http://www.joegrech.com/ Joe Grech,Gozo News,Malta News,Weather,Video Clips,Photo's,Photographs,Travel, en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss GuppY v4.6.2 joe@joegrech.com (Joe Grech) joe@joegrech.com (Joe Grech) http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=947 http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=947 The Citadel clock bells in Gozo which have been chiming time in their present location since 1858 will go silent for a short while whilst undergoing restoration. The work has been commissioned by the Ministry for Gozo as part of the ongoing restoration of the Citadel.According to a detailed research exercise undertaken recently, the oldest of the two bells is the quarter strike bell which is attributed to the early 18th century founders Luca and Mederico Menville of the Ferreria of the Order of St John. Probably, this bell previously hung in the old clock tower in the Cathedral Square.The hour strike bell bears the date 1819 and is attributed to the Sicilian bell-founder Ferdinando Leotta who worked alongside with his brother Sebastiano in Għajn Dwieli after the Ferreria of the Order was closed down when the French expelled the Order from Malta.Restoration work on these bells will be carried out by campanologist Kenneth Cauchi who has carried out similar works on most of the historic bells in Malta including those at the Mdina Cathedral, St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta and the Gozo Cathedral within the Citadel precincts. A third bell of smaller dimensions, previously belonging to the Order’s Hospital in Victoria and recently removed from Gozo General Hospital will also undergo the necessary restoration. It is the produce of the Ferreria too and probably dates to the late 1600’s.Whilst the bells will be undergoing restoration, urgent maintenance work will be carried out on the roof structure of the clock turret and time movement and chiming mechanism by employees of the Department of Projects and Development of the Ministry for Gozo. http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=889 http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=889 Valletta – Malta. Archbishop Mons. Guzeppi Mercieca. Archbishop emphasises importance of family values among migrants. In his last annual Christmas message as Malta's Archbishop, stressed upon the importance of maintaining family values among emigrants. He introduced his message by saying that Christmas should help us open our hearts and prepare for God's love to humanity.Referring to emigrants, the Archbishop said that on January 14th, the Catholic Church will be celebrating its annual day for migrants and refugees. "The message prepared by Pope Benedict XVI for this day focuses on the emigrating family. It aims at emphasising the Church's constant work not only towards the emigrant himself, but also towards the emigrants' families." He said that a family is the place where one grows up -- a resource of life, culture and love. "The Church acknowledges the fact that an emigrant together with his family may be faced with several difficulties." The Archbishop went on to urge all emigrants to keep in touch with their Maltese and Catholic roots -- to cherish them and pass them on to their siblings. He also said that the biggest gift one can give at Christmas time is to visit and be present with family members, and to change into better persons, witnesses and promoters of God's love for everyone. Finally he sent his blessings to all, and wished everyone a Happy Christmas. http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=887 http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=887 His Excellency Msgr. Mario Grech.Bishop of GozoChristmas MessageDecember – 2006A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Bethlehem.When I entered the hotel, it was one in the morning. I was weary because of traveling, yet as I went to the wide window of my room overlooking a valley the scene of Bethlehem at that particular moment was really astounding. Then, I did not know in which direction the Basilica of the Nativity was situated, but still I felt that I was standing on a sacred ground for years ago Jesus Christ was born in this particular area. I have to admit that even though this was not the first time that I was visiting the city of David, I still experienced a deep sense of awe! I felt that I had to kneel and adore the great mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God when God became man so that man might become like God!My short stay in Bethlehem revealed to me that although this city was blessed with the birth of Jesus Christ, the Bethlehemites are still deprived of fruits that the birth of Jesus had promised to humanity.In view of the approaching feast of Christmas, allow me to invite you to slow the pace of everyday life and give a glimpse at , Bethlehem , perhaps by admiring a crib! This may provide you with the same spiritual feeling I experienced when I was in Bethlehem!In Bethlehem I visited the grotto where the Word of God was made flesh. There, I realized that by his incarnation Jesus took the human word to convey to us God's word. I have the feeling that today there is a need to strive more in our daily life so that God would continue to convey his redeeming message to our brethren through our own words.This is the message I wish to share with you in this Holy Festive Season.A Blessed Christmas to you all.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Victoria – GozoBishop Mons Mario GrechLet's welcome the light of ChristIn his Christmas and New Year message, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said the crib of Bethlehem reminded him of a school where the boy Jesus grew in wisdom and grace."I pray," the bishop said, "that the light shed by Christ will enlighten our conscience... so that we will arrive at the right decisions."Apart from the individual conscience, there is the conscience of the family, the conscience of society and the conscience of the state. The bishop said he prayed for the family so that "each family will throw its windows and doors wide open" welcoming the light of Christ. "I am not thinking only," Mgr Grech said, "of established families, but also of those families that for some reason or other cannot be together to enjoy the happiness of Christmas. Families hit by mourning, or sickness, and where harmony reigns no more."I pray that the light of Christ will also shine on our schools... this applies also for the seminary and for the homes where young people are prepared for a religious life." Bishop Grech called on families to take on the cause of vocations for the priesthood and make it their own. And that together "we pray so that God will send more workers to toil in his field because while the crop is abundant the tillers are few, even in the local Church". http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=884 http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=884 THE OASI FOUNDATIONThe OASI Foundation was founded on June 26th 1991, and has since been regularly providing services to the public within the realm of caring profession specializing in the addiction field. The Foundation caters for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, Immediate Intervention for those who feel they are gliding into some problematic situation and requests counselling, and Treatment and Rehabilitation for those who have fallen into the disease of addiction. PRIMARY PREVENTION In its quest to promote its credo “Life is Beautiful”, thus worth living to its maximum, the Primary Prevention Department’s services are all geared in promoting a positive living environment. Below you can find a detailed description of the activities that the Primary Prevention Team organises during the year.SCHOOL PROGRAMS:The Primary Prevention Team with the permission and in cooperation with the educational department, every scholastic year is invited to be part of the school environment through its Preventive Programs. Research has proven that preventive programs at an early stage in a child’s development help to reduce emotional problems and anti-social behaviour as the child grows older. Primary School ProgramsA.S.K. (Active Search for Knowledge) – This program is made available to 8 and 9 year olds (Year 4 and Year 5 students). While the Year 4 students are introduced to the concept of Honesty and the Importance of True Friendship, the Year 5 students are made aware of the different types of drugs including the drastic hazardous difference between drugs and medicine. The children here are given the opportunity to learn and ask about the topic being discussed. Curiosities and queries are satisfied through a question box system that allows the children to clarify certain things that they might have been to shy to ask otherwise.Springboard – This program is done with Year 6 students who are about to leap out of Primary level and enter into Secondary Schools environment – thus the origin of the name of the programme “springboard”. Children are facilitated to deal with and to manage Stress – giving them interesting and practical solutions on how to mix their study time and leisure and still be well prepared for their Junior Lyceum Entry Examinations, which often cause quite a bit of stress at this tender age.Secondary School ProgramsStudio 4 – This program is catered for 14 year olds, who are in Form 4. It deals with Communication Skills and Self Esteem, making sure that the students become aware of the importance of clear, effective communication with others, particularly with their parents, in the period of their growing up towards adulthood, when youths and parents/adults seem to be living on different planets. A lot of emphasis is placed on their self-esteem, making them understand that it is important for them not to feel less of a person than anyone else because they are different but they have to believe that like anyone else they also have good and bad qualities, but what is important is to strengthen the good qualities in order to overrule the bad ones. .Studio 5 – This program deals with Relationships, Goals and The Future. It helps Form 5 students to discuss their wishes for when they grow older and helping them to clarify some concepts of what they want to do as adults and when they move out of secondary school.Post Secondary Schools Programs OASI has a representative of the Foundation who visits the local Junior College and MCAST on a weekly basis. Activities organised include:OASI.com@school - Every 2 months the Primary Prevention Team issues an informative newsletter to all 6th form and MCAST students and their parents. This is delivered to their home along with other notices from their schools and includes information on various toxic substances, life skills and information regarding OASI activities.Live-In Weekends – Twice a year a “Live-In Weekend” tailored according to the “edutainment” concept is organised for students offering a mixture of informative sessions, fun activities, games and leisure time. Every “live-in weekend” has a different topic related to the age group – self esteem, relationships, leadership skills, etc.COMMUNITY PROGRAMS:Community Meetings - The Primary Prevention Team throughout the year gives talks and hold meetings and discussions on different types of drugs and their effects on our physical, social and psychological self. Meetings are held in Youth Centres or other local community centres OK Club – OK Club is the OASI Kids Club which organises an activity per month for children aged between 10 and 14. These children are given the opportunity to meet new people and try out new and fun things, whilst being in a safe and supervised environment.SOLE – Summer OASI Learning Experience – Children who regularly attend OK Club, in the month of July, together with their friends, attend a 5 day summer camp, once again based on the concept of “edutainment”. This experience helps children to distance themselves from their hectic schooldays. They are assisted to let go tension and learn things they would have liked to know about and to freely relate to others, relax and enjoy themselves in a pleasant and supervised environment. This activity includes a blend of craft workshops, cultural visits, team reinforcing games and leisure.ZEST – ZEST is the OASI Foundation’s ‘Drug-Free’ Youth Group. Its purpose within the Primary Prevention Department is to organise activities for other youths. These initiatives include assisting in the preparation and presentation of regular OASI Activities such as SOLE, Riflessi Sajfin Open Air Concert, Youth of the Year Award, Live-In Weekends for Youths, International Youth Exchanges, Non-Alcoholic parties, social meetings and many others.OASI.com – OASI.com is OASI Foundation’s quarterly publication, distributed to every home in Gozo and other outlets in Malta. This publication includes information about the work that the foundation does, along with information regarding drugs and alcohol, life skills and general information that one would enjoy reading. This publication, which has become an expected mail shot by our readers, provides The OASI Foundation with the opportunity to enter into many home and share important information with all the households.Radio Programs – The Primary Prevention Teams makes use of local media, such as Radio Stations in towns and villages in Gozo in order to bring more information into the homes of the general public. By imparting information on various harmful substances, general life skills and particulars on the services that OASI Foundation offers, the public is kept continuously aware of what the OASI Foundation can do to help them in times of crisis.Riflessi Sajfin Festival – As part of our calendar for events The Primary Prevention team organises Riflessi Sajfin, which is a 3 hour concert in the open full of local talent. It takes place in mid-August in the Menqa of Marsalforn, and draws a large crowd each year. Riflessi Sajfin is especially organised to promote the foundation’s preventive messages to the general and the many tourists that attend the event in a positive mixture of music, dance and song. Entrance is free and the many artists who participate, do so on a voluntary basis so as to help the OASI Foundation in its promotion.The Youth of the Year Award – Every year the OASI Foundation organises the “Youth of the Year Award” in order to publicly acknowledge and the great voluntary work done by our youths for the good of our society. Organisations are encouraged to nominate youths that have been engaged in some voluntary activity during the previous year. An Award Giving Ceremony is then held under the patronage of His Excellency, the President of Malta, where all participants are publicly acclaimed for their initiatives. The climax of this event is the declaration of The Youth of the Year, “ambassador” for the following year of all the youthful volunteers. IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION (Secondary Prevention)Intensive awareness campaigns gradually make people seek immediate assistance. OASI was thus out of necessity compelled to activate a service aligned towards crisis intervention, whereby persons at risk are assisted to acquire or strengthen the basic values of life, beauty and happiness as a recovery strategy from their distress. OASI Secondary Prevention takes care of any situation that may lead to the use or abuse of harmful substances. About 200 individual cases are dealt with every year. Most of our clients come from Gozo but include clients from Malta and also foreign residents. Issues dealt with include child and youth assistance, parental and communication skills to couple, marriage counselling, remedial therapy as therapeutic assistance to accompany depression treatment and general counselling. OASI Secondary Services:Individual Sessions: In order to personally deal with and manage stress in frustrating moments, people often need personal assistance. It serves as a means to help a person from letting her/himself to slide into a dangerous personal lifestyle that may in the process disrupt a normal function within the family and society at large. Home Visits: These are periodically made in order to keep in touch with the person’s immediate family environment. Secondary Prevention offers coping skills and to parents in moments of personal or family worries, and it is available to youths when they feel the need for guidance and orientation.Group Therapy: Group/couple sessions are encouraged to facilitate mutual sharing of efforts towards personal recovery and rehabilitation. Social Assistance: The service of a social assistant to facilitate liaison with other related agencies or community services is also available. Through Secondary Programme social workers keen in the caring profession field give regular individual support to help persons to recover self-confidence and thus manage their ordinary everyday life responsibilities. OASI TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION (Tertiary Prevention)The aims of the OASI Tertiary Prevention is to provide treatment programs and related facilities to aid persons with various addiction problems to recover their personal health and to re-establish themselves in their family and social life.Out-Patient Treatment Programme: Individual counselling and group therapy forpersons with light addiction problems.Residential Treatment Programme for hard core addicts due to alcoholism, drugs, gambling, overspending or other addictive behaviours.Family Support Programme helps family members of addicted persons to recover from their co-dependency resulting from stress due their close relationship with the disease of addiction in their family environment.CONCLUSIONThe OASI Foundation Team believes that, through the implementation of the above mentioned prevention, intervention and treatment programs, it is providing a sterling social work in the caring profession to the benefit of Gozitan and Maltese community in a general effort to keep our generations free from substances and hazardous lifestyles. http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=852 http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=852 Carnival in Nadurby Dr. Mario SalibaDuring Carnival time, the call ”Let’s go to Nadur and really enjoy Carnival” is nowadays heard not only around Gozo but also in Malta. Carnival in Nadur is unique because it is spontaneous and everybody does, within limits of course, whatever he or she feels doing.The main street of the village will be crammed full with thousands of people who enjoy the carousing which goes on into the early hours of the morning during the three days of Carnival.The creativity and spontaneity of it all makes it special in the Maltese Islands. It is not one organised by the National Festivities Committee or even the Local Council. Subsequently no rules apply. Sunset invites a multitude of masked and hooded creatures to throng the main street in Nadur from the Mnarja Band Club (MBC Theatre) up to Nadur Youngsters’ F.C.. One meets figures wearing all kinds of comic and grotesque costumes, representing all habits of life and streaming off all kinds of frustrations.There is no end to imagination. The‘maskerati’ get the inspiration from the every day ills and sufferings. Revellers wearing only a sheet or bedspread, in boiler suits, in rags or old clothes, wearing ugly masks or faces representing the world leaders such as American presidents or foreign Prim Ministers. (It is interesting to note that local politicians are not represented at all in Carnival festivities. Does this reflect our lack of humour in real life?). All these personages walk up and down ‘Main Street’ for hours on end. All are covered from head to toe and no one dare stop and unmask these ‘devils’. All one hears is a cacophony of sounds from the blurring of horns, ringing of bells, banging on hard objects, whistling and doing anything, which could add to the din and create a bizarre atmosphere.It is not uncommon to be able to watch the mimicking of a wedding ceremony, couples in a bed on wheels feigning lovemaking, in exaggerated pregnancy costumes, the trailing of live animals like a sheep, a goat, or a donkey, the carrying of live or dead animals in cages (which in my opinion should be prohibited) and others dressed up as doctors and nurses performing operations by sawing off limbs. All saunter up and down arousing the curiosity of the onlookers who try to identify the real person but of course to no avail as the mask covers it all.Adding to the hubbub is a popular folkloristic band called ‘Id-Daqqaqa’consisting of seven instruments giving an unremitting melody heard only in Carnival period. It attracts the onlookers and invites everybody to dance to the tune in circles. These local ‘musicians’ stay near the two main wine bars in December 13th Street namely ‘Il-Ma]rag’ and ‘Pupu’s Bar’. In olden days there used to be other bars in other streets that used to host these Daqqaqa. Such bars included ‘ta’ {ummajr’ in Racecourse Street, ‘tal-Kuka’ in St John Street, ‘tal-Gabbu’ in Main Street and ‘tal-Gaba’ in Old Windmill Street.The band which is grouped on the pavement or inside these bars consists of the ‘Rabbaba’ – a cat or rabbit skin tightened to a tin container with a reed in the middle played by rubbing a sponge up and down by the reed; a pair of wooden castanets, a small drumwith six pairs of circular tin plates fixed round the edge and held in one hand and beaten with the other; the ‘zaqq’ resembling the Scottish bagpipes but simpler like those found in Sicily; the guitar which started being played when the ‘zaqq’ became hard to come by; the triangle played by hitting it with an iron rod and a mouth or hand organ. Originally the hand organ was a simple one with buttons on both sides but the most recent one is more like a piano accordion with a small piano on the right side. Carnival was always very popular in Nadur. Though life was hard and tough, our forefathers found time to relax and enjoy themselves a few days in a year. As far back as 1721, special festivities were organised including the ‘Kukkanja’. On Carnival Monday and Tuesday greasy poles used to be mounted in the square with live animals and baskets full of meat, sausages, eggs and other food items fixed to rope ladders tied from one pole to the other. Mounted on top of the pole was a statue representing fame holding the coat of arms of the Grandmaster. At a given signal the youths climbed the slippery poles, grabbed what they could and then descended down and forced their way through the crowd who did not hesitate to nick some of the spoils. The lucky lad who reached the statue on top used to be given a sum of money. Nowadays this tradition is kept in Nadur by setting up a greased pole in the middle of the square on Sunday, during the Carnival parade organised by the Local Council, and at its top food items are placed hanging from a cartwheel. A number of boys try to go up the pole and grip the dangling objects in the shortest time possible. The boy or girl who succeeds to grip an object/s in the shortest time wins the contest.Carnival continued to be celebrated in Nadur in front of the popular wine shops up to the end of the Second World War. Festivities lasted a fortnight with revellers drinking wine and pelting the children with confetti. The British forces on the Island used to join in the partying that went on far into the night. No masks however were allowed after sunset.After the end of the war, Carnival festivities continued to be held in ‘Strada Rjali’ or ‘Triq il-Kbira’ or better ‘Triq Dicembru Tlettax’ as it is known today. In the 1970s however, Carnival was all but dead as the police were very strict and used to unmask everyone they met after dusk to avoid any incidents leading to the breaking of law and order.These last few years since the set up of the Local Council, Carnival has been revived in our village to the enjoyment of Gozitans and Maltese alike as well as to the tourists who join in the fun. No incidents have been reported for a good number of years but all participants would do well to follow certain basic rules like avoiding wearing uniforms and clergy outfits. Carrying of iron bars, spades and other tools, which could easily be used as weapons should be avoided.It is a unique experience to be part of this masquerade in Nadur. It is doubtful whether any organised activity can prove to be such an attraction and crowd puller for so long a time in which ‘hypocrisy’ in life is expounded so sincerely and spontaneously.Nadur Carnival pictures: Please Click Here http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=849 http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=849 Gozitan Photographer Retires From The ServiceBy Anton F. Attard.On Tuesday, 17th October, 2006, at the Electoral Office, Valletta, Malta, a farewell party was organized on the occasion of the retirement from work of Mr Joe Grech, a Gozitan Photographer, who for the last twenty-six years worked at Gozo Electoral Branch Office in Victoria. Present for this activity were the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Edward Gatt; the Assistant Director, Mr. George Saliba; the Secretary to the Electoral Commission, Mr. Joe Calleja; and the employees who work at this officc. Mr. Gatt presented Mr. Grech with a gift as a memento bought by contributions from all the employees. Mr. Gatt said that since the few months he had known Mr. Grech, he came to know also what sterling work he had rendered to the Gozo Branch Office. He thanked for all that he had done, and wished him in his name and on behalf of all the employees of the Electoral Office happy retirement and many years of rest and free time. On his part Mr. Joe Grech gave heartful thanks to the Chief Electoral Commissioner and all his other colleagues for all their help and unstinting cooperation throughout the years, especially whenever difficulties arose. He also thanked those officers who organized this farewell party. He also hinted at the fact that as an employee he was never after his own personal interests but always looked towards performing his duties as directed by his superiors and the Electoral Commission. He wished the employee who was about to fill the vacancy created by his retirement all the best and that he would carry out his duties on same lines as he had always done. Mr. Joe Grech entered the Government Service as an Auxiliary Worker in 1975 and was a Photographer on loan with the Department of Information. In April 1980 he joined the Electoral Office to help with the renewal of Identity Cards in Gozo which was due to be carried out that year. An Electoral Office employee had suggested to him to open an Identity Card Office in Gozo. Within a few days this suggestion became a reality. Centrally situated premises formerly occupied an MMU Milk Bar became vacant and were soon earmarked for the new office. Mr Grech himself helped with the refurbishment of this new I.D. Card Office premises. Throughout the years certain difficulties were not lacking, but Mr Grech never looked backwards. This Government Office is of great utility to the public in general and to all the citizens who make use of the services it offers, services not only for Gozitans but for the Maltese and foreigners alike.After the General Elections of 1981, Mr Joe Grech was the only employee at the Gozo Branch Office. After the period of five or six years the number of employees increased. During the years this Electoral/I.D. Card Office was given a facelift and furnished with modern office equipment as it befits every public office in the present modern days, such as a photocopier, fax, computers, air-conditioner and as lately also a digital camera and printer. Throughout the years Mr. Joe Grech worked with several Electoral Commissioners, among them Dr. Robert Stains, Mr. Joseph Caruana, Dr. Ina Cremona, Mr. Saviour Brincat, Mr. Francis Spiteri, Mr. Vincent Camilleri and recenty with Mr. Salvu Sant, and performed duties during General Elections, Local Council Elections and others. Party pictures: Please Click Here >Back to Gozo News: Please Click Here   http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=800 http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=800 The Agricultural and Industrial Show held annually on August 14-15 at the Rundle Gardens in Victoria-Gozo. Locally, is also known as.”Il-Wirja ta' Santa' Marija”. This is a very ancient agriculture and industrial event.The present show was founded in 1885. The show’s roots, however, run deeper than that. In his diary for 1738, the historian G.P. Agius de Soldanis records: “On this day – August 15 a fair is held in Gozo with all fruit one could wish for, toys and other small fancy articles and trinkets”. The same diary hints that the agricultural exposition was held along the wide steep street leading from Main Square It-Tokk up to the Citadel in Victoria. Exhibits must have been displayed on the side of the steps and the adjacent slopes. The show in its present form was held for the first time in 1855, at the premises of the Government School in Vajringa Street, Victoria. In 1943 the show was transferred to Villa Rundle Public Gardens, where it is still held. This year the Agriculture and Industrial Show, organized by a special committee, was also held in the grounds of these gardens, where fruits and other products of agriculture, birds, poultry, cattle and animals, as well as locally manufactured goods where exhibited. Hundreds of prizes were awarded for the best items in each section.Every year, this annual event in Gozo attracts huge crowds, not only local people but also Maltese people cross by ferry to Gozo from the main land Malta among them huge crouds of foreigners to see the best produce of an island proud of it’s ancient lore and hard-working country folk. View pictures: Please Click Here Back to Gozo News: Please Click Here http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=755 http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=755 The fifth edition of the Gozo Trade Fair, organised by the Gozo Business Chamber, was held during the first weekend of June at the Gozo Sports Complex, Victoria, Gozo. Maltacom, was the fair's main sponsor. Trade fair committee chairman Charlie Axiak, said that the main aim of the fair is to increase and promote new and existing businesses in Gozo. This year's fair offered the visitor a large choice of products and services, ranging from Gozo crafts to household goods and decorations. An Italian delegation of businessmen from Massafra, Taranto, led by Dr Guiseppe Spera also took part. Dr Michael Caruana, president of the Gozo Business chamber, announced that the chamber is organising the Gozo Business Awards as of this year. These awards are to serve as an incentive for distinguished Gozitan businesses. Dr Caruana encouraged more Gozitan businesses to become members of the chamber, which is always striving to improve the business environment. He also mentioned that the chamber has just made arrangements with a specialised company to provide its services to the members and help them make use of European funds to further develop their business. Back to Gozo News: Please Click Here http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=750 http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=750 By Barbara Bode Nearly a thousand Maltese/Americans from across the United States and Canada crowded into the crypt church of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, on Sunday, May 28th, for the blessing of the Oratory of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu. For Mgr. Benedict Camilleri of Gharb Gozo, rector emeritus of Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary, it as the goal he’d been working towards for more than six years. Bringing this powerfully moving mosaic of Ta’ Pinu to this small chapel in the National Shrine, he thanked everyone who’d helped him along the way. “No matter where they are in the world”, Mgr Camilleri intoned, “Maltese thing of the word of Mary. She and Christianity saw us through the Great Seige of 1565 and the bombardment of World War ll. Not only did she protect us, she has led us to live good spiritual lives. Mary, You are the Glory of Malta, the reason why we are gathered here today, where so many immigrants have come to make a living. Just as Malta is a small island but precious jewel for the world, so is this small shrine a jewel to honour the glory of Mary, the Mother of our country”. The Bishop of Gozo Mgr. Mario Grech, applying the lessons of the Gospel, pointed out that Christian people today should not be solely looking into the heavens but, rather, looking around for meaning in the world. We have a very similar problem to that of the early men of Galilee, if we’re looking too much up at the sky, we lose the vision of God back to the world, back to the market-place… but not the marketplace of modern ideas. “Today, as in ages past, modern occurrences are recorded. Will future readers see that like the early disciples, we risk losing the vision of the beauty of God? Are we so intensely involved in daily activities that we are letting ourselves get carried away by worldly, material concerns? Will they see we have sacrificed the vertical dimension of human life for the horizontal? Yesterday’s acts have a message for today,” Bishop Grech emphasized. “It’s the message entrusted to Carmela Grima in 1883 at the Chapel of Ta’ Pinu, the message of Mary’s ascension into heaven that become dogma, thanks to Pope Pius Xlll. This story, this history, is not a legend. Throughout the years, Church authorities have continued to encourage parishioners to seek spiritual solace at Ta’ Pinu. “You brothers and sisters of Malta have scattered this truth across these North American countries and the world, this dogma of faith, that something extraordinary has taken place… not just in 1883, but now, today,” the Bishop proclaimed. Turning to address the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Theodore McCarrack, Bishop Grech noted that here in the National Shrine the Cardinal has given this small room, this small chapel, to Ta’ Pinu, It will serve as a reminder that “we Maltese tell all we firmly believe Mary was taken up to heaven, followed her Sun, anticipating our faith that we will follow”. He continued: “our faith gives a special tone to all our beliefs that we carry out and about and around the world. Like Mary, we need to be oriented toward heaven, open to God. Our faith provides a different tonality to our personal, family and social lives. We serve in the countries in which we live, wherever we live, because we are all servants of God. Today’s acts and ways of living are our holistic vision, we are not just staring up into the sky.” Cardinal McCarrack also commented that Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu is also Our Lady of Vocations. He expressed the hope that her powerful effect will inspire young people to join the Church as novices and seminarians. Mgr. Walter R. Rossi, rector of the National Shrine, pointed out that the Cardinal, is a strong supporter of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural shrines and oratories that represent the changing face of America. He thanked both Bishop Grech and the Bishop of Kansas City, who serves on the board of the National Shrine, for their participation and help in making this such a wonderful ceremony. The Cardinal and the Bishops and officiating clergy all moved to the back of the church, to the small chapel of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu and, in blessing it, commemorated the ascension of the Lord (whose commemoration fell that day) and our Lady into heaven. For more pictures: Please Click Here Back to Gozo News: Please Click Here http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=733 http://www.joegrech.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=733 A DATE TO REMEMBER: 29th April, 2006 By Anton F. AttardApril 29th, 2006 is a red-letter day for the Leone Philharmonic Society of Victoria. It is the Fiftieth Anniversary from the donation of the Statue of the Assumption of Our Lady to the Cathedral Church of Gozo. Great celebrations are expected to take place both on this date and during the festivities that are held in August of the same year. On January 15th, 1956, an ad hoc delegation was set up headed by Dr. Francesco Masini, LL.D, Messrs Louis Abela and Joseph Vella Muskat as members, and negotiations with the Bishop Mgr. J. Pace started soon after. The first agreement was signed on April 4th, 1956, The main proposal was to donate the titular statue of the Assumption to the Cathedral Church. After protracted negotiations with Bishop Pace an agreement was finally reached. On April 20th, 1956, the Committee of Leone Band submitted a formal request to the Bishop to donate the statue of the Assumption to the Cathedral on condition that it would be taken out in procession every year on August 15th with the exclusive participation of the Leone Band. A procurator to organize the internal festivities was also to be nominated by the Bishop himself. In addition to this the Cathedral was to start functioning again as a Parish Church on a larger scale. The role of a Parish Church revived In this regard, it is to be noted that the Cathedral never stopped functioning as a Parish Church. However, since its Archpriest performed his parochial duties from St. George’s Parish Church, in this respect its role as a Parish Church was very much diminished. With the new arrangements reached with the Bishop, a new brighter era for the Cathedral Church was about to begin. The role of the Cathedral as a Parish Church was to be revived for the benefit of all its parishioners. Then, Bishop Pace formally accepted the Leone Committee’s request on April 27th. The public ceremony of the donation of the statue to the Cathedral Church was therefore scheduled for Sunday, April 29th, 1956, Special Celebrations April 28th,1956 the statute of Santa Maria was exhibited in the entrance hall of the Band Club than in Archpriest Cassar Street. It was adorned with a new girdle and an expensive necklace presented by the parishioners. Unfortunately Sunday morning of April 29th, 1956 happened to be a very windy day that almost ruined much of the street decorations that were prepared for the occasion. At 4.15 p.m. the Leone Band started playing band marches from Archpriest Cassar Street and moved slowly towards Sabina Square. When the statue of the Assumption reached Sabina Square there were huge crowds that thronged the whole square. The police had a difficult task to make way for the procession that came down from the Cathedral Church. A little later his Lordship the Bishop of Gozo Mgr. Pace arrived and the Leone Band played the Anthem of His Holiness Pope. When all participants were seated in their places, the President of the Organizing Committee, Mr Joseph Tabone, delivered as speech for the occasion. Immediately after the speech, His Lordship the Bishop of Gozo blessed the statue in the presence of the Right Rev. Mgr. Salvatore Attard, Prel. Dom., Spiritual Director of the Leone Band. Following a fanfare played by the trumpets of Leone Band and the loud applause from all the people present, a huge fireworks display was let off from the ditch around the fortifications and the procession started wending its way up to the Citadel. The procession from Sabina Square to the Cathedral was led by the Archdeacon of the Cathedral, the Right Rev. Mgr. Paul Cauchi. Participating in this procession were all the religious communities of Victoria, the seminarians, the clergy and the Cathedral Chapter. In the middle of the procession was the statue of Santa Maria, and just in front of the statue there was the Leone Band who played religious music and hymns dedicated to Our Lady which were sung by a choir of young children. Bishop Pace receives the statue When the procession arrived at the Cathedral, the statue was greeted and received by the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Joseph Pace, who waited at the main entrance to the Church. When the statue of Santa Maria entered the Cathedral, the Ave Maris Stella and the Antiphon of the Assumption were sung followed by Benediction. The participating music was under the direction of the Right Rev. Mgr. Joseph Debrincat. Inscriptions In commemoration of these celebrations, the Leone Philharmonic Society set up two inscriptions composed in Maltese, one by the Archdeacon of the Cathedral, the Right Rev. Mgr. Paul Cauchi, at Sabina Square, and the other by Mr George Attard at the main entrance leading to the Leone Band Club Premises. Another inscription in Latin was composed by the Right Rev. Mgr. Salvatore Attard and was affixed close to the main entrance to the Gozo Cathedral. A Special Concert for the Occasion. These festive celebrations were concluded by a musical and vocal concert at the Main Square It-Tokk; now Independence Square. The Leone Band was under the direction of Mro. Willie Attard. Mr Nazzareno Refalo (Tenor) and Miss Hilda Tabone (Soprano) took part. During the following three days celebrations were held at the Cathedral church on the occasion of the First of the fifteen Wednesdays prior to the feast of the Assumption August 15th. The statue of Santa Maria remained exhibited in church for the veneration of the public. It was surrounded by a large quantity of flowers, and lighted candles, and two large bouquets presented by Paul Grech (Xewkija) and Lewis Borg (Sannat). This year, 2006, the 50th Anniversary of this historical event, the Leone Philharmonic Society is holding special celebrations to mark the occasion. More pompous celebrations will also be organized for the Feast of Assumption, August 15th. Back to Gozo News: Please Click Here