Sandro Sciberras, Birkirkara
Parish ignored in council magazine
From the date of their establishment, most local councils in Malta and Gozo have regularly issued a magazine/publication in which they keep in touch with the local community through articles of general interest related to the respective town or village. These local councils and their publications were meant to represent the whole local community.
However, I am sorry to say that the quarterly publication issued by the Birkirkara local council, Birkirkara Leħen il-Kunsill Tiegħek, does not represent people living within the Santa Marija parish church territory.
While the rest of Birkirkara was celebrating the feast of St Helen, a few days earlier the parishioners of Santa Marija also celebrated their feast; that of the Assumption, to which the historical and architectural gem known as Il-Knisja l-Qadima is dedicated. For three consecutive years, which included a number of unanswered letters, the local council's August publication has completely omitted any mention of our feast, the parish, its celebrations, or those who work so hard all year round within the church.
Admittedly ours is a small feast but we all put a lot of effort into it and we are very proud of both our church and the feast we celebrate.
As a person born and raised in Birkirkara, I feel disappointed that the local council, for which I have voted, decided that the parish territory in which I live is so unimportant that it doesn't even deserve a sentence of mention in its publication.
Popular Stories
In Discussion
2 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
A. R.
Aug 27th 2008, 03:54
I attended mass everyday at Il-Knisja il Qadima as a child and I loved it. I was even a member of the choir there. The church was still under construction or restoration in the late 70's and we could only use the front part of the church. I live in Canada now, but your letter sure brought back memories. It took years and years to restore the church. I never attended the St.Helen's Basilica, I found it too dark and cold. Yes Il-Knisja il Qadima was my church alright. What a warm comforting place it was back then. I hope it still is as I have not been in it for about 25 yrs,
Franco Farrugia
Aug 26th 2008, 09:59
Don't worry, Mr Sciberras. Even outsiders know what a lovely parish you have, there.
Empty vessels make most sound, isn't it?
We all know what the poor KNISJA L-QADIMA had to go through, over the years, so that the BAZILIKA would rise and flourish with all that bombastic splendour which is no sign of spirituality at all.