BISHOP Mario Grech recently made pastoral visits to Zebbug, Xewkija and Sannat.

At the Santa Marija Band Club in Zebbug, he met the executive committee, women's and youth sub-committees and band and club members.

Club president George Cefai welcomed Bishop Grech. There were short speeches by secretary Stephen Cini, spiritual director Canon Carm Cini, archpriest Fr Noel Saliba, and Marnol Sultana and Colombia Cefai, representatives of the youth and women's subcommittees respectively.

Bishop Grech expressed his appreciation of the members' efforts and felt confident that their work would be constructive, giving young people something to do in their spare time, keeping them away from harmful habits.

Roza Cini presented the bishop with a bouquet of flowers. He in turn presented it to Marija Mallia, a member of the women's sub-committee who was celebrating her birthday that day. He also thanked her for offering her son Fr Frankie Mallia, who is working in Italy, to the priesthood.

Ms Cefai, on behalf of the committee, presented the bishop with a silver casket as a memento of the occasion.

In Xewkija, Bishop Grech met the parish clergy, religious groups, members of the MUSEUM society, Catholic Action, Legion of Mary and other prayer and adoration groups.

He called at the schools, parish centre as well as band and football clubs, met local councillors, the parish choir, feast decorations group and parish centre committee and visited families with special needs. The bishop also said Mass for the elderly during a coffee morning, visited various workplaces, and met University, Sixth Form and MCAST students.

The highlight of the Bishop's visit was a concelebrated Mass. The Vox Clamantis choir participated. In his homily, the bishop talked about the prayer vigil held recently at the Rotunda church in preparation for his consecration as bishop, when thousands of people attended, including Archbishop Joseph Mercieca and former bishop Nikol Cauchi. That day, the bishop said, the Rotunda really was a cenacle of prayer.

In Sannat, Bishop Grech visited various groups and associations. He was welcomed by mayor Carmel Camilleri and councillors at the council premises. Bishop Grech and the mayor highlighted the importance of collaboration between the parish church and the local council.

Children at the Professor Guzè Aquilina Primary School gave Bishop Grech a warm welcome with singing, dancing, mimes and poetry readings. The bishop also visited the well-known Special Unit.

The bishop called at political party clubs, the Lions Football Club and St Margaret Band Club. He also met young people and the Sannat Drama Group, and led a concelebrated Mass at the parish church.