Tony Gauci

Mgr Charles Vella writes:

It was 40 years ago when a young couple from Mellieħa came to give a hand to the Cana Movement. They were Tony and Lily Gauci, both teachers at the time.

On January 26 I received the news that the Lord called Tony for his eternal reward for all he work he did in His vineyard for the welfare of countless families in Malta and in several other countries.

In some central Europe countries like Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia, it is the fruit of Tony’s work, always accompanied by his wife Lily, that Christian family groups and pre-marriage apostolate exist.

The Gaucis were often called by the UN, the bishops and families to plan family pastoral work. This they did very ably by drawing on their experience and the backing of the Cana Movment.

The ever-smiling Tony always sought to work with the local Church, the bishops, clergy and families of the respective count-ries. He was quiet, simple, and transparent in his human relations.

Tony left most of the time to his wife to impart the knowhow. He worked in silence and humility not for himself or his wife, but for the Holy Family.

When a year ago we went to Goa, India, for the World Assembly of Families, Tony was very touched by the poverty of the Indian families we visited.

Likewise, when we went for the International Assemblies of the Confederation of Christian Family Movements to Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Hungary, Rome and at meetings held in Malta, Tony was one of the leaders manyresorted to.

He was a genuine Christian gentleman, who loved, promoted, and when necessary, defended the spiritual values of the family.

Tony and his wife were the president couple of Grufan for 10 years. They worked hard to start the family groups in many parishes.

However, they were also elected president couple for Europe of the International Confederation of Christian Family Movements. They visited various countries to start the family movement.

The most difficult mission they had was as members of the NGOs committee of the United Nations in Vienna. Many a time they were nearly alone in upholding the Church’s teaching in a truthful, diplomatic and courageous way.

The hidden secret of Tony’s mission on earth was his firm and deeply rooted faith.