Social and Personal

AZZOPARDI. On November 4, to Erika née Cuschieri and Michael, God's precious gift of a daughter - ANA, a welcome sister to John. Special thanks to all the dedicated staff at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing.

CROWLEY. On November 3, at St Munchin's Maternity Hospital, Limerick, Ireland, to Susan née Vella and Brian, God's precious gift of a first-born son - BENJAMIN FRANCIS. Thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Special thanks to the Crowley and Hayes families for their love and dedication.

DINGLI. On October 31, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Sandra née Camilleri and Kenneth, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - ELISA. Special thanks to the dedicated maternity staff for all their care.

GALEA. On November 7, at St Philip's Hospital, to Natasha Sciberras and Vincent, God's precious gift of a daughter - ELLA, a welcome sister to Nicole and Nicholas. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to the dedicated staff at the hospital and the consultants.

GATT. On October 27, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Daphne née Naudi and John, God's precious gift of a daughter - SARAH, a welcome sister to Ella. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to all the maternity staff.

GAUCI. On November 1, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Suzanne née Ellul and Joseph, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - SARAH BETTINA. Thanks be to God and Our Lady of the Grotto. Special thanks to our families and to the staff at the hospital.

SALNITRO. On November 2, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Olivia-Ann née Frendo and Paul, God's precious gift of a second-born daughter - PAULA, a most welcome sister to Renée Marie. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to midwife Maria Schembri and Karina Frendo.

Obituary

CAMILLERI. On November 6, PAUL, of Fgura, residing at Qawra, aged 82, widower of Maria Iris, née Aquilina, went to meet the Risen Lord. He leaves to mourn his loss his children Tony, Emily and her husband Mario Frendo, Dr Silvio Camilleri and his wife Grace, Vincent and his wife Mandy, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his brother Victor and sister Mary and their families in America, his sisters Sister Emilia and Sister Stefanina of the Franciscan Missionaries of Egypt, his nephew Arthur and niece Emily, his in-laws and their families, other relatives and friends.
The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 8 a.m. for Fgura parish church where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.30 a.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Lord, grant him eternal rest.
Donations to the Eden Foundation, Bulebel, will be appreciated.

JONES. On November 11, LUCY, née Hass, widow of Cecil P., passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children Myra Grech, Rosanne Bencini, and Martin and his wife Petrina, her grandchildren Nicky and his wife Cecily, Vanessa and Charles, Amber, Stefan and his wife Sharry, Clarissa, Audrey, Jennifer and Lyndsay, her great-grandchildren Liam, Nicola and Noah, other relatives and friends.
The funeral cortege leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 2 p.m. for Gzira parish church, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m. followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be appreciated. May she rest in peace.

Appreciation - Fr Seraphin Abela

Mr Eman Bonnici, of Fgura, writes:

Fr Seraphin Abela, O.Carm., a noted historian and author, died at St Luke's Hospital on October 21. He was 79. He was the sixth Carmelite friar to die this year.

Born Francesco Abela in Valletta on November 7, 1926, to Vincent and Therese née Debono, he came from a numerous family, of whom five children - including himself - entered religious life.

He was baptised at Our Lady of Porto Salvo's Dominican Church. Following his secondary studies at the Lyceum, he joined the Carmelite convent at Mdina, where he made his simple profession on September 30, 1945, following the novitiate year.

He pursued further studies at the Carmelite Convent of St Julian's, where he made his solemn Profession on October 3, 1948. On December 23, 1950, Seraphin Abela was ordained by Archbishop Michael Gonzi at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Following his ordination, Fr Abela served as vice-parish priest and ecclesiastical assistant of the Catholic Action within St Venera's community. In 1955, he voluntarily asked to serve as a missionary in Latin America. In June that year he began his new pastoral work at Tingo in the archdiocese of Arequipa in Peru, together with fellow Carmelite friars Antonin Vidal and Emidio Fiorini.

In 1956, Fr Abela moved to Bolivia together with Fr Edward Vella, O.Carm., where they worked in the zone of Villa Fatima, which was being erected near the capital city, La Paz.

Following some years in La Paz, Fr Abela returned to Peru where he served as prior and chaplain on Tingo between 1961 and 1964. While in Peru, he obtained the Diploma de Adiestramiento en Cooperativas de Credito. After ten years of missionary work, he returned to Malta for health reasons.

Fr Seraphin formed part of the Carmelite communities of Valletta, Balluta, St Venera and Mdina, where he lived for many years and served as prior for the last five years of his life. Between 1979 and 1984, when Fr Emanuel Gatt served as friar provincial of the Maltese Carmelite Order, Fr Seraphin served as his secretary and assistant.

He also served as the editor of the Carmelite review Il-Karmelu, between 1965 and 1971 and throughout the years published around half a dozen of historical books, including: Hidma Missjunarja mill-Karmelitani Maltin - Grajja ta' l-Ewwel Hamsa u Ghoxrin Sena fl-Amerika t'Isfel (1974); L-Ewwel Karmelitani f'Malta u l-Ewwel Knisja u Kunvent Taghhom il-Lunzjata l-Qadima (1976); Il-Karmelitani fl-Imdina, 1659-1994 (1994); The Centenary of the Province of Malta (1993); and Cuschieri: Poeta tal-Madonna u tal-Kelma Maltija (1967).

Fr Seraphin will mostly be remembered for his hard work and contributions to restore the first Carmelite convent in Malta, known as Tal-Lunzjata in Rabat which had been abandoned for several years.

He suffered for several years from cardiac problems and in November of last year he moved to the Holy Family Home of Naxxar, where he also rendered pastoral services, including daily Mass.

Fr Serphin also managed to finish a book about the history of Balluta's convent, which was published on the day he passed away. During his last weeks of life, he was preparing another book on the devotion to Our Lady of Carmel in Malta.

On October 6, he was admitted to St Luke's Hospital suffering from respiratory problems, where he remained until his death, only three weeks short of his 80th birthday.

On October 23, his body was taken to the convent at Mdina where it lay in state for public viewing. Funeral Mass was later said by 45 concelebrants, and later his body was interred in one of the Carmelite vaults at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery.

In Memoriam

BONNICI. Treasured and unfading memories of KEVIN, a beloved son and brother, today the 27th anniversary of his tragic death. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Mum, Dad and Fr Keith Paul.

BONNICI. In loving memory of KEVIN, today the 27th anniversary of his death. Always remembered by Uncle Manuel, Aunt Agnes, cousins Mark and Karen, Reuben and Amy.

BONNICI. Sweet thoughts of KEVIN on the 27th anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by Auntie Yvonne, Uncle Franz, cousin Anthony and his children Kurt, Kyle and Kayleigh.

BORG - JOSEPH. On the anniversary of his tragic death on 6.11.88 at the age of 19. Always remembered by his parents Horace and Lily, Rennie, Carmel and Sylvia, uncles, aunts and nephews.

CAMILLERI. In loving memory of Architect FRANCIS CAMILLERI, BE&A, A&CE, San.E. (Delft), who passed away 24 years ago. Sadly missed by his wife Lilian, his children Pierre, Helma and Clare together with their families, and his grandchildren James, Francesca, Harry and Christina. May he rest in peace.

CARUANA DEMAJO - Dr TOMMASO CARUANA DEMAJO, 12.11.73. Remembering a unique man with so much pride, love and gratitude. His family.

CARUANA SCICLUNA - INA. Loving and precious memories of a dearest mother and grandmother on the second anniversary of her calling to eternal life. Never forgotten by her children Noel, Joseph, Anna, Adrian, Ian and Edna, their respective wives, husbands and grandchildren. Always in our hearts and prayers. May God grant her eternal rest.

DEMAJO - Dr ANTHONY PAUL DEMAJO. In loving memory of our dear and generous father, fondly remembered by his grateful children Pucky, Pat, Tony, Mariella, Josianne and Christine, their respective spouses and grandchildren.

FERRANTE SOMERVILLE. In ever loving memory of a very dear mother, MARIA, on her third anniversary, and dear father CARMELO THOMAS on his 25th anniversary. Fondly remembered by their only daughter Isabel and Michael and grandchildren Juliana and Malcolm Scerri-Ferrante.

FIORENTINO - MARIA. In loving memory of a dear mother and grandmother, being the first anniversary of her death. You held our hands for just a little while... our hearts forever. Joe, Lina, Liz, in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

FRENDO - FRANCESCO SAVERIO. On his first anniversary. Sadly missed by his seven children, their spouses, grandchildren, in-laws, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

HASS - ARTHUR. In loving memory of a dear brother who passed away eight years ago. May he rest in peace.

LAFERLA. In everlasting memory of my wife JACQUELINE on the anniversary of her death. Her husband Albert. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

LAFERLA - JACQUELINE née Satariano. In loving memory of my dear mother on the ninth anniversary of her demise. Her daughter Michelle. May she rest in peace.

LAFERLA - JACQUELINE. In loving memory, on the ninth anniversary of her demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Sadly missed and fondly remembered by the Laferla family.

LAFERLA. In ever loving memory of our dearly beloved daughter JACQUELINE. Forever in our thoughts and prayers. Mummy, Daddy and her brother Steve.

LAFERLA. Treasured memories of my dear sister JACQUELINE. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Diane, Alexia and Andrew.

LAFERLA. In loving memory of my dearest sister JACQUELINE. Always loved and remembered. Lord grant her eternal rest. Louise, Francis and Matthew.

LAFERLA. Unfading memories of my dearest aunt JACQUELINE. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Melanie, Keith, Michael and Mark.

LAFERLA. In loving memory of JACKIE, today the ninth anniversary of her demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Lord, grant her eternal rest. Anna, Colin, Chris and Natasha.

LAFERLA. Loving memories of JACKIE, today the ninth anniversary of her demise. Always in my heart. David.

LAFERLA. In sweet, loving memory of JACKIE, today the ninth anniversary of her demise. Always missed and never forgotten. Lord, grant her eternal rest. Alison, Ray, Luke, Stephanie and Francesca.

LAFERLA. In loving memory of JACKIE, today the ninth anniversary of her passing away. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Angela, Jojo, Patrick and Rebekah.

PARIS - Joe. Treasured memories of a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather, who passed away eight years ago. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Sadly missed by his wife Marian, children Karolyn, Clare, Stephen, Andrew and their families. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

SCHEMBRI - DAVID. Treasured memories of a dear son and brother on the 12th anniversary of his demise. Always in our hearts and prayers. Fondly remembered by his parents, his brother and his wife, relatives and friends. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

Personal

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, loved and glorified. Amen. N.B.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, loved, adored and glorified throughout the whole world forever. Amen.

Pharmacies Open Today

Malta: 9 a.m.-noon; Gozo: 7.30-11 a.m.
Chemimart Ltd, 3, Freedom Square, Valletta;
Lister Pharmacy, 209, St Joseph High Road, Hamrun;
Spiteri's Pharmacy, 82, Victory Street, Qormi;
Holy Cross Pharmacy, High Road, Birkirkara;
Regional Pharmacy, E.H. Furse Street, Msida;
San Giorgio Pharmacy, Manwel Buhagiar Street, Pembroke, St Julian's;
Drug Store: Anglo Maltese Dispensary Ltd, 382, Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema;
Misrah Kola Pharmacy, Pitkali Road, Attard;
Grognet Pharmacy, 41, Constitution Street, Mosta;
Qawra Pharmacy, Earl's Court/1, Triq L-Imhar, Qawra;
Sta Lucia Pharmacy, 1, Dorell Square, Sta Lucia;
Victory Pharmacy, 32, Victory Street, Senglea;
St James Pharmacy, Peace Square, Zabbar;
Beta Pharmacy, 50/52, St Mary Street, Ghaxaq;
Pasteur Pharmacy, Triq il-Tellerit, Safi;
Spizerija Hal-Mula, Dun Salv Ciappara, Zebbug;
Healthwise Pharmacy, 36, Francesco Zammit Street, Dingli;
Batu Pharmacy, 38, Palm Street, Victoria, Gozo;
Lauretana Pharmacy, 36, Mgarr Road, Ghajnsielem.