Coming up

¤ The Ghaqda Dilettanti Gimgha l-Kbira, with the collaboration of Bank of Valletta, are putting up a traditional Lenten exhibition at the exhibition hall in St Francis Square, Victoria, today between 8 a.m. and noon.

¤ Oliver Twist is showing at Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria, today at 5.30 p.m.

¤ The altar boys of Xaghra parish are putting up a play, Padre Pio, at the youth centre in April 28, 1688, Street, near Victory Sqaure, Xaghra, today and next Sunday at 2.30 and 6 p.m. The three-act play, written by Lino Grech and directed by Carmel Bajada, deals with the life of Padre Pio, who was declared a saint in 2002. Tickets at Lm2 and Lm1.50 (children under 11) are available from the Xaghra parish vocational centre, tel: 2155-9481, and the parish office on 2155-1042, or call 9942-0879.

¤ On the occasion of the feast of St Joseph today, Bishop Grech leads a concelebrated Pontifical Mass, with the participation of the Cathedral Choir, at the Cathedral in Victoria tomorrow at 6 p.m. In Qala, which is dedicated to St Joseph there will be Masses tomorrow every hour on the hour between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. (except noon). Throughout the day there will be pilgrimages to Qala from several parishes in Malta and Gozo. At 5.45 p.m. Bishop Nikol Cauchi leads a solemn concelebration, with the participation of the St Joseph Choir.

¤ Lenten sermons for married couples, led by Fr William Axiaq, OFM, are being held at the Cana Movement in Fortunato Mizzi Street, Victoria, from tomorrow till Friday at 7.15 p.m. Child minders will be in attendance.

¤ Lenten sermons will be held in various parishes, all from tomorrow till Friday: at Nadur parish hall at 7 p.m. for young couples, led by Fr Emanuel Curmi; at Nadur Basilica, Fr Joe Bajada leads exercises for young people at 8 p.m.; at Qala parish church at 6.30 p.m. led by Fr Karm Debattista, MSSP; at the Cathedral for the general public at 5.15 p.m. and for married couples at 7.30 p.m., led by Fr René Camilleri. Child care will be provided. In the annex of the Cathedral at 8 p.m., for youths and engaged couples, led by Fr Debattista.

¤ A course of spiritual exercises, led by Fontana parish priest Fr George Bezzina, is being held after the Way of the Cross at the Fontana parish from tomorrow till Friday.

¤ A coffee morning is being held at Crystal Palace, Marsalforn, on Tuesday at 9 a.m. Tickets at Lm1.25 are available from Coney Island Bar (tel: 2155-1289).

¤ On the occasion of the feast of the Annunciation, Mass will be celebrated by Mgr Joseph Azzopardi in the chapel in Lunzjata Valley, Victoria, on Saturday at 6 a.m. Masses will be celebrated one after the other until 4 p.m. Bishop Grech leads a solemn concelebration at 6 p.m. followed by a Eucharistic celebration. The last Mass will be said at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in leading a pilgrimage to the chapel should contact the rector, Mgr Azzopardi, on 2155-5442.

¤ The Helping Hands Group is staging LesMisSaigonGuerre, Schoenberg and Boubil's masterpieces, with the participation of Lawrence Gray, Ludwig Galea, Roger Tirazona, Julie Zahra, Pamela Bezzina, Margaret Camilleri, Mario Portelli and Audrey Bartolo, at the Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria, on Saturday at 8 p.m. Proceeds in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. For tickets call 2155-1582, 2155-6616, 7955-1582 or 9942-1611.

¤ Bishop Grech is giving a Lenten talk for young people at the Diocesan Curia in Republic Street, Victoria, on Saturday at 8.30 p.m.

¤ A national pilgrimage to the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC, led by Bishop Mario Grech, is being organised to coincide with the inauguration of the oratory dedicated to Our Lady of Ta' Pinu between May 25 and June 3. For more information call 2155-2045, 9926-0701, or Ta' Pinu, Sanctuary on 2155-6187.