Late yesterday we learned that a ferry would be delivering refugees to Athens early today. So, early this morning our CRS delegation arrived at the port in Athens in order Continue reading “Refugees at the Port”
Things Known and Unknown in a Fluid Refugee Situation
The Caritas Athens Refugee Soup Kitchen
As posted earlier, we worked at the Caritas Athens Refugee Soup Kitchen today. These are some pictures of where we were and what we saw. Peace. Continue reading “The Caritas Athens Refugee Soup Kitchen”
Refugee Tidal Wave on a Small Shore
This is a brief update on out Catholic Relief Services visit to Greece and Serbia where hundreds of thousands of refugees are coming to make their way to what they hope is a better life. It is brief because after a long day we are back in our hotel, it is late and we will be up at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow morning to be at the pier when the first boats with refugees arrives in Athens.
There are two brief thoughts that I want to mention tonight and I will I elaborate on them in the next day or so. The first relates to the photo above. In graffiti it reflects Continue reading “Refugee Tidal Wave on a Small Shore”
From Athens – First Thoughts
Our Catholic Relief Services delegation was able to depart Dulles International just as Snowmageddon 2016 was hitting the Washington area. After a 4-5 hour delay to get de-iced we were off, evidently the last flight that left Dulles on Friday. We missed our connection in Paris and ended up on a connecting flight through Frankfurt. More on that part of our trip in a bit. First it may be good to share some first thoughts since arriving here in Athens as a backdrop for the posts to come. Continue reading “From Athens – First Thoughts”
Off to Greece and Serbia, Despite the Snow
Our Catholic Relief Services delegation is about to board our flight from Washington, DC to Athens, Greece. The snow is really coming down but we are confident of an on time departure.
Over the past few weeks we have all been asked why we are going to Greece and Serbia to see the refugee crisis first hand and what we hope to accomplish. These are good questions. I will be providing some answers to those questions and others over the next few days.
As a bit of background, this is what we understand as of now. The refugee issue in Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and the Balkans in general is the largest and most serious refugee crisis since World War II. Quite literally, millions of people have been displaced from their homes, families and any semblance of normal life by the war in Syria and ISIS. These refugees are truly fleeing for their lives, seeking safety for themselves. When vast numbers of people are on the move looking to escape violence it creates a humanitarian crisis. Most refugees fled with few or no possessions and need food, shelter, clothing and in some cases medicines and medical attention.
We will be able to see the situation firsthand, meet many refugees and aid workers, and hear their stories. I look forward to reporting on what we see; the plight of the refugees as well as the response of CRS, other aid groups and the world to this crisis.
Snow – Yes (or Maybe), Institution – No
We just got word that the Institution of Reader and Acolyte that was scheduled in the Archdiocese of Atlanta for tonight has been cancelled due to anticipated winter weather in North Georgia. Some of the men in formation live in the affected area and might not be able to attend. This Mass will be rescheduled.
Now, I know that some of our brethren north of our fair State of Georgia will get a chuckle out of that! But we gentle Southerners know that mountain roads, black ice and automobiles just don’t mix well together. If we would just get snow, rather than ice it could be a different story.
Don’t worry guys, you can be “Institutionalized” later…
Franciscan Permanent Deacon Nicholas Wolfla
At the end of his life, St. Francis was ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Church and he was never ordained a Priest. Despite the example of St. Francis, over the years most men ordained as Deacons from religious orders were later ordained Priests, but that is not always the case. On Monday, January 18th at Mount St. Francis, Indiana Br. Nicholas Wolfla was ordained by Archbishop Joseph Kurtz as a Permanent Deacon for the Church. Unlike St. Francis, Deacon Nick is not at the end of his life! We look forward to him serving the Church for many years to come. Continue reading “Franciscan Permanent Deacon Nicholas Wolfla”
The Sky is Falling? Maybe Not.
What a strange year so far! Almost nobody would have thought that two weeks into 2016 oil prices would plunge below $30 a barrel, the Chinese yuan and markets would take a dive and other worldwide markets, including ours in the U.S. would follow. It would only be stranger if one of the major lotteries had a prize that was worth more than $1 billion…wait, that happened too! Continue reading “The Sky is Falling? Maybe Not.”
Syrian Refugees – Facts, Fiction and Fear
During the past few months we have heard from politicians, Church leaders, and many others regarding the Syrian Refugee Crisis in the Balkans and Western Europe. Unfortunately much of the discussion has been based upon murky facts or fiction and in some cases outright fear. Are the Syrian refugees people fleeing a civil war and ISIS to protect themselves and their families, are they people looking to sneak into western society for economic gain or are they terrorists?
Some things are certain. There are people fleeing Syria, Afghanistan, Etruria and other countries. These people are landing in Greece and making their way through the Balkans to Europe. Continue reading “Syrian Refugees – Facts, Fiction and Fear”
A Deacon's View 