05 DEC 08 DIOCESAN MISSION MEETING

In preparation for the Diocesan Mission 2009 in Gozo, meetings are being held in all parishes in Gozo on Fridays alternating with meetings at Ta’ Pinu National Marian Shrine. The fifth such meeting in Xaghra was held on Friday 5 December 2008 and the subject was The Love of Christ Drives us. 2 Cor 5,14. The Parish welcomed H. L. Bishop Mario Grech who presided over this meeting. With other members of Xaghra Clergy and the two exponents of the evening’s subjects, Fr Egidio Mizzi Ofm Conv. and Fr. Giovanni Curmi the Bishop walked in procession from the Sacristy to the High Altar carrying the Bible. On arrival there, he placed the Bible, the Word of God, on the ambone and incensed it. After introductory prayers, His Lordship invited the congregation to unite in prayer and reap the benefits of the Diocesan Mission. Lessons were read and Psalm 145 was sung. Fr. Egidio Mizzi Ofm. Conv. then gave a Bibilical exposition. He was followed by Fr. Giovanni Curmi who gave a Catechetical exposition. Moments of silence and meditation followed. The animator, Ms Maria Attard, whilst thanking all those present for turning up, notified them that next meeting was to be held at Ta’ Pinu Basilica on Friday 2 January 2009. His Lordship then gave his Blessings with the Word of God held high.

30 NOV 08 XANDRU L-ISKARPAN - KUMMIEDJA ATT 3

IT-TIELET ATT Fl-ahhar att insibu lill-familja ta’ Xandru mhassbin ghax issa ghalaq gimgha l-isptar. Maghhom hemm ukoll Jerry u Dora. Guljetta kienet wehida ghax l-gharus kien ghadu ma dahalx id-dar. Jidhol it-tabib u jghidilhom li l-inkwiet mhux sew ghal Xandru. Imbaghad jitfacca Wenzu, li jkun illarga, b’sorra hwejjeg u Xandru warajh. Kulhadd imur fuqu jghannqu. Meta telaq kulhadd, Xandru ntefa’ komdu fuq is-sufan waqt li Grezzja ghamliltlu te. Meta qaltlu jmur ghat-te fil-kcina Xandru qalilha tehodulu fis-salott. Ghall-ewwel Grezzja ma riditx minhabba li kien fuq is-sufan izda mbaghad accettat x’hin ratu se jitbaqbaq. Xandru u Grezzja bdew jitkellmu dwar l-gharus ta’ Guljetta. Ftehmu li Grezzja torqod ma’ Guljetta u Xandru ma’ l-gharus fil-kamra tas-sodda. Ma tantx damu jiddiskutu ghax waslet Guljetta u qaltilhom li l-gharus kien barra. Waqt li Xandru kien dahru lejn il-bieb ta’ barra, Guljetta ddahhal lil Pawl Smith, Amerikan iswed. Grezzja nhasdet x’hin ratu; Xandru dar u kif rah waqa bil-qeghda fuq is-sufan. Lil Guljetta qalilha bla tlaqlieq li ma ghogbux u qalilha tkeccih ‘l barra. Ghalkemm kien jaf xi haga bil-Malti, Pawl ma setax jifhem x’kien qed jigri. Kif rah hekk Xandru ddecieda li Pawl jorqod fil-kamra tal-bejt. Grezzja qaltlu li allura hu, Xandru, kellu jorqod hemm fuq ghax ma kelliex stonku traqqad lil Pawl hemmhekk. Jasal it-tabib jinvistah u Xandru johrog waqt li tidhol Guljetta. Grezzja staqsiet lit-tabib hemmx xi haga biex wiehed mahruq bix-xemx isir abjad. It-tabib taha ingwent biex tidilku bih izda ammoniha li jekk ma jkunx mahruq bix-xemx il-gilda ssir bajda silg. Xandru u Pawl ikunu fis-salott jippruvaw jifhmu lil xulxin. Jigu Grezzja u Guljetta bil-lizar ghal Xandru u dan jahtfu u jitla’ jorqod fil-kamra tal-bejt. Grezzja ippruvat taghti l-ingwent lil Pawl biex jindilek bih izda dan qalilhom li ghalxejn. Qabel imur jorqod resaq fuq Guljetta biex ibusha izda Grezzja kienet pronta tidhol bejniethom biex tifridhom. Meta Pawl mar jorqod, iz-zewg nisa ftehmu li allura jidilkuh huma waqt li jkun rieqed u biex ma jqumx jaghmlu dan fid-dlam. Johorgu jmorru jorqdu ftit. Meta Marie u Wenzu dahlu minn barra, Marie ttawlet lil missierha izda harget tigri mwerwra li missierha miet ghax ratu iswed. Dahal Wenzu u wkoll ikkonferma li Xandru kien iswed imma kien ghadu haj. Fil-pront jidhlu Grezzja u Guljetta ghax semghu l-ghajjat u kkonvincewhom li dak kien Pawl ghax missierhom tela’ jorqod fil-kamra tal-bejt. Kulhadd imur lura ghar-rqad. Jidhol Xandru jitghawweg u jokrob li kisser dahru rieqed fuq l-injam. Jidhol Pawl u Xandru jispicca jibghatu jorqod fuq biex hu jmur jorqod fuq is-sodda tieghu, u hekk sar, Pawl fil-kamra tal-bejt u Xandru fil-kamra tas-sodda. Jidhlu Grezzja u Guljetta nkiss nkiss ifesfsu f’widnejn xulxin. Grezzja zzomm il-flixkun ta’ l-ingwent u Guljetta tilbes l-ingwanti tal-lastiku. Wara l-missjoni taghhom tad-dlik, marru jorqdu. Fil-ghodu Marie u Wenzu jiltaqghu fis-salott. Wenzu qalilha li kien se jmur jaqta’ l-kurzita rax hazin fil-ghaxija izda billi kien bezghan dahlet Marie hdejn missierha. F’daqqa wahda bidet twerzaq u harget tigri tghajjat li missierha kien abjad silg u kien qed imut. Wenzu mar jigri ghat-tabib u jsejjah l-ambulanza waqt li tasal Grezzja tistaqsi ghaliex dak l-ghajjat kollu fil-ghodu. Meta qaltilha b’dak li rat Grezzja ferhet u qaltilha li dak li rat kien Pawl ghax sar abjad. Li Xandru kien qed imut kien kollu tort tieghu ghax ma kellux imur jorqod fil-kamra tal-bejt ghall-ksieh. Meta qaltilha li Pawl raqad fil-kamra tal-bejt u Xandru fil-kamra tas-sodda indunat bil-balbuljata, hassha hazin u ntefghet mitlufa fuq is-sufan. Jaslu Xandru u Pawl jaslu u kif Xandru ra lilu nnifsu abjad silg stabat ma’ l-art. Xandru jehduh bl-ambulanza li kienet waslet qabel u t-tabib jaghti l-ewwel ghajnuna lil Grezzja.

30 NOV 08 XANDRU L-ISKARPAN - KUMMIEDJA ATT 2

IT-TIENI ATT Fit-tieni att, ghal darb’ohra nsibu lil Grezzja tiknes, tfarfar u teqred. Qalet li dak in-nhar kienet se tmur il-Beltu tixtri salott mill-isbah. Jidhol Xandru jokrob b’ugigh ta’ ras ghax raqad fjakk. Grezzja qaltlu li f’nofs in-nhar kienet se tkun il-Belt tixtri salott gdid. Wahdu Xandru beda jgerger li slopp kellhom taht is-sodda u qatt ma juzawh u Grezzja ma kellhiex ghal fejn tmur u tixtri iehor gdid. Jidhol Wenzu jaqra u Xandru staqsih ikunx jara l-istampi. Wenzu ta l-ktieb lil missieru li kif qabdu beda jistaghgeb ghax ra karozza maqluba u staqsa mietx xi hadd. Ibnu qallu li l-ktieb kien bil-maqlub f’idejh u mhux il-karozza. Johrog Xandru u tidhol Marie. Qaltlu x’gara meta gie l-gharus id-dar u bidet tibki. Tidhol Grezzja u qalet lil Marie tmur maghha l-Belt jixtru salott. Johrog kulhadd u tidhol Guljetta b’rasha tugaghha. Fil-pront jidhol Xandru wkoll jokrob b’ugigh ta’ ras. Guljetta qaltlu li kellha ugigh ta’ ras ghax xorbot hafna fil-party u ltaqghet ma guvni kif jixtiequ hu. Staqsiha hux ginger. Qaltlu li aktarx ginger imma billi kienu fid-dlam ma tantx setghet tarah sew. Qaltlu li l-guvni kien bla xoghol u li kienet qaltlu li missierha kien skarpan. Xandru qalilha li jista jahdem mieghu u ghal dik l-ahbar Guljetta taret bil-ferh. Ftehmu li billi ma kellux fejn joqghod seta jorqod id-dar taghhom fil-kamra ta fuq il-bejt. Billi rasu baqghet tugghu, Guljetta marret ghat-tabib. Ihabbat il-bieb u jidhol ragel li Xandru hasbu t-tabib. Imma dan kien Lorry Cuschieri ta’ l-ghamara li gie bis-salott li xtrat Grezzja. Il-protesti ta’ Xandru ma swew ghal xejn ghax l-ghamara l-antika u l-mejda li kien jiekol fuqha telqu ‘l barra u s-salott il-gdid dahal gewwa d-dar ta’ Xandru. Kif telaq kulhadd, jasal it-tabib u tah gozz pilloli biex jiehu wahda kull siegha. Xandru jhalli l-pilloli fuq il-mejda u hu u t-tabib johorgu. Jidhol Wenzu mat-tfajla tieghu Dora izda ma damx ma mar ifittex lil ommu f’idejh bil-pilloli ta missieru f’idejh ghax kien hallihom warajh. Wara li hareg Wenzu, Xandru jidhol b’tazza f’idu. Meta Dora qaltlu li hi habiba ta’ Lorry (Wenzu) dan haseb li dik kienet il-habiba ta’ Lorry ta’ l-ghamara u haseb li gejja xi kamra tas-sodda issa. Jidhol Wenzu u meta staqsietu min kien dak ir-ragel (Xandru) quddiemhom mifxul qalilha li kien is-seftur taghhom. Xandru beda jghajjat ma’ Lorry biex ikecci lil dik il-mara ‘l barra. Meta mar igiblu l-pilloli, Xandru qal lil Dora li hu kien missier Lorry taghha! Meta gie lura Wenzu u ta l-pilloli lil missieru, Dora qaltlu li issa taf li s-seftur kien missieru ghax qalilha hu stess. Fil-pront jidhlu Grezzja u Marie. Marie qalet lil Lorry li hi u l-gharus regghu rrangaw bejniethom. Wenzu qal lil ommu li Dora taf b’kollox min kien missieru ghax qalilha Xandru nnifsu! Hawn bdiet tahwida shiha. Xandru jmur ghal genb u jibla l-pilloli kollha f’daqqa. Wara ftit jibda jdur u jaghqad jikkomplejna bi hruq fl-istonku u jistabat ma’ l-art. X’gara u kif spiccat din il-kummiedja naraw fit-Tielet u l-ahhar Att.

30 NOV 08 XANDRU L-ISKARPAN - KUMMIEDJA ATT 1

Ghal darb’ohra, fis-sala tac-Cirklu taz-Zghazagh giet ipprezentata l-kummiedja brillanti ta’ Karmnu Bajada “Xandru l-Iskarpan”. Din saret fil-15 u 16 ta’ Novembru izda minhabba domanda kbira giet imtellgha t-tielet darba l-Hadd 30 ta’ Novembru. Is-Sur Bajada issa huwa maghruf sew ghad-drammi u kummiedji li kiteb u permezz taghhom qed jaghti hajja gdida lill-palk gewwa x-Xaghra. Il-kawza li ghaliha saru l-prezentazzjonijet hija l-Festa tal-Bambina bil-fondi jmorru ghand il-Kumitat tal-Fund Raising. Il-kummiedja tinvolvi lill-familja ta’ Xandru, skarpan tajjeb hafna izda miskin ma kienx jinqala mhux biss biex jitkellem b’lingwa ohra izda anke l-Malti li jisma kien ihawwdu. L-ewwel att ilaqqghana ma’ Grezzja, mart Xandru tnaddaf u teqred li m’ghandhom xejn suret in-nies god-dar. Sadanittant Xandru jidher mitluf jiekol. Qaltlu li t-tifla Marie kienet qed tkellem guvni, Jerry, anzi gharusa u xtaqet iggibu d-dar imma kienet qed tisthi minhabba l-hmieg li kellhom. Xandru beda jitbaqbaq go fih ghall-kummenti ta’ Grezzja u spicca kien ghoddu xeraq meta fil-pront tidhol Marie tistaqsi lil ommha ghaliex kienet qed tgerger. Xandru qalilha tghid lill-gharus li t-tibjid kien itellghalu l-pressjoni u ghalhekk kollox kien niezel bicca bicca. Marie qalet lil missierha li minn dak il-hin kienet se tibda ssejjahlu papa’ u mhux missier, hu kellu isejhilha Mary u lil ommha Gracie. Xandru staqsieha kienx ginger, ma tantx ghogbitu li ma kienx. Jispiccaw iwaqqfuh f’nofs l-ikla, jaqilghuh minn fuq il-mejda u Marie tiehdu halli jilbes libsa u ngravata! Hawn jidhol it-tifel Wenzu, li kien jistudja ghal Avukat, mifxul jaqra. Qal lil ommu ma ssejjahlux iktar Wenzu ghax l-Universita’ kienu qed jidhqu bih allura qalilha tibda ssejjahlu Lorry. Meta ommu qaltlu li dik il-lejla kien gej l-gharus ta’ Marie, Wenzu qalilha li hu ukoll kien ilu sena jkellem tfajla bint avukat imma qatt ma kien se jdahhalha go darhom minhabba l-mizerja li kienet fiha. Qalilha li staha jghidliha li missieru kien skarpan u allura qalilha li kien tabib. Ommu qaltlu jghid il-verita’. Waqt li Xandru wieqaf fuq siggu jibdel il-purtieri tidhol bla hsejjes it-tifla z-zghira Guljetta u kif tkellmu, Xandru jaqa fl-art bil-qata. Wara li qalilha ghal xhiex qed ibiddlu l-purtieri, Guljetta qaltlu li hi tkellem hafna imma just for fun. Titlaq Guljetta, tidhol Grezzja u wara ftit tasal Marie ma’ Jerry. Mill-ewwel Xandru qallu li m’ghandux pjacir bih li minhabba fih li kellu jilbes il-libsa. Meta rawh ihawwad, Grezzja telqet b’Xandru ‘l barra. Marie qalet lil Jerry li missierha kien skrivan man-Navy, dejjem fuq il-bahar. Tidhol Grezzja u waqt li Marie marret iggib drink lil Jerry, Grezzja qaltlu li Xandru qatt ma mar fuq il-bahar f’ghomru. Jidhol Xandru u jghid li hu skarpan. Hawn Jerry jghid lil Marie li din gidbitlu u jitlaq ‘l barra ma jridx jaf biha. Marie titlaq tigri tibki u tinghalaq fil-kamra tal-banju.

16 NOV 08 FEAST OF ST FORTUNATUS

02 NOV 08 PILGRIMAGE TO CEMETERY

The Universal Church celebrates All Souls Day on the second day in November. The faithful departed are specially remembered and prayers offered for the repose of their souls. On that day, priests celebrate not one but three Masses. This year, falling on a Sunday, the usual Mass schedule was observed. However, at 4.30 p.m. the Vespers started being sung in the Basilica. Afterwards, a pilgrimage, led by the Archpriest and members of the clergy, left the Basilica on foot heading for the Parish cemetery a mile away. Many parishioners took part and attended Mass concelebrated in the small chapel at the village cemetery. At end of Mass, the Archpriest blessed the tombs which were decorated with flowers and burning candles. He also blessed the old cemetery where the remains of the victims of the plague which struck Xaghra 1814 lie buried.

30 OCT 08 CAN MICHAEL BORG RECTOR OF ST PAUL'S CHURCH MARSALFORN

Nifirhu lill-Kanonku Dun Mikel Borg mix-Xaghra li l-E.T. Mons. Isqof Mario Grech ghogbu jahtru Kappillan tal-Knisja ta’ San Pawl, Marsalforn, li taghmel parti mill-Parrocca ta’ Marija Bambina x-Xaghra. Huwa jiehu minn idejn Dun Mariano Zammit li ghal zmien twil serva b’success f’din il-kariga. Dun Mikiel Borg li ghandu 63 sena kien ordnat Sacerdot fit-30 ta’ Mejju 1970 u huwa Kanonku tal-Kollegata tal-Parrocca tax-Xaghra. Gie mahtur Kappillan tal-Parrocca ta’ San Lawrenz fejn serva ghal 29 sena. Jokkupa l-pozizzjoni ta’ delegat ta’ l-Isqof fuq il-Caritas. Huwa nvolut f’diversi Ghaqdiet sew fix-Xaghra kif ukoll fil-parrocca ta’ San Gwann Battista x-Xewkija fejn anke jaghti servizz ta’ quddies. Fost l-Ghaqdiet Komunitarji li jmexxi nsibu dik ta’ Padre Pio fix-Xaghra u ohra Ewkaristika. Jaghti sehem kbir bi programmi ta’ kuljum fuq ir-radju komunitarju tax-Xaghra, Radju Bambina. Lill-Kappillan il-gdid ta’ Marsalforn nawgurawlu AD MULTOS ANNOS.

26 OCT 08 THANKSGIVING MASS SR GEORGANNE MARIE SULTANA

Two years ago, 23 year old Melissa Sultana from Xaghra, joined the Ursuline Religious Congregation in Sliema. Melissa comes from a big family but in joining the Ursuline Sisters she chose to heed God’s call to care for a bigger family of children under the care of the Sisters. On Saturday 25th October 2008 she professed her first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience attached to her vocation. The ceremony took place in the Holy Family Church of the Ursuline Sisters in in Sliema. As from that moment Melissa chose to be known as Sr Georganne Marie, taking on her parents’ names. In a moving liturgical ceremony, she received her new habit, a cross, the Ursuline Sisters' Constitutions and Rule and a Crown of Flowers from the hands of Xaghra Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo. On Sunday the day after, at Maria Bambina Basilica in Xaghra, her place of birth, Sr Georganne Marie attended a Mass of Thanksgiving to God for her first profession. Accompanied by her family and in a Church packed with the faithful, relatives and friends, she attended Mass celebrated by Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Archpriest of Xaghra with nine other priests co-celebrating and Xaghra’s three deacons taking part. Sr Georganne Marie led the procession to the altar holding a lit candle in hand which she placed on the altar. Many rows of front pews were reserved for her mother, brothers and sisters, their spouses and their children. Three nieces read the Lessons and the Psalms, Rev Deacon Anthony Bajada read the Gospel. During his homily, Mgr Refalo, dwelt on the nobility of her vocation, a fulfilled life instead of a wasted one and her courage to say yes to the Lord's call. After the homily, Sr Georganne Marie proceeded to the ambone from where she paid thanks to the Lord for all He bestowed upon her and which were instrumental in nourishing her vocation. Among these were her parents, her relatives, the Parish Community of Xaghra, her teachers and many others. Three nephews and four nieces read the bidding prayers. The procession with the offerings was led by two very young nieces who carried a cross and a Bible. They were followed by her brothers and sisters and finally her mother and herself. Her young nieces held a soft toy to be offered to the children under her care. After Mass, Sr Georganne Marie followed the co-celebrants in procession to the niche housing the statue of Maria Bambina, Our Lady of Victory. A short prayer was said at the end of which, Sr. Georganne Marie, accompanied by Mgr Refalo, placed a bouquet of white flowers, matching her new habit, in front of the image of Maria Bambina. Seminarian Simon Cauchi animated Mass, the choir Schola Cantorum Jubilate under the direction of Marouska Attard with Stephen Attard on the organ animated the singing. Money collected during Mass was offered to the religious institution, that is the Ursuline Congregation, to which Sr Georganne Marie now belongs.

12 0CT 08 SYDNEY FAREWELL DAY FOR CAN JOSEPH SULTANA

Time was now running out fast for Canon Joseph Sultana to leave Sydney and Australia and return to Xaghra. Sunday 12th October was programmed as Farewell Day. It started at 11.00 a.m. with a picnic for families at the Park in Nurragingy Reserve, a passive recreation and bushland area covering ninety hectares in the heart of the city of Blacktown and Western Sydney. It was a bright and sunny day with lots of food and drink. When it was dessert time, Canon Sultana was called to cut a “Bon Voyage" cake which he willingly did and those present willingly helped themselves to it. At 5.00 p.m. a more solemn ceremony awaited him at St John the Evangelist Church in Riverstone. There he celebrated Mass and had time to say goodbye to those present who afterwards approached him to bid him farewell. As expected, most of the Congregation was of Xaghrin Australians. No time to lose as at 6.30 p.m. another appointment with more Xaghrin at the Hamrun Social Club was awaiting him. There he had the occasion of meeting more Xaghrin who went there to wish him bon voyage. In photos E8 and E9 he is seen on stage receiving a farewell message and him replying, thanking everybody for the hospitality shown to him. The Hamrun Club Committee showed their appreciation for his visit with a streamer welcoming him to the Club. The Club has strong ties with Xaghrin in Sydney and Canon Sultana’s visit must have strengthened that good relationship. Canon Joseph Sultana will be leaving Australia sentimentally overweight with memories of so many happy moments which he will carry with him for a very, very long time. He may be also returning physically overweight after so many days of breakfasting, lunching and dining and we augur that he will shed that in a very short time. Photos are courtesy of Mrs Michelle Said to whom we are grateful.

06 OCT 08 FEAST ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI AT NAZZARENU MASS AND PROCESSION

The Church of Jesus of Nazareth, on the outskirts of Xaghra and over 1 kilometre away from the Parish Church, has annexed to it a Convent where a Community of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus reside. It is to be expected then that they celebrate the feast of the founder of the Franciscans, St. Francis of Assisi. Mass starting at 6.30 p.m. was celebrated by another Franciscan, Fr George Bugeja ofm, from Xaghra, currently Fr Guardian of St Anthony's Church of Mgarr, Gozo. Concelebrating with him were the Rector of the Church, Can Anthony Refalo Rapa, Fr Mark Demanuele MSSP and Can Joseph Sultana. The guitar Group of the Church animated the singing. After Mass, the statue of the Saint of Assisi was taken in procession along the main streets of the area.

06 OCT 08 FEAST ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI AT NAZZARENU BLESSING OF ANIMALS

After Mass and procession, the statue was placed on the parvis. Rector Canon Refalo briefly dwelt on the life of St Francis of Assisi and his love for the environment and nature and exhorted all those present to care for animals. Fr George Bugeja ofm then blessed all those present and went round blessing their pets which they had with them in Church and which they had carried during the procession . Everybody present was then treated to refreshments.

05 OCT 08 FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

The feast of Our Lady of The Rosary is celebrated in Xaghra on the first Sunday in October. So this year this was the 5th of October. Concelebration started at 5.00 p.m., the principal celebrant being Mgr Paul Cardona, Archpriest of the Parish of St George, Victoria. Concelebrating with him were Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Archpriest Emeritus Mgr Eucaristico Sultana, Canons Anthony Refalo, John Bartolo, Joseph Sultana, Anthony Refalo Rapa, John Sultana, Julian Refalo Rapa, Fr Daniel Xerri and Fr Salv Sultana. The Voci Angeliche Choir under the direction of Grace Vella and accompanied on the organ by Deacon the Rev. Joseph Curmi, animated the singing. Carmen Bajada played the role of Mass animator. At 6.00 p.m. procession with the artistic statue of Our Lady of The Rosary left the Basilica in procession. This statue was made in Marseilles, France, and was blessed on 12th April 1903. It shows the Madonna with Baby Jesus on her arm handing the Rosary to St Dominic seen kneeling on her right. St Michael the Archangel is on her left running a sword through the dragon, symbolizing the power of the Rosary over evil. In the procession all three confraternities took part. The statue was followed by the Piccolo Clero, the Clergy and the Collegiate Chapter. Behind then walked Mgr Paul Cardona carrying the reliquary of the Madonna. The Congregation who attended Mass were joined by other faithful and walked at the tail of the procession which passed through Triq 28 t'April 1688, Pjazza Sant'Anton, Triq San Guzepp and the upper part of Triq il-Knisja. When the procession was inside the Basilica, Benediction with the Holy Eucharist was imparted by Mgr Paul Cardona.

04 OCT 08 CAN SULTANA AT LA VALETTE SOCIAL CLUB

Michelle Said sent the photos of the visit of Canon Joseph Sultana to the La Valette Social Club on Saturday 4 October 2008. First he celebrated Mass at St Francis Chapel, the day the feast of St Francis of Assisi was being celebrated worldwide. He then visited the La Valette Social Club where he met many Xaghrin there.

02 OCT 08 ANIMAL AWARENESS DAY CELEBRATING FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

The liturgical feast of St Francis of Assisi falls on the 4th day of October. This year, falling on a Saturday, Patri Mattew Sultana School celebrated it on Thursday 2 October. As part of Animal Awareness Day, an exhibition of paintings and posters raised by the schoolchildren was held in the School's foyer. In them the children expressed their thoughts on animal welfare and showed their love for animals. In the afternoon, parents brought the children's pets to school and handed them over to the pupils. There was a vast range of pets, from the bigger ones the dogs and the cats to the smaller ones tortoises and birds. School Assitant Head Ms Mary Anne Zammit introduced the ceremony. The Spiritual Director, Canon Anthony Refalo, briefly touched on the life of St Francis and his love for animals and the environment. A statue of the Saint was for the first time exhibited. This was kindly lent for the occassion by the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus of Xaghra. Canon Refalo then recited prayers, blessed the children and went round sprinkling holy water on the pets.

02 OCT 08 CEMETERY EXTENSION PROGRESS REPORT

Reports on works on the cemetery extension can be seen dated 19th February, 30th May and 5th June 2008. This report on the progress of the works extends up to Saturday 11th October. As can be seen from the photos, great progress was made since the June report. The base and foundations of the side wall of the extension is now complete. An important development was the delicate work removing the side wall. This was on the verge of crumbling down threatening to bring down with it the graves situated on the right hand side. This was successfully removed and a wide steel reinforced concrete wall erected in its place, thus the graves are now secure. This side of the front section is now complete. When the whole wall on the side behind the chapel is similarly replaced work proper on the extension and the building of graves will start. The side wall will be arched, as can be seen from the last six pictures and marble stones will be erected under these arches.

20 SEP 08 SYDNEY FESTA TAL-VITORJA

The Xaghra Bambina Feast in Sydney took off with a Dinner Dance held on 20th September 2008. This year's guest of honour was Canon Joseph Sultana from Xaghra, presently occupying the post of Vicar of the Cathedral Parish in Victoria. Wherever he went, Fr Sultana received a warm welcome as can be attested from the photos sent to us by Mrs Josephine Bigeni and Mr Monty Sultana and to whom we are grateful.

08 08 08 XAGHRA PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

08 AUG 08 XAGHRA PILGRIMS IN LOURDES On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady the Immaculate Conception to Bernadette Soubirous from Lourdes, Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Archpriest of Xaghra led over forty parishioners, including Xaghra emigrants in Australia, on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Among them were Monty Sultana and his wife Jean from Sydney. Thanks to Monty, the event is brought to you in his pictures. Mgr Archpriest was accompanied by Fr Saviour Sultana. In Lourdes they were accomodated in the Christina Hotel. All pilgrims were extremely satisfied with the tour arrangements as programmed and expressed their appreciation for Archpriest Refalo. The pilgrims left Xaghra for Lourdes on Thursday 31 July, returning to Xaghra on Thursday 7 August 2008. We are grateful to Monty Sultana for the pictures.

01 SEPT 08 THE CANONS OF THE FIRST COLLEGIATE CHAPTER

These are the first members forming the Chapter when the Parish was raised to the title of Collegiate

31 AUG 08 VICTORY BAND CELEBRATES 110th ANNIVERSARY

In the year 1898 the Societa Filarmonica La Vittoria was founded in Xaghra. This was the first village band in Gozo. Today, the Victory Band celebrated the event of 110 years ago with a ceremony in the morning. Led by ex Presidents of the Society, the band marched up Church Street to the Club premises in Maria Bambina Street, near Ta Kola Windmill. Speeches were made by the President Mr Eucharist Sultana and Xaghra Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo. Two marble plaques were unveiled, one by the President with a list of Presidents who held the office since 1898 and another by Musical Director Mro Joseph Galea L.C.M. listing the names of bandmasters. Later presentations were made to bandsmen with twenty five years of service with the band. Topping the list was Eucharist Camilleri who has been playing the Trombone since 1947! Mro Galea received a present in recognition of his fifteen years directing the Band. Mr George Hazzy a regular visitor to Xaghra, with a soft spot for the Band, presented Mro Galea with Andrew LLoyd Webber's Song Book. This together with many other previous presentations from Mr Hazzy in the past have made the Band Musical archives the richer.

17 AUG 08 FESTA YOUTH GAMES

17 AUG 08 XAGHRA YOUTH GAMES Xaghra, on the island of Gozo, is associated not just with natural beauty but also with prehistory and later ages. Nature regaled it with the islands�€™ most beautiful bay, the golden sandy Ramla, Calypso Cave, stalactite and stalagmite caves and ridges overlooking fertile green valleys. Prehistoric man later left his mark as witnessed by the world renowned Ggantija Temples (considered to be the oldest free standing structures in the world �€�€œ Guinness Book of Records), the Xaghra Circle, the Gebla ta�€™ Sansuna, the remains of the temples of Santa Verna, all bear witness to this. In later years, circa 750 and 650 BC, the Greek epic poet Homer found space in his adventures of the Greek hero, Odysseus, by shipwrecking him on the beach of Xaghra�€™s Ramla bay. All this and other historical events form the basis of the Xaghra Youth Games organized by the Xaghra Youth Centre. This is an annual event preceding the village feast dedicated to the Birth of The Virgin Mary also known as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory. The games depict Xaghra through the ages. Four teams take part in the games each carrying a name associated with different phases in the history of Xaghra. Each team is made up of twelve lads and two from the fairer sex. The four teams are �€�€œ Giganti, Odissini, Sansuniti and SanVernini. They respectively depict the building of the Ggantija temples, the shipwreck of Ulysses on the sandy beach of Ramla and his nine year stay in Calypso Cave, the mysterious rock of the giantess Sansuna and finally the Neolithic remains of Santa Verna. Canon Fr Anthony Refalo, director of the Xaghra Youth Centre was the brains behind these games. Joe Louis Xiberras was again in charge of presenting and compeering the games. Two Maltese judges, had the unenviable task awarded the right points to the right team, a job sometimes not always easy especially when losers have their own and their friends�€™ conflicting judgements. But in the end the judges have their say. This year�€™s winners were the Sanvernini with 30 points followed by Sansuniti 26, Odissini 17, with wooden spoonists Giganti garnering just 13 points. Game 1 BUILDING GGANTIJA TEMPLES In this first game the teams compete to build Ggantija, Neolithic temples older than the Pyramids of Egypt built around the year 3500 B.C. Two lads pull pellets with a boulder on them held by two girls while another lad places rollers under the pellet. A lad carrying a boulder on his back follows. Four competitors are next to carry another boulder. Two others push another boulder using long wooden sticks. In the end a dolmen is carried to complete the temple and a lady priest lights the torch in sacrifice. Winner is the team who succeeds in building his temple in the shortest time. Game 2 ODISSEA In Greek mythology, the great Greek writer, Homer, writes about Ulysses and how he was shipwrecked on the island of Ogygia (Gozo?) on a sandy beach with a cave overlooking it and vines hanging down the cliffs. This description fits well with Ramla Bay on the outskirts of Xaghra with Calypso Cave overlooking it. The Goddess Calypso who lived in this cave fell in love with the strong and courageous sailor and held him for nine long years as her prisoner of love. Ulysses�€™ voyages were full of mishaps and obstacles. In this game, the teams run in boats with sails while opposing teams put obstacles in their way. The first team in deserves the love of Calypso and wins the game. Game 3 RELEASE FROM CAPTIVITY Being in the middle of the Mediterranean, the Maltese islands stood within easy reach of pirates who used to disembark from their galleys, plundering villages and taking away men, women and children as slaves. Gozitans used to ransom them from North African slave markets giving them back their freedom. In this third game an abducted farmer prays to God and the Madonna, known as Maria Bambina, for his release. Through the latter�€™s intervention, he obtained his freedom and kept his promise by installing a statue of the Madonna at his home. In this game, a competitor from each team overcomes four enemy guards and ends up hurling stones at the Sultan. Having succeeded he returns to the starting point from where a girl (the slave) is carried shoulder high to the finishing line. Game 4 THE GREAT SIEGE OF 1565 In May 1565, an armada of the great Ottoman Empire, eager to set foothold on Malta, came to our shores and so started the Great Siege of Malta. Under the command of Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette the locals and the knights, outnumbered ten to one, fought bravely. For five long months the siege went on, one fortification after another falling into the hands of the enemy. When it looked like the islands were on the brink of surrendering, victory came their way and on the 7th September the Turks, beaten and in disarray, retreated to their galleys. On the 8th of September, feast of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, the armada disappeared over the horizon and the first Great Siege of Malta was over. The tower represents Fort St Elmo which was taken over by the Turks after a long and fierce attack. These attacks are re-enacted in this fourth game when competitors climb up the fortifications while opposing lads shower them with balloons filled with water on their way up. Game 5 THE FRENCH OCCUPATION On 10th June 1798, French troops landed in Malta with the aim of annexing the islands to the French Republic. The Knights of Malta capitulated to the French, under the command of the great General Napoleon Bonaparte. On 17th June the Knights left Malta which therefore became French property. Contrary to their promises the French started pilfering the churches of all silver objects. The silver titular statue of the Bambina in the Xaghra Parish Church met this fate and was carried away on board one of the French ships. In this fifth game, two competitors carry a votive candle to the altar. The third man climbs up the side of a French galleon while French sailors pour buckets of water on him in the process. Once on board he climbs up a pole, which is difficult to do as his hands would be all wet. If he succeeds to reach the top, he will take down the French flag. This is a re enactment of the episode when the French were compelled to retreat from the tower they were occupying in Xaghra and which one of their first retreats leading to the end of French rule in Malta lasting only for two years. Game 6 TRADITIONAL HORSE RACING. On festa day, it is a tradition to hold horse races, but in years gone by men competed in races. These are held on a day very near to the village feast, this year on the 5th September, on the main road to Victoria. In this game one follows the competitors racing in relays. The first team in will be declared the winner and receiving the traditional �€�“palju�€. Game 7 FEAST OF OUR LADY OF VICTORY On the 8th of September each year, Xaghra celebrates the titular feast dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin Mary. The day is a public holiday with strong historical ties. It is known also as Our Lady of Victory as Malta�€™s two great Sieges in 1565 and during the Second World War both ended exactly on this day after the population had been praying earnestly to the Virgin Mary. This game depicts the villagers putting up the street decorations, kindling the lights on the Church façade and ending with the best decorated cart for the festa. Each cart will be carrying items in daily use. Game 8 TUG OF WAR Many years ago, on the eve of the feast, bonfires used to light the sky on the outskirts of the village. The winner of the tug of war will have the honour to light this bonfire.