Dates for your diary

• A prayer meeting will be held at Girgenti, Siġġiewi, today at 3 p.m., organised by the Moviment Madonna tal-Konsagrazzjoni committee. The public is invited. For details view www.ourladyofconsecration.org.

• The Our Lady of Lilies women’s section is holding a Christmas bazaar until next Sunday in Triq Santa Katerina, Mqabba (near the square). The bazaar, which will be selling plants, books, gifts and decorations, will be open all day.

• The traditional Christmas bazaar at Paola will be held at the parish hall, Church Avenue, until next Sunday. There will be many items at reduced prices, including plants, toys, decorations, books, drinks and clothes. Opening hours: from 9 a.m. to noon and from 4.30 to 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, Paola. The meeting will consist of a recital of the Rosary followed by Mass and adoration. Foodstuffs will be collected during the meeting for Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem, a Franciscan organisation that cares for the homeless. Priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. All are welcome. For more information, call Andre and Doreen Vassallo Grant on 7925 7072 or e-mail mir@frhayden.org.

• The BoV Valletta Fund Management Philately Club is holding a meeting at the Fatima Sanctuary Convent, Guardamangia, on Tuesday at 6 p.m. For more information, call 7931 5509.

• 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 bookings and information, call Blanche Martin on 2133 0387.

• A bazaar will be held at 49, Cathedral Street, Sliema, from Wednesday to Saturday from 9.30 a.m. in aid of Stella Maris parish church.

• On the occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Rosary will be recited every half hour on Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Marija Immakulata Oratory, Pope Wojtyla hall, 58, Triq it-Torri, Mosta. This will be followed at 5 p.m. by adoration, evening prayers and benediction at 6 p.m. Everybody is invited to attend.

• A prayer meeting for the sanctification of priests and for priestly and religious vocations will be held on Saturday at the Holy Trinity parish church, Marsa. It starts at 9.45 p.m. with Mass, followed by adoration till midnight.

• A bazaar/book fair is being held next Sunday at the Island Sanctuary, Tas-Silg, Marsaxlokk, between 1 and 3.45 p.m.

• Fr Anthony Cilia, SJ, and the Parish Ignatian Ministry (PIM) team will lead a retreat at Manresa retreat house, Victoria, on December 13 from 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. for people who have experienced the PIM programme.

• For the seventh year, the Queen Victoria Band Club of Żurrieq is organising a marathon to collect funds for St Therese’s Home in Nigret, Żurrieq. There will be live transmissions broadcast from the radio station Leħen il-Karmelitani 101.4 FM from Republic Square, Żurrieq, between December 16 and 18. Activities will include billiards, a Playstation marathon, and sale of ponsiettas, plants, traditional Christmas food and sweets.

On December 16, from 7.30 p.m. onwards, there will also be a musical programme, including Scottish music and singers Romina Mamo, Stephanie Zammit, Kurt Galea, Cherylis Camilleri, Anthea Cutajar, Rochelle Grech, Warren Caruana and Brooke Farrugia together with dancers from Keith Dance Studio.

On the morning of December 18, there will be a parade by the Żurrieq Scouts Pipes and Drums, face painting, a motor show and shows by the Malta Mini Owners Club, Malta Classic Ford Club and Retro Japanese Club Malta.

There will also be children singing from the Wee Blues Club, Domenique Azzopardi and Gillian Attard’s children choir.

• The Centre for Ignatian Spirituality is holding the following retreats: from December 16 at 7 p.m. to December 18 at 2.30 p.m. at Mount St Joseph retreat house, Tarġa Gap, Mosta, Fr Pierre Grech Marguerat, SJ, and Cristina Spiteri will lead two parallel retreats for couples with children under 10, one for the parents and the other for the children. The retreat will be repeated from March 2 to 4.

• The St Venera Outdoor Festivities Committee is organising a dinner dance and buffet on December 17, at the Plaza Hotel, Sliema. Price will be €18 (for those aged over 12) and €10 (four to 12). Children under four go in for free.

The meeting point is in front of the parish church at 8 p.m. There will be live entertainment and free parking. Tickets can be bought from the committee members and helpers. For more information, call 99261083.

• The St Venera Outdoor Festivities Committee is organising a children’s Christmas party on December 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Scouts hall a few metres away from the old parish church.

Price for tickets are €10 per child. Gifts will be given to every boy or girl and games will be played. Tickets can be bought from committee members and helpers. For more information, call 9926 1083.