National Communtiy Gathering

Kev and I joined the rest of the Emmanuel Community of Italy for a weekend in Assisi. We left on Friday afternoon by train. Before getting on the train, we decided to buy some breadrolls for our dinner. We went to a little cafe at the train station and decided what we wanted to order. Although the lady saw us, she completely ignored us. I am getting pretty sick of this type of 'customer service' and have decided not to reward it with giving them my money. So we left.

It was a blessing in disguise, because right in front of us was a Scotish restaurant. With great delight, we each ordered a Classic 50s burger meal. Then we got on the train and enjoyed our fine meal. The train journey was very enjoyable. When we got to Assisi, we only had to walk about 10 minutes to the retreat centre. We passed another restaurant with golden arches, so we thought it would be good to get our dessert. They didn't have any hot apple pies, so we got a tiramisu. How Italian!!!!

The rest of the weekend was pretty good too. We got to practice our Italian, to spend time with lovely people, to have Mass in the Basilica of San Francesco, and to renew our commitment in the Emmanuel Community. We returned to Rome on Sunday afternoon.

Hele and Kev in Assisi

Scotland

Last week I went to Dundee for the third time.  It was part of my work for the youth of the Emmanuel Community in the English-speaking world. I travelled there with Martin Fenkart who is the person responsible for the European Zone of the Emmanuel Community.

There are no direct flights between Italy and Scotland, so I had to travel via Amsterdam.  I met Martin there and we travelled to Scotland together.  All in all, I was travelling for about eleven hours.

I had a wonderful suprise when I arrived at the airport in Scotland.  I knew that Paul (former student of the ESM ) would be there to meet me, but I didn't know that we would also be joined by Matthieu.  It was great to see my boys again!

Matt, Hele, Paul

We had meeting after meeting after meeting, but it was a really good weekend. After many years with only one person of the Emmanuel Community in Scotland, now there is also a group of young people.  It is really encouraging!


















The Emmanuel Community of Scotland

I couldn't get a flight back to Rome on Saturday,so I stayed an extra night.  I decided to make the most of the situation, so I went to the pub with the youngies. I was ready for a night out on the town, but got tired at about 8:30pm.  I am not the person I once was!

Paul kindly drove me to the airport early the next moring (6:30am - poor thing). This time I went home via Paris.  My friend Theresa happened to be on the same flight. Amazing!