Coming up

• San Lawrenz celebrates the feast of its patron saint with a pontifical Mass led by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech today at 9 a.m. The Mnarja Band march will be held at 11 a.m. Solemn vespers in Maltese will be led by Għarb parish priest Mgr Carmelo Gauci at 7 p.m., followed by marches by the Victory Band at 7.30 p.m. At 7.45 p.m., La Stella Band will give a concert on the main square. Mgr Grech will lead the procession accompanied by the Victory Band.

• A special hand postmark, 1750 Sena mill-Martirju ta' San Lawrenz - AD 258 - 2008, will be used at St Lawrence parish church today between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

• Christmas in August has become an annual event. It is a fundraising activity organised by the volunteers of Gużeppa Debono Home.This year is being held at the showroom next to 'Roses ' in Mgarr Road, Ghajnsielem. Opening hours are Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.30a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday and Saturday from 8.30 a.m. to noon. Gużeppa Debono Home caters for the needs of single mothers and fathers and their families.

Gużeppa Debono Home is organising two parenting skills courses on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at All 4Life Centre in Capuchins Street, Victoria.The other course will be held in October. For more information call 2155 2595 or e-mail guzeppadebonhome@onvol.net

• Activities leading to the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on Friday will be held in Victoria throughout the week.

On Wednesday a demonstration with the statue of Our Lady leaves the Cathedral parish centre at 9.30 p.m., with the participation of the Leone Band and the Mount Carmel Band of Gżira, followed by ground fireworks in Republic Street, while a concert by the Santa Marija Band of Żebbuġ, Gozo, will be held at Independence Square.

On Thursday, the Cathedral Chapter will concelebrate Mass at 8 a.m. The Chorus Ecclesiae Cathedralis will sing the Te Deum. At 10 a.m. there will be Mass for children. The Leone Band will play marches at the cathedral square. A reception will be held at the Leone Band Club at 11.30 a.m. At 5.30 p.m. the Leone Band will play marches from the parish centre to the cathedral. At 6 p.m. Mgr Grech will lead the translation of the relic, followed by pontifical vespers. To mark the 33rd anniversary of the crowning of the titular painting of the Assumption a thanksgiving Mass will be held at 7.45 p.m. At 8.45 p.m. Fr Franco Fenech, together with the Mħabba Divina group, will lead a prayer vigil on Cathedral Square. At 9.30 p.m., the Leone and Victory bands will play along Republic Street. A fireworks display will be held at Savina Square.

On Friday, Mgr Grech concelebrates Pontifical Mass with the Cathedral Chapter at 9 a.m. At 10.30 a.m. awards will be presented to the winners of the agricultural exhibition held at Villa Rundle, followed by band marches. Horse races will be held at 2.30 p.m. At 5.45 p.m. solemn vespers will be led by the vicar general, Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci, followed by marches. The procession starts at 6.30 p.m. At 10 p.m. there will be a fireworks display from Gelmus Hill followed by a band march by the Leone Band.

• For the 12th consecutive year, the Gozo Diocese is organising a vigil on the eve of the feast of the Assumption at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary on Thursday at 8.30 p.m. Transport will be available from all parishes.

cspiteri@timesofmalta.com