Announcements

CUTUGNO. On March 14, ARTHUR, aged 78, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Violet, his daughters Kristina and her husband Louis Agius, Marisa and her husband Pierre Attard, Anna and her husband Leonard Galea, Paula and her husband Andrew Forte, his son John and his wife Erika, his grandchildren, his sister Doreen Scerri, other relatives and friends.
Mass praesente cadavere will take place at St Julians parish church today at 8.15 a.m. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siġġiewi, will be appreciated. The family regret they are unable to receive visitors. Lord grant him eternal rest.

DEMPSTER. On March 15, at her home in St Julians, NADINE, 84, the wife of the late Eric, passed away peacefully. She leaves to mourn her loss her son Hamish and his wife Sina, her grandchildren Daniel, Keith, and Stefan, her great-grandchildren Dean and Darlene, her brother and sisters, other relatives and friends. R.I.P.
The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital tomorrow at 1.30 p.m. for Balluta parish church where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2 p.m., followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request, but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siġġiewi, will be appreciated.

MANGION. On March 15, at Mater Dei Hospital, ALEX, aged 63. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Doreen née Urpani, his children Benjamin and Erika, Matthew and Chrysilla and his darling granddaughter Amelia, his mother Mary, his brother Ronald, his sisters Louise Sullivan, Natalie and her husband Joe Aquilina, his mother-in-law Ida Urpani, in-laws, nephews, nieces, other relataives and friends. R.I.P.
The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital tomorrow, March 18, for St Julians parish church where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.15 a.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to the Hospice Movement will be greatly appreciated.

MIFSUD. On Sunday, March 16, at Mater Dei Hospital, SPIRIDIONE (Spiru), aged 95, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his great loss his beloved sisters Mary Mifsud, Ċettina Vella, widow of Carmelo, and Noni Scerri, residing in Australia, widow of Nikola, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends.
The funeral leaves Mater Dei hospital tomorrow at 7.30 a.m. for St Anthony's church in Għajn Dwieli where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8 a.m. followed by interment in the family grave at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Lord grant him eternal rest. Special thanks go to the carers and staff of Cospicua home for the elderly for their great dedication.

In Memoriam

BUTTIGIEG - Imelda. Today the 18th anniversary of her demise. Sadly missed by her husband Emanuel, her seven sons and their wives and grandchildren.

CATANIA - CHARLES. Always loved, always remembered by Marlene, Suzanne and Angela.

FORMOSA - PAULINE. In loving memory of a dear sister, today being the 16th anniversary of her demise. Forever in our thoughts and prayers. Her brother Lawrence, her nephews Andre', Etienne and Jean Pierre and their respective spouses. Today's Masses at St Julians parish church are being offered for the repose of her soul.

LOFARO - IRIS, née Nunns. In memory of a beloved sister and aunt on the first anniversary of her meeting with the Lord. With much love and lovely memories, Doris and Winston, Winston Jr. and Gaby, Trevor and the children.
You were that special
Kind of sister
That everyone wishes
They could have,
I always knew that
When we were apart
That we were still
So close,
And when we were together
Our time was spent
To the fullest.
It is not everyone
That can have a
Special sister like you.
I'm proud to say
That I did.
With love always, Doris.

MUSCAT SCERRI. Fondest memories of my loving wife WINNIE on the ninth anniversary of her demise. Never forgotten by her husband Austin.

MUSCAT SCERRI. In loving memory of a beloved mother, WINNIE, on the ninth anniversary of her passing away.
You left me beautiful memories,
Your love is still my guide
And though I cannot see you
You are always by my side.
Your daughter Erika.

MUSCAT SCERRI - WINNIE.
Your memory is our keepsake
With which we'll never part,
God has you in His keeping
We have you in our hearts.
Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her daughter Marcon, Venny and Nicola.

MUSCAT SCERRI. Remembering a dear mother and grandmother, WINNIE, today being the ninth anniversary of her demise.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands at rest,
God broke our hearts
To prove to us
He only takes the best.
Deeply missed by her daughter Domika, Wallace, Gianluca and Martina.

PALMIER - JACKIE. In loving memory of a dear friend on the eighth anniversary of her demise. Unfaded and treasured memories. Always in our thoughts. Mandy, Noel and Laura.

Dance contest

The Malta Dance and Dance Sport Council has launched the 11th edition of the Closed Amateur Competition 2008.

Malta's amateur practitioners of ballroom and Latin American dance will be judged by a panel of foreign judges.

The competition will be held at the University Sports Complex on April 27. Anyone interested in competing must submit an application at the MDDSC offices housed at the National Pool Complex in Tal-Qroqq by not later than March 29.

The public is welcome to attend. More information regarding entrance tickets can be obtained by e-mailing mddsc.malta@gmail.com.

Japanese politics

Rei Shiratori will be delivering a lecture to students of public policy and political studies tomorrow at 5.30 p.m. at Lecture Theatre One of the University of Malta. Prof. Shiratori is president of the Institute for Political Studies of Japan, select professor of political studies at Akita International University and Honorary Consul for Malta in Japan. He is also emeritus professor of Dokkyo University and Tokai University in Japan. The theme of his lecture will be Japanese Politics After Koizumi: Beginning Of New Style Politics Or End Of Regime?

Public speaking contest

The Catenian Association, an international organisation of practising Catholic laymen, will be marking the 100th anniversary of its foundation with a national public speaking contest for Catholic students.

Towards this end the Catenian Association, Malta will be launching a contest for Sixth Form students.

Catholic schools with sixth form classes are being invited to hold their own internal public speaking competitions with the winner and runner-up taking part in the national final contest in July 2008.

The winner and runner-up of the Maltese national competition will travel to the UK to take part in the grand final, which will be held at the University of Manchester on September 21.

All expenses will be borne by the association.

The winner of the UK event will receive a prize of £200 and the second-placed will get £150. Their respective schools will also receive prize money.

Schools interested in taking part are to send an e-mail stating their intentions to Godfrey Bonello at gjb@onvol.net.

The association's name is derived from the Latin catena (a chain). The emblem consists of a continuous chain of links surrounding a cross, conveying the message that the Catholic faith is at the centre of all that Catenians do.

Catenians take an active part in the life of their parishes and many play a leading role in their dioceses and Catholic lay organisations locally and nationally. The association is non-political, though Catenians are prominent in many aspects of public life and service.

Musico-literary evening

The Fra Antoine de Paule Philharmonic Society will be presenting a musico-literary evening with the participation of the Christ the King Band on the occasion of Holy Week.

The event will be held in the main hall of the society's premises in Antoine de Paule Square, Paola tomorrow at 7.30 p.m.

Organist Norbert Camilleri and pianist Elizabeth Leonardi will join the band together with singers Marvic Monreal and Christine Barbara. George Peresso will read. The band will be directed by David Sammut.

Music and literary works were selected in a way to enable the audience reflect on what Jesus Christ went through.

Visual projections depicting sufferings and injustices endured by many people in other countries will be screened.

Entrance is free and everyone is invited.

Mellieħa Last Supper display

The La Vittoria Philharmonic Society - Mellieħa has mounted an exhibition/replica of Our Lord's Last Supper presented on the Jewish rite together with a miniature model of the City of Jerusalem by the late Fr Pawlin Cremona OC.

There are various symbols representing the Passion of Jesus Christ, together with sacred paintings borrowed from Gaulos Exclusive Arts of Gozo, woven articles by Alda Bugeja of Gozo and flower arrangements by Christopher Bartolo.

The exhibition is on at La Vittoria Band Club, near the Mellieħa parish church, until Good Friday.

Entrance is free.

Lunchtime concert

The eighth Performers Platform Concert in the series of Valletta Lunchtime Concerts will be a piano recital by Kimberly Terribile. The concert, organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, will take place on March 28 at 12.35 p.m. in the Music Room, St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity in Valletta.

Works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Villa Lobos will be played.

For more information contact the council on 2122 3200 or visit websites www.sjcav.org, www.teatrumanoel.com.mt or www.maltaculture.com.

Local councils

Today's meeting
6 p.m. Għargħur