Social and Personal

BONAVIA. On May 23, VICTORIA, aged 92, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children Tessie and Gracie, Guzi and his wife Maryann, Gregory and Anne, Frans and Angela, Victor and Lucienne, Mary, wife of Tony Cassar, and Nina, widow of Frank Sultana of Melbourne, Australia, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves her residence today at 8.15 a.m. for Our Lady of Victories parish church, Naxxar, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.45 a.m., followed by interment at Naxxar cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be appreciated.

FENECH. On May 23, ELISA, k/a Elsie née Gobey, aged 71 of Msida, widow of Joseph. She leaves to mourn her loss her beloved children Lorraine Heinrichs and her husband Georg, Stephanie Farrugia and Ron Lawrence, her grandchildren Owen, Roxane, Mark and Christian, relatives and friends.
The funeral will leave St Luke`s Hospital tomorrow at 2.15 p.m. for Msida parish church where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m. followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi will be appreciated.
To Mum
Now she is gone
what is there left
but happy memories
we shall never forget.
Her genuine smile
her loving face.
For us, a mentor
throughout the years.
Her gentle touch
her unselfishness
her joie de vivre
brought nothing but happiness.
Mum, this tribute`s to you.
No words can explain what
we feel for you.
With all our hearts,
we all say thanks
and hope to meet again
soon, some day.
Stephanie and Lorraine.

LIBERTO. On May 21, at his residence in St Julian`s, Chev. FRANCO LIBERTO. He leaves to mourn his great loss his wife Beatrice, his children Isabella and her husband Renzo Giovagnorio, Cristina and her husband Adrian Mifsud, Alessandro and his wife Giselle née Ghirlando, Adriano and his wife Mandy née Oliver, his 11 grandchildren, his brother Carlo and his wife Lilia, residing in Switzerland, his nieces Gloria and Anna and their families, his nephew Mario, besides many friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves St Luke`s Hospital today at 9 a.m. for Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception parish church, Ta` l-Ibrag, where Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated at 9.30 a.m., followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

MAMO. On Sunday, May 19, at Hammersmith Hospital, England, DENNIS, passed peacefully away, aged 74, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife Ruth and his son Martin, his brothers Eric and Joe, his sisters Elsa, Marcelle and Sheila, his sister-in-law Jean and their families. May he rest in peace.

VIDOLICH. On May 10, in UK, ALFRED of Eastham, London, formerly of Paola, aged 68, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Edith née Camilleri, formerly of Hamrun, his children Caroline and her husband James Harmer, Marion and Louisa, his brother and sisters Karmenu and his wife Marisa, Marisa and her husband Agostino, Tereza and her husband Paul, his in-laws Daniel and his wife Carmen, Victor, Walter and his wife Rosita, Edwin and his wife Violet, Anna and her husband Alfred of UK, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends in Malta and England. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves St Luke`s Hospital tomorrow for St Anthony`s Capuchins` church, Ghajn Dwieli, Paola, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m., followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be appreciated.

ZAMMIT. On May 22, at St Vincent de Paul residence, VINCENZA, widow of Thomas, aged 89, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her 10 children and in-laws, numerous nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
Mass praesente cadavere will be said today at 8.45 a.m. at Maria Regina parish church, Marsa, followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery.

In Memoriam

ASCIAK - EMANUEL. In loving memory of a beloved father, today the 25th anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by his sons and daughters. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

BISAZZA. In ever loving memory of our dear parents CHARLES and BICE, today being the eighth anniversary of our mother`s demise. Fondly remembered by their son Mario, their daughters Anna, Juliette, Laura and Iolanda, their in-laws and grandchildren. Always in our thoughts and prayers.

BORG - EDDIE (husband of the late Antonietta). In ever loving memory of our dear father on the 12th anniversary of his demise. Daniel, Marilena and Denis and families in Scotland and Malta. May the Good Lord grant him eternal rest.

CEFAI - MARY. Remembering our dearest today and always with much love and gratitude. Her children. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

CEFAI - MARY. In loving memory of a dear mother and grandmother, today the 11th anniversary of her demise. Gone but not forgotten. Her son Antoine, wife Doris and grandchildren.

CEFAI - MARY. In loving memory of a dearest mother, grandmother and great-grandmother on the 11th anniversary of her demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Lord, grant her eternal rest. John, Josette and family.

CHARLES - FRANK. Treasured memories of a dear husband, father and grandfather on the fourth anniversary of his death. Always in our thoughts and prayers. His wife, son, daughters, in-laws and grandchildren. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

CHARLES - FRANK. In ever cherished memory of a dear father and grandfather, especially today the fourth anniversary of his death. Anna, Joe, Karen, Liza and Louis.

DIMECH - ERMINIA. Remembering our dearest mother on the 22nd anniversary of her passing to eternal life. Tessie, Josephine and Albert.

FERRY. Loving memories of CHARLES, a dear husband and father, on the 14th anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by his wife, sons, daughter and relatives.

GRAVINO - CARMELINA. Lovingly remembered, today the 24th anniversary of her passing away. Forever in our thoughts and prayers. Her husband Alfred, sons, daughters, in-laws and grandchildren.

PSAILA - EDGAR. Treasured and unfading memories of a dear father, grandfather and great-grandfather, today the 10th anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered and missed by his eight children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. A prayer is solicited.

STIVALA. In loving memory of FRANCIS, today the 20th anniversary of his demise. Always remembered by his wife Carmen, his sons Joe and Paul and his daughters Marlene and Carmen. May he rest in peace.

VELLA - MARILYN. Lovingly remembered by her children Nicholas and Alberta, tomorrow the 18th anniversary of her death. Today`s 6.30 p.m. Mass at St Mary`s parish church, Attard, will be offered for the repose of her soul. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

Power Cuts

There will be power cuts from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Swieqi in parts of il-Ktajjen, is-Sirk and l-Ilma streets; from 7.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. at Rabat in Tal-Hemsija and at Dingli at Tal-Hawli; from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hamrun in is-Sewwieqa, Manwel Attard, Karmnu Abela, Giovanni Barbara, l-Ghasafar, Pawlu Saliba, il-Birrerija, il-Vitorja, San Frangisk and environs and tar-Rabbat housing estate; from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bahar ic-Caghaq in ir-Ridott, il-Palm, is-Sibbien, l-Isbark tal-Francizi, ix-Xbiek, it-Tunnara, l-Iskall, is-Sikka, M.A. Caruana, l-Imsajjin, il-Fugassa, il-Lampara and id-Dwieli streets, part of il-Kampanjol Street, Xatt il-Palm and Star Estate; and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Zebbug in parts of il-Qoton, il-Watar, ir-Raddiena, il-Mahlug, il-Poeta Nazzjonali and Gharram streets.

St Joseph School Get-Together

A get-together for past students and staff of St Joseph School, Paola, will be held at the school in Zabbar Road today starting with Mass at 7 p.m. with a reception afterwards.

Appreciation - Therese Schembri

by Eric Montfort

Those who knew Therese Schembri would immediately identify her with optimism, and firm, unrelenting faith in God, despite her incurable illness. Therese, who died just over a month ago, passed through a great deal of suffering mainly from Idiopathic Disease and various related illnesses which hounded her for 32 years, just more than half of her lifetime. She was actually bedridden over the past decade. Despite her predicament, she never lost heart and would spend the day praying and listening to radio and reading the Bible, until her condition permitted her to do so.

Moreover, and most importantly she never complained about her situation. Her voice until her last few days of her life sounded so fresh and young. And her firm faith as well as her experience and aptitude made her a most mature and intuitive person. I found out myself when I went to see her for the first time back in 1994, having known and talked to her for more than five years, thanks to my acquaintance with Reggie, her talented husband.

Therese Schembri was an exemplary mother and a stout leader even when bedridden and in pain. Her traumas were nonetheless there, physically as well as mentally too. She too had her domestic problems to settle but since she knew how to let go, she remained as ever serene with peace in her mind and her heart. To the very end, she remained a woman of principle and an exemplary personality. During Therese`s long illness, Malta and the world changed considerably and became more materialist than ever. Despite her condition, she was quite aware of the changes that had been taking place and was much concerned about the recent September 11 outcome. In the light of such circumstances, she urged more prayer.

Just three months before she passed away, she had her legs amputated and after the operation, she hoped that at least, she could be a bit more mobile. In this regard, she even wrote a letter to a local radio station, asking if it was possible for various communities to help her acquire a wheelchair. Her wish was granted but sadly could not enjoy such a small but significant benefit as she died just over a month later.

Furthermore, Therese`s sense of humility was reflected in this letter, not least because she dedicated her sufferings for the conversion of sinners. Indeed, personalities like Therese Schembri will be very hard to come by nowadays.

President`s Engagements Today

10 a.m. at the Palace, Valletta, the President receives Mr Lawrence Zammit, chairman, Malta Development Corporation.

11 a.m. at the Palace, Valletta, the President is interviewed by Mr Tonio Bonello for RTK Radio.

Noon, at the Palace, Valletta, the President receives Mr Louis Grech, chairman of Air Malta.

7.30 p.m. at Bank of Valletta head office in Sliema, the President inaugurates an art exhibition by Ray Pitrè.

The Times

The Times` editor, Mr Victor Aquilina, is away. Acting editor is Mr Roger Mifsud.

What`s On Today

Play
7.30 p.m. at St James Cavalier, Valletta, Masquerade play "Broken Glass".

Literature
7.30 p.m. at Razzett tal-Markiz, Mosta, literary evening featuring works by Mosta authors.

Opera
7.30 p.m. at the Manoel Theatre, Handel`s Opera "Semele" by Opera Parnassus, conducted by Peter Stark, in collaboration with the British Council.

Film
7.30 p.m. at St James Cavalier, Valletta, screening of Australian Ballet performing Don Quixote and Coppelia.

Exhibitions
8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., at the National Museum of Archaeology, Republic Street, Valletta, exhibition by Julie Apap, Jeni Caruana, Ebba von Fersen Balzan and Caroline Hills.
8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the National Museum of Fine Arts, South Street, Valletta, exhibition of works by Mario Ricci.
8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4.30 to 8.30 p.m., at the German-Maltese Circle, St Christopher Street, Valletta, exhibition of posters of German composer Handel`s connection with the town of Halle.
6.30 to 9 p.m., at Razzett tal-Markiz, Mosta, exhibition by the Department for Creative Arts and Psychotherapy, for the Eden Foundation.