Coming up

¤ Kercem celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Succour today, with a Pontifical concelebrated Mass, led by Bishop Mario Grech at 8.30 a.m. The Stella Maris Orchestra and St Gregory Choir will also participate.

Zabbar's Maria Mater Gratiae Band play marches at 11 a.m. Fr Reuben Micallef celebrates Mass at 6.15 p.m.

The procession, led by Mgr Joseph Grech, starts at 7.45 p.m. with the participation of the St Gregory Band.

At 8.15, the Mnarja Band, under the direction of Mro Joseph Grech, gives a concert on the church square, followed by the Ite ad Joseph Band at 9.30.

¤ "No Place Like Home", an exhibition featuring pen and acrylic paintings by Gozitan artist Odette Camilleri, will be open at the Banca Giuratale in Victoria until July 28, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays.

¤ A cultural outing to Malta is being organised by the St Antony the Abbot church committee on Tuesday. The rector, Fr John Sultana, will say Mass at St Antony the Abbot chapel at Verdala in Buskett. Visits will be made to Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory in Senglea. There will be time for shopping at the Vittoriosa market and the group will also stop for lunch and a swim in Marsascala. Transport leaves Xaghra at 6 a.m.

Tickets are obtainable from Fr John Sultana (9982-6350) or Guza Bajada at New York Style Salon.

¤ A religious meeting for young people will be held by the 23four Group on St George's Square, Victoria, on Tuesday at 9.30 p.m. The meeting will be led by Bishop Mario Grech, with the participation of the 23four Youth Band and Choir.

¤ A pasta and tombola night to raise funds for Fr Manuel Cutajar's mission in Albania, will be held at the San Lawrenz school ground on Wednesday at 8.30 p.m. For tickets phone 2155-0816 or 2155-5148.

¤ The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will be celebrated at Ta' Hamet church in Xewkija on Thursday. The church rector, Mgr Carmelo Hili, will say Mass at 6 a.m. There will be solemn adoration from 5.30 p.m. Bishop Mario Grech then leads a concelebrated Mass at 7.30, followed by a procession with the statue of Our Lady.

¤ The feast of St George will be celebrated in Victoria next Sunday.

On Saturday at 9 a.m., former bishop Mgr Nikol Cauchi leads a concelebrated Mass at the basilica.

The La Stella Band will play marches from St George Square to its premises in Republic Street at 10.

Traditional horse and donkey races will be held in Republic Street at 1 p.m. Minister Giovanna Debono and Victoria mayor Robert Tabone will later present trophies.

Bishop Mario Grech, accompanied by the cathedral chapter and clergy, leads the translation of the relic and pontifical concelebrated Mass at 6.30 p.m.

The King's Own Band, under the direction of Mro John Galea, will give a concert on St George's Square at 8.

At 9.15, the St Joseph Band will play marches from St George's Square to St Francis Square where it stage a concert, under the direction of Mro Sunny Galea.

The La Stella Band Club, under the direction of Professor Joseph Vella, will perform on St George's Square at 9.30.

At 10, the La Stella and Kings Own bands will play marches in Republic Street, followed by a fireworks display on St Francis Square.