• Today, Xewkija celebrates the feast of St John the Baptist. A concelebrated Mass by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech will be said at 8.45am. Għajnsielem archpriest Can Frankie Bajada will deliver the panegyric. The Duke of Connaught’s Own Band of Birkirkara will play marches along the main streets of Xewkija at 11.30am. Xewkija archpriest Mgr Daniel Xerri will lead a solemn concelebrated Mass at 6.15 pm. The procession starts at 7.45pm, accompanied by the Precursor Band. The antiphon and Sacramental Benediction will bring the religious festivities to an end at around 10.45pm. The Mnarja Band, under the direction of Mro Joseph Grech, will give a concert at the church square at 8.30pm.

• A blood donation session will be held at the Xewkija District Health Centre in Triq tal-Ħamrija, today from 8am to 1pm.

• The feast of St Peter and St Paul will be celebrated at Nadur Basilica on Friday. Masses will be said at 5.15am, 6.30, 7.30 and 11.45am and at 5pm. Gozo Bishop Mario Grech will lead a concelebrated Pontifical Mass at 9am. Can Joe Zammit will deliver the panegyric. The St Cajetan Band of Ħamrun and St Helen Band of Birkirkara will play popular marches at 11.30am and at noon respectively. Solemn vespers, led by archpriest Mgr Jimmy Xerri, will be said at 6.30pm. The procession with the statue of the saints, accompanied by the Mnarja Band, will leave the church at 8pm, followed by the antiphon and Sacramental Benediction at 10.30pm.

Also on Friday, Masses will be said at the Sacred Heart of Jesus church at 7am, 9.30am and 10.30am, while at the Franciscan Sisters, Mass will be said at 6.30am and at Ta’ Kenuna cemetery chapel at 10am and 11am.

charles.spiteri@timesofmalta.com