Archpriest's visit to Melbourne (1)

I would like to continue on where Arthur Mizzi left off (August 25). In his letter he seemed to be very proud and very appreciative of the visit of Fr Joe Zammit, the archpriest of Qala, and the instigator of this visit Raymond C. Xerri, who has the immigrant Maltese/Gozitan community here in Australia very well embedded in his heart. Mr Mizzi hails from Qala itself, I presume, and has every reason to feel such sentiment.

On the occasion of the Santa Marija Assunta feast, at Deer Park in Melbourne, Fr Zammit celebrated High Mass and delivered the most beautiful panegyric, short and simple in words. Every single word of it was absorbed by the congregation of about 2,000 plus, who were in attendance on August 27 at St Peter's Chanel church.

In their heartfelt joy, the Maltese/Gozitan immigrants had tears in their eyes. People who had hardly heard of Qala were so proud to have in our midst, myself included, such a prominent and charismatic archpriest and a champion diplomat visiting us in such a far away land.

Not only we Melbournians but all of those who travelled down from far away New South Wales for the traditional Santa Marija festa were deeply touched by the presence of these two visiting dignitaries from Gozo. Congratulations and thank you, to both of them, for the joy and happiness that they instilled in our immigrant hearts, here at Deer Park, Melbourne.