Announcements

BORG. On December 29, at Mater Dei Hospital, ARONE of Rabat, aged 81, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife Doris, his children Wilfred and his wife Mary Rose, Mary Jo and her husband Walter Borg, Ronald and his wife Joyce, his brothers and sisters Polly and her husband Salvinu Farrugia, Mary, Bice widow of Reno Spiteri, Salvina, Carmeline, widow of Notary Sammy Abela, nephews and nieces Stephen and his wife Joanne, Ingrid and her husband Conrad Busuttil, Deborah and her husband Paul Azzopardi, Abigail and Martha, great grandchildren Matthew and Angie, in-laws, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital, today at 3 p.m. for St Augustin parish church, Rabat, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 3.30 p.m. followed by interment in the family grave at Santa Margherita Cemetery, Rabat. The family regret that they are unable to receive visitors at home. No flowers by request but donations to Dar Tal-Providenza will be greatly appreciated. Lord grant him eternal rent.

CHURCH. On December 26, HENRY ALFRED, aged 75, passed away peacefully at Lakeridge Health Corp., Oshawa, Ontario, Canada comforted by the rites of Holy Church surrounded by his family. He leaves to mourn his loss, his beloved wife Lina née Bugeja, his children Christopher and his wife Suzanne, Jacqueline, Elizabeth and her husband Jacinto, David and his wife Cynthia, his grandchildren Victoria, Cassandra, Caitlin, Nicholas, Alexander, Chelsea and Jonathan, his sister Maria and sister-in-law Antida, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. He will be laid to rest today after a requiem mass at St Gertrude's Holy Church in Oshawa, Ontario. Lord grant him eternal rest.

FABRI. On December 28, at Mater Dei Hospital, PAUL of Valletta, aged 73, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife Tereza, his children Vince, Alfie, Maruska and her husband Saviour, his grandchildren Anthea, Charlene, his brothers George and his wife Imelda, Giovanni and his wife Mariella, in-laws, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital today at 7.30 a.m. for St Dominic parish church, Valletta, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8 a.m. followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar Tal-Providenza, Siġġiewi will be greatly appreciated. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

GAUCI MAISTRE. On December 29, GUIDO, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife Mary, née Gasapinta, his son Mark, his daughter Moira and her husband Chris and an adorable grandchild Karl, his sisters Iris and her husband George Bonello Du Puis, Winnie and his brother Gino and in-laws. The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital tomorrow, Wednesday, for Mass praesente cadavere at the Carmelite church in Fleur-de-Lys at 8.30 a.m. followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery.

MICALLEF. On December 29, MARY, widow of Domnic, of Sliema aged 85, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her beloved children Carmen, Vince, Iro, Miriam, Rosie, Margaret, Connie and their spouses, grandchildren, her brothers Vince and Joe, her sister Margaret, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital tomorrow for St. Gregory's parish church where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.45 a.m. followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza will be greatly appreciated.

SULLIVAN JOHN. Of Melbourne, Australia, passed peacefully away and went to meet the Lord on Christmas Day. The world lost an honest man and his wife lost a treasure. Never to be forgotten. Sleep my love. Your loving wife Doris. Prayers are solicited.

Emerald Wedding

Dr MARIO SANT CASSIA and Ms MELINA BOFFA
Happiness, fulfilment and having us four contributed to such a good marriage. Thank you so very much for all that you have done for us. God bless you both and happy anniversary. Your children.

Requiem Masses

Tomorrow being the 21st anniversary of the death of PHILIP VELLA, the 5 p.m. Mass said at St Joseph the Worker parish church, Birkirkara, will be offered for the repose of his soul.

In Memoriam

BUONTEMPO. To revive treasured memories of our dear AMADEO on the 25th anniversary of his demise. His family.

CALLUS TESTAFERRATA ABELA - MARIA STELLA. Remembering a beloved mother and grandmother especially today, the 17th anniversary of her passing away. Vicky, Tony and their family.

COPPINI - CECILE. Treasured memories of a loving mother and grandmother on the third anniversary of her passing away. Sadly missed and always in our thoughts and prayers. Her sons and daughters, their spouses and her grandchildren. Mass for the repose of her soul will be celebrated today at 6.30 p.m. at Stella Maris parish church, Sliema. Lord grant her eternal rest.

CRAIG - HARRY. On his sixth anniversary. Unfading memories of a dear husband. Always in my thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow's 9 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. Masses at Jesus of Nazareth parish church, Sliema, will be offered for the repose of his soul.

DEBONO - CHARLES. In memory of our beloved son and brother on the 28th anniversary of his passing away. Always in our hearts and prayers. Mum, Dad, Tom, Marthese and their families.

FRENDO RANDON. In loving memory of Beverly, today being the third anniversary of her passing away. Fondly remembered by her husband Rene, her children Betsy, Bill, Jessica, Fabrizia and her grandchildren. May God grant her eternal peace and may perpetual light shine upon her.

MANCHÉ. Cherished memories of CHARLES on the 25th anniversary of his death. Loved and remembered always. Noreen, Simon, Kirsten, Patrick and Jonathan.

PIZZUTO. In loving memory of our dear sister ETHEL, today being the fourth anniversary of her death. Lina, Gerry and their respective families. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

PIZZUTO. Cherished memories of my sister ETHEL on the fourth anniversary of her death. Lord, grant her eternal rest. Gerry and Rose.

SAID. In remembrance of NICOLA (Notary) on the 11th anniversary of his demise. Remembered by his family.

SCERRI - PEPPINO. Fondly remembered by his sisters Maria and Jole on the 14th anniversary of his demise. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

President, Prime Minister's New Year's greetings

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami will exchange New Year's greetings with the public on Thursday at the Palace in Valletta between 10.30 and 11.45 a.m.

The public may also call at the Palace to sign the President's visitors' book between Friday and January 9, from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and his wife Kate will also receive the public to exchange New Year's greetings, at Auberge de Castille in Valletta on Thursday between 10 a.m. and noon.

While at Castille, visitors will be able to visit the Cabinet Room, the Ambassadors Hall and the Office of the Prime Minister. Castille will be open between 6 and 8 p.m. on Thursday for those who wish to sign the Prime Minister's visitors' book.

For the convenience of the public in Gozo, the Prime Minister's visitors' book will be available at the Gozo Ministry tomorrow and Thursday between 8.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

Band Clubs seminar

The Band Club Association will hold a seminar on January 18 at the Vivaldi Hotel, St Julians, to determine how band clubs can keep up with the times.

The seminar will start with Mass at 8.30 a.m., followed by an address by the association's president. Participants will be split up into three workshop groups to discuss issues such as the management of band clubs, their future and role in village feasts.

At the end of the seminar, each group will present its report to a collective assembly.

Exchange of Lira

The Central Bank of Malta will not be exchanging Maltese lira currency notes and coins into euro tomorrow. In a statement it said the service will be suspended due to the end-of-year closing of accounts and will resume on Monday.

Ombudsman's office

The Office of Ombudsman will be closed on Friday.

Local councils

Today's meeting

8.30 a.m. Żebbuġ, Gozo.