Dates and events for your diary

• Arriva will be holding another series of roadshows this year aimed at educating the general public about aspects of public transport, including reading timetables and information found on bus stop poles, off-the-bus tickets and quick boarding options such as the Saver Card and Carnet Tickets, as well as Arriva’s role as the public transport operator and its role as a Maltese company within the community. The first roadshow will be held in Marsaxlokk today, where an Arriva bus and stand will be stationed in the car park at the market, between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Throughout the roadshow Arriva said it will be collecting feedback from customers with the aim of continuously improving the services it provides.

• Today marks the 60th anniversary of the death of Mother Margherita Debrincat, foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus. It also marks the 12th anniversary since the diocesan information process towards her beatification and canonisation was concluded. The process, which was opened by the late Bishop of Gozo Nikol Cauchi in 1988, is currently being continued in Rome. If it is successful, Mother Margherita will become the first Gozitan to be beatified.

To mark the occasion there will be a Mass today at 7 a.m. at Mġarr parish church and at the Mother House in Victoria at 5 p.m.

A Mass will also be held today for all Maltese living in the UK. They can contact the Franciscan Sisters at 9, St George’s Drive, Victoria, London SW IV 4DJ, call 00 4420 7834 4020 or e-mail fransisuk@btopenworld.com.

Other Masses will be held tomorrow at 9 a.m. at St George Basilica, Victoria, and at 6 p.m. at Qala parish church; on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Jesus of Nazareth church, Xagħra, and at 6.30p.m. at Sacro Cuor parish church, Sliema; on Saturday at 5.30 p.m. at St Francis church, Ħriereb Road, Msida; next Sunday at 5 p.m. at St George parish church, Qormi, and at 6 p.m. at Msida parish church; on February 11 at 6.15 p.m. at St Cajetan parish church, Ħamrun, and on February 18 at 6.30p.m., at St Lucy parish church, Sta Lucija.

All are invited to attend, particularly parishioners of these areas.

• The next meeting of the St George Preca prayer group will be held on Friday at 6.30 p.m. at the MUSEUM headquarters, Blata l-Bajda (entrance next to Preca Library). Young couples and mature adults are especially invited.

• A 12-hour marathon including rock bands and martial arts schools will be held at the Magazino Hall and the Old Power House at the Valletta Waterfront next Sunday to raise funds for Puttinu Cares. The marathon, organised by the Valletta Waterfront Social Fund, kicks off at 11 a.m. The public can follow 16 rock bands performing their own numbers or cover versions, while 18 martial arts schools go through their displays. For more information visit www.vallettawaterfront.com.

• The Women’s Section within Our Lady of Lilies Musical Society of Mqabba is organising high tea for all the family to take place next Sunday at Portofino Restaurant, Porto Azzurro Hotel, Xemxija. The activity will include snacks and bingo. Transport will leave Mqabba Square at 1.30 p.m. Call 7953 9542 for bookings. Forfurther information visit www.talgilju.com.

• The Office of the Commissioner for Children is moving from Dar Vincenzo Bugeia in St Venera. From January 30, the office will operate from 16/18, Tower Promenade, Sta Lucija. The telephone number 2148 5180 shall remain the same.

• A card games party in aid of the little sisters of the poor will be held at the Preluna Hotel on February 1 from 10 a.m. For bookings, phone Blanche Martin on 2133 0387.

• A day-long adoration will be held at the Archbishop’s Seminary, Tal-Virtu’, Rabat, on February 2, to pray for vocations to the clerical and religious life. Mass will be celebrated at 9.30 a.m., followed by adoration for the rest of the day. At 6.30 p.m., the adoration proceeds with the participation of the seminarians. A celebration of Mass at 7.15 p.m. concludes Thursday’s day of prayer. Individuals and groups are welcome to attend.

• Our Lady of Lilies Musical Society of Mqabba is inviting people to watch the Maltasong for Europe final live on big screen on February 4 from 8 p.m.at the newly reconstructed club’s premises in Church Square, Mqabba. Appetisers will be served. Everyone is invitedand entrance is free. Forfurther information, visit www.talgilju.com.

• The annual ‘Eyes wide Shut’ Venetian masked carnival ballin aid of YMCA HomelessShelter will take place in the Casino Maltese, Valletta, onFebruary 18. The evening includes a gala dinner, entertainment, live music, DJ and prizes. Drinks can be purchased at the fully stocked bar on premises. Tickets cost €50 if booked before February 1.

For tickets, which can be booked from City Pro, Merchants Street, Valletta, call 2122 1435 or 2724 5763, e-mail edgar@citypro.org or from YMCA Homeless inMerchants Street, Valletta, by calling 2122 8035 or e-mailing edgar@citypro.org.

• There will be a concert by the Joy Gospel Singers in aid of the St Jeanne Antide Foundation on March 3 in the Tereża Spinelli Hall, St Monica School, Birkirkara. For bookings, call the ticket hotlineon 7929 7153.