Coming up

¤ A car boot sale, in aid of the Xaghra Catholic Action Centre, is being held today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. near Ta' Kola Windmill in Xaghra. For more information phone 2155-2759 or 7928-4385.

¤ The feast of St Anthony of Padua is being celebrated in Mgarr and Victoria.

Today, in Mgarr, at 8.30 a.m. the Franciscan provincial Fr Paul Galea, will lead a concelebrated Mass. Mgr Lawrence Sciberras will deliver the panegyric.

The Ite Ad Joseph Band will play marches in St Anthony Street at 6 p.m.

The procession with the statue of the saint, led by Fr Galea and accompanied by the St Joseph Band, leaves the church at 8. During the procession the Mnarja Band will be performing on the church parvis. The procession will then end with a Eucharistic blessing.

Tomorrow in Victoria at 5 p.m. Mass for children will be led by Bishop Nikol Cauchi at the Franciscan church.

Fr Guardian Michael Attard will visit the General Hospital and distribute the traditional bread of St Anthony to the patients.

Qala archpriest Canon Dr Joseph Zammit will lead a concelebrated Mass at 7 p.m. and will deliver the panegyric. The Laudate Pueri Choir, directed by Fr George J. Frendo will also take part.

¤ The statue of St John the Baptist, made by Hubert Saliba Camilleri of Xewkija, which is being taken to the Xewkija emigrants in Sydney, Australia, is being inaugurated today.

Activities will open with marches by the Precursor Band at 8.30 a.m., followed by a welcome meeting at the Rotunda church at 10.30. The statue will be placed in the church at 10.45, after which Xewkija mayor Dr Monica Vella will make an address.

At 11 archpriest Mgr Carmelo Mercieca will lead a concelebrated Mass, followed by poetry readings and the blessing of the statue on the church parvis.

There will also be a carcade in the village streets at noon.

¤ A repeat performance of the new oratorio, Il-Qalb ta' Kristu, with music by John Galea and lyrics by Bishop Nikol Cauchi, is to be held today at 8 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Sanctuary in Fontana.

The oratorio was commissioned by Fontana parish priest Fr George Bezzina to celebrate the centenary of the parish church, where Bishop Cauchi had once served.

¤ A medical seminar for GPs and specialists working in Gozo is being held by St James Hospital, in collaboration with A.M. Mangion Ltd, on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Oleander Restaurant, Xaghra.

¤ Fontana parish priest Fr George Bezzina will lead a concelebrated mass on Mgr M. Buttigieg Square in Fontana on Friday at 7 p.m. This will be followed by a pilgrimage with the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to Fontana Sanctuary, where the statue will be greeted by the Victory Band.

After a performance by the Chorus Urbanus, Bishop Nikol Cauchi will place a golden crown on the statue and bless it to mark the first centenary of the consecration of Fontana parish church.

The function ends with a sacramental blessing and the statue will be placed in the church. The Victory Band will play marches in the street and there will be a ground fireworks display.

¤ A high tea, to raise funds for the feast of Our Lady of Victory, is being held at Fr Matthew Sultana Primary School in Xaghra on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets may be obtained from the helpers or by phoning 2155-0450 or 9982-6367.

¤ Gharb parish centre is organising a Lejla Sajfija on Friday from 8.15 p.m. on the church parvis. The programme includes a magic show, singing, dancing, drama, lottery games and various spot prizes.

Julie and Ludwig will be the special guest singers. Tickets may be obtained from the parish centre.