Social and Personal

BORG. On August 1, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Annelise née Chircop and Konrad, God's precious gift of a daughter - JULIA. Thanks be to God and Our Lady of Good Hope. A big thank-you to all the dedicated staff at the maternity wing for their patience and much-needed support.

CAMILLERI. On August 4, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Lorraine née German and Kurt, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - MATTEA. Thanks be to God and Our Lady. Special thanks to the obstetrician and his team, midwife Carmen Scerri, nurses and staff at the hospital.

DELICATA. On July 18, at St Luke's Hospital, to Nadine née Camilleri and Mark, the precious gift of a first-born daughter - DAPHNE.
We welcome you, child
- a generous gift of the Almighty God -
As you start your flight
From the clay to the clod
To the light of knowledge,
Soaring high upon the wings of life.

FAVA. On August 8, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Anna née Azzopardi and Paul, God's precious gift of a daughter - FRANCESCA, a sister to Martina. Thanks to the obstetrician, midwife Carmen Scerri and all the maternity staff at the hospital.

PACE. On June 17, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Audrey née Curmi, and Clarence, God's precious gift of a first born son - JEAN. The baby's christening took place on July 19 at Attard parish church. Thanks be to God and Our Lady.

SAAD. On August 4, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Nagia née Shliby and Saeid, God's precious gift of a daughter - ARYJ, a sister to Ahmed, Mahmoud, Sara and Duhua. Thanks to the gynaecologist and all the maternity staff at the hospital.

SORRELL. On August 4, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Miriam and Jonathan, a beautiful and precious daughter - ZARA. Our special thanks to the family doctor, gynaecologist, radiologists and all other supportive medical staff at the maternity wing.

VELLA. On July 29, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Berta née Magri and Kevin, God's precious gift of a daughter - FRANCESCA, a most welcome sister to Andrew. Deo gratias et Mariae.

ZAHRA. On August 3, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Roberta née Cutajar and Christian, God's precious gift of a first-born son - ADAM. Thanks to all the hospital staff, especially midwife Lillian Azzopardi, the paediatrician, anaesthetist and obstetrician.

Marriages

Mr PETER CAMILLERI and Miss ADRIANA VASSALLO
We announce the marriage, on July 29, of PETER, son of Mr and Mrs Peter Camilleri of Swieqi, and ADRIANA, daughter of Mr and Mrs Francis J. Vassallo of San Pawl tat-Targa. The marriage took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Mdina, and the ceremony was officiated by Fr Gordon Refalo. Witnesses for the bride were On. Prof. Francesco Stagno D'Alcontres, Mr Mark Miceli Farrugia and Mrs Kathleen Borg Olivier and for the groom Mr Gerald Strickland, Mr Philip Sammut and Mrs Luisa Enriquez. Mr Steve Busuttil acted as best man, while Ms Helen Cassar Torregiani was maid of honour. The bridesmaids were Antonia Perotti, Julia Perotti, Andrea Calascione and Francesca Refalo, with Matthew Enriquez as pageboy. The ushers were Steffan Vassallo, Michael Perotti, Jan Zammit, Mark Mercieca, Steve Howell and Philip Enriquez. The reception was held at the Meridiana Wine Estate, Ta' Qali.

Obituary

BUHAGIAR. On August 12, at St Luke's Hospital, Theresa, aged 75, of Zabbar, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her sad loss her child-ren Paul and his wife Mary, Angelo and his wife Tanya, Joseph and his wife Carmen, Mary and her husband Vince Lanzon, Carmen and her husband Manwel Linwood, who reside in Canada, Manwel and his wife Rose, Raymond and his wife Lillian, and Joan Antida and her husband Joseph Cachia, her grandchildren, her brothers and sisters and their families, in-laws, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 7.45 a.m. for Zabbar parish church, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.30 a.m., followed by interment at Zabbar cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to the Hospice Movement will be appreciated.

CUSCHIERI - ALFRED, aged 64, passed peacefully away at his residence in Gzira. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Carmelina (Lina), his children Rossano and his wife Stephania, Donatello and his fiancée Louise, his brothers and sister, relatives and dear friends. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 2 p.m. for Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish church, Gzira, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m., followed by interment in the family grave at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Lord grant him eternal rest.

MIFSUD. On August 12, CARMELA née Farrugia, aged 89, passed peacefully away at her residence, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children John and his wife Mary, Kathleen and her husband Joseph Gauci, and Marija, her grandchildren Fr Francois Mifsud, OP (Dominican), Antonella, Marica, JeanPierre, Pamela, Henry-Frans and Geoffrey, her brothers and sisters Frans and his wife Maria, Maria, widower of Dr Paul Farrugia, and Connie, widower of Joe Farrugia. The funeral leaves her home today at 2.15 p.m. for St Sebastian church, Qormi, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m., followed by interment in the family grave at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza will be greatly appreciated.

Appreciation - Professor Rev. Alexander Bonnici, OFM Conv, and Fr Francis Azzopardi, OFM Cap

Mr Joe Flask of Zebbug writes:

Malta has recently lost two scholars, who dedicated their life to live in full their religious vocation and to look deeply into the past of our country. Their scientific research on old manuscripts and all the documentation available, locally and abroad, made Maltese and foreigners aware of Malta's historical patrimony.

Although four months passed between the death of Fr Alexander (Patri Alessandru) and Fr Francis (Patri Frangisk), I purposely wanted to write about them together because both belonged to the Franciscan Order, a Conventual and a Capuchin respectively, but also because they were both lecturers at the Univeristy of Malta and INSERM, renowned speakers, researchers, historians, archivists and authors, besides being of service to their fellow friars in their respective convents and even in the highest offices of the Order.

I was very lucky to know them both and I came in contact with them in very different circumstances so I wanted to make public how much I appreciated their help and encouragement for my work and historical research and my personal achievements.

I came to know Fr Francis in 1953, when I was exceptionally admitted (I was a nine-year-old) to the Preparatory Class of the Seraphic School in Floriana.

Fr Francis was my English teacher, very serious, determined and strict. Till then I could say I never lost contact with him.

I used to visit him during my holidays and talked to him regularly when one of my brothers, the late Rafel, joined the Capuchin Order.

I consulted him several times while he worked as research assistant and cataloguer at the National Library. With great humility, he was always ready to help, appreciating and giving precious hints while commenting on my publications and write-ups.

Just a couple of days before his sudden death, he sent me a very nice appreciation about a study I published in Italy. At times we also exchanged a few of our publications.

I wasn't as close with Fr Alexander, but I got to know him when I came back from Italy in 1966. My family at the time lived in Cospicua and Fr Alexander's family lived opposite my wife's family in the same street.

In actual fact I started meeting and talking to Fr Alexander when I left teaching and joined the state broadcasting. I interviewed him several times, we took part together in various discussions on Church issues or historical and spiritual issues regarding the Blessed M. Adeodata Pisani, OSB.

Both of us were consulted several times by the postulator, and the then co-ordinator of the Cause, and our works were also printed in the Positio. While compiling his version on the life of the Blessed M. Adeodata, Fr Alexander had sent me some proofs for corrections on dates and history of the Benedictine Order.

We exchanged views on historical issues and discussions about books written by others about the Franciscan Order. More than once, before leaving each other, with a smile he used to tell me: "Issa tara, ksibt dokumentazzjoni gdida u... niccara kollox" (You will see, I discovered new documents and... I want to clear everything).

Both of them had very different characters: Fr Francis was particularly humble, silent and devouted to his fellow Capuchin fraternity in Floriana; Fr Alexander was more open and talkative, expansive, a good PR man, though he was for most of the time absorbed by his research, expecially abroad where he was awarded a gold medal and became renowned for his contributions to history.

In my humble opinion, Fr Francis will be remembered for the setting up and the restoration of the library, as a founder-curator of the museum, and the cleaning up and restoration of the crypt at the Capuchin Convent in Floriana.

Among his publications worth remembering are the Catalogue of the Archives of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem (1988) and Il-Kappuccini f'Malta - 400 Sena ta' Hidma (1990). Fr Alexander was more prolific - he wrote more than 100 books, some of them translated into various languages.

Fr Alexander's most significant publication was certainly Storja ta' l-Inkwizizzjoni, which he published between 1990-1994, and other volumes related to the Inquisition in Malta. He also wrote the history of various Maltese towns and villages.

Since 1967 he was the founder director of Religjon u Hajja, a Franciscan Conventual publishing house that published books on Christian civiliasation.

I hope their dedication to learn and teach their cultural mind and their spirituality will accompany us throughout life. May the Risen Christ give them eternal rest.

Appreciation - Sr Marie-Carmel Saliba, OSC

Mother Rose Therese Ellis, OSC, writes:

Sr Marie-Carmel Saliba, known as Lina, winged her way up to heaven after a couple of years of illness during which she braved herself day in day out. Recently her poor health made a bad turn and she took her last breath on Wednesday, July 26, at Gozo General Hospital.

A day before I went to see her and although she was weak, I didn't imagine that the next day she would be no more.

In fact, I doubly cherish in my heart her waving hand before leaving her, as if to tell me, "Goodbye, dear Mother, I shall soon be off to see my Lord and enjoy Him face to face".

Yes, that's what I believe: she is already up there in the arms of our heavenly Father enjoying his beatific vision. She spent all her life in his loving service even before she became a Poor Clare.

Sr Marie Carmel was a bright girl and very hard working. She was the first Gozitan female student to get a B.Sc. from the University of Malta and taught Physics and Mathematics for ten years at St Mary's Secondary School in Victoria, Gozo, today called G.F. Agius de Soldanis Girls' Junior Lyceum and Secondary School.

But God wanted her to belong entirely to him. As soon as she heard his call in the secrecy of her heart, she answered most generously. She presented herself to Mother Abbess, the then Mother Maria Immaculata Bellizzi, and after discerning her vocation helped by her Jesuit spiritual director, Fr Alfred Micallef, SJ, she began her religious life on August 12, 1985.

I was her novice-mistress and I have known her from the very beginning of the days in the monastery. She was an outgoing, lively young girl and I can still hear her infectious laughter, full of life and fun loving. I soon discovered that she was a gifted person and I was duty bound to take in earnest her human and religious formation.

She was docile, open-minded and always praised the way we dealt with her. In recreation she used to play the guitar and have fun with the other young Sisters. She had many good qualities, which she easily shared with others in a very generous way.

She always encouraged others with her words of approval as she was grateful and humble. She never expected to become anything in the community in spite of her intelligence.

She was made secretary 11 years ago and she always carried out her work in a most conscientious way. I do owe her a lot for her devotedness and thank God for giving her to us.

Her funeral Mass was a veritable feast. We were all touched by the caring thought of his Grace the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, who went to bless her before her body left the sister island on a private boat, accompanied by Fontana parish priest Canon George Bezzina, Fr Saviour Vella and a member of the family.

Myself, accompanied by my vicaress, Sr Francis Hilary, and our nurse Sr Marie Francoise, welcomed her and her family in Marfa and escorted her to the monastery. The community was waiting for her arrival in tears and welcomed her with a spontaneous applause.

The Rev. Fr Provincial Paul Galea, OFM, said Mass together with 20 other priests, Franciscan and Diocesan. Fr Twanny Chircop, her confessor, talked very well about her, listing her virtues.

Among the congregation, also present were Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Fr Amadeo Zammit, O. Carm., delegate of the Archbishop for consecrated life.

Although we miss our dear Sr Marie Carmel, we all feel that we have gained a young saint who is praying for all our needs. We thank our God the Father for having given her to us.

I take the opportunity to thank the doctors, especially our family doctors, Dr Jean-Pierre Cauchi, and consultant physicians Dr Alfred Caruana Galizia, Dr Antoine Vella and Dr Robert Sciberras, who gave their very best to help her recover.

My thanks also go to the nurses at St Luke's and Gozo General Hospitals who attended to her with much devotedness.

May the good Lord bless each and every one and grant eternal rest to our cherished Sr Marie Carmel Saliba.

In Memoriam

AMBROGIO. Remembering with love our dear auntie MARY, today the 13th anniversary of her demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Her nephews and nieces. Lord grant her eternal rest.

BORDA - Lt. Col. A.V. In memory of our most beloved father on the 10th anniversary of his death. Christine, Catherine and Patricia and their families.

BORG-BARTHET - GEORGE BORG-BARTHET, Ph.C. In fondest memory of our beloved George on the 17th anniversary of his demise. Valentine, Alfred, Gabrielle and Karl, Paul and Ilanit.

CAMILLERI. Cherished memories of our beloved IVAN GEORGE, who passed away in Bearsden, Scotland.
Dearest Ivan,
What is this void that keeps you away from us
And yet you are so close
To us your kin and friends, as well to those
Who lived and worked and laughed with you?
Your absence is full of your presence...
Of moments of hope that banish the sorrow
That rears up with the thought that there's no morrow.
That hope rises up so that one day
We'll meet again and catch up
On the things left unsaid which we still have to say.
Mum and family.

CASSAR - CARMEL, 13.8.'80. Never forgotten, always in our thoughts and prayers. His wife Rosy, children Gertie, Paul, Alfred, Albert,in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

CASSAR - ROMINA. Today the 17th anniversary of her demise.
Dearest one
It broke our hearts to lose you
Yet you did not go alone
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
For ever yours, our loved one.
God bless you. Mamà, Colin and Nanna Evelyn.

CHETCUTI. In loving memory of our dear father VICTOR, who passed away 29 years ago. Never forgotten by his daughter Marina and his son Richard. Please remember him in your prayers.

CRITIEN - GODFREY. In loving memory of a dear father on the 21st anniversary of his death. Fondly remembered by his children Anthony, Michael, Phillippa, Peter and their families.

SCICLUNA - CONNIE (formerly of Allied Newspapers Ltd). Always in our thoughts, especially today the eighth anniversary of her joining the Risen Lord. A prayer is solicited. Her family.

SOLER. Everlasting and loving memories of JOSIE, a very special father and grandfather, on the 18th anniversary of his death. Always in our thoughts and prayers. His wife, sons, daughter, in-laws and grandchildren. A prayer is solicited.

SPITERI - LAWRENCE and CARMELA. On the 25th and fourth anniversaries of their death on August 11 and 16, respectively. Dearly missed by their children, in-laws, grandchildren and sister Maggie. Always in our thoughts and prayers.

Sidonia Enterprises Ltd

Closed for summer holidays. Re-opening August 21, 2006.

Pharmacies Open Today

Malta: 9 a.m.-noon; Gozo 7.30-11 a.m.

Regent Pharmacy, 70, Merchants Street, Valletta
Thomas' Pharmacy, 796, St Joseph High Road, Hamrun
Drugshop Dispensary, Qormi
Holy Cross Pharmacy, 37, Main Street, Birkirkara
St Matthew's Pharmacy, 213, The Strand, Gzira
San Gwann Pharmacy, 11, Felic Borg Street, San Gwann
St Francis Pharmacy, 293, Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema
Medica Pharmacy, Naxxar Road, Balzan
Rotunda Pharmacy, 7, Eucharistic Congress Road, Mosta
Karizia Drugstore, 87, George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha
Distinction Pharmacy, 32, Antoine De Paule Square, Paola
White Cross Pharmacy, Shop A, Block 1, Fuq San Pawl, Cospicua
Polymer Pharmacy, Xghajra Road, Zabbar
Gerada Pharmacy, 46, Mater Boni Consigli Street, Zejtun
Pasteur Pharmacy, Triq it-Tellerit, Safi
Menelo Pharmacy, Dr Nikola Zammit Street, Siggiewi
Ideal Pharmacy, 63, Main Street, Rabat
Palm Pharmacy, 2, Palm Street, Rabat, Gozo
St Joseph Pharmacy, 28, St Joseph Square, Ghajnsielem.