19 OCT 08 NAZZARENU FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING - MASS

19 OCT 08 NAZZARENU FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING - PROCESSION

19 OCT 08 NAZZARENU FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING - WINE AND PIZZA PARTY

18 OCT 08 FESTA NAZZARENU - THIRD DAY KWARANTURI

On this third day of Kwaranturi, the eve of the feast of Christ King of all Universe being celebrated at Nazzarenu, the program of the last two days was followed from 6.00 a.m. till 7.00 p.m. The celebrant at today’s Mass was none other than Fr. Ignatius Borg ex Rector of Nazzarenu Church and currently Parish Priest of the village of St. Lawrence. Co-celebrating with him was Can. Joseph Sultana with Rev Deacon Richard Nazzareno Farrugia participating. Deacon Farrugia hails from Nazzarenu and so it is no wonder that he also carries the name of Nazzareno. Assisting them was Seminarian Simon Cachia who is attached to the Parish of Xaghra on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings as part of his pastoral training. Mr. Noel Theuma animated Mass while the Voci Angeliche choir under the direction of Mrs. Grace Vella, accompanied by Seminarian Mario Curmi on the organ, animated the singing. After reading the Gospel, the Rev. Deacon Farrugia delivered the sermon. The prayers of the faithful were read by Mrs. Frances Busuttil and Mr. Joseph Azzopardi. A few members of the congregation had to follow the service from outside the Church, on the parvis, as all seating space inside was taken up. Before Mass came to an end the Rector thanked all those taking part. He had special thanks to Fr. Ignatius Borg recounting how much he worked hard during his long term as Rector of Nazzarenu Church. Fr Borg will be remembered for the embellishment of the Church for the betterment of the faithful in their fulfillment of the Liturgy. In reply, Fr. Ignatius said that he always treasures his term as rector of Nazzarenu Church and wherever he went he always carried the Church and all the community close to his heart.

17 OCT 08 FESTA NAZZARENU - SECOND DAY KWARANTURI

This day, the second day of Kwaranturi, was dedicated to Religious and Cultural organizations of the Nazzarenu Community. From 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. the previous day’s program was repeated. Celebrating Mass at 7.00 p.m. was the Rector of the Church, Can. Anthony Refalo Rapa assisted by Rev. Deacon Anthony Bajada who delivered the sermon. Raymond Theuma read the Lessons and Mrs Victoria Xerri was Mass animator. Soprano Ms Marouska Attard, representing the Choir Schola Cantorum Jubilate, accompanied on the organ by Mro Stephen Attard animated solo the singing. It was an evening of rain, thunder and lightning, at times with a raging storm going on. Although this was reflected in a slightly lesser number of faithful attending, yet many braved the inclement weather and made it to Church.

16 OCT 08 FESTA NAZZARENU - FIRST DAY OF KWARANTURI

Today was a special day. Besides being the first day of Kwaranturi as happens every year, this year the Nazzarenu Community welcomed to their Church the relic of St Paul which is visiting all parishes in Gozo as part of the celebrations at the start of the Diocesan Mission. The relic arrived from Nadur at 6.30 p.m. The day was dedicated to Volunteers and Benefactors of the Church. It started with mass said by Mgr Carmelo Hili at 6.00 a.m. Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo celebrated Mass at 7.00 a.m. and afterwards opened the Kwaranturi (forty hours of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament) by exposing the Holy Eucharist which was to stay so exposed till 11.00 a.m. Adoration started again at 2.00 p.m. ending with benediction at 7.00 p.m. when it was time for the evening celebration to start. Canon Frankie Bajada from Xaghra, Archpriest of Ghajnsielem Parish was the evening’s celebrant assisted by Rev. Deacon Joseph Curmi who delivered the sermon. The Choir ‘Nativitas’ of the Victory Philharmonic Society, under the direction of Mrs Silvana Agius, animated the singing. They were accompanied on the organ by Ivan Attard. After Mass, the Rector of the Church, Can. Anthony Refalo Rapa, holding the reliquary, stood in front of the high altar to enable the faithful present approach and pay homage to and kiss the relic. It was afterwards taken to the homes of those sick and elderly in the Nazzarenu area who requested it.

15 OCT O8 FESTA NAZZARENU - CHILDREN'S DAY

This day was dedicated to Children with particular emphasis on the Missions. It was appropriate, therefore, that today’s celebrant was Fr Giovanni Cefai MSSP who hails from Zebbug, Gozo and running a mission in Peru’, the Parish of the Holy Cross, La Tomilla, Arequipa. The children’s choir under the direction of Sr Michela animated the singing. The covers of the music books all had a letter and together they read ‘KRISTU SULTAN TAL-POPLI KOLLHA’ which means ‘Christ King of All Peoples’. To continue with the missionary message, during Mass Offerings the children offered a World Globe and circles with the names of the five continents. The circles were hung on the front of the altar piece for the rest of the Mass while the globe was placed on the altar. Collection which followed was presented to Fr Cefai in aid of his mission. After Mass, the children present were handed balloons with the colours of the five continents, each one carrying a message written by them attached to it. Out on the parvis, the children let loose the balloons and which like a ray of light and hope quickly disappeared into the darkness of the night sky. Finally the children converged on the Community Centre where they were entertained with snacks and drinks in the company of Ms Clown. Earlier in the day, at 10.00 in the morning, special Mass was celebrated by Mgr Eucaristico Sultana, Archpriest Emeritus of Xaghra, and Can. Joseph Sultana for the sick and the elderly of the parish. During Mass the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was celebrated. After Mass, those present were entertained to drinks and snacks by the ‘Day Centre’ of the Xaghra Local Council. at the Jesus of Nazareth Centre,

14 OCT 08 FEAST OF NAZZARENU - CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD

The sixth day in preparation for the feast of Christ King of the Whole Universe was dedicated to the Catholic Priesthood. Co-celebrating with the Archpriest of Xaghra, Mgr Carmelo Refalo, were Mgr Carmelo Hili and Fr Saviour Sultana, both residents of the Nazzarenu neighbourhood, and who are this year celebrating the 40th anniversary of their consecration as priests. Rector of the Church, Can Anthony Refalo Rapa, was also co-celebrating with them. Leading the congregation were men and women who have offered themselves to serve as missionaries in the forthcoming Diocesan Mission. Each one was presented with the miniature missionary cross which they will carry on them while carrying out their mission among Gozitan families during the said Diocesan Mission.

13 OCT 08 FEAST OF NAZZARENU - FAMILY FEAST

Monday 13th October 2008 was dedicated to the Family. All families of Nazzarenu Community were invited particularly those who were celebrating their Silver Jubilee Wedding, couples who were married this year and couples raising babies. The latter were asked to bring with them their babies and present them to the Celebrant during Mass. Fr Anthony Teuma, who resides in the shadow of the Church, concelebrated Mass with the Rector, Can. Anthony Refalo Rapa. Fr Teuma is the Bishop’s delegate for Family Affairs in the Diocese. Marvic Galea animated Mass while members of the Group Broadcasters accompanied a Choir of young girls led by Sr Michela. The church was packed with the faithful. Many responded the Rector’s call and brought their babies with them, babies just a few weeks of being born. The couple Joseph and Rose Bartolo read the Lessons and sang the Psalms. After the homily the two couples, Bartolo and Grech who are this year celebrating their Silver Jubilee wedding renewed their marriage vows at the altar joined by all married couples standing among the congregation. A couple who got married this year read the Prayers of the Faithful. The offerings were presented by the family of Fr Teuma’s sister, the Camilleri family. After the offertory, couples with babies took turns to go to the altar where Fr Teuma prayed on each one before presenting them to the congregation who applauded each time the child was held high up for all to see. Nine couples presented ten babies, led by Tony and Doris Grech with their few weeks’ old baby girl. After the final prayers, young soprano Francesca Borg gave a beautiful interpretation of The Ave Maria accompanied on the organ by Ivan Attard. The couples with babies were then presented with a memento of the occasion. The Bartolo and Grech families, celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary and the couple married this year were presented with a framed photo of the painting of the Holy Family which hangs in the Church. After Mass the Bartolo and Grech families were called once more to cut a delicious cake. Champagne soon started flowing.

12 OCT 08 FEAST OF NAZZARENU - YOUTH AND ADOLESCENTS' DAY

Sunday 12th October, fourth day of the Novena was dedicated to Youths and adolescents. Fr Mark Demanuele MSSP celebrated Mass with the singing animated by the Group ‘The Guiding Light’. After Mass a number of youths and adolescents with their parents’ consent donated blood. Photos courtesy Carmel Agius to whom we are grateful.

11 OCT O8 FEAST OF NAZZARENU - VOCATIONS DAY

In anticipation of the feast of Christ the King to be celebrated at Nazzarenu on Sunday 19th October 2008, a novena is held. The third day, Saturday 11th October was dedicated to Religious Vocations. Celebrating Mass was the Gozo Seminary Rector, Fr Daniel Xerri who hails from the Nazzarenu Community. Canon Anthony Refalo Rapa, the Church's Rector, concelebrated with him while Seminarian Simon Cauchi assisted. After the homily an investiture of two young boys as new altar boys took place. Fr. Xerri first addressed their parents who then read the vows promising to help their children in their new vocation. It was then the turn of the two boys, Luke and Matthew Gatt to approach the celebrant. He addressed the boys explaining to them what their new role in the Church asks of them. He told them that they had to be exemplary to others more than before as they would henceforth be seen closer to the altar. The boys vowed that they would serve the altar and the Church diligently and faithfully. Fr Xerri then blessed them and helped the boys put on the habit of altar boys. It is interesting to note that the boys are closely related, Matthew being the uncle of Liam who is two months elder than him. The Choir of the Altar Boys of the Basilica accompanied on the organ by Seminarian Mario Curmi animated the singing. Mrs Victoria Xerri, mother of Fr Daniel was Mass animator. A small reception followed in which Liam and Matthew cut the cake. High Tea then followed at the Jesus of Nazareth Centre.