Mark Gjonaj, New York City Councilor gave $ 2.9 million for the construction of Mother Teresa Square in Pelham Parkway, Bronx, New York in a grand ceremony organized by the Parish Priest of the Catholic Church "Our Lady of Shkodra" Dom Pjetër Popaj on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the consecration of Mother Teresa. The festive ceremony was organized at the Mother Teresa Cultural Center near the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Shkodra, where representatives from the Albanian community, clergy, politicians, believers, local media, and many patriots from Albanian-speaking areas were gathered.
The parish priest Dom Pjetër Popaj at the lunch he organized for the Albanian community in the cultural center Mother Teresa in honor of St. Mother Teresa emphasized the importance and uniqueness of the holiday and the missionary Mother Teresa. The opening speech was given by the President of the Church Council, Mr. Nikolle Grishaj. Songs about Mother Teresa by the Church Choir were sung during the ceremony. Popaj blessed the lunch, prayed for the community, and solemnly gave blessings to the participants in this marked day of the Albanian Saint. Popaj said that: ‟Mother Teresa for Albanians is a great help to the nation religiously and spiritually. Mother Teresa gave kindness and love and exalted our high Albanian traditions. Promoted qualities of the Albanian people.
She promised Christ to be the light of God on earth. Mother Teresa makes us proud and has promoted Albanian values such as hospitality, special among the peoples of the world. At all times she strengthened more devotion and purpose for the poor and the impossible. Today is a special day of thanksgiving "said the parish priest Popaj in his message. Councilor Mark Gjonaj, "Honor of the Nation" at the donation ceremony of 2.9 million dollars for the construction of Mother Teresa Square in Pelham Parkway, Bronx, New York focused on the figure of Mother Teresa and the importance she has as a missionary with Albanian blood, as a servant to abandoned and impossible people, as a woman who served with devotion, passion, piety and everywhere planted love, peace, and smiles. Mother Teresa said Mr. Gjonaj is the highest personification of the human being and the greatest exaltation of our nation in the cultures and values of the peoples of the world. Gjonaj spoke about the prominent Albanians in the Albanian community where he highlighted the work of Dom Pjetër Popaj as a spiritual shepherd and the extraordinary humanitarian work of Alexander Nilaj as a humanist with the Albanian-American Association "Open Hands" helping people in need in the Bronx and beyond.
In his speech, Mark Gjonaj also focused on the extraordinary projects that follow this feast of Mother Teresa as it will be: A street named Gjergj Kastrioti-Skënderbeu in the Bronx, Albanian Center Iliria in Jacoby Hospital, a multifunctional center that will perform many services for the benefit of the Albanian community and a special Headquarters that will serve the Albanian organizations in New York that cooperate for the benefit of the Albanian community and nation. Congressman Ritchie Torres, co-representative of the Albanian cause, Albanian Voice in Washington, at the $ 2.9 million donation ceremony expressed gratitude for the extraordinary work done by Mark Gjonaj in the Albanian community and expressed the importance of Mother Teresa, her example, her mission and above all the worldwide messages that Mother Teresa has given to do small things but with great love.