• The Capuchin Friars of Victoria are celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Graces today. Gozo Bishop Mario Grech will lead a pontifical concelebrated Mass and deliver the panegyric at 9am, with the participation of the Chorus Fjur t’Assisi, under the direction of Marita Zammit Cassar. A pilgrimage with the participation of motorcycles and bicycles leaves Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary at 11.30am for the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces. On arrival, Fr Guardian Joe Buttigieg, OFM Cap., will bless participants and gifts will be distributed. Mgr Guzeppi Attard will celebrate Mass at 6pm. A procession with the statue of Our Lady of Graces, led by Mgr Attard, and accompanied by the Leone Band under the direction of Mro Colin Attard, starts at 7.15pm. The procession will end with the Ave Maria by soprano Ruth Portelli on the church parvis and the sacramental blessing at 9.30pm.

• The eighth edition of the festival of figs and typical Maltese products, organised by Xaghra council,  is returning to Victory Square today from 7.30am to 1pm. The programme includes a demonstration of traditional food made by Karmen Tedesco and live entertainment by the Xaghra Folk Group and Ta’ Verna Folk Band.

• A car boot sale is being organised today from 7am in aid of the Arka Foundation at the main Marsalforn car park.

• The fifth edition of Swejjaq is being organised today between 3 and 7pm by San Lawrenz council. It will take place in a car-free square, as part of a series of activities celebrating European Mobility Week.

There will be typical Gozitan food prepared by Ta’ Cangura Folk Group. Vegetables and farm products will be on sale, as well as crafts and other locally made products, children’s activities, dancing and folk music.

• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (12A) will be screened at the Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria, today at 5.30pm.

• Independence Day will be celebrated today at 7.30pm at Independence Square, Victoria. The Culture Office within the Gozo Ministry will be hosting a concert by the symphonic band of the Armed Forces of Malta, under the direction of Warrant Officer 1 Jonathan Borg.

• The Giochi – it’s a Knockout finals are taking place in Marsalforn today at 6.30pm. Following a round of exciting heats, the three teams, Armar United representing Xewkija, Black Eagles representing Xaghra and the Black Bulls representing Ghajnsielem, will meet to decide who this year’s champions will be. The finals will include land and sea games, together with a spectacular show by local singers and dancers.

• The diocesan Eucharistic Movement will be holding a prayer evening at the Don Bosco Oratory chapel, Victoria, on Saturday at 8.30pm, followed by Mass at midnight.

• The Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St Therese of the Child Jesus in Kercem will be commencing celebrations for the feast of St Therese of the Child Jesus in the chapel of the Carmelite Sisters in Kercem between September 21 and 30.

• The Padre Pio prayer groups of Gozo will gather at Our Lady of Graces Sanctuary in Victoria to celebrate the saint’s liturgical feast on Saturday at 6.15pm. There will be the recitation of the rosary, followed by a concelebrated Mass. Mario Caruana will animate the singing. All devotees are invited to attend.

• High tea in aid of Puttinu Cares is being held at Crystal Palace, Marsalforn on Wednesday at 7pm. For more information, call 7970 4840, 7905 4750 or 7970 6253.

• The OASI Foundation will hold a buffet dinner dance at Villa Fiorita, Marsalforn on Saturday at 7pm. For tickets, at €21 for adults and €6 for children, and for more information, call 2156 3333.

• Traditions: Wine, Olive Oil and Honey, an event for the family, is being organised by Ghasri council at Pjazza s-Salvatur on Saturday from 7pm. The Astra Folk Group and DCapital’s Band will be participating.

• The Qala International Folk Festival, three days of music, dance and costumes, organised by Qala council and the Qala Menhir Folk Group, is being held for the 12th year between Friday and next Sunday. The village will be transformed into a hub of folk activities. Guest foreign folk groups will also be participating.

• The Friends of the Sick and Elderly in Gozo are organising a charity sale at Victoria’s football ground (next to the car park) next Sunday from 7.30am to 1pm. One can pay on the day and the cost is €10 per car space. For more information, call 2155 3336/2155 1180/2155 8250 or e-mail admin@fsegozo.org.

• Applications for the University of the Third Age (U3A) for Gozitans interested in attending the 2017/2018 academic programme may apply at the Gozo Ministry in Victoria from 9am to noon (Mondays to Thursdays).

The annual membership fee, covering October 2017 to June 2018, is €12. Lectures will be held on Fridays from 9 to 11am, at the Għajnsielem Day Centre. The programme will start on October 9.

charles.spiteri@timesofmalta.com

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.