27 DEC 09 - GOLDEN JUBILEE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - JANE GALEA AND ANTHONY BAJADA

The wedding took place on 27th December 1959 at Maria Bambina Collegiate Parish Church, Xaghra, between Jane Galea and Anthony Bajada. Fifty years later, on 27th December 2009, in the same Church now Basilica and kneeling at the feet of the same High Altar, the couple celebrated their Golden Jubilee Wedding happily surrounded by their first and second generation and friends of the family. The principal celebrant at Eucharist Celebration was Canon Michael Borg, cousin of the groom, who, with his brother John, was altar boy during wedding Mass celebrated by the late Canon Fortunato Cini in 1959 . Co celebrating were Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo and Canon Joseph Sultana. Choir Voci Angeliche, under the direction of Mrs Grace Vella accompanied by Mro John Galea on the organ, animated the singing. At a lavish buffet reception afterwards the couple opened gifts presented by their children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. A Jubilee cake was cut and champagne flowed to the applause and enjoyment of all. Our congratulations to Tony and Jane and may this occasion serve to show today’s young married couples that real love built on Christian family values stays young with the passage of time.

27 DEC 09 - INVESTITURE OF FIVE NEW ALTAR BOYS

Before the year is out, normally on the last Sunday of the year, the Piccolo Clero of the Basilica sees new additions. This year the investiture of five boys as the new altar boys took place on Sunday 27th December. The boys were Bajada Daniel, Curmi Neil, Galea Savio, Rapa Joseph and Xerri Matthew. Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo celebrated the Holy Eucharist and officiated at the investiture assisted by Deacon Anthony George Caruana. Seminarian Simon Cachia animated Mass while the Choir of the Altar Boys accompanied by Seminarian Mario Curmi animated the singing. The parents of Daniel Bajada read the Lessons.  On behalf of their colleagues, the parents of Joseph Rapa read the promise that they would groom their sons in their new appointment. The other parents presented the offerings at Mass.

27 DEC 09 - INVESTITURE OF ALTAR BOYS - RECEPTION

26 DEC 09 - FUNERAL LATE CARMEL VELLA

With just two days away for the world to celebrate the joy of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Xaghra was struck with a sad note with the news of the passing away of Carmel Vella on 23 December 2009. Carmel was well known within the community for his long service as a bandsman playing the Sax Alto with the Victory Band besides being an active member sitting for many years on the Club committee. He dedicated a lot of his time working for the betterment of the Society. Struck down by illness, Carmel was never deterred from going on with his work for the Club which he took upon himself as a sacrosanct duty. When because of ill health he had to put aside the musical instrument he was there with other members of the committee in front of the band during the rendering of services. His amiable character was something which would grip those meeting him the first time. And he was a friend not only to the locals but also to the many expatriates who chose to take up residence in Xaghra. He was always available to lend a hand to whoever asked for it. Yet in so doing, Carmel never lost sight of his family to whom he dedicated his life to the full. He was an exemplary husband and father and a religious man. That he loved and was loved was evident during his funeral on Saturday 26 December when the Basilica in Xaghra was packed by mourners who turned up to pay Carmel their last respects. We pray God to grant him the eternal rest he richly deserves and to his widowed Klara and his children Carmel and Catherine and her husband Alan the strength to come to terms with their great loss.

19 DEC 09 - XAGHRA HISTORICAL GROUP RE ENACTMENT IN PAOLA

The Xaghra Historical Re Enactment Group was invited to Milied f Casal Paola, Christmas in Paola Town, to participate in an activity on the 19 December as part of the festivities marking the first centenary of the founding of the Parish of Rahal Il-Gdid, Casal Paola, the town founded by Grand Master Fra Antoine de Paule and named after him. This activity was organized by The Local Council and the Philharmonic Society G.M. Fra Antoine De Paule Banda Kristu Re. Under the charge of Victor Theuma, one of the founders of the Group, the Xaghra contingent comprised eighteen persons in uniform and armour at the time of the Knights. They paraded along the main streets of the town with Grand Master Fra Antoine de Paule marching at the end of the defile. In front of the Kristu Re Band Club, a soldier read the Bann by Grand Master De Paule when founding the town. The Group was given a warm welcome and this occasion will be recorded in gold in the annals of this young group.

16 DEC 09 - FR GEORGE CAMILLERI SJ VISITS THE SENIORS

Fr George Camilleri SJ, a Jesuit missionary in India hailing from Xaghra, is visiting his hometown for a rest. His first appointment was meeting Senior Citizens (he too qualifies for the grade). He willingly accepted the Local Council's invitation to say Mass at the Wednesday meeting at the Day Care Centre of Xaghra. He was given a warm welcome by those attending. After Mass he exchanged his missionary experiences in Kolkata with those present. At one stage, Miss Victoria Said, an active member of the Group Help For The Gozitan Missionary announced that the Group was that day donating Euro 1000 to Fr George to help him in his mission. Fr George expressed warm thanks to the Group and promised his prayers and those of the poor in India who will benefit from their generosity. Fr George will be staying on Gozo until 25 March 2010.

18 NOV 09 - VIATICUM AS OF OLD

MEMORIES OF A BOY LIVING IN THOSE DAYS - UP TO SIXTY FIVE YEARS AGO - Any time of the day or the night the bell known as Tal-Vjatku (the one before the biggest) in the church tower  used to toll to inform the parish that someone was on the brink of death and was going to receive the viaticum at home. Those were the only instances when the Holy Eucharist would leave the church. A priest holding the Blessed Sacrament would travel under a special umbrella, the one seen in these pictures. Preceding him would be boys normally under the age of twelve each carrying a lit lamp (fanal) and one in front ringing a sizeable bell. Many people would follow reciting the Rosary. Arriving at the house of the moribund the faithful would stay waiting outside reciting the Litany and praying for the dying person. Sometimes the moribund's health would have reached such a critical stage that he could not even open his mouth to swallow the Holy Host. In those cases the procession would return to the church where benediction would be imparted before the Holy Host is placed back in the tabernacle. Many times this happened during the night and even on cold and windy ones in winter. The boys may have even gone to bed but they would just the same leave home and go to accompany the viaticum - time, weather and distance were of no concern to them. I remember how had it happened during the day, life in the streets where the viaticum passed through would come to a stanstill until the viaticum passed. People not following would stop and go down on both knees in the dusty and stony streets to pay homage to the Blessed Sacrament. Today is a totally different story. The sick and bedridden receive the Holy Eucharist daily at home by dedicated priests who go round the town every morning, nothing of the above mentioned routine. Photos are courtesy of Marvic Bajada. 

10 NOV 09 - PRAYING FOR VOCATIONS

A group of Seminarists from the Sacred Heart Seminary in Victoria attended evening Mass. Their initiative emanated from their wish to see more young people answering the call of the Lord to follow him. Special prayers were held during the celebration of the Eucharist. In the pictures, Seminarian Stanley Joe Portelli from Nadur is seen during his intervention with thoughts on vocations in a changing world. God still calls but the response from those hearing the call unfortunately is not positive.

CHRISTMAS 2009

08 NOV 09 - FEAST OF ST FORTUNATUS MARTYR

02 NOV 09 - OUR DEPARTED ONES RESTING IN PEACE

FESTA NAZZARENU 2009

18 OCT 09 - REMEMBRANCE OF POPE JOHN PAUL II

The 31st Anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul II to the Papacy and the third anniversary of the inauguration of the National Monument in his honour  was commemorated by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem with Mass at Xaghra Basilica at 11.00 am. Mass was said by Canon George Bezzina, Parish Priest Emeritus of Fontana and Fr John Muscat, both of them Members of the Order. Members of the Order present were Dame Marianne Zammit, Chev. Lawrence Borg, Chev Charles Zammit and Chev Raymond Zammit. New members of the Order, Dame Marija Bovey, Chev Paul M Cassar and Chev Euchar Mizzi were introduced, Chev Chris Bovey being unavoidably absent. Seminarian Simon Cachia animated Mass while Choir Schola Cantorum Jubilate under the direction of Ms Marouska Attard animated the singing.

04 OCT 09 - FEAST OF THE HOLY ROSARY

The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary was celebrated in Xaghra as usual on the first Sunday of October. But that was all that was usual because this year this devout religious celebration centred on the suburb of Nazzarenu.   Nazzarenu celebrates the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday 18 October. However, the Church there is this year celebrating the first centenary of its Blessing in 1909. So, exceptionally for this year, the Feast of the Holy Rosary was held there opening a fortnight of religious and social celebrations.   Mass was held in the open in Triq Mannar, the street on the side of the Church. The artistic statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from the Basilica was placed at the beginning of the said street facing Triq Mannar. An altar was raised about fifty metres away from it and in between sat the congregation.   Mass was celebrated by Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Xaghra Archpriest assisted by Mgr Eucharist Sultana, Archpriest Emeritus of Xaghra, Mgr Carmelo Hili and Can Anthony Refalo Rapa, Rector of Nazzarenu Church. Nine other priests from Xaghra concelebrated. Mass was animated by Mr Carmel Agius. Mr Ronald Camilleri on the organ accompanied the Choir Voci Angeliche under the direction of Mrs Grace Vella.   The three Confraternities then led the procession with the statue following. The Collegiate Chapter and the Clergy followed with Mgr Archpriest carrying the reliquary. The faithful brought the rear of the procession through the kilometre long route from Nazzarenu Church to the Basilica passing through Triq Gnien Xibla and Triq it-Tigrija to Pjazza il-Vitorja. All the way the Holy Rosary was recited. The ceremony ended with benediction with the Holy Eucharist in the Basilica.

28 SEP 09 - ZJARA TAL-ISQOF GRECH FIL-BRAZIL

LI GEJ HUWA KOMUNIKAT MAHRUG MILL-KURJA VESKOVILI TA GHAWDEX   Dalghodu, l-Isqof Mario Grech ghamel zjara ta kortesija lill-Kardinal Geraldo Majela Agnello, Arcisqof tad-Djocesi ta Salvador fil-Bahia [Brazil]. Il-Kardinal Magella Agnello ghandu konnessjoni mad-Djocesi t’Ghawdex. Huwa zar Ghawdex ghall-ewwel darba fl-1973 u kien Ghawdex ghall-festa ta San Pawl li saret fil-Munxar fi Frar ta din is-sena. Il-Kardinal Majella ghamel zmien bhala Arcisqof ta Londrina fejn hemm jahdmu ghadd ta sacerdoti Maltin u Ghawdxin. Fil-laqgha ma l-Isqof Grech, il-Kardinal Majela Agnello kellu kliem ta  apprezzament ghall-ispirtu missjunarju li hemm fil-Knisja f’pajjizna.   L-Isqof Mario Grech il-bierah qieghed l-ewwel gebla ta Centru Pastorali li ser jinbena fuq izijattiva ta Dun Alex Cauchi, kappillan tal-parrocca ddedikata lil Madonna tad-dawl f’Parapatinga fin-Nord Est tal-Brazil. Fl-omelija li ghamel waqt quddiesa li saret f’din l-okkazjoni, l-Isqof Grech fisser l-importanza ta dawn ic-Centri ghall-hajja tal-komunita ekklezjali. Ic-Centri Pastorali jservu ta skola fejn diversi kategoriji fi hdan il-komunita parrokkjali jiltaqghu biex jiksbu formazzjoni umana u nisranija u hekk il-poplu ta Alla jkompli jimbena bhala tempju haj ta Alla. Kull persuna taghmel parti minn din il-binja u ebda gebla, anke jekk tkun imxelfa, qatt ma ghandha tigi skartata. L-Isqof Mario fahhar lil Dun Alex Cauchi, missjunarju mill-Gharb li ilu fil-missjoni ghal dawn l-ahhar erbatax-il sena, ghal hidma siewja li wettaq u ghadu jwettaq biex jibni l-Knisja ta Kristu fil-Brazil.   Il-bierah ukoll l-Isqof Mario Grech ghamel zjara lil Fazienda Speranza li hemm f’Maceio. Din l-istituzzjoni mmexxija mill-Knisja toffri kura lil zghazagh vittmi tad-droga. Il-programm ta terapija li toffri din l-istituzzjoni huwa bbazat kollu kemm hu  fuq l-ispiritwalita nisranija. Id-drogati, anke jekk ma jkunux jemmnu, jigu mlaqqghin mal-Kelma ta Alla u ntrodotti ghall-hajja tat-talb. L-esperjenza li rrakkontaw xi whud minn dawk li qed jaghmlu l-program ta rijabilitazzjoni, tixhed kemm ghal dawk li jemmnu l-Kelma ta Alla ghandha qawwa li tfejjaq.   Zjara ohra li ghamel l-Isqof Mario Grech kienet fis-Seminarju Magguri ta Maceio, fejn jattendu seminaristi minn tlett djocesijiet. Fr. Jimmy Scerri, li sa sentejn ilu kien Rettur ta dan is-Seminarju, issa huwa l-Prefett ta l-Istudji filosofici u teologici.  F’kelmtejn li ghamel f’din l-okkazjoni, l-Isqof Grech appella lis-seminaristi biex, fid-dawl tal-Vangelu u t-taghlim tal-Koncilju Vatikan II, huma jikkontribwixxu biex il-Knisja tkompli tkun qrib tan-nies. Flok ma jirtira fis-sagristija u jiltaqa man-nies biss waqt il-kult, illum is-sacerdot ghandu jimxi fit-toroq tal-hajja ordinarja fejn jista jiltaqa mal-bniedem, specjalment ma dawk li huma minsija u emarginati. Biex l-azzjoni tas-sacerdot ma tkunx wahda politika jew socjali, fuq l-ezempju ta Dun Gorg Preca, is-sacerdot ghandu jkun habib ta l-Evangelju.   Meta qaddes fil-parrocca ddedikata lil San Bastjan f’Messiah, li hija mmexxija minn Dun Jimmy Scerri, l-Isqof Grech iccelebra l-Maghmudija.

12 SEP 09 - FESTA MELBOURNE THE DINNER DANCE

08-09-09 - MAHTUR IL-KAPPILLAN IL-GDID TAL-PARROCCA TAL-FONTANA - DUN JOSEPH BAJADA

Fit-8 ta’ Settembru 2009, Festa tat-Twelid tal-Madonna u tal-Bambina, Festa Titulari tal-Parrocca tax-Xaghra, Mons Isqof Mario Grech ghal darb’ohra hares lejn il-Parrocca taghna, biex minn fost is-Sacerdoti Xaghrin jahtar Kappillan gdid fid-Djocesi Ghawdxija. L-ghazla waqghet fuq Dun Joseph Bajada, sacerdot zaghzugh li nhatar bħala l-Kappillan il-gdid tal-Parrocca tal-Qalb ta’ Gesu’, Fontana, Ghawdex. Dun Joseph Bajada twieled ix-Xaghra fit-30 ta’ Lulju 1970. Hu l-izghar fost erba’ hutu ohra subien. Beda l-istudji tieghu fl-iskola primarja tax-Xaghra, minn fejn ghadda ghall-iskola sekondarja Ninu Cremona, ir-Rabat, Ghawdex. Pero’ wara sena biss hemmhekk, Dun Joseph beda jiffrekwenta s-Seminarju Minuri, fejn dam sas-Sixth Form. Kienet nibtet fih is-sejha biex jimxi wara l-Mulej u f’dak l-ambjent kompliet tissahhah fih il-vokazzjoni sacerdotali. Dun Joseph wiegeb ghas-sejha tal-Mulej u hekk beda l-formazzjoni sacerdotali tieghu fis-Seminarju Magguri tal-Qalb ta’ Gesu’ fl-1988. Is-Sena Intermedjarja ghaddiha fi New Jersey, fl-Istati Uniti tal-Amerika. Lura Ghawdex, fl-1994 Dun Joseph gie ordnat djaknu. Wara sena esperjenza ta’ djakonat fil-Parrocca tan-Natività gewwa Ruma, fil-21 ta’ Gunju 1996 huwa gie ordnat sacerdot. Wara li rcieva l-Ministeru tal-Presbiterat, Dun Joseph rega lura Ruma fil-Parrocca tan-Nativita’ fejn wettaq erba’ snin ta’ hidma pastorali. Minn hemm ghadda ghall-Parrocca ta’ San Ruman fejn qatta’ tliet snin ohra gewwa l-Italja. Sadanittant hemmhekk huwa kompla bl-istudji tieghu u ha kors ta’ teologija sagramentarja fl-Universita ta’ Sant’Anselmu minn fejn kiseb diploma fil-Liturgija u l-Arti Sagra. Fis-sena 2003 Dun Joseph gie lura Ghawdex u nhatar Vici-Rettur tas-Seminarju tal-Qalb ta’ Gesù, fejn dam dawn l-ahhar sitt snin. Dun Joseph huwa Direttur Spiritwali tal-Gozo Aid for the Visually Impaired (GAVI) u huwa wkoll Chairperson tal-Kummissjoni Djocesana ghal Persuni b’Dizabilita’ (KDPD) tad-Djocesi Ghawdxija. Lill-kompajzan taghna, Dun Joseph Bajada, nawgurawlu snin ta’ hidma siewja fil-missjoni gdida tieghu, certi li t-telfa tal-Parrocca tax-Xaghra tissarraf f’rebha ghall-Parrocca tal-Qalb ta’ Gesu, il-Fontana. Ad Multos Annos Dun Joseph.

08 SEP 09 - FESTA MELBOURNE MASS

FESTA 2009

31 AUG 09 - IN MEMORY OF FR JOSHUA MUSCAT

Kienet ahbar ta soghba kbira ghalina x-Xaghrin meta sirna nafu li s-sacerdot zghazugh min-Nadur, Dun Joshua Muscat, ittajjar ghal hdan il-Mulej. Ir-relazzjoni ta Dun Joshua max-Xaghra kienet wahda qawwija. Ghal diversi snin qabel ma rcieva l-Ordinazzjoni Sacerdotali minn idejn l-Isqof Mons Mario Grech, Dun Joshua Muscat kien mibghut mis-Superjuri tas-Seminarju biex iwettaq hidma pastorali fil-Knisja ta’ Gesu Nazzarenu x-Xaghra. Hemmhekk kien attiv hafna u wettaq diversi hidmiet, ewlenin fosthom, laqghat ta formazzjoni maz-zghazagh li kienu jsiru kull nhar ta Gimgha fic-Centru Gesu Nazzarenu u laqghat mal-abbatini. Il-morda tal-Komunita hemmhekk kienu jiksbu kuragg mhux ftit meta kien izurhom u bil-kliem helu tieghu kien ifarraghom. Huwa wkoll kien iwasslilhom lil Gesu Sagramentat biex jircevuh fit-tqarbin. Il-Grupp The Guiding Light jiftakruh maghhom u kif qal wiehed minnhom, Jason John Farrugia fuq din il-website - Ix xiehda li dejjem ta Dun Joshua lilna z-zaghzagh specjalment fiz-zmien li qatta maghna fil-Komunita tan-Nazzarenu kienet dejjem turi l-imhabba tieghu lejn Alla. - Dan minkejja t-tbatija li hu ghadda minnha, dejjem baqa sod u grat lejn lil-Hallieq. Ir-ritratti li hawn kienu mehudin fis-17 ta Dicembru 2008 meta kien ghamel in-Novena tal-Milied fil-Knisja ta Gesu Nazzarenu fix-Xaghra. Raguni ohra li b’xi mod rabtitu mal-Parrocca kien il-fatt li fi triqtu lejn l-altar kellu biss il-kumpanija ta Dun Michael Curmi mix-Xaghra sakemm flimkien ircevew il-Ministeru tal-Presbiterat fit-30 ta Gunju 2007. Min-naha taghna naghtu l-kondoljanzi lill-genituri ta Dun Joshua, Antoinette u Carmelo, lil ohtu Nathalie u zewgha Anthony, u lil huh Paul u martu Jessica fit-telfa taghhom. Lill-Mulej nitolbuh idahhal fit-tgawdija eterna lil Dun Joshua li minkejja ftit zmien jaqdih fuq din l-art fedelment il-missjoni fdata lilu u wettaq hafna gid spiritwali bil-kelma, bit-tbissima u bl-ezempju tieghu specjalment fl-ahhar xhur meta mis-sodda tal-mard u mumenti ta tbatija accetta kollox f’rasenjazzjoni u bi tbissima.