Coming up

¤ Don Bosco Oratory in Victoria celebrates the feast of St John Bosco today.

At 9 a.m. Bishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi leads a Pontifical concelebrated Mass. The Chorus Urbaus, directed by Mro Sunny Galea, will participate.

At 9.45 a horse and pony parade leaves St Francis Square for the oratory where Fr George Mercieca will bless pets. There will be lunch at the Calypso Hotel, Marsalforn, at 12.15 p.m.

Mass will be said by Bishop Mario Grech at 4.30. The Chorus Ecclesiae Cathedralis, directed by Mro Colin Attard, will participate.

At 4.45 the Leone Band plays marches from the Primary School in Triq Vajringa to St Augustine Square.

The procession with the statue of the saint, led by Cathedral archpriest Mgr Joseph Vella Gauci, starts at 5.30., accompanied by children, young people, oratory past pupils, and the Leone Band.

The Don Bosco Grand Concert - Spectacular Movie Themes will be held in the oratory hall at 7.30 p.m. by the Gozo Youth Wind Band and Orchestra, directed by Mro Joseph Grech. A reception will be held afterwards. Entrance is free.

¤ The Gozitan Missionary Support Group is holding a tea tombola, in aid of Gozitan missionaries working in Third World countries, at Crystal Palace, Marsalforn, today at 3.30 p.m. For tickets phone Georgette Bezzina (2155-5709) or Vicky Said (2155-3282).

¤ Bishop Mario Grech continues his programme of visits to Gozitan parishes today in his hometown of Kercem. At 5.30 p.m. the St Gregory Band leaves its new premises on Orvieto Square for the bishop's house in Dr Anton Calleja Street. From here it will accompany the bishop to the parish church where he will lead a Pontifical concelebrated Mass.

¤ A St Valentine's coffee morning will be held by the Nadur Feast Decorations Association at City Pearl Hall, Victoria on February 15 at 8.30 a.m. There will be tombola, games and prizes to be won. Tickets at Lm1.50 are obtainable from the helpers or contact Andrew on 7906-9820 or 2156-0360.

¤ The German-Maltese Circle is holding courses in German at intermediate level at Sir Michaelangelo Refalo Centre for Further Studies in Victoria between February and June. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. from February 14. Candidates must possess an O Level in German.

For more information call 2124-6967 from 9 a.m. to noon and from 4.30 to 8.30 p.m. (e-mail: info@germanmaltesecircle). The course might continue at advanced level between October and June, depending on the demand for places.

¤ On Friday, feast of St Paul Shipwrecked, Bishop Mario Grech leads a Pontifical concelebrated Mass at Munxar parish church at 6 p.m.

¤ The Legion of Mary in Gozo will hold the annual Marian Song Festival at the Don Bosco Oratory on May 6. The festival is open to Gozitan singers aged seven and older. More details and applications are obtainable from the Legion headquarters on St Augustine Square, Victoria, on Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m.