Coming up

¤ The feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is being celebrated at the Cathedral in Victoria today.

At 9 a.m. Bishop Nikol Cauchi, accompanied by the Cathedral Chapter, will lead concelebrated Mass, after which he will deliver the Apostolic blessing with the granting of the plenary indulgence.

During Mass, the Missa in Solemnitate Sanctae Mariae Assumptae by Mro Joseph Sammut, will be sung, with the participation of the Chorus Ecclesiae Cathedralis, under the direction of Mro Colin Attard. Gieh il-Parrocca tal-Katidral medals will be presented to Mgr Joseph Farrugia Dimech, Fr Francis Saliba, Victor Vella and Gorga Gatt for their contribution to the cathedral.

The May 12 and Precursor bands will play marches at 11 a.m.

Traditional horse and donkey races will be held in Republic Street at 2.30 p.m., followed by marches by the Leone Band from the parish centre to the cathedral square at 5.30.

Solemn vespers by the Chapter, followed by a Eucharistic celebration and sacramental blessing, will be led by vicar general archdeacon Mgr Giovanni B. Gauci at 5.45 p.m.

The Victory Band will play marches from the parish centre to the cathedral square at 6.

The procession, with the statue of Our Lady, led by Mgr Gauci, leaves the church at 6.30. The Leone Band will also play religious marches.

The Victory Band will perform on Independence Square at 7.30, while the St Joseph Band will perform on Cathedral Square.

A ground fireworks display will be held by Vampa Organisations on Gelmus Hill at 10. Mgr Lawrence Sciberras will then deliver a Sacramental blessing on Cathedral Square. Celebrations will end with marches by the Leone Band.

¤ The traditional Santa Marija agriculture and crafts exhibition is being held at Villa Rundle Gardens in Victoria today from 6.30 a.m. President Eddie Fenech Adami will present prizes for the best exhibits at 11. Around 4,000 items will be exhibited including cattle, poultry, fruit and vegetables.

¤ Christmas in August, in aid of Dar Guzeppa Debono, is being held at Tigrija Palazz, Victoria, today and tomorrow from 8.30 a.m. to noon and 5 to 9 p.m.

¤ A Marian pilgrimage to Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish church in Sliema is being organised by the Diocesan Commission for the Apostleship of the Laity (KDAL) on Tuesday. The group will board the ferry at 5.15 p.m. from Mgarr harbour. Transport from Cirkewwa will be provided. Bishop Cauchi will lead a concelebrated Mass. The group will return with the 9 p.m. ferry. Tickets are on sale in all parishes.

¤ The feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is being celebrated in Zebbug this week.

A traditional dinner is being held on the parish square on Tuesday at 8.30 p.m. Marisa d'Amato and The Broadcasters will perform during the dinner.

Fontana parish priest Fr George Bezzina will lead concelebrated Mass for couples celebrating their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries and couples who got married or attended marriage preparation courses during the past year, on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The St Mary Band will perform on Assumption Square at 8.30 p.m.

A barbecue is being organised by Zebbug Rovers Football Club on Thursday at 8.30 p.m.

A demonstration with the statue of Our Lady, accompanied by the St Mary Band, is being held on Friday at 9.30 p.m. This will be followed by a ground fireworks display on Assumption Square at midnight.

Horse and donkey races are being organised by the local council in Zebbug Street on Saturday at 2.30 p.m.

The vicar general Mgr Giovanni B. Gauci will lead the translation of the relic of Our Lady and concelebrated Mass on Saturday at 6.30 p.m.

The La Stella Band will play on Assumption Square at 9.30, followed by a ground fireworks display at 11.30.

¤ A coffee morning, in aid of Gozitan missionaries in Guatemala, is being held at Crystal Palace in Marsalforn on Thursday at 9 a.m. For tickets, at Lm1.25 each, phone 2155-6509.

¤ The Big 2004 Walk for the World is being organised by the Gozo Girl Guide Company at Marsalforn on August 23, at 6.30 p.m. Donations for the education of Girl Guides in Third World countries will be collected during the event.

¤ A traditional dinner for the feast of Our Lady of Loreto organised by the feast decorations committee, in collaboration with the local council, is being held on the church square in Ghajnsielem on August 25 at 9 p.m. Tickets at Lm5 for adults and Lm3.50 for children under 12 years may be obtained from the local council offices (tel: 2156-1515) up to Friday.