05 DEC 2010 - TWO NEW ACOLYTES MARK BONELLO AND DANIEL GRECH

Another step by two young men to make it to the Altar. Mark Bonello from Xaghra and Daniel Grech from Kercem received the Ministry of Acolyteship from  the hands of H.L. Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo. The ceremony took place during a Concelebrated Mass led by H.L. the Bishop of Gozo in St George's Basilica in Victoria. The Bishop was assisted by Mgr Paul Cardona, Archpriest of St George's Parish and Mgr Joseph Farrugia Archpriest Emeritus of the Parish. Among other priests concelebrating were Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Xaghra Archpriest and Can Brian Mejlak, Parish Priest of Kercem. The Congregation filling the Basilica was led by the parents and grandparents of the two Acolytes, relatives, many friends and members from both their parishes. While congratulating Mark Bonello and Daniel Grech in their new Ministry, we wish them Ad Altiora.

03 OCT 2010 - THE FEAST OF THE HOLY ROSARY

On the first Sunday of October, the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, the feast of the Holy Rosary, as every year, was held. This year, Fr Emanuel Bonello from Melbourne was the principal celebrant during the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Concelebrants were Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Archpriest Emeritus Mgr Eucaristico Sultana, Can. John Bartolo, Can. George Farrugia and Can. Anthony Refalo Rapa. The Voci Angeliche Choir directed by Ms Grace Vella accompanied on the organ by Fr Michael Curmi animated the singing. Mr Michael Spiteri was Mass animator. After Mass, procession with the statue of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was held along the main streets of the town. A crowd of faithful participated in the procession reciting the Holy Rosary on the way. Back inside the Basilica, benediction with the Holy Eucharist was imparted by Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo.

05 OCT 2010 - FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

On Tuesday 5th October, the Franciscan Community in Nazzarenu celebrated the feast of St Francis of Assisi. Since all the Nazzarenu community were expected to participate, Mass was celebrated by Fr Joe Xerri OFM Conv. in the ground behind the Church in Triq Mannar. Besides the Rector of the Church of Jesus of Nazareth, Can. Anthony Refalo Rapa, Xaghra Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo took part. After Mass, the fur and feather side of the community and their patrons were blessed and the Franciscan Sisters treated those present with food and drinks.       Photos courtesy of Mr Carmel Agius.

FEAST OF JESUS OF NAZARETH 2010

25 JUL 2010 - FR ANTHONY CARUANA CELEBRATES FIRST SOLEMN MASS IN XAGHRA

TITULAR FEAST 2010

16 APR 2010 - FIFTH ANNIVERSARY ARCHPRIEST OF XAGHRA - MGR CARMELO REFALO

On 17th April 2005, Mgr. Carmelo Refalo was installed as the new Archpriest of Xaghra succeeding Mgr Eucaristico Sultana. To commemorate the fifth anniversay, Mass was celebrated at Maria Bambina Basilica on Friday 16th April 2010 since on Saturday, 17th of April, His Holiness Pope Benedict XXVI was arriving in Malta to begin a two day visit to the island. Ten priests co celebrated with Mgr Refalo. The choir, Voci Angeliche, animated the singing. Photos courtesy Mr Marvic Bajada.

16 APR 2010 - FIFTH ANNIVERSARY DINNER

To honour Mgr Carmelo Refalo on the fifth anniversary of his being installed as Archpriest of Xaghra, a dinner was organised at Ta Mena Estates. Scores of parishioners, young and old from all walks of life, turned up to enjoy a lavish dinner and honour Archpriest Refalo with their presence. Young hands came to the assistance of Mgr Archpriest helping him cut the cake for the occasion. Mr Abraham Said then addressed Archpriest Refalo and on behalf of the parishioners and all those present thanked him for five years of continuous service to the Parish of Xaghra. Photos courtesy Joseph Spiteri. 

7 JUN 2010 - MARIAN VIGIL

This year marks the 2025th birthday anniversary of Our Lady, the Mother of God Jesus Christ. Since the Parish is dedicated to the nativity of the Bambina, Xaghra will be celebrating this event with great religious fervour and solemnity. The main celebration will be a solemn Grand Pilgrimage taking place on Thursday 26 August. For full programme please go to Events Calendar on home page. The festivities however started on Monday 7 June. The titular painting having just been cleaned and restored by Mr Emanuel Zammit of Zejtun Malta was placed in the nave in the Basilica. On Monday 7 June, a Marian Vigil was held in Pjazza il-Vitorja. At 8 p.m. cortege by religious and social movements and groups, led by the Xaghra Scout Group started its way from the Primary School grounds to Victory Square. In the street behind the Basilica the titular painting was waiting. When the cortege arrived near the Oratory of the Passion it was joined by the three Co Fraternities, altar boys and Chapter and Clergy. The titular painting was carried at the rear. Many hundreds of parishioners were waiting seated in the Square for its arrival. The painting, which was given a warm welcome with Marian hymns, was placed on the parvis facing the Square and the congregation. Readings from the Bible were followed by the Gospel and sermon by Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo. The Voci Angeliche Choir under the direction of Ms Grace Vella and accompanied on the organ by Mr Anthony Theuma animated the singing. Prayers were offered by individuals representing various sections of society. First to go on the rostrum were twins coming from a big overseas family adopted by a Xaghra family. They appealed for funds to help their biological family who was in need and the response was immediate and very generous by the people present. The Blessed Sacrament was then transferred from the Basilica and benediction was imparted. In  the end, scores of bouquets were placed in front of the Painting of the Nativity by representatives of all the groups and movements who took part in the Vigil.

22 JUN 2010 - PRODUCING ORANGE BLOSSOM WATER IN XAGHRA

ORANGE BLOSSOM WATER – ILMA ZAHAR   The distilling of orange blossom is regarded by many in Malta as a dead industry and it would have been true were it not for young Lorry Bajada and his mother Maria Assunta, from Xaghra, Gozo who still produce it annually in springtime.  That the industry waned over the years probably due to several weeks of hard work to find the right orange trees, picking the blossom and the right type of leaf and then working in intense heat and under very trying conditions. This exquisitely scented water is distilled from the blossom of Seville or bitter oranges (tal-bakkaljaw).    The distiller, or Lampik in Maltese, consists of two parts – first a large copper or zinc long pot with two “ears” or handles, the Bajada’s have two pots. The copper one has been coming down the family line through the ages and are well over 100 years old. The top part - the lid - is in two sections. This looks like an upturned mushroom shaped bowl with the wide top open and which is filled with water. A spout on one side serves to empty water in the bowl when required, normally every forty five minutes. Within this bowl, on the bottom, lies a domelike compartment with a spout on one side. A tube shaped holder fits into the wide neck of the jar over which hangs the said compartment. The water above the dome where vapour is emitted from the pot serves as a coolant and has, therefore, to be frequently changed.   First the jar is filled with a pail of water and selected leaves and orange blossom are manually pressed inside and stacked in it. The pot is then placed over a stone oven “kenur” with fire which would have been burning for some time until the hardwood in it turns to red hot ashes and the temperature would be in the region of 600º C. Another pail of water is then added.  When the water boils and steam rushes out and the air is filled with aroma, the top part is placed over the jar. As said earlier, the open bowl of the top container is filled with cold water with the spout sealed.  The heat below sends up steam up into the dome and the distilled pure orange blossom water slides down through the long thin spout, dripping through a funnel and into a jar placed underneath. This is due to the dome shaped compartment being hot with steam inside and cold on the outside with water above. This continues until all the naturally scented liquid has all been poured out.  Four pounds of orange blossom produce one quart of pure orange blossom water.  It is important to ensure that the water in the top container does not get hot, so this is emptied through the spout and replenished with more cold water every time a five litre jar is filled, normally every forty five minutes.  The oil from the blossom and leaves rises to the top, the “neroli”, which produces the scent. Big dark coloured glass containers “tramiggiani” are filled with blossom water, “ilma zahar” for storage in the dark. From then onwards they will not be moved until emptied into small dark green 0.25 litre glass bottles during the year using pipes. Only natural cork is used to seal the containers and bottles and it is recommended that buyers retain the same cork and keep the bottle tightly closed each time after use.     In accordance with rigid Maltese law the distiller, “lampik”, must be held in police custody and only returned to the owners during springtime, the distilling season under licence from Customs Department. After use it is cleaned and returned to the police for security reasons. This is understandable since alcohol can be distilled using the “lampik”.   The production of this wonderful natural essence is now carried out, as already said, on a very small scale in the Maltese islands. It is said that the Bajada’s of Xaghra are the only active licenced producers on the islands. It used to be a flourishing trade; in Xaghra alone there were about ten producers until a century ago.  It still continues to be produced in France and Portugal in Europe and a few countries in the Middle East.   Orange blossom water has therapeutic properties and is used as a sort of “digestif” to settle the stomach, and is especially valued for babies crying when suffering from colic.  It also helps cure diarrhea in a short time. It is also used in many kinds of sweets and biscuits and used to be sprayed on qaghaq taz-zokkor (or qaghaq helwin) as they come hot out of the oven.  A few drops of orange blossom water and a little ground cloves make a fine addition to a cup of good black coffee - a tradition acquired from Middle East countries.   Coffee shops all over Malta and Gozo used to delight their customers with a few drops of ‘ilma zahar’ in their cup of coffee and patrons expected to have it. As with the cottage industry and many homemade products, guaranteed genuine ilma zahar is not commercialised and not at all promoted but sold to a circle of people who know about it. Any one wanting to obtain this ‘must have at home’ may phone up the Bajada’s on 2155 7259 or call at 131 Triq it-Tigrija Xaghra, near the School and the Post Office in Xaghra. They will not regret it but, like Oliver Twist, will be back asking for more.

31 OCT 2010 - OFFICIAL INAUGURATION OF NEW WING OF CEMETERY

02 NOV 2010 - WE WILL NOT FORGET THEM

2nd November is dedicated to all the departed dear ones and celebrated accordingly by the Universal Church. On this day special prayers are invoked and the graves decorated with flowers and the dead remembered in a special way. The photos in this section are of tombs in the old section of the Xaghra Cemetery. While going through them we solicit your prayers for those buried there, relatives, friends and others unknown to you. May they rest in peace.

28 NOV 2010 - XAGHRA PAYS TRIBUTE AND PRAYS FOR THE LATE BISHOP CAUCHI

29 NOV 2010 - FR VICTOR BONELLO OFM Conv TURNS 90

Congratulations to Fr Victor Bonello OFM Conv, in Melbourne, on the great occasion of reaching the venerable age of 90! On behalf of the Xaghra community in his homeland we wish him continued good health and many more years in the service of the Lord besides a Happy Birthday. AD MULTOS ANNOS.   His nephew Victor Bonello from Melbourne writes:   Fr Victor Bonello OFM Conv. turned 90 on Monday 29th November 2010. For this great occasion his immediate family led by his three nephews Victor, Tony and Charlie, organized  a happy birthday party on Sunday 28th November at St Joseph the Worker parish hall in North Reservoir where his nephew, Fr Emmanuel Bonello serves as its parish priest. For this occasion, also present were his sister Lorenza and her husband John who live in Port Pirie, South Australia and his nephew Joe Xerri and wife Tarcisja who came down from Sydney. Relatives, friends and former parishioners from Springvale and Dingley also attended. It was a great night for Fr Victor and we were all happy to see him enjoying himself and also that he is still in good health and high spirits. Fr Victor resides at St Bernadette Aged Care Facility, North Sunshine, Melbourne, where he still says mass for the residents, hears confessions and sometimes administers the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. AD MULTOS ANNOS

29 DEC 2010 - INVESTITURE OF FIVE NEW ALTAR BOYS

31 DEC 2010 - LAST MASS IN 2010 ENDING IN 2011

CHRISTMAS IN XAGHRA 2010

22 NOV 2010 - FR JOSEPH BONELLO FROM XAGHRA APPOINTED BISHOP

Monday 22nd November, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Fr. Joseph Bonello OFM (Franciscan Province of Saint Paul the Apostle – Malta) Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Juticalpa, Olancho, Honduras, until now Pastor of Santa Ana de La Libertad in the Diocese of Comayagua. Fr. Joseph Bonello ofm. was born on the 4th April 1961, in Xaghra, Gozo. Son of Victor and Nazzarena Sultana (both deceased), the third of four children he joined the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) on 2nd October 1977, made his Temporary Profession on 1st October 1978 and Solemn Profession on 28th August 1983. He was ordained deacon on 29th June 1984, and priest on 7th July 1985, by the imposition of hands of the then Archbishop of Malta, His Excellency Mgr. Joseph Mercieca. Fr. Joseph studied at the Primary School of Xaghra and did his secondary education at Xaghra, Victoria and Hamrun. He studied philosophy and theology at the National Institute of Ecclesiastical Studies of Maltese Religious (INSERM) in Hamrun. Immediately after his ordination he served as Provincial Promotor of Vocations, Master of Postulants, and Provincial Definitor of the Franciscan Province of Saint Paul the Apostle in Malta. Since September 1989 he has been working as a missionary in Central America at the Parish of Santa Ana de La Libertad in the Diocese of Comayagua, first for three years as Assistant Pastor and later as Pastor. Nominated as  Coadjutor Bishop of Juticalpa, he will now be moving to Olancho, where there is Fr. Albert Gauci ofm, from Ghargur, Malta. During this time he was three times councillor for the Franciscan Foundation in Central America of the Immaculate Conception Province, New York. On the 13th November 2009, he was nominated by His Lordship Mgr. Bishop Robert Camilleri ofm, as Vicar General of the Diocese of Comayagua.  It is interesting to note that Bishop Camilleri was the first Franciscan with whom Fr. Joseph, together with others, started his vocational journey during meetings organized at the Franciscan Friary at Ghajnsielem, Gozo and also one of his first companions with whom he worked in the mission together with Fr. Angelo Falzon ofm from Naxxar. Fr. Joseph spent his priestly life accompanying the faithful in their faith promoting human dignity and sustaining education, art and formation of workers. His aim has been to forge a more human society so that it may become more Christian. He chose as motto for his new Ministry “Patientia Omnia Potest” (for patience everything is possible) because experience taught him that patience is the greatest virtue necessary to obtain what is good and aspire to what is better: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction” (2Tim 4:2). We in Xaghra, Archpriest, Chapter, Clergy and Parishioners congratulate our brother and wish him AD MULTOS ANNOS

03 NOV 2010 - A NEW RESTING PLACE IN XAGHRA CEMETERY

07 NOV 2010 - FEAST OF ST FORTUNATUS MARTYR

Throughout the year, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of many saints, all known by their names. However many many more are those saints enjoying the face of God in Heaven but who are unknown to us. Among these are men and women who suffered martyrdom in the amphitheatre during the persecution of the Christians under Roman Emperors in the early days of the Church. They were many and of all ages whose remains were discreetly moved away after suffering martyrdom and taken to be buried in catacombs spread around the city of Rome. Because they were not prepared to deny God they chose to suffer martyrdom for their faith in Him, and they, therefore, could not but be saints. The number was so great no records could be kept in those difficult times for Christianity. To honour these martyrs in a particular manner, bones recovered from those Catacombs were distributed to churches around the world and placed in statues as a relic and given a name. In Xaghra, bones from the Catacombs of St Callistus arrived. These were a donation to the Church by Bishop Michael Buttigieg who had served as Parish Priest of Xaghra from 1823 to 1848. To house them, a statue was made by Antonio Gerada and the name of Fortunatus chosen for this saint. His feast is celebrated annually on the first Sunday in November.Accordingly, on the evening of Sunday 7th November 2010, solemn Mass was solemnly celebrated in honour of this saint in the Basilica. Canon Michael Galea was the main celebrant with Canons George Farrugia, John Bartolo and Anthony Refalo Rapa and Fr Michael Curmi co celebrating with him. Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo was missing as he was away from the island. Canon Galea delivered the homily. As is customary, on this feast, students who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation within nine months were present.Members of the Choir Voci Angeliche under the direction of Mrs. Grace Vella, with Seminarian Mario Curmi on the organ, animated the singing while Ms Theresa Theuma animated Mass. The programme this year was for procession to leave the Basilica at 4.30 p.m. to be followed by Mass at 5.00 p.m. However, due to inclement weather, vespers and recitation of the Rosary took place instead of the procession and Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament was imparted before Mass started at 5.00 p.m.