28 SEP 08 FESTA TAL BAMBINA GO GREYSTANES

Photos courtesy Michelle Said

08 09 20 SYDNEY BAMBINA FEAST DINNER DANCE

Xaghra Dinner Dance – tirrapporta Mrs Josephine Bigeni Ix-Xaghra Dinner Dance sar nhar is-Sibt 20 ta' Settembru 2008 fil-Balmoral Hall gewwa Blacktown, New South Wales. Kien il-pjacir taghna din is-sena nilqghu fostna lill-Kanonku Joseph Sultana mix-Xaghra li kien il-mistieden specjali. Huwa gie apposta hawn l-Awstralja fuq stedina tax-Xaghra Association of NSW. Hawnhekk kellu l-opportunita’ li jiltaqa’ ma’ emigrati Xaghrin li kien jaf qabel u jiltaqa’ ghall-ewwel darba ma’ hafna ohrajn. Ghad-Dinner Dance attendew tlett mija u tmenin ruh, il-bicca l-kbira minnhom mix-Xaghra, jew mnisslin mix-Xaghra, jew inkella imhalltin biz-zwieg. Kienet atmosfera pjacevoli hafna, mimlija b'ikel u xorb bnin. Id-daqq tal-grupp Roc-A-Tac kompla zejjen l-atmosfera bid-daqq kontinwu tieghu. Il-banda Giuseppe Verdi kompliet tallegra lil kulhadd u ddahhalna iktar fl-ispirtu tal-festa billi daqqet marcijiet tal-Banda Victory, tax-Xaghra. Lil dawn prosit u grazzi. F’dan id-Dinner Dance mhux biss niehdu gost ahna izda wkoll nimmiraw li nkunu ta’ ghajnuna ghal haddiehor billi l-qligh imur ghal xi hadd mix-Xaghra li jkun qed jahdem barra minn pajjizu b’risq dawk inqas ixxurtjati minna. Din is-sena nnominajna lill-missunjarju, Fr.George Camilleri S.J. li ilu 40 sena jahdem gewwa l-Indja, qalb tfal mitlufin gewwa Kolkata, zghazagh li jattendu l-Kullegg St Xavier’s u li ghandu wkoll f’idejh Klinika. Hafna drabi jigi mitlub jghin morda li jkollhom bzonn ta’ operazzjoni billi jhallsilhom l-ispejjez ta l-isptar. Il-Kumitat dehrlu li kienet kawza gusta ghall-iskop taghna. Nirringrazzja lil kulhadd li ghamel minn din il-lejla success kbir, specjalment lill-isponsors li ta' kull sena ma jsibuhiex bi tqila biex jghinuna, lil dawk li jirsistu biex ibieghu t-tickets minn hafna zmien qabel u lill-membri tal-Kumitat. L-ahhar u mhux l-inqas nirringrazzja lil dawk kollha li jigu. Minghajrhom dan l-avveniment ma jkunx success – huwa ahna lkoll migburin flimkien bhala Xaghrin u hbieb taghna li naghmlu l-festa! Grazzi lil kulhadd. Kumment Editorjali : Ritratti grazzi ghal Michelle Said.

08 SEP 08 MELBOURNE CELEBRATES IL-VITORJA

Il-Maltin f’Melbourne jiccelebraw il-Festa ta’ Marija Bambina minn Paul Vella Ta’ kull sena il-komunita Maltija ta’ Melbourne tattendi bi hgarha biex ticcelebra l-Festa ta’ Marija Bambina. Din il-Festa tigi organizzata mir-Reskeon Maltese Association and Reskeon Seniors Group Inc. ghan-nom tal-Patrijiet tas-Socjeta Missjunarja ta’ San Pawl. Imma nhar it-Tnejn, 8 ta’ Settembru, l-ghaqda tar-Reskeon organizzat quddiesa fic-Centru Malti ta’ Parkville li ghaliha attendew aktar minn 160 ruh. Bhas-soltu, fis-sala tpoggiet l-istatwa ta’ Marija Bambina u l-quddiesa giet iccelebrata mir-Rettur f’Parkville, Fr Denis Carabott, mssp, flimkien ma’ Fr Dr Victor Shields, ta’ l-istess Socjeta, li ghamel ukoll l-Omelija. Il-muzika u l-kant kienu f’idejn Manwel Farrugia u l-mara tieghu, Margaret, fuq l-orgni Wara l-quddiesa kien hemm kuncert ta’ marci mis-St. Albans Melita Band. Dak in-nhar stess, ix-Xaghra Maltese Association organizzaw quddiesa fic-Centru Kulturali ta' Albion u li ghaliha attendew hafna nies ukoll. Il-quddiesa kienet niccelebrata minn fr Mannie Bonello, zijuh P. Victor Bonello, u Fr Eddie Zammit, fuq btala minn Ghawdex, li dan ta l-ahhar ghamel l-Omelija. Wara l-quddiesa kien hemm Kuncert ta marci mill-Maltese Own Band taht id-direzzjoni ta Mro George Aquilina. Imma l-qofol ta’ dawn ic-celebrazzjonijiet kien il-Hadd, 14 ta’ Settembru, meta saret il-Festa ta’ Marija Bambina. Il-Komunita Maltija ferhet li ghal darb’ohra ergajna morna fil-Knisja ta’ St. Mary Star of the Sea, West Melbourne, aktar maghrufa bhala l-Knisja tal-Maltin. Din il-knisja kienet ghaddejja minn restawr estensiv ghal dawn l-ahhar erba’ snin, u ghalkemm ghadu sejjer, imma r-restawr ta’ gewwa hu lest minn kollox u giet veru knisja sabiha. Minhabba x-xoghol li kien qed isir gewwa, is-sena li ghaddiet il-festa saret fil-Knisja ta’ St. Michael, Dryburgh St, North Melbourne. Ghal darb’ohra l-komunita` Maltija attendiet b’numru kbir u kien stmat li madwar 1000 ruh imlew il-knisja tant li kien hemm nies bilwieqfa wkoll. Kien hemm ukoll coach li giet minn Sydney biex jattendu l-festi tax-Xaghra Maltese Association. Wara r-Ruzarju li gie recitat minn Emmanuel Farrugia, il-Quddiesa bdiet fit-3 pm u Prim Celebrant kien il-Provincjal tas-Socjeta Missjunarja ta’ San Pawl, Fr Noel Bianco. Koncelebranti kienu Fr Denis Carabott, Fr Frans Ferrigi, Fr Edwin Agius, Fr Dr Victor Shields (kollha tal-MSSP), Fr Karm Borg, Fr Mannie Bonello, Fr Dom. Degiorgio, Fr Eddie Zammit u Fr Joseph Sultana, dawn ta’ l-ahhar kienu fuq btala f’Melbourne minn Ghawdex. Il-Panegierku nisgu Fr Eddie Zammit u ntlaqa’ b’capcip kbir minn dawk kollha prezenti. Il-muzika u l-kant kienu f’idejn il-Maltese Choir of Victoria, taht id-direzzjoni ta’ Mro. Noel Mangion. Prezenti kien hemm il-Konslu Generali ta’ Malta fil-Victoria, is-Sinjura Angele Azzopardi u r-ragel taghha Tony, il-President tal-Kunsill Malti tal-Victoria, is-Sur Victor Borg, membri tal-Esekuttiv tal-MCCV, Dr Clemente Zammit u s-Sinjura tieghu Mary, presidenti, kumitati u membri ta’ ghaqdiet Maltin li attendew bl-istandardi taghhom u ghamlu offerti ta’ bukketti ta’ fjuri lill-Madonna. Prezenti wkoll kien hemm membri tas-Sovereign Military Hospitalier Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta u membri tal-Maltese Ex-Services Association of Victoria, bil-midalji taghhom. Hadna gost naraw hafna zghazagh jattendu u sebghat-itfal zghar libsin il-kostumi Maltin, li hadet hsibhom is-Sinjura Lillian Calleja.Jassistu fil-Liturgija, kien hemm Emmanuel Farrugia, Mario Genuis u Frank. Waqt il-Quddiesa saru zewg gabriet. L-ewwel wahda marret ghall-fondi tal-Monument Bust ta’ San Gorg Preca li se jsir fuq l-art tal-Kattidral ta’ St. Patrick, East Melbourne, fejn ingabret is-somma sabiha ta’ $1340. It-tieni gabra marret ghall-Knisja ta’ St. Mary Star of the Sea. Wara l-quddiesa, Fr Denis Carabott irringrazzja lil dawk kollha li b’xi mod jew iehor ghenu biex din il-festa tkun wahda ta’ success u mbaghad inghatat il-Barka Sagramentali. Meta c-celebrazzjonijiet fil-Knisja spiccaw, saret il-purcissjoni bl-istatwa artistika ta’ Marija Bambina fit-toroq ta’ madwar il-knisja, akkumpanjata mill-Maltese Own Band u s-St Albans Melita Band li daqqew marci ghall-okkazjoni. Jiehdu sehem fil-purcissjoni kien hemm membri ta’ ghaqdiet Maltin bl-istandardi taghhom, kif ukoll numru sabieh tal-komunita` Maltija u anki ta’ nazzjonalitajiet ohra. Grazzi lill-Ghaqda tar-Reskeon li organizzaw din il-festa u li kollox mar sewwa.

13 SEP 08 MASS OF THANKSGIVING

13 SEP 08 STATUE OF BAMBINA RETURNS TO ITS NICHE

Festa 2008 - the Last Act! After Mass celebration on Saturday 13 Sept 2008, the statue of the Bambina was moved back into its chapel. It was still under the canopy in the nave since returning there after having been carried in procession along the town's main streets on Monday 8th September. It was solemnly carried by members of two groups, the four statue bearers in front coming from the Ghaqda tan-Nar 1973 while the four at the back were from the Ghaqda ta' l-Armar 1973. Solemnly and slowly it moved up the nave to its chapel. Meantime the congregation was singing the Ave Maria and Marian Hymns with Archpriest Refalo invoking prayers in between. Finally back inside the chapel it was left to Mgr Refalo to perform the last act - closing the door to the chapel with the Bambina safely inside to the appluase of the congregation. Festa 2008 was over but preparations for Festa 2009 started immediately afterwards with the Fund Raising team led by Josephine Sultana and Jane Mercieca starting the first bingo activity.

08 SEP 08 MELBOURNE CELEBRATING IL VITORJA

Our relatives and friends in Melbourne celebrated Malta's Victory Day with Mass and Dinner Dance on the 8th and 13th September respectively. Mass was celebrated by Fr Eddie Zammit who was visiting Melbourne, Fr Emanuel Bonello, Parish Priest and Fr Victor Bonello Ofm Conv. Photos courtesy of Ms Antoinette Bajada.

08 SEP 08 FINAL MARCH

Festa Maria Bambina 2008 came to a grand ending. The Xaghrin followed the Bambina carried along our streets. Many followed in prayer and devotion. Festa marches turned to religious ones mixed with hymns to Our Lady on her birthday. The final act was when all knelt in front of the Blessed Sacrament, thank the Lord for favours received during the festa days and to receive benediction. The final external event was the last march starting from January Street at 10.30 p.m. Now was the time for everybody to celebrate including those who were away in the fields in charge of the beautiful fireworks. They were sacrificing themselves to make the festa a big success. Now was the time for them to join in the merriment of the last hour. Externally they were making merry, they were rejoicing for a festa carried out with dignity. At times, however, some showed long faces facing reality that the festa was over. It was a mixture of all sentiments and feelings. The Victory Band with its festive band marches fuelled the dancing spirit.

08 SEP 08 PROCESSION RETURNS TO BASILICA

08 SEP 08 PROCESSION OUT IN SQUARE

08 SEP 08 MERRIMENT AND REVELRY AT 11 a.m. MARCH

This band march stands out on its own for revelry and merrymaking. It is sandwiched between the two topmost events in the festa programme - the Pontifical High Mass in the morning and the procession with the Bambina in the evening, allowing only for a few hours to the young people especially to take a rest after engaging in quite exacting revelry. The bands taking part were the same as last year's, Beland Band of Zejtun and Banda Visitazzjoni of Gharb. In scorching sun they started playing festive band marches near the premises of Victory Band Club. To the bandsmen and everybody's relief, by the time they arrived in Victory Square, a light northerly breeze was blowing coolong down the burnt energies. As usual, more were those who opted to join in revelry rather than taking a passive role and watch. Even people from outside the town, and Maltese and foreign visitors joined in the fun. It was 2.30 p.m. that the march broke up and those present marched back home to return to the Square 4 hours later and solemnly attend for the procession to leave the Basilica.

08 SEP 08 PONTIFICAL MASS

The long awaited Day for Xaghra finally arrived with a bright sun shining on the town. H.L. Bishop Mario Grech came to Xaghra to celebrate Pontifical High Mass and celebrate the Birth of the Virgin Mary, il-Bambina's Birthday, September 8th, one of Malta's National days. The Ite Ad Joseph Band of Qala was present adding to the festive mood and welcoming His Lordship when he arrived in Xaghra.

08 SEP 08 NATIVITAS TUA GAUDIUM ANNUNTIAVIT UNIVERSO MUNDO

YOUR BIRTH O BAMBINA BROUGHT JOY TO THE WHOLE WORLD. BLESS ALL THE WORLD TODAY AND ALL DAYS BUT PARTICULARLY XAGHRIN IN XAGHRA AND AWAY FROM XAGHRA . THE SICK AND THE ELDERLY. THE YOUNG AND OLD. EMIGRANTS WHEREVER THEY ARE NORTH SOUTH EAST AND WEST. A XAGHRI MAY FORGET SOME THINGS BUT NEVER THIS DAY AND YOU O BAMBINA. NOTHING CAN BREAK THE BOND BETWEEN YOU AND THEM. VIVA L-BAMBINA.

08 SEP 08 XAGHRA AWAKENS TO BRIGHT WEATHER

07 SEP 08 GRAND AERIAL FIREWORKS DISPLAY

The Ghaqda tan-Nar 1973 ought to be congratulated for presentning a grand display of aerial fireworks. Pictures show very little of the work involved to prepare for the show. Let off from Nuffara Hill on the side facing Xaghra, thousands lined the road to Xaghra and took all vantage points at the end of 8th September Avenue to enjoy the spectacle from bottom to top. Pictures of the aerial display are courtesy of Mr Anthony Grech who retains copyright thereof. We are grateful for Mr Grech's gesture. More pictures can be viewed on Mr Grech's site www.freeworks.com/anthonygrech

07 SEP 08 MERRY BAND MARCHES

Band marches on the night of 7th September and at 11 a.m. on 8th September provide the right atmosphere to rejoice on festa day. These pictures of both marches come to you courtesy of Noel Camilleri.

07 SEP 08 REMEMBRANCE OF GREAT SIEGE OF 1565

07 SEP 08 REMEMBERING FEARFUL WAR DAYS

07 SEP 08 WREATHLAYING CEREMONY

The morning's Remembrance Ceremony was concluded with the laying of wreaths at the foot of the Great Siege Monument in Vctory Square.

07 SEP 08 PREPARING FOR THE NIGHT'S MARCH AND FIREWORKS

07 SEP 08 THE TRANSLATION OF THE RELIQUARY

The Solemnity of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, Il Bambina, started Sunday 7th September 2008 with the Translation. The reliquary of the Madonna was carried by H.L. Bishop Mario leaving the Oratory at 6.30 p.m. It went round Victory Square accompanied by the Victory Band. In Church Orchestra and soloists under the direction of Mro. Fr Salv Galea O.P. was waiting for the procession. The same orchestra will be performing on Feast Day, Monday 8th September in the morning and in the evening with the addition of Jesus of Nazareth Choir.