For your diary

• The St Jeanne Antide Foundation is holding a three-day fundraising sale of new and used books, plants, cakes and knick knacks at the Antide Drop-in Centre today between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

• The Maltese American Association is celebrating Thanksgiving Day at the Seabank Hotel, Mellieha, today. Thanksgiving Mass will be said at 11 a.m. followed by a buffet lunch at 12.30 p.m. For tickets and more information call Dar l-Emigrant on 2122 2644 or 2123 2545.

• St Paul's Bay council is organising cultural outings in collaboration with the Malta Astronomical Society today at 8.30 a.m. Prices start from €6 and tickets are available from the council's offices. For more information call 2158 5801 or visit www.stpaulsbay-online.com.

• The Malta Hospice Movement is organising a bazaar at Deporres Hall, Sliema, tomorrow until Thursday at 9 a.m. Brand new items will be on sale. The movement is also organising a dinner on Friday at the Grand Master Suite, Hilton (Malta). Executive chef Joe Vella will prepare a four-course meal. The event is against a donation of €32 per person and includes food, wine and water. Parking is discounted. Proceeds go towards palliative care services given to people suffering from cancer or motor neurone disease and support to their families. For bookings or more information, call the Malta Hospice Movement on 2144 0085 or e-mail hospice@onvol.net.

• The annual ecumenical service to pray for Christian unity, organised by the Catholic Action Movement's women's branch, will be held on Wednesday at St Paul's parish church, Rabat, from 10 to 11 a.m. Leaders and communities of the various churches forming part of the movement are invited to attend.

• The National Council of Women is organising the fifth session of the popular ECO café at the NCW centre, Pope Pius X11 Flats, Mountbatten Street, Blata l-Bajda, on Wednesday at 5.30 p.m. The session will include information on orthensia and carissa plants, sowing of bulbs and gulbiena in preparation for Christmas. For booking and more information, call the NCW on 2124 8881/2124 6982 or e-mail ncwmalta@camline.net.mt.

• A course offering missionary formation aimed at people wishing to live a missionary experience abroad starts on Thursday. Speakers include Fr John Curmi, Fr Joe Ellul, Fr Martin Cilia, and Fr Sandro Vella. The course is organised by Centru Animazzjoni Missjunarja and the Institute of Formation and Pontifical Missionary Works. For more information, call 2144 4499, e-mail info@cam.com.mt, or view the website www.cam.com.mt. Applications, accompanied by a cheque covering the course fee of €35, should be addressed to Centru Animazzjoni Missjunarja, St Joseph Home, High Street, St Venera, SVR 1010.

• The next meeting of the San Gorg Preca Group will be held on Friday at 6.30 p.m. at the MUSEUM hsead quarters, Blata l-Bajda (entrance next to Preca Library). Young couples and adults are invited to attend.

• The St Joseph School Past Pupils Association (Sliema) invites all past students, their families and friends to participate in a quiz night on Friday at 8 p.m. For more information call Anne Naudi on 2138 6929/9920 7453 or Sue Gregory on 2134 6361/9945 8103.

• NCW is organising a tour of Cospicua, starting at Gavino Gulia Square on Saturday at 3 p.m. At the end of the tour the group will proceed to Vittoriosa for tea. For bookings and more information call 2124 8881/2124 6982 or e-mail ncwmalta@camline.net.mt.

• The Centre of Ignatian Spirituality is organising four retreats at Mount St Joseph retreat house, Targa Gap, Mosta, every Saturday during Advent starting this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. Fr Alfred Micallef and Fr Mario Jaccarini will conduct the retreats. Booking is not required.

• The central branch of the Malta Red Cross is organising a blood donation day at the National Blood Transfusion Service, St Luke's Square, Guardamangia, on Sunday at 8 a.m. Those willing to donate are requested to bring their ID cards. For more information visits www.health.gov.mt/ nbts or call Natal Falzon on 9945 2726.

• A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on December 3 from 10 a.m. For booking call Blanche Martin on 2133 0387.

• A buffet lunch is being organised in aid of the Missions Office. The fundraising activity will be held at Qawra Palace Hotel, Qawra, on December 7 at noon. After lunch, a raffle is being held. For booking call 2123 6962.

• The Malta/ Romanian Society is holding a meeting at the Catholic Institute, Floriana, on December 12 at 6 p.m., aimed at parents of adopted Romanian children. Those interested are to call George Busuttil on 2123 0181 or e-mail altesecrosscorps@ifnetworks.net by December 6.