to a local restaurant and treated the guests to dinner. 

Dom Lushi was accompanied for the whole duration of stay in Virginia by Mr. Marash Nucullaj of Michigan, an activist in the Albanian community. 

On Sunday May 8th, Dom Lushi concelebrated Mass at St.John the Beloved Catholic church and visited the first class relic of Mother Teresa. He then was met by Sabri Tahiri, an Albanian of Kosova in DC who, together with other friends, treated the guest to lunch and did some sightseeing around DC. Dom Lushi returned to Detroit, where he has been staying since Easter.

The events were well attended by Albanians and Americans. Among the notable community personalities there were Ms. Buta Biberaj, the Loudoun County Commonwealth Attorney, who is of Albanian origin, former VOA journalists and authors Shaqir Salihu and Laura Konda. Mrs. Gabriela O’Connell, a German- American, attended as a friend of the community. We are grateful to all.*The author is the co-founder of the community and the current coordinator.

Filed Under: Komunitet Tagged With: Merita bajraktari

PRIFTERESHA MARGARET’S 80’S BIRTHDAY: RECOGNITION TOWARD ONE OF THE KIND FIRST LADY OF SAINT GEORGE

May 8, 2022 by s p

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Neka Doko

Albanian Archdiocese

Fan Noli Library & Cultural center

Ethnographic cross-cultural communication & research

Life School of New York

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PRIFTERESHA MARGARET’S 80’S BIRTHDAY: RECOGNITION TOWARD ONE OF THE KIND FIRST LADY OF SAINT GEORGE

We never know how high we are, until we are called to rise

Emily Dickinson

Introduction

When working with the 50th anniversary archival project of the Fan Noli Library foundation and legacy last year, I referenced several sources and data collections of photographs, movies, documentaries, journalistic and research papers. Next to the Fr Arthur’s Master file a new subfile with the name of Margaret came to mind. I put the file aside to fill it with time for future projects. This is the beauty of an archival research: opening something new while connecting the dots from the past to the present and revealing history of our community at the ‘here and now’ from different times and spaces. And when the timing clicks, putting things together for creating a unique piece of oldish-new emerged experience. 

Here is a source of inspiration.

In the 60th birthday documentary dedicated to Very Rev Arthur E Liolin, I was struck by the testimony of Prifteresha Margaret about her husband and our Cathedral Priest, Chancellor and Fan Noli Library founder and executive director, about Fr Arthur’s character. If there was a word to describe the God’s man and leader of our community, that would have been INTEGRITY, in her statement she resumed it all. Thank you, Margaret, I silently felt and undoubtedly approved of her words, especially after working with Father Arthur for more than 18 years for the Fan Noli Library research archival work and digital projects along with many memorable historical and cultural milestone events at Saint George Cathedral and the Albanian Archdiocese.

On the other hand, I was honored to meet and know over the years our Prifteresha’s character even closely when working together after liturgy events at Saint George’s reception room for anniversaries or book fair co organized activities. Through our genuine communication, a sincere spiritual and artistic friendship was built. 

This article is not intended to feature an archival research work. The initial idea was clearly simple to write a brief substantial birthday message on behalf of Daughters of Saint George, Fan Noli Library and Cultural center and then sent to Margaret Liolin toward the end of the first week of April when she was about to celebrate her 80th birthday. Nevertheless, considering her history of the longest first lady of Saint George and Albanian Archdiocese, I had another idea which coincided with her family’s suggestion to put the project off until Mother’s Day. With that in my focus, I extended the approach to collect more family and Fan Noli Archives data with the aim to bring a unique case of reflection and recognition besides birthday wishes which all were properly delivered on time. This was the moment I thought to set a backward step and begin to fill Margaret’s biographical file with this dedication work for the Fan Noli Library and Archive.

The new idea sent me back to cross-cultural ethnographic of communication studies and research, my soft spot for writing interpersonal and cultural papers on any ethnographically interesting and unique case study in our community. Hopefully this paper will do justice to her uniqueness and fulfill any expectations on that matter. 

Consequently, I kindly asked Margaret’s family to provide emic data through vivid testimonies, thoughts and reflections about the woman and the mother behind her role of one-of-the kind first lady of Saint George on the crossroad between birthday, anniversaries, and Mother’s Day, for my research in a 4 D time space extension. The way the keen collaboration turned out is now a family/community recognition research paper out of observant participation and testimony method and approach from an ethnographic emic/etic perspective of the Albanian American written history of Saint George, digital data, of personal, religious, and cross- cultural communication. 

The last but not the least, when working for this paper I felt enlightened to open the category of female cross- cultural research about Saint George’s community leading women in history with this recognition and dedication Dielli’s article to Margaret Liolin and to her whole family. I extend my gratitude and many thanks to all of them, for their generous collaboration to make this first project on the field happening. In a special way I am honored to be on time helped by Elena Liolin for the proofreading and a scrupulous American editing work throughout my cross-lingual and cultural structure and writing style. Without her diligent and enormous assistence this blessed common gift couldn’t have seen the light.

In that 4 D space-time of 50+ years’ service at Saint George Cathedral and Albanian Archdiocese, while standing tall beside Father Arthur’s God’s calling, leadership, and family, what was like to be a Prifteresha, the woman and the mother and yet being herself within a cross-cultural transition?

At interpersonal level: 

Although with some semantic differences in cultural nuances, I have often heard on my own crossroad, various locutors saying, “Behind an outstanding man, lies an amazing woman.”  

Whereas from the American predominantly individualistic culture, another saying sounds to me now more realistic.

“While a man is judged by what he does in life with precedence during transition times, the woman is always evaluated for being who she is and stands for.”  (1) 

At cross-cultural level:

We found a vivid interest in collecting observation data, thoughts, and reflections on Margaret’s unique profile for another reason. Personally, when working in my hometown I have encountered two times the cross-cultural experience while welcoming other cultures to the host culture. Almost three decades of work, studies, and research in two countries other than my own, I have been constantly interculturally and personally open to and interested in unique cross-cultural experiences, profiles, and characters. However, my intercultural perspective has been spiritually tested when living with new cultures and life philosophies after leaving Albania for western Europe and then moving to America at the turn of the 21st century. During the first and mostly the second transition here I have experienced rich moments when my interpersonal and cross-cultural boundaries were shaking to the core.

At spiritual level: 

As a human gift of God, and citizen of the planet, I see no boundaries to anyone despite the religious, cultural, gender, professional backgrounds, or personal preferences when it comes to the spiritual level. However, honoring my paternal ancestor’s tradition, I go back to Ardenica’s Monastery where our family old byzantine roots of my father’s great, great parents sacrificed generational lives and even property or boundless lands and chose a new path to leave anything behind with the price to set themselves free from Greek and Turkish tyranny. Four centuries later here in Boston at Saint George Cathedral for the first time I feel I am returned home where I belong. Again, honoring my great and grandfather’s pathway to seek education in Alexandria, Egypt for spiritual and holistic healing to serve themselves and others, I am finally picking up broken pieces in the deepest level of my soul. As a result, during Covid time I earned holistic education certificates (mind-body- spirit balance) from Mindvalley Academy. Since then, I work for interdisciplinary research and education at Life School of New York, while teaching and training energies for self-healing, wellness, and self-realization. Although I am not fully immersed in the American culture, I keep bringing home to the Albanian American families the Albanian, Mediterranean, and French roots with openness toward Eastern/Western universal spirituality with the Japanese approach to eco healing arts and energy that I silently apply each morning for my family and Saint George’s people. This is my chosen bread of spirituality in action that with my mother’s blessings inspires me to serve the Albanian American community of Saint George history and archival digital projects, on a voluntary basis for 19 years from where I have valued more than ever the richness of living a holistic experience with purpose.

Upon these levels of self-awareness, I both intellectually and spiritually feel humble in tracing records about Saint George’s unique women’s profiles who have been pioneers and leading figures over the decades to the oldest Albanian- American organized congregation here in the new continent. Margaret’s profile can hopefully break the ice of recognition toward credited women in our history who have been proven to gracefully stand by their men’s life mission to the end. 

Saint George’s Prifteresha- Woman of Character 

According to Saint George’s Archival Master File, during the long journey of the Very Rev. Arthur E Liolin’s devotion to the faith, since the beginning when he had God’s calling for the young chancellor and pastor positions, but also for the lead man of many hats he wore during 50 years at Saint George Cathedral and Albanian Archdiocese, the role of his wife was as much crucial as his in the long run. From this digital photograph showing the tenure of her, while standing humble and ready on call next to her God’s man, her body language can tell how equanimous and fit, she was for this role. In this context, a powerful statement in the spiritual realm emphasizes the special status of the couple after “God’s calling the whole man, both husband and wife becoming one flesh. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (2)  A picture containing person

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Within the couple’s special religious status, a unique female interpersonal, cultural, and spiritual profile and case study is opened. Margaret was not originally Albanian, neither a born American Orthodox woman from German culture, but spiritually, interpersonally, and culturally, she happened to take with courage a new path to have challenged and outsmarted the past. She has shown bravery and open mindedness since the beginning when by marriage to an Albanian American young priest, had heartly accepted the religious title in Albanian “Prifteresha” and then continued to prove that she had consciously taken the life direction she wanted by choice of love. (3)

No one on the outside can imagine the early 70’s when married to the Subdeacon Arthur Liolin, the most important duty of the young pastor’s wife was sustaining the balance between church and family. A delicate role for Prifteresha Margaret to understand and continuing support her husband’s busy pastoral service dedication to help and give out non counting hours to his parishioners while often neglecting family life and personal time with wife and children. (4) 

Exceptional Role Model of Mother and Grandmother

In one hand, according to the oldest daughter Elena, Margaret was born to become a mother, and to have joyfully devoted her time to raise and educate three children, while supporting Father Arthur at the church with love, patience, enlightenment, and sense of humor.

Reading her two daughters thoughts Margaret had naturally synergized the role of Prifteresha and mother that had inspired either girl to follow their mothers’ steps, looking up to their role model and becoming like her.

Elena summarized her comments, “Our mother knew she wanted kids since she was about 8 years old and has always had an incredible sense of how to deal with them, no matter the age. My mom has always been and continues to be one of the strongest people I know. She has always supported my father and his work with the church and all 3 of us kids. I never felt like an after-thought, and I can only hope to be as amazing a mother as she has been to me.” (5a)

On the other hand, Emily, the youngest daughter of Father Arthur and Margaret, a fine observer since she was a child brings her thoughts and reflections on her mother’s 80th birthday, providing some succinct answers to our questions. She reveals the uniqueness of her mother’s character and personality to influence her when growing up between home and church. She identifies herself now with her own mother while being cultivated, focused on her child intercultural education, while becoming dedicated in her family, and being herself. 

“When I was young, she was home with us kids until I was about 10. She had been a substitute teacher for a few years while we were young, but primarily she was our mom, and everyone else’s Prifteresha. If we weren’t by her side singing in the choir at St. George on Sundays, she was beside us in the pews, harmonizing in her beautiful alto voice.” (6a)

And then even more subtle data, that had anticipated rich points to our main question, came from Emily’s internalized cross-cultural education, which seem to be rooted by a strong influence of Margaret immersing her children in the diversity of inter family-community cultures at a very early stage of their lives.

“I always admired the way she walked as a German American in our Albanian Orthodox community so graciously, learning Albanian and helping us to know our culture on both our dad’s and her sides. (6b)

“As I grew older, I could really appreciate the depth of her service as Prifteresha, with the Ladies Guild and Daughters of Saint George memorial coffee hours, bake sales, when during annual Church Bazaars for the public, helping at the cathedral’s religious store, and of course all the many special occasions for luncheons, as well as keeping our home available for parishioners in need of our father’s council at any time. My mother has always been very humble in her service, but she was and continues to be incredibly generous of heart and spirit.” (6c)

Again, Elena’s testimony about her mother’s character, personality, and interpersonal communication’s skills reveals more interesting rich points with reference to the next generation.A person kissing a child

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“Her sense of humor and general light is contagious to anyone who’s ever met her.

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Her listening skills are top notch. If you’re lucky enough to speak with her, you know, without a doubt, you are being heard. Her patience never seems to run out. Her relationship with her grandchildren is so beautiful to witness. That same patience and sense of humor comes into play and therefore providing such an ease for the kids to feel connected.” (5b)

And then Emily, while providing a photo worth a thousand words, where I can add something in the realm of energies, – a picture intuitively capturing a precious moment of an energetically magnetic exchange between grandmother and granddaughter, – emphasizes her older sister’s statements with an open heart:

“I can’t imagine a better mother for myself, and grandmother for my daughter. To this day, she is loving, reassuring, kind, patient, understanding, and ready to find laughter and lightness in the inevitable hard moments of life. 

As a mom now myself, I feel her presence with me whenever I remember to stop what I’m doing and be present with my daughter and whatever she’s going through. And when I encourage her creativity and follow her passion, whatever that may be. Above all else, I will always treasure my mom’s incomparable, unconditional love and support.” (6d)

Ever Ready as Always as Saint George’s First Lady

These days, as the strong woman she is known for, Margaret has more credits to collect when it comes to be herself as the First lady of the Very Rev. Arthur E. Liolin, Emeritus Chancellor of Saint George’s Cathedral and Albanian Archdiocese. With an observant participation emic/etic eye, I have noticed her yesterday at the Sunday School Closing ceremony coming back with authority and joy to our community events when from the meditation garden table, she honored everyone with her presence and delicacy of words.

 I also have been pleased to meet another member of Liolin’s family. When tackling a chancery main event project along with Lauren Toli I happened to work with Evans, sole son of Father Arthur and Prifteresha since the beginning of last year for teaming up to collect, look and search among hundreds of digital files and archival data for the chosen photographs of the day of June 26, 2021, when the ceremony of the 50 years of Devotion to the Faith of the Very Reverend Arthur E Liolin, Chancellor Emeritus, for the Unveiling of Father Arthur’s Portrait successfully occurred. 

From my own observation, besides that he adores his mother, and deeply cares for his father, I have seen nothing but the most honest work ethic skills, kindness, efficiency, and dedication to the duty from him.

Like in the past nothing has changed during that unforgettable and moving community celebration, when many of us at Saint George had keenly observed and experienced moments of mind- heart and soul coherence between the couple. Once Fr Arthur had enlightened a main point, Margaret in return had simply confirmed her pivotal role to be herself, keeping grounded and internally set the prayer for the church spiritual health and sustainability. She never passed up the chance to show up and stand for what she had believed the most and shined through with her undisputable patience of legacy when supporting, encouraging, and uplifting her husband’s devotion to faith and service through his generational work with passion and integrity. 
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Photo courtesy of Fan Noli Library Digital Projects

Very Rev. Arthur E Liolin surrounded by his close and extended family.

June 26, 2021

There is enormously data to reveal and recognize about Margaret’s education, charity work, writings, creative cards, and more about her ever-ready personality to serve and touch other souls. Like Father Arthur, she is so easy to be in the flow of communication with anyone and express next to him a soft spirit and beautiful soul. Over the years I have noticed nothing, but a generous Prifteresha who is always there no matter where, when and what to advice, support, help, give and contribute for Saint George’s congregation after liturgy services and events. The Fan Noli Library and archival project team will be working with her biographical file completion, with time and professionally will cover all.

Everyone in our community has realized that she has been a natural educator, teacher, artist, and poet. During our recent conversation, I heard that Margaret has given in the past years many hours of teaching in person, and co-teaching with Elena at Sunday School.

During meeting with Daughters of Saint George, the audience and myself have witnessed her kind participation in the discussion of the group as the one who has to say the last word when others were looking forward to her piece of advice. With smile she had joyfully shared with all ladies, her one of the kind artistic hand- made Peg cards which have continuously ignited in others the best enlightened spirit, inner heart, and deep soul. Her creative ecological friendly cards exhuming with care and personal style written messages, heartfelt notes, and candid humorous poems, had ever moved any woman or couple of Saint George’s recipients when going through difficult transitions. Prifteresha has been often appreciated as the messenger of light and comfort at the very hardest moments of their lives.

Within this special Spring of Margaret’s 80th birthday and Mother’s Day celebration, on behalf of all mothers, Saint George Daughters, and the rest of our community we are privileged to address to Prifteresha and to her wonderful daughters, being mothers themselves, a special and rewarding Mother’s Day collective wish to share with family and for many years to come.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN AND MOTHER’S DAY OUR PRIFTERESHA MARGARET!

GEZUAR PER SHUME VJET!!

References & Notes

  1. (1) Alexandra Stoddard book “Grace Notes” – A book of daily Meditation.
  2. (2) (Ecclesiastes 4:12) 
  3. (3) Fan Noli Archive, Margaret Liolin’s File
  4. (4) From Father Arthur’s File & testimonies
  5. (5a), (5b) From Elena Liolin on her mother’s 80th birthday thoughts and reflections
  6. (6a), (6b), (6c), (6d) From Emily Liolin’s thoughts and reflections on her mother’s birthday

Digital Photography

  1. A-E-ND- Self-portrait at the Meditation Garden on April 22, 2022
  2. Photo courtesy of Fr Arthur & Prifteresha opening prayer at Pier Four Restaurant Saint George event in the early of 70’s – in Saint George & Albanian Archdiocese Digital File of the Fan Noli Library Archive
  3. Margaret and her granddaughter Vivian, in 2015? – photo courtesy of Emily Liolin to this project
  4. June 26, 2021, event of Very Rev. Arthur E Liolin’s Unveiling Portrait- family photograph, by N. D, on behalf of the Fan Noli Library Digital Projects
  5. The 75th Anniversary of the Daughters of Saint George -Cook Book- Introduction photograph of Father Arthur and Prifteresha Margaret, 2010

Filed Under: Komunitet Tagged With: Neka Doko

SHOQATA “SKENDERBEJ” INC MORI PJESË NË MARATHONËN E ÇIKLISTËVE TË NY

May 5, 2022 by s p

Alketa Ktona/

Me datën 1 Maj, 2022, anëtarë të Shoqatës Shqiptaro-Amerikane “Skenderbej” Inc, morën pjesë në Marathonën e çiklistëve të qytetit të NY. Të veshur me uniformën e sponsorizuar  nga kapiteni i çiklistëve Doris Berjolli, me logon e Shoqatës,  flamurin Shqiptar , Amerikan dhe portretin e Skenderbeut u bënë  pjesë e 32,000  çiklistëve te  Marathonës. Pjesëmarrësit ishin residentë  të  qytetit të New York-ut, të ardhur nga shtete të  tjera  të Amerikës apo e  gjithë bota.

            Ҫiklistet udhëtuan me biçikletë përmes pesë lagjeve të  qytetit te New York-ut , Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn dhe perfunduan aktivitetin ne Staten Island. Ata përshkruan nje gjatësi rruge prej 40 miljesh (64 km).Maratona e parë me biçikleta  ne NY City u organizua me 12 Qershor në vitin 1977, duke përshkruar një distancë prej 80 Mile(rreth 128 km),dhe morën pjesë 250 çiklistë. Në vitin 1978 filluan të krijohen linjat e vecanta për bicikletat, ne rrugët e qytetit dhe ky aktivitet filloi të bëhej shumë popullor, jo vetem si sport, por edhe në shërbim të shëndetit të qytetarëve, ne NY City.Në vitin 1978 Morën pjesë rreth 3000 çiklist, dhe në vitin 1980 u rrit numri i  pjesëmarrëseve ne  12000  cikliste.Citi bank u bë sponsorizuesi kryesor për këtë aktivitet. U sponsorizuan shumë programe për edukimin e qytetarëve në perdorimin e biçikletës dhe sidomos fëmijët te cilët u bënë pjesa me active e tyre.Sot marrin pjesë rreth 100 000 femije dhe të rritur në keto programe.Maratona sponsorizohet tani nga TD Bank.Ne vitin 1999 morën pjesë 32000 çiklistë, duke përshkruar distancen prej 40 mile, të qytetit te NY, pa trafik të makinave, dhe me pjesëmarrjen edhe nga vende të tjera të botës.

            Klubi i çiklistëve të shoqatës Shqiptaro-Amerikane “Skenderbej” Inc, u formua me 9 Maj 2021, me antarët e shoqatës,dhe marrin pjesë për herë të dytë, në këtë aktivitet që është bërë shumë popullor ne NYC dhe me gjërë.Shoqata u përfaqësua nga çiklistet: Doris Berjolli, Arta Xhaferri, Elton Xhaferri, Imer Laçaj, Adelina Laçaj dhe Sagita Guçe. Me inisiativën dhe përkushtimin e tyre, anëtarët arritën të përshkojne këtë intenerar të gjatë dhe ta mbarojnë  atë ne Staten Island,me sukses. 

Ndjehemi krenar për të gjithë pjesëmarrësit ne këtë aktivitet sportiv. Ata ngritën edhe më lart reputacionin dhe emrin e Shoqatës që eshte mjaft active në komunitetin shqipetar ne NYC.

Filed Under: Komunitet Tagged With: ALKETA KTONA

Simpozium me rastin e 25 vjetorit të vdekjes së Nana Terezë

May 4, 2022 by s p

Dom Pjetër Popaj/


Mirë se vini në Simpoziumin e rastit të 25 vjetorit të vdekjes së Shën Nana Tereze në këtë qendër të Kishës sonë dedikuar asaj. Falenderim bashkë organizatorëve Federatës Pan-Shqiptare Vatra në krye me Elmi Berisha dhe Gazeta shqiptare Illyria në krye me Vehbi Bajrami. Kemi nder e kënaqësi që sonte kemi ligjirues të shquar: nga Kosova Dr. Don Lush Gjergji , kemi letrar e historianë, përfaqësues nga Vatra, nga gazeta Illyria, nga komuniteti të gjithë do të mbajnë kumtesa për jetën, misionin e Shën Nanës Tereze, si dhe takime personale me Nanën Tereze. Jam i sigurt që do të kaloni një mbrëmje të kënshme ndërsa pasurohemi shpirtërisht për jetën e veprimtarinë e shenjtë të saj. Prej moshës 50 e me nalt nga të gjithë e mbajmë mend atë, vizitat e saja, takime me të. Më kujtohet kur po sa isha shuguru meshtar, ( 1985 ) ne kishim nji radio – program, Zani Katolik Shqiptar themelu prej Don Rrok Mirditës. Në intervistë Don Rroku – Dom Pjetri posa është shuguru meshtar – ajo ulet në gjunjë dhe lypë bekimin e parë si meshtar i ri. Mbas mi ka puth shplakët e duerve të shugurueme. Në të njëjtin takim – e pyetme a flet shqip – me e folë jo shumë por me e shkrue. Një uratë qe e kam thanë gjithmonë shqip – puna e pendimit . Mbasi e kemi regjistrue atë tue thanë ne e kemi vue në programin e radios tonë. Nji gja duhet të theksuar se jeta e saj ka ndikue shumë në jetën botënore. Njerëzimi mbarë ka qenë më i ndërgjegjshëm, bashkuar, kujdesshem për të vorfur. Misioni i saj ka qenë një hartë për krejt njerëzimin e jo vetëm për disa. Zoti e ka zgjellë atë prej gjakut tonë shqiptarë që me jetën e saj me e vizatue ketë hartë për të gjithë. Për atë ajo thotë: “Unë jam laps në dorë te Zotit “. Kur ka vdekur Nana Tereze, e ka lanë botën mpirë njerëzit thonin: Vdiq kjo por ska tjetër kanë kalu 25 vite që ajo është në jetën e amshuar. Bota nuk është e njajtë sepse nuk kemi një Nanë Terezë tjetër. Uroj që Kumtesat në ketë symposium të na ndihmojnë të thellohemi me tepër për jetën e shenjtë të Shën Terezës dhe të na nxitojnë të vazhdojmë misionin e saj duke shërbyer Zotit e njeri tjetrit sidomos nevojtarët tanë.

Filed Under: Komunitet Tagged With: dom Pjeter Popaj

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