Events and dates for your diary

• The St Joseph School Past Pupils Association (Sliema) will be holding a fundraising pasta night in aid of the missions, run by the Sisters of St Joseph in Ethiopia, on October 21, at 8 p.m., at the Carlson Suite, 5th Floor, Radisson Blu Resort, St Julian’s. For more information call Mariella Abela on 7970 2579 or Mary Sciortino on 7933 2839. Bookings close on October 17.

• The Island Sanctuary is holding an open day today, starting at 9.30 a.m. There will be a variety of activities throughout the day which will come to a close with Mass celebrated by Fr Ġwakkin Mercieca at 4.30 p.m. All those attending Mass are asked to bring their pets along for them to be blessed.

• A Think Pink breast care awareness and fundraising event is being held today at Bay Street between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

• The next Mir prayer meeting will be held on Tuesday from 7.30 to 10 p.m. at St Anthony church, Għajn Dwieli Square, Paola. During the meeting the rosary will be recited, followed by Mass and adoration. Those attending are asked to bring foodstuffs to be donated to Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem, a Franciscan organisation that cares for the homeless. Priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.All are welcome to attend. For more information, e-mail Andre and Doreen Vassallo Grantat mir@frhayden.org or call7925 7072.

• As an act of reparation for offences taking place during the full moon, Mass and adoration will take place on Wednesday from 8.30 to 10.30 p.m. at St Francis church, Msida Road, Birkirkara. All are invited.

• Magnificat, a Catholic ministry for women, is presenting a series of five Bible talks on approaching the Bible at St Patrick’s church. The first talk ‘Where and when the Bible was formed’ by Fr Marcello Ghirlando will be taking place on Wednesday at 10.30 a.m. Entrance fee is €5. For more information, call 2144 2468, 7944 2468 or 9947 1731.

• Caritas Cooperators are inviting all those interested to join them for a day at The Palace hotel, Sliema on Wednesday. The day will start with coffee or tea at 10.30 a.m., followed by a talk at 11 a.m. Mass at noon and lunch at 1 p.m. Cards may be played in the afternoon. For more information and bookings call 2133 0132,2132 0016, 2134 2910 or 2132 2466.

• A jumble sale in aid of Fatima Sanctuary, Gwardamanġa, is being held at the parish hall, next to the parish church, until next Sunday. Opening hours are daily from 9.30 a.m. to noon and from 2.30 to 7 p.m.

• The YWCA (Malta) is organising a tea card party at the Hotel Plaza, Sliema on October 19. Members and guests are welcome.

• The ALPS (Association of Lyceum Past Students) is resuming Dance to Health lessons following the summer recess.The lessons are run by aprofessional tutor. New participants are welcome and will be helped individually before joining the group. For more information, call Peter Paul Bonnici on7982 4250 or 2167 2684 or e-mail petpol@go.net.mt.

• The Pontifical Missions Office of 7, Merchants Street, Valletta needs volunteers to help outduring organised events to raisemissionary awareness. Volunteers are needed to delivermaterials to schools; transport equipment to or from eventvenues; manage food orother stalls at events; provide entertainment or animation for families and help with thesetting up of event venues.Those interested can call Mario Scicluna on 2123 6962 ore-mail info@missio.org.mt.

• The foundation of Our Lady of Lilies Musical Society of Mqabba in collaboration with the Environmental Landscape Consortium is organising an activity with an environmental theme during which olive trees will be planted. The event will beheld on October 23 at 9 a.m.in the area surrounding LilyFireworks Complex in Ta’ Kandja, limits of Siġġiewi. All those wishing to sponsor a tree may do so by calling 7985 3044. For more information, visit www.talgilju.com.

• The Lay Fraternity of Charles de Foucauld is holding its annual weekend retreat at the Seminary at Tal-Virtù, from October 28 to 30, on the theme of discipleship – ‘What do you want me to do for you?’. Fr Martin Micallef, OFM Cap, will lead the retreat, which will be delivered in Maltese.For more information, call2143 2170 or 9942 8389 or e-mail annepac@go.net.mt.

• Schools are being invited to take part in Gift of Life’s School for Life annual project, whereby primary and secondary schools will present an art project on February 4, 2012 – International Pro-life Day. To register, call Charlene Mifsud, head of Pro-life Awareness in School (PAIS) on 7906 7010 or e-mail pais@lifemalta.org. Closing date for registration is October 30.

• YWCA Malta is again offering cosmetology scholarships in two beauty categories: fashion and photographic make-up; and nail technology. The scholarships are available for women of Maltese nationality aged over 18. For applications and more information, call 7900 2930 or e-mail ywcamalta5@gmail.com. Closing date is November 18 at noon. Interviews will be held on November 23 at 4.30 p.m.