Social and Personal

ANASTASI. On July 12, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Samantha née Mizzi and Mark, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - ADIEL. Thanks be to God and Holy Mary. Special thanks and appreciation to midwife and colleague Natasha Micallef, the obstetrician and proud grandparents for their care and dedication.

AQUILINA. On July 18, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Shirley and Kevin, God's precious gift of a son - MATHIAS, a most welcome brother to Martha. Thanks be to God and Our Lady. Heartfelt appreciation is also due to midwife Antoinette Formosa and all the staff.

BORG. On July 3, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Felicity née Zahra and Peter, God's precious gift of twin sons - JULIAN and ANDREW, most welcome brothers to Katrina. Thanks be to God and Our Lady. Special thanks to the obstetrician and his team and to all the staff at the post-natal ward for their care and support.

GALEA. On July 3, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Alison and Edward, God's precious gift of a daughter - MAYA, a most welcome sister to Andrè. Special thanks to the gynaecologist, midwives, nurses and staff at the post-natal ward.

LIPP. On July 18, at Danbury Hospital, Connecticut, USA, to Elaine née Boffa and Ludwig, God's precious gift of a daughter - BEATRICE PASCALE, a welcome sister to Rafflu.

ZERAFA. On July 18, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Connie Frances née Attard and Adrian, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - ADELA. Thanks be to God, Our Lady of the Grotto and St Jude Thaddeus. Special thanks to the midwives of the labour ward, especially those who helped with the delivery, for their dedication and care.

Marriages

Mr KEVIN PAPAGIORCOPULO, B.Comm. (Hons) and Ms LEANA GRECH, BA (English) PGCE
The marriage took place on July 8 at Attard parish church between KEVIN, son of Mr and Mrs Neville Papagiorcopulo, and LEANA, daughter of Mr and Mrs Tony Grech, both of St Julian's. Mass was celebrated by Fr George Dalli. The sacrament of marriage was witnessed by Mr Robert Galea and Miss Kristina Zammit. Mr Matthew Xuereb carried out the duties of best man, while Mr Steve Zammit and Mr Kurt Grech were ushers. Miss Rebecca Sansone was bridesmaid, while Miss Carla Russo and Master Mark Russo were flower-girl and pageboy. A reception was later held at Villa Bologna, Attard. The couple are spending their honeymoon on a cruise.

Ruby Wedding

Mr ALFRED ABELA and Miss DOROTHY MIFSUD
The marriage between ALFRED and DOROTHY took place on July 24, 1966 at Our Lady of Victories church, Valletta. Congratulations dear mamà and papà. Much love and gratitude from Christine and Mark, Caroline and Stephen, Stephen and Lara, Jean, Robert, Matthew and Elise.

Mr PAUL SULTANA and Miss THERESE CATANIA
Tomorrow is their 40th wedding anniversary. Sincere good wishes from Konrad and Louise and their children Yasmin and Yannick, and from Stefan and Lucienne and their children Erika and Greta.

Obituary

SCERRI. On July 20, at St Vincent de Paul Residence, CARMEN, of Sta Lucija, aged 75, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband Joseph, her children Pierre and his wife Terry, Suzanne and her husband John Muscat Drago, Stefan and his wife Nathalie and Juanita, her brother Salvu and his wife Lora, her sister-in-law Dolly and her brother-in-law Lewis, her grandchildren Nicole, Danielle, Matthew, Leanne, Eric and Kristine, numerous relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves St Vincent de Paul Residence tomorrow at 8 a.m. for St Pius X parish church, Sta Lucija, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.30 a.m., followed by interment at Ta' l-Erwieh Cemetery, Tarxien. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be appreciated.

Appreciation - Guzè Chetcuti

Mr Mario Serracino Inglott writes:

Sebghin sen'ilu fraht bil-kelma f'fommok
tgholli l-ilsien li ddakkart bih f'zghuzitek
mad-demm li baqbaq fik sa minn guf ommok
mad-demm li jbaqbaq fik sa fi xjuhitek.

Sebghin sen'ilu sbaht tghanni wirt artek
f'zerniq imlewwen jahraq b'xemx sajfija
f'ghabex imsahhar tidwi ghadha kelmtek
bl-ghanja li ma nsejt qatt, l-Ghanja Maltija.

Ghanja safja u mhegga lissen hsiebek
bi Lsien mikbus bl-imhabba ghal art twelidek
b'lehen ghaziz li tnissel fik minn gensek;
Ghanja Maltija mqanqla fawret qalbek
bi Lsien minsug, mirqum, mifhum minn hbiebek
bl-Ilsien ghaziz tal-Malti mhaddan mieghek.

Poems are difficult to translate as the thought is always one that is coloured by the language itself, however the idea was at the time that in the Thirties, Guzè Chetcuti, although very young, was already one of the promoters of the Maltese language. At the dawn of the new millennium he was still contributing to the now established Maltese language with his innumerable works from novels, plays, poems, grammar studies and last but not least the encyclopedia of Maltese writers with whom he came in touch during his lifetime.

His writings kept abreast of the times in style and use of the vocabulary without however ever weakening the language thereby strengthening it in its evolution as a modern living tongue. His endless love for our language made him even learn to fiddle, at a very ripe old age, with the magic of the computer Maltese fonts.

Rest in peace Guzè! You carried a sense of duty towards your country and mother language until the very end.

Appreciation - Sergey M. Kozlov

Dr Francis Cachia, of St Julian's, writes:

It was with much sorrow and great shock that my wife Lilian and I read in The Times of last Thursday about the sudden demise of the Russian Deputy Ambassador, Counsellor Sergey M. Kozlov.

He and his wife Irina were close friends of ours, a wonderful couple. We loved them as persons and admired their deep devotion to one another. As a diplomat, Sergey had the qualities that helped him excel in his profession: profound patriotism, sharp intelligence, willingness to understand other people's point of view, fine linguistic ability and, most of all, love for humanity.

He was enjoying his posting in Malta immensely. I am sure I am expressing the sentiments of many Maltese, as well as many fellow diplomats, when I say we will greatly miss him. We offer his charming, devoted wife our deepest condolences.

Appreciation - Monica Zammit

Ms Antoinette Pace, head of St Monica School, Birkirkara, writes:

It was the day after the school year came to an end when the news spread like wildfire - Mrs Zammit had passed away. Hers was truly a short illness borne with Catholic faith and fortitude and a sweet smile.

Mrs Zammit was the physics teacher at St Monica School Birkirkara where she taught the subject for almost 20 years.

But Monica Zammit was more than that. Monica was first and foremost a loving and much loved wife and mother. To her beloved husband Mario and her precious children Mark and Maria, she was the living embodiment of love and care - they always held first place in Monica's heart and mind.

To her dear mother, sisters, brothers and in-laws and their families, Monica was always loving and understanding. Many a time she talked about them, especially when a close relative who had been abroad was due to visit Malta.

In her capacity at teaching, Monica had been my colleague for over 27 years, and, as time passed, I became more and more convinced that in her profession Monica was second to none. Her academic knowledge of the subject and her methodology had an enormous impact on her students. However, while teaching physics, Monica never forgot that she was teaching youngsters.

We often say that education should be child-centred rather than subject-centred. Monica lived by this principle. She gave primary importance to the students who were learning the subject, constantly aware of their varying characteristics, aptitudes and abilities.

Monica instinctively possessed the charisma of the Mother Foundress of the Augustinian Sisters, Maria Teresa Spinelli, who saw all her students as 'princesses'. In fact, that is what Monica lovingly called the girls she taught.

Her quick sense of humour, her ready smile and her maternal feeling for her students made her the ideal teacher for contemporary teenagers who often carry a burden of problems which have nothing to do with school subjects.

To her colleagues, Monica was a friend and advisor, a woman of strong faith in God and of great respect for her fellow humans. Her passing away will leave a void in the staffroom of St Monica's, a void which will be nigh impossible to fill.

Monica touched so many people's hearts and minds. It is hard for us to accept her loss, but we know that she is smiling down on us all from that place of perfect love and contentment where there is no illness, no pain, no suffering. Her smile is for all eternity now.

In Memoriam

ABELA. In cherished memory of our beloved mother EVELYN (Vivie) today and always. Albert and Margaret.

BUSUTTIL LEAVER - GLADYS. In loving memory of a dear mother and grandmother, today the 24th anniversary of her death. Christopher and Natalie and her grandchildren. "To live on in the hearts of the ones you love is not to die".

CAUCHI. In loving memory of GEORGETTE on the sixth anniversary of her death. Always remembered by her family. Lord grant her eternal rest.

CREMONA. Treasured memories of our beloved VINCENT, today the fifth anniversary of his passing away. Always in our hearts and prayers. His wife Antoinette and his children Denise and André. A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said today at 11.30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica, Valletta.

DARMENIA - MARIA née Felice Gay, 23.7.91. Treasured memories of a dear mother and grandmother. Deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family.

ELLUL. In loving memory of MARGUERITE, today the third anniversary of her death. Always loved and missed by her husband Victor, her children Roberta, Marianne and Pierre, sons-in-law, grandchildren and all her relatives and friends.

FARRUGIA - DOMINIC. Fondest memories of a devoted husband, father and grandfather on the 40th anniversary of his death. His wife Lucy, children Marlene and Joe and grandchildren.

GOUDER. Treasured memories of our beloved TANCRED on the fourth anniversary of his passing away. Remembered with affection by his son Albert and his wife Sandra and his grand-daughters Mattea and Petra. Today's 11 a.m. Mass at Ta' l-Ibrag parish church will be offered for the repose of his soul. Always in our thoughts and prayers.

GRISCTI - FRANCIS. In loving memory of our dear father who passed away 18 years ago. Always in our thoughts and prayers. His sons Joe, Alfred and George.

HESSEL - CHARLES ARMAND. Precious memories of my beloved pa, today the seventh anniversary of his demise. Always in my thoughts and prayers. Sadly missed by his son Mark and Arabella.

PACE. In loving memory of our dear son ANDREW, today his eighth anniversary. Deeply missed and forever loved. Mum, dad, sisters, grandmothers and family.
Never more than a thought away
Quietly remembered every day.

RUGGIER. In loving memory of MARY née Agius, a very loving mother and aunt. Remembered by Mother Tarcisia of the Ursuline Sisters, Alfred and Maria and family, Lilian, Edgar, Isabelle and Nathalie and family, and Ann, nephews and nieces. A prayer is solicited.

SCERRI - EDDIE and NELLIE. On the 15th and 12th anniversary of their death on July 21 and August 6 respectively. Dearly missed by their daughter Jo Jo, son-in-law Joe and grandson Jürgen Delia. Always in our thoughts and prayers.

STIVALA - MARIA DOLORES. On the third anniversary of your passing to eternal life, thinking of you with special prayers, always in our hearts and deeply missing your loving presence. Treasured memories of a dear wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. We all keep reaping the harvest of your profound love. Your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and in-laws. Dear Lord grant her everlasting rest in Your all-embracing love.

ZAMMIT - PIO EUCHARISTICO. Fondly remembered, especially today the ninth anniversary of his demise, by his wife Emmanuela and son Paul.

Sidonia Enterprises Ltd

Summer shutdown. Last trading day August 4, re-opening August 21.

Prayer To St Jude

O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depths of my heart and humbly beg you whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me now in my present and urgent need and grant my earnest petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude, pray for us and all who honour and invoke your aid. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.

Pharmacies Open Today

Malta: 9 a.m.-noon; Gozo 7.30-11 a.m.
Royal Pharmacy, 271, Republic Street, Valletta;
Darwin Pharmacy, 152, St Joseph High Road, Hamrun;
Tal-Hlas Pharmacy, Freedom Road, Qormi;
Herba Pharmacy, 183, Main Street, Birkirkara;
Tony's Pharmacy, 100, Sir Patrick Stuart Street, Gzira;
Medical Plaza Dispensing Chemists, Cass-i-Mall Buildings, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann;
The Economical Dispensary, 86/87, Sir Adrian Dingli Street, Sliema;
Hal-Balzan Pharmacy, 70, St Francis Street, Balzan;
Victory Pharmacy, 36, Victory Street, Naxxar;
St Simon Pharmacy, 8, Islets Promenade, Bugibba;
Theresa Jo Pharmacy, 3A, Triq Xintill, Tarxien;
San Filippu Pharmacy, 155, Victory Street, Senglea;
St James Pharmacy, Peace Square, Zabbar;
St Catherine Pharmacy, Bishop Emanuel Galea Street, Zejtun;
Central Pharmacy, 6, St Joseph Street, Luqa;
Spizerija Hal-Mula, Dun Salv Ciappara Street, Zebbug;
Bahrija Pharmacy, Triq Raddet ir-Roti c/w School Street, Rabat;
Tac-Cawla Pharmacy, 'Marga', Dr Anton Tabone Street, Victoria, Gozo;
Nadur Pharmacy, 28th April, 1688, Square, Nadur.