Social and Personal

Happy 40th wedding anniversary to Professor JOSEPH VELLA and NATHALIE, née Portelli, from Nikki, Alan, Anna, Cristina and Andrea.

Obituary

BUTTIGIEG. On September 1, at St Luke's Hospital, Mgr JOSEPH of Qala, Gozo, ex-director of the Cana Movement Gozo Centre and ex-delegate of the Museum Society for the Diocese of Gozo, aged 74, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of the Holy Church. Deeply mourned by his only sister Lorenza, her husband Tony, their eight children and their families, who live in Australia, Maria Grima who lived with him and his family for 40 years, her brothers and sisters and their families, his cousins and nieces, among whom Rev. Paul Mejlak and Rev. Anthony Mejlak of Nadur, the clergy of Qala parish, many relatives and friends.
The funeral leaves Gozo General Hospital tomorrow at 4.30 p.m. for Qala parish church, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 5 p.m., followed by interment in his family's grave at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Donations to Lourdes Home, Ghajnsielem, will be greatly appreciated.
Lord grant him eternal rest.

GAUCI. On September 1, at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, EDWARD, aged 71, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Catherine, his children Claudia, Reinhold and his girlfriend Dorothy, and Alexia and her husband Bernard Sultana Stoner, his brothers and sisters, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves Sir Paul Boffa Hospital tomorrow at 2 p.m. for St Helen's parish church, Birkirkara, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m. followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery.

MIZZI. On September 1, at St Luke's Hospital, SAVIOUR, of Rabat, aged 91, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his great loss his beloved children, Katie, Laura, Joe and Marlene together with their spouses and children. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital on Wednesday at 3 p.m. for St Dominic church, Rabat, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 3.30 p.m., followed by interment at the Rabat cemetery.
Lord grant him eternal rest.

ZIMELLI. On August 30, JOHN, a most loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, aged 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his great loss his beloved wife Maris, née Xuereb, his dearest daughters Tina and her husband Michael Paris, Karen and her husband Ivan Gatt, his precious grandchildren David and Gigi, his dear sister Myriam, his in-laws, nephews and nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.
The funeral leaves St James Capua Hospital today at 8.30 a.m. for St Gregory's parish church, Sliema, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.45 a.m., followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to The Malta Hospice Movement, Balzan, will be greatly appreciated. The family regret they are unable to receive visitors.
Lord, grant him eternal rest.

Appreciation - Ronnie Attard

Joe Abela writes:
Our dear friend Ronnie, as he was affectionately called by all his friends, has finally made it to heaven after going through a long illness which he bore with great fortitude and courage.

I have known Ronnie ever since our childhood days. We lived quite close to each other in Hamrun and our families were close friends. In fact, he came from a big, closely-knit family. It was his parents who engraved in his mind, right from a very young age, a high sense of Catholic moral values.

Ronnie was a reserved and unpretentious person. Yet, he had a good sense of humour and was an amiable character. He was considerate and kind but at the same time firm, righteous and trustworthy. His position as director of finance at the University of Malta brought him respect and admiration from all quarters as he often went out of his way to be of service to others.

But more than anything else, Ronnie loved his family most. He simply adored his wife Carmen right from the day when, still a young lad of 18, he set eyes on her. God also blessed him with two loving sons, Ronald and Robert. He was so proud of them, their wives Daniela and Romina and his three grandchildren Roberta, Renee Marie and Nicholas, on whom he doted so much. I must say it was really touching to see how all his family gathered around him to give him their love and support on this difficult journey.

Ronnie, now that you are gone, I can assure you that you will always remain present in our hearts and prayers. I thank you for being such a good friend and for showing me that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Goodbye, dear friend, until we meet again...

In Memoriam

BONNICI - JOHN. Cherished memories of a loving husband, father and grandfather on the 35th anniversary of his death. Sadly missed by his wife Muriel, his sons, daughters and in-laws. Rest in peace.

FIORENTINO. Treasured memories of JOSEPH on the 26th anniversary of his demise. His sons Emmanuel and Mario and his wife Antoinette.

GORDON - ROBERTA, née Zammit Cordina, 1993 - 2007. Treasured and unfading memories of a dear daughter on the 14th anniversary of her demise. Lord, grant her eternal rest. Sadly missed by mum, dad, Katya, Christian and family.

HOLYER - VICTORIA. Today is the 26th anniversary of the passing away of our darling mum. Dear mum, you'll never be forgotten, as always you are so close to our hearts. Your loving daughters Elsie, Tessa, Florence and all our families. Rest in peace.

PACE. In loving memory of ALFREDO on the 26th anniversary of his death. Always remembered in our thoughts and prayers. His family.

PICCININO - JOYCE. Treasured memories of a beloved mother, today the third anniversary of her demise. Forever in our hearts and thoughts. Her children, their spouses and her four grandchildren.

PICCININO - JOYCE and GEJTU. Treasured memories of two very dear friends. Always in our hearts and prayers. Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by their friends Alex and mum, Rosa, George, Kristian and Gilbert.

SCIBERRAS - BENNY. Treasured memories of a beloved husband and father on the 16th anniversary of his death. Deeply missed and always remembered by his wife Doris and his children. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

SCIBERRAS. In loving memory of BENNY, today the 16th anniversary of his demise. Always remembered by his in-laws and their families.

WARRINGTON - ANTONIA. Cherished memories of a dear mother and grandmother on the seventh anniversary of her demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Lord, grant her eternal rest. Her loving daughters.

First Aid Course

The Malta Red Cross Society will be holding a basic First Aid course at its headquarters at 104, St Ursula Street, Valletta on September 10, 11, 17 and 18 from 5.30 to 9 p.m. The fee is Lm12. Certificates will be issued at the end of the course. Reservations are being received on 2122 2645.

Marriage Encounter

The Cana Movement, through its Christian Families Movement branch, will be holding a Marriage Encounter on September 22 and 23.

This event will provide the opportunity for married couples to find quality time together, enabling them to renew their relationship in a Christian environment.

Cana Movement Director Fr Joe Mizzi will be facilitating the encounter.

Interested persons can call on 2152 1669/9983 4654.

UKAM Council

Horace Micallef is president of UKAM -Unjoni Kompozituri, Kantanti u Awturi Maltin (union of Maltese composers, singers and authors). Mario Axiaq is secretary and Romina Libreri, treasurer. The consultation board includes Paul Abela, Joe Julian Farrugia, Stella Anastasi, Fleur Balzan, Carm Fenech, Paul Giordmaina, Fiona Cauchi and Andrew Zammit.

Great Siege Commemoration

On the occasion of the Day of Remembrance of the Great Siege Dead, Archbishop Paul Cremona will celebrate Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta, on Friday at 8.30 a.m. followed by the blessing of graves.

On Saturday, Feast of Our Lady of Victories, the Archbishop will lead a Concelebrated Pontifical Thanksgiving Mass, together with the Metropolitan Chapter, at 10 a.m. at St John's Co-Cathedral. The Te Deum will be sung.

Our Lady's Nativity

The feast of Our Lady's Nativity together with a ceremony marking the Great Siege victory will be held in the Trodolodic chapel of Our Lady's Nativity at Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa on Saturday. The ceremony will commence at 9.45 a.m. with Mass, followed by the blessing of the fort's cemetery. A cultural visit around the fort will follow.

What's On Today

Exhibitions

• At Art... E Gallery, 1, Library Street, Victoria, photographs of both traditional prints and manipulated images on paper and canvas by Matthew Green.

• At the Contemporary Hall, National Museum of Fine Arts, South Street, Valletta, the recently-conserved painting of Valentin de Boulogne.

• At the China Cultural Centre, Melita Street, Valletta, 80 photographs highlighting the glorious moments of Chinese champions in past Olympics and the preparations for the 2008 Beijing Games.

• At St James Cavalier, Valletta, Love Tastes Like Death by Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci tackling Caravaggio from the perspective of a modern artist; 70 musical instruments from various provinces in China.

• At Heritage Malta, Merchants Street, Valletta, works by Matthew Kassar.

• At the Malta Maritime Museum, Ex-Naval Bakery, Vittoriosa, Voyage And Voir: Travellers Of The Grand Tour.

• At the Kola Windmill, Xaghra, Malta's Mediterranean Trilogy Culture - Bread, Oil and Wine - an exhibition forming part of Heritage Malta's participation in an EU-funded project entitled Trimed.

• At the Gozo Ministry, Victoria, 23 sculptures by Antonio Sciortino.