Coming up

• Fontana parish marks the feast of St Andrew the Apostle with concelebrated Mass led by Bishop Nikol Cauchi at 3.45 p.m. A procession with the statue of St Andrew led by Mgr Rosario G. Borg, with the participation of the La Stella Band, begins at 4.45. There will be a Sacramental blessing.

• Fr Tonio Galea begins his pastoral ministry as the fourth parish priest of St Paul Shipwrecked parish in Munxar today. At 8.15 a.m., accompanied by family members, Fr Galea leaves his residence in Pawlu Portelli Street, Victoria, for St George Basilica where he will be greeted by Mgr Joseph Farrugia. An investiture ceremony will see Fr Galea appointed canon of the St George collegiate chapter.

At 8.40, Canon Galea will preside over the Matins by the collegiate chapter, with the participation of the Schola Cantorum Gregoriana, under the direction of Fr George J. Frendo.

At 9, a cortege leaves the basilica for Munxar parish church where the new parish priest will be accompanied by Mgr Farrugia and Mgr Joseph Attard, parish priest of St Ignatius of Antioch in Rome, and greeted by the La Stella Band. Mayor Joseph Sultana delivers a speech on the main square.

At 9.50, Bishop Mario Grech will offer the stole to Fr Galea and invite him to open the door of the parish church to the singing of Ecce Sacerdos. Young people will deliver a welcome address on behalf of the Munxar community.

At 10, Bishop Grech will lead a concelebrated Mass, with the participation of the Laudate Pueri and Allegro and Ilhna Smewwija choirs.

• As part of the week-long activities to celebrate the liturgical feast in Ghajnsielem and the ordination of the new archpriest Canon Frankie Bajada, Ghajnsielem council is inaugurating an exhibition of old village photographs at St Joseph Band Club today. The photos show the development around the parish church, Fort Chambray, different phases in the projects carried out at Mgarr Harbour, the construction of the parish church, and other places of interest.

• A Gozo SPCA Christmas bazaar will be held throughout the festive season at the shop next to Café Jubilee, Victoria, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds go towards the caring of sick and abandoned animals in Gozo. Items for sale include a range of Gozo SPCA Christmas cards and the 2007 calendar, gifts, household items, glass and chinaware, jewellery, and a large selection of books.

• Marioric Mifsud is exhibiting a papier-mâché crib at a Christmastide exhibition entitled Pastores at the Banca Giuratale, Independence Square, Victoria, until January 7. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays and public holidays from 9 a.m. to noon.

• The Catholic Action is organising a discussion led by Doris Cini, on the challenges facing young people, at its headquarters in Sir Arturo Mercieca Street, Victoria, on Tuesday at 9 a.m.

• Bishop Mario Grech gives a lecture on the consecrated life, while Mgr Salv Debrincat will talk about the justice and mercy of God, as part of the theology courses for the laity at the Sacred Heart Seminary, Victoria, on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

• An evening of prayers will be held at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary in preparation for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday. There will be Mass at 6.30 p.m., followed by an aux flambeaux procession. The evening ends at 8.30 with Sacramental blessing. The public may follow the prayers and songs from a booklet, Marija Immaculata: Zerniq tas-Salvazzjoni, which may be obtained from the sanctuary.

• A Christmas bazaar in aid of Dar Guzeppa Debono, the home for young mothers, will be held at Tigrija Palazz, Victoria, from tomorrow till Thursday between 4 and 7 p.m.

• Nadur council is holding a Christmas market under a big tent on the main square between Thursday and Sunday. Items on sale include pottery, stained glass, paintings, sculptures, jams, jewellery, candles, and wooden ornaments. There will be entertainment and an original crib in the shelter below the square. The market will be open on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 11 p.m., Friday from 1 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 11 p.m.

• The Ghaqda Il-Milied fix-Xaghra is organising a bazaar on Victory Square, Xaghra, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Traditional homemade Christmas sweets will be on sale.

• Qala and Victoria celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Friday. Pilgrimages will also be held throughout the day around Gozo.

Bishop Grech leads a concelebrated Pontifical Mass at the Immaculate Conception sanctuary in Qala at 9.30 a.m. The 52nd traditional motor vehicles pilgrimage from Ta' Pinu Sanctuary to the Immaculate Conception Sanctuary starts at 1.30 p.m. Canon Dr Joseph Zammit will bless the vehicles on arrival and mementoes will be distributed.

Mgr Lawrenz Xerri will lead solemn vespers at 4 p.m. The procession with the statue of the Immaculate Conception, led by Munxar parish priest Fr Tonio Galea, accompanied by the Ite ad Joseph Band, starts at 5 p.m.

In Victoria, Bishop Nikol Cauchi leads a concelebrated Mass, with the participation of the Laudate Pueri choir, at the Franciscan Conventual Fathers' church in Victoria, at 9.30 a.m. Fr Joseph Cilia, vice-parish priest of Qormi's St Sebastian parish, will deliver the panegyric. At 5 p.m., Mgr Francis Debrincat will lead solemn vespers, followed by a procession with the statue of the Immaculate Conception, with the participation of the Franciscan community and the La Stella Band, at 5.45, while the Mnarja Band gives a concert on St Francis Square. There will later be a fireworks display.

• The Schola Cantorum Jubilate is giving a concert "Carols by Candlelight" in the cloister of St Augustine's monastery in Victoria on Saturday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are available from D'Amato Record Shop, Valletta, and Bargate Bookshop, Victoria. For more information call 7905-5207 or 7909-4232.

• The Cats Dance Company is staging a Christmas pantomime, Disney World Wonderful Dreams, in aid of the OASI Foundation, at Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria, on Saturday at 7.30 p.m. For tickets at Lm2.50 (children Lm1.50) call the oratory on tel. 2155-6616 or the OASI Foundation (2156-3333).