Coming up

¤ The feast of the Immaculate Conception will celebrated in Victoria next Sunday.

To mark this feast, there will be the blessing of the horses which will take part in the traditional races next Sunday, today at 9.30 a.m.

On Tuesday, the Feast Committee is holding a traditional dinner at the convent of the St Francis of Assisi, Victoria.

On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be an evening of song and folklore music, on St Francis Square, Victoria, at 8 p.m.

On Friday and Saturday, marches will be performed by the La Stella Band at 8 p.m., followed by a fireworks display on St Francis Square.

¤ The feast of St Andrew is being celebrated in Fontana today.

After solemn vespers at 3.30 p.m. Bishop Cauchi will lead a concelebrated Mass. A procession with the statue of the Saint, in which the La Stella Band, the Christ the King Choir and orchestra led by Mro Carmel P. Grech will take part, starts at 4.45 p.m.

¤ A bazaar is being held at Fontana parish centre today.

¤ The Blood Transfusion Department is appealing to donors to give blood today, from 8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gozo General Hospital. Donors should take their ID cards with them.

¤ Wedding Fest 2002 is being held at the Cana Movement Centre, Victoria, today from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 2 to 10.30 p.m. Suppliers of bridal gowns, dress hire services, video production services, bank services, catering and confectioneries will take part.

¤ Sick and Elderly Day is being celebrated at Qala parish church today. Mass will be held at 9 a.m., followed by the consecration of the sick to the Blessed Heart of Mary. This will be followed by a ceremony awarding the Elderly of the Year prize to the person who has contributed mostly to the parish.

¤ Disability week is being celebrated today till next Sunday. The programme starts today with Mass led by Bishop Nikol Cauchi at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary at 11.15 a.m., followed by a party. During the week there will be visitation to families of persons with disabilities, talks to students and the public, discussions, visits to the Respite Centre in Ghajnsielem and a fund-raising buffet at Ta' Cenc Hotel.

¤ Tombola is being organised at the Youth Circle, Xaghra, today from 1 p.m.

¤ A tea tombola, organised by the Gozitan group Support lill-Missjunarji, in aid of Gozitan missionaries in Third World countries, is being held at Ta' Pinu Restaurant, today at 3.30 p.m. Tickets, at Lm1.25, from Paul Baluci (tel: 2155-1748) or Vicky Said (tel: 2155-3282).

¤ Star Wars - Episode II is being shown at Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria, today at 5.30 p.m.

¤ Xaghra parish centre is organising a competition for best decorated crib and window. Application forms and other information can be obtained from the parish office. Forms are to be submitted by Saturday.

¤ A coffee morning is being held at the Bishop's Conservatory, Victoria, on Tuesday at 9 a.m. For tickets phone 2155-6506.

¤ The Catholic Action in collaboration with OASI Foundation is organising a series of talks on social challenges facing the family today, at its headquarters in Sir Arturo Mercieca Street, Victoria. The first introductory talk by director Fr Manwel Cordina, held last month, will be repeated on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Participation of the public will be encouraged. A babysitter will be available.

¤ Bishop Cauchi will inaugurate the first Church secondary school for girls at Bishop Pietru Pace Street, Victoria, on Wednesday. He will first celebrate Mass at 10.30 a.m.

¤ Anglican Mass, celebrated by Fr Alan Woods, will be held at the Sacred Heart Seminary Chapel on Wednesday at 11 a.m. For more information call Tony Prescott on 2155-2483.

¤ A Christmas book fair, organised by the Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria under the patronage of the Ministry for Gozo, is being held at the Exhibition Hall of the Ministry on St Francis Square, Victoria, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 8.30 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. during weekdays, and from 8.30 a.m. to noon, and from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays. Minister Giovanna Debono will be inaugurating the fair on Thursday at 12.30 p.m.

¤ A talk on voluntary missionaries is being organised by the Gozo Missionary Society at the Seminary, Victoria, on Saturday at 4.30 p.m.

¤ The Anton Buttigieg Qala primary school will be organising a musical concert, with the participation of the Ite Ad Joseph Band, led by Mro M. Refalo.

¤ L-Ikkundannata, a three-act play by Guzè Aquilina, organised by All for One Productions, will be held at Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria, on Saturday at 7.30 p.m.

¤ An outing to Malta is being organised by the committee of St Anthony Church, on Sunday. For tickets and other information, contact Fr John Sultana on: 2156-54843, 2155-1534 or 2155-8571.

¤ A Christmas buffet lunch, organised by the Gozo Cancer Club, is being held at Palazzo Margherita, on Sunday at noon. For tickets, contact Joyce Rapa on 2155-1258.

¤ St George's parish centre, Victoria, is holding a high tea on December 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets, at Lm1.25, may be obtained from the centre (tel: 2155-6377).