• The feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is being celebrated today in Żebbuġ.
At 9 a.m. Bishop Mario Grech will concelebrate Pontifical Mass with the parish clergy, followed by marches at 11.30 in the main streets of the village. At 6.15 p.m., Diocesan Vicar general, Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci, will lead solemn vespers.
The procession with the statue of Our Lady, led by Fr Louis Mallia, MSSP, accompanied by the Santa Marija Band, starts at 7 p.m. The Leone Band will hold a concert at the main square. The procession ends at 10.15 p.m. with a fireworks display and the sacramental blessing. Outdoor festivities end with marches by the Precursor Band at 10.30 p.m.
• The Malta Red Cross Gozo branch is holding its second Marsalforn blood drive next Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Red Cross will be setting up a blood donation clinic at the Calypso Hotel. For more information, call Etienne Micallef, Malta Red Cross Gozo branch secretary, on 9980 0886 or 2155 0604.
• The Bethel Charismatic Group is holding a prayer meeting at the church of Our Lady of Pompeii, Victoria, next Saturday at 7 p.m.
• The diocesan Eucharistic Movement will hold a prayer evening at the Good Shepherd church, Victoria, next Saturday at 8.30 p.m. Mass will be said at midnight.
• The Gozo CCU Foundation is organising a summer sizzler at Ta’ Mena Estate, Marsalforn Road, next Sunday at 7.30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Spectrum Band, Adrian and Cynthia. For bookings, call Carmen on 2156 6496 or 7956 6496, Nickie on 9905 9653 or Sharyn on 7932 0031.
• An exhibition of cross-stitch pictures by Philip Martin will be on show at the exhibition hall, St Francis Square, Victoria, from September 4 to 30. Opening hours are Monday toFriday from 8.30 a.m. to12.30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Art Club 2000 is currently holding a collective art exhibition at the exhibition hall, St Francis Square, Victoria, as part of its10th anniversary celebrations. Opening hours are from 8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The exhibition closes on Wednesday.
• The Lay Fraternity of Charles de Foucauld (Gozo) is holding a summer get-together on Thursday, starting with Mass at 7.15 p.m., at the Salesian Sisters’s summer residence, Don Bosco House, Triq ix-Xwejni, Qbajjar, followed by a social activity in the vicinity. For more information, call 7996 8020 or 2155 3610.
• An evening of dance (Gran Castello Summer Nights) will be held at the Citadel on Friday at 9 p.m.
• Activities to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Loreto will be held this week. An open day will be held today at the St Joseph Band Club, which will include a sculpture exhibition and musical programme this morning and cultural shows from 7.30 p.m. onwards. There will be Mass for married couples, especially those celebrating their 25th, 50th and 60th anniversaries, led by Fr Paul Chetcuti, SJ, at 10 a.m. The Lauretana Choir will sing during Mass.
On Tuesday at 9 p.m., the St Joseph Band will perform a musical programme at the main square under the direction of Mro Sunny Galea and assistant director Frankie Debono. The concert starts with a short band march from the club’s premises.
A Marian vigil of prayers will be held on Wednesday at 9.30 p.m. at the main square. On Friday at 9 p.m, the Mnarja band will play marches from J. F. De Chambray Street. A demonstration with the statue of Our Lady leaves Mġarr Road at 9.30 p.m. ending at the square.
There will be a Pontifical concelebration next Saturday at 8.30 a.m., presided by Bishop Nikol Cauchi. At 5.15 p.m., the St Joseph Band will play marches from Cordina Street. At 6.30 p.m., the St Joseph Band together with other members of religious orders will accompany the solemn procession of the relic, departing from the old parish church and led by Vicar General, Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci.
Canon Frankie Bajada will preside the celebration of the First Vespers of the Solemnity at 7 p.m.
cspiteri@timesofmalta.com