For your diary

• The monthly pro-life celebration will be held at St Dominic church, Rabat, today at 5 p.m. The celebration includes adoration and a presentation of newborns to Our Lady of the Grotto. Everyone is invited to attend, especially expectant mothers, parents of newborns, parents who have lost a child, pro-life activists and those planning to start a family. The celebration is held on the fourth Sunday of each month.

• The Maltese Association of SMOM is presenting its fifth lecture in the series ‘The “Maltese” legacy of the Order of St John’ by Francesca Balzan.

Ms Balzan will discuss ‘Jewellery in Malta during the Knights’ Period’ tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Museum of Fine Arts, South Street, Valletta.

• A thanksgiving Mass will be held by the National Council of Women at St John’s Co-Cathedral on Wednesday at 6.30 p.m. to mark International Women’s Day and the European Year for Volunteering.

• Mass will be concelebrated by Archbishop Paul Cremona and will include the participation of the St Paul Choral Society under directorship of Hugh Agius Muscat, organist Elisabeth Conrad and soprano Arienne Gaerty.

Everyone, especially those working in the voluntary sector, are invited to attend. Patrons are asked to be seated by 6.15 p.m.

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

• The next self-help group meetings by the Richmond Foundation for those experiencing mental health difficulties will be held at No. 16, Antonio Agius Street, Florianaon Wednesday and on March 16, from 5.30 to 7 p.m..

The Never Mind leisure centre at St Augustine’s parish hall, Valletta is also open every Monday between 5.30 and 7 p.m.

The centre, managed by the foundation, welcomes all individuals who would like to make friends in a safe, fun and creative environment.

For more information, call 2148 2336 or 2144 0324 or e-mail info@richmond.org.mt.

• A day of adoration to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life will be held on Thursday at the Archbishop’s Seminary, Tal-Virtù, Rabat.

It will begin with Mass at 9.30 a.m., followed by adoration for the rest of the day.

The seminarians will join at 6.30 p.m. and the day will conclude with another Mass at 7.15 p.m. Individuals and groups are welcome to attend.

• The Centre of Ignatian Spirituality is holding a weekend seminar on the main theological tenets of the book of Deuteronomy linked to select themes from the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius.

It will be delivered in English by Anthony Frendo, head of the University’s Department of Oriental Studies, at Mount St Joseph Jesuit Spirituality Centre, Tarġa Gap, Mosta between Friday at 6.30 p.m. and next Sunday at 2.30 pm.

To book, call 2141 6916 between 8.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. or e-mail info@mtsjoseph.org.

• A course addressing mental health issues for family caregivers in the community as well as for professionals will be held between Friday and June 3, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The course will be held at Project House, Belt is-Sebħ, Floriana (opposite the Police Depot courtyard). For more information, e-mail assistance@mhamalta.com or call 2137 8469 or 7909 3873.

• Lions Club Mdina will be organising a 1960s night at Villa Arrigo, San Pawl tat-Tarġa on Friday at 8 p.m.

Golden oldies will be played by DJ Visage. Price is €30, which includes pre-dinner canapés and an aperitif, buffet dinner and raffle tickets. Proceeds will go towards a charitable cause.

For bookings, call Isabelle Coppini on 2137 4291 or 9942 4442 or Maria de Conti Manduca on 2143 5388 or 9984 8900.

• The Gran Ballo La Valletta is taking place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta on Saturday.

This year, the ball will revolve around Casanova’s Divina Commedia.

There will be a four-course meal with flowing champagne and wine. Animators in period costumes will entertain the guests.

There will also be a host of acts, including fire-eaters, snake masters, gypsies and dark characters.

The Gran Ballo is in aid of Dar Niki Cassar, YMCA’s shelter for the homeless.

Tickets for a donation of €79 will lead to purgatory and will include the four-course meal with wine; a donation of €109 will take guests to experience heaven, which includes a four-course meal with champagne.

Dress code is strictly historical 18 th century or black suit with mask.

Early booking is recommended. For booking of tickets and more information, call 2122 1435 or 9949 9618 or visit www.granballo.com.

• Fr Hayden Williams, OFM Cap, invites priests to join him for the celebration of Mass followed by adoration at the next MIR meeting, to be held at the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy, San Pawl tat-Tarġa, Naxxar on March 8 at 7.30 p.m.

Members of the public are also invited to take part. For more information, call Fr Williams on 7924 0305.

• InYgo-Malta, the network of Jesuit initiatives for young people, is inviting young people between 18 and 25 to a silent retreat at Mount St Joseph Retreat House, Mosta between March 11 and 13 .

All those interested can visit the new website www.inygo.jesuit.org.mt, send an e-mail to inygo@jesuit.org.mt or call Fr Jimmy Bartolo, SJ, on 9928 1101.

• A reunion for pupils in Stg 1 (1969/70) at Sliema government school is being held at Vino Veritas, Dingli Street, Sliema on March 11 at 7.30 p.m.

Call your ex-teacher Mary Rose De Bono (née Grech) on 7926 3223 or e-mail debonomaryrose@yahoo.com.

• Mater Admirabilis Training College students of 1959-1961 will be holding a reunion in June to mark the 50th anniversary of their graduation.

For more details, call 2133 1888 or 2189 6436 or send an e-mail to matc1959to1961@gmail.com.