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Bejn il-Ġimgħa 23 u l-Ġimgħa 30 ta’ Mejju f’Malta kien hawn żjara minn Patri Raniero Cantalamessa OFM Cap, li huwa l-predikatur tal-Papa, li mexxa konferenzi għall-kleru, għar-re;iġjużi, għall-persuni kkonsagrati, kif ukoll għal-lajċi impenjati fil-pastorali. Huwa mexxa wkoll irtir għar-reliġjużi

Nhar il-Ġimgħa 23 ta’ Mejju, propju fl-ewwel jum taż-żjara tiegħu, huwa żar Għawdex fejn mexxa konferenza fis-sala tas-Seminarju Maġġuri bit-tema magħżula tkun: Inxandru l-Evanġelju bil-Qawwa tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Għal din il-konferenza, li kien hemm ukoll preżenti għaliha in-Nunzju Appostoliku għal Malta l-E.T. Mons Aldo Cavalli u l-Isqof ta’ Għawdex l-E.T. Mons Mario Grech, kienet miftuħa għall-kleru, għar-reliġjużi rġiel u nisa, kif ukoll għall-operaturi pastorali.

Il-konferenza bdiet b’introduzzjoni minn Patri Hayden Williams OFM Cap. Fi tmiem il-konferenza Mons Isqof għamel intervent waqt li in-Nunzju ta l-barka. Fi tmiem il-konferenza kien hemm xi refreshments għal dawk preżenti.

Aktar tard Patri Raniero flimkien man-nunzju u l-isqof kienu mistiedna għaċ-ċena fis-Seminarju.

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The programme of Saturday, 17th May was rather different from usual.  The community woke up early to make the annual pilgrimage to the Sanctuary to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu at Gharb.  The calm atmosphere of early morning accompanied our prayer of the Rosary, which Our Lady urged us to say.  Before we began to recite the Rosary, we stopped at the foot to the monument of Pope St John Paul II.  The Rector urged us to let the spirit of our vocational call accompany us on this pilgrimage, to follow in the footsteps of St John Paul II who entrusted his call to Our Lady.

On our arrival at the Sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu, the community gathered in the inner chapel where Mass was said.  After the reading of the Gospel, Deacon Daniel Sultana laid one hand on the Bible, and in front of the picture of the Assumption of Our Lady and in the presence of the Holy Eucharist, he took his vows prior to his Priestly Ordination.  Afterwards, the community proceeded with the act of trust at the foot of the picture of Our Lady.

Deacon Daniel Sultana will be ordained priest at the Gozo Cathedral on Friday, 30th May, at 6.00pm.  On Thursday 29th May, there is going to be an evening of prayer at the Sacred Heart Seminary, at 9.00pm.  Adoraton of the Holy Eucharist will proceed during the night in the chapel of the Seminary.  The public is invited to unite with us in prayer for Daniel who, through his priesthood, is offering his life to God and in service to his Church.

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Il-programm tas-Sibt 17 ta’ Mejju kien xi ftit differenti minn tas-soltu.  Il-komunità sebħet kmieni sabiex tagħmel il-pellegrinaġġ annwali għas-Santwarju tal-Madonna ta’ Pinu fl-Għarb.  L-atmosfera kalma ta’ filgħodu għenet sabiex nitolbu t-talba tar-Rużarju, tant mixtieqa minn Ommna Marija. Qabel bdejna r-Rużarju, quddiem il-monument tal-Papa San Ġwanni Pawlu II, r-Rettur ħeġġiġna sabiex dan il-pellegrinaġġ nagħmluh fl-ispirtu tal-mixja tal-vokazzjoni tagħna li aħna mħeġġin li fuq l-eżempju ta’ dan il-Papa qaddis nafdawha f’idejn Marija.

Mal-wasla fis-Santwarju ta’ Pinu, l-komunità nġabret fil-kappella tad-dehra u hemm ġiet iċċelebrata l-quddiesa.  Wara x-xandir tal-Evanġelju; b’id waħda fuq il-Kelma ta’ Alla, quddiem ix-xbieha tal-Assunzjoni ta’ Marija, u fil-preżenza tal-Ewkristija, id-Djaknu Daniel Sultana għamel il-wiegħda ta’ qabel l-Ordinazzjoni Saċerdotali. Wara bħala komunità għamilna l-att ta’ affidament f’riġlejn Marija.

Id-Djaknu Daniel Sultana se jiġi ordnat saċerdot fil-Katidral ta’ Għawdex nhar il-Ġimgħa 30 ta’ Mejju fis-6.00pm.  Il-Ħamis 29 ta’ Mejju se ssir velja ta’ talb fis-Seminarju tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù fid-9.00pm.  Fi tmiemha Ġesù Ewkaristija se jibqa’ espost lejl sħiħ fil-kappella tas-Seminarju.  Kulħadd hu mistieden jingħaqad magħna fit-talb għal Daniel li permezz tas-saċerdozju se joffri ħajjtu lil Alla u għall-qadi tal-Knisja tiegħu.

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On Saturday, 10th May, the Seminary hosted members of Groups of Altar Boys and of Vocations Groups on the occasion of World Vocations Day.

The activity commenced with a meeting led by the seminarians.  The meeting was related with priestly and religious vocations.  During the activity, Bishop Grech paid a visit to the Seminary and met the members of the various groups.

There was also a short moment of Adoration of The Holy Eucharist in the chapel of the Major Seminary. The activity ended with the seminarians and students sharing their experiences, playing football and having lunch together.

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Nhar is-Sibt, 10 ta’ Mejju ġiet organizzata attività għall-membri tal-gruppi tal-abbatini u tal-vokazzjonijiet fl-okkażjoni tal-Jum Dinji tal-Vokazzjonijiet

L-attivita’ bdiet b’laqgħa mmexxija mis-seminaristi b’rabta mal-vokazzjonijiet għall-ħajja saċerdotali u reliġjuża. Waqt il-laqgħa Mons. Isqof Mario Grech żar id-diversi grupp fejn wassal ukoll il-messaġġ tiegħu.

L-attivita’ imbagħad kompliet b’mument qasir ta’ Adorazzjoni quddiem Ġesu’ Sagramentat li saret fil-kappella tas-Seminarju Maġġuri. Il-laqgħa ntemmet bi ftit ħin ta’ rikreazzjoni fejn l-istudenti kellhom iċ-ċans li jsiru jafu aħjar lil xulxin kif ukoll li jiltaqgħu mas-seminaristi waqt li jieklu xi ħaġa u jilgħabu xi logħba futbol fil-bitħa u fil-gym tas-Seminarju.

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Between Sunday, 3rd and Friday, 9th May, the Community of the Seminary organised a week of prayer for vocations at St Margaret Parish, Sannat.  During the week, the prayers of the congregation at Mass focused on vocations.

On Thursday, following the evening Mass at the parrochial church , the seminarians led a half-a-hour Adoration with prayers for vocations.

On Friday, the community of the Seminary and the superiors partecipated in the afternoon Mass, celebrated at the parrochial church.  Seminarian Daniel Mercieca shared his vocational call with the congregation.

A number of students who attend the MUSEUM took part in this Mass, that Friday being the feast of St Gorg Preca.

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Bejn il-Ħadd, 3 u l-Ġimgħa 9 ta’ Mejju, il-komunita’ tas-Seminarju organizzat ġimgħa ta’ talb għall-vokazzjonijiet fil-parroċċa ta’ Sannat, iddedikata lil Santa Mergerita. Matul din il-ġimgħa waqt il-quddies saret enfasi fit-talb tal-komunita’ għall-vokazzjonijiet.

Il-Ħamis, wara l-quddiesa ta’ filgħaxija, is-seminaristi mexxew nofs siegħa adorazzjoni b’talb għall-vokazzjonijiet fil-knisja parrokkjali.

Imbagħad l-għada l-Ġimgħa il-komunita’ kollha tas-Seminarju flimkien mas-superjuri mexxew il-quddies ta’ filgħaxija fil-knisja parrokjali fejn is-seminarista Daniel Mercieca qasam l-esperjenza tal-vokazzjoni tiegħu.  Waqt din il-quddiesa kien hemm parteċipazzjoni sabieħa mill-istudenti li jattendu s-soċjeta’ tal-MUSEUM hekk kif f’dan il-jum kienet qed tiġi ċċerlebrata l-festa ta’ San Ġorġ Preca.

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Every year, on the occasion of the feast of St Joseph the Worker, May 1st, the community of the Seminary and the formators spend a day of relaxation in Malta.  This year, the feast fell on a Thursday.

Our first visit was to the MSSP Oratory at Birkirkara.  We were shown around by Fr Martin Cilia who explained to us the pastoral work of the community in the field of catechesis.  After Mass, we visited the Oratory chapel where Fr Nathaniel Teuma showed us his painting of icons and explained to us the meaning of every icon.

We then visited the Inquisition Palace at Birgu.  We saw various aspects of the Inquisition period on the island and we could also admire various works of art and architecture.

At noon, we were hosted for lunch at the Seminary of Tal-Virtù.  On our way to Gozo, we stopped the MonteKristo Animal Park,  where one can see many different animals, some of which are rare species on the Island.

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Ta’ kull sena, fl-okkażjoni tal-festa ta’ San Ġużepp Ħaddiem, il-komunità tas-Seminarju flimkien mal-formators, jieħdu ġurnata ta’ mistrieħ f’Malta.  Hekk sar ukoll din is-sena, nhar il-Ħamis l-1 ta’ Mejju.

Hekk kif wasalna Malta, bqajna sejrin Birkirkara fejn żorna l-Oratorju tal-MSSP. Hemm bħala komunita’ ġejna mdawwra madwar il-post minn Fr. Martin Cilia, li spjegalna wkoll il-ħidma pastorali li din il-komunita’ qed twettaq b’rabta mal-katekeżi. Wara l-quddiesa li l-komunita’ tas-seminarju ċċelebrat fl-istess post morna nżuru l-kappella tal-Oratorju fejn Fr. Nathaniel Teuma spjegalna x-xogħol li qed jagħmel bħalissa marbut mal-pittura tal-ikoni u tagħna spjegazzjoni fuq kull ikona.

Minn Birkirkara, bqajna sejrin il-Birgu fejn żorna l-palazz tal-Inkwiżitur. F’dan il-palazz kellna x-xorti naraw xi aspetti marbuta ma’ żmien l-inkwiżizzjoni f’pajjiżna kif ukoll nammiraw l-arkitettura u diversi opri artistiċi.

F’nofsinhar żorna s-Seminarju Tal-Virtù u hemm il-komunità tas-Seminarju tal-Arċidjoċesi laqgħetna għall-ikel. Intant qabel ir-ritorn lura lejn Għawdex bħala komunita’ żorna l-MonteKristo Animal Park li hu post fejn wieħed jista’ jammira l-annimali, xi whud rari għal pajjiżna.

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On Wednesday, 31st March, the seminarians spent half a day on voluntary work at Angela House, which is a house run by the Ursoline nuns and which hosts children who, for various reasons, cannot stay any longer at their parents’ house.

Before setting to work, the seminarians were taken round the areas where refurbishment work is being carried out.  They visited also the place which hosts the children and they met the children who are staying in the house.  They could witness the nuns’ love and dedication, together with their commitment and personal sacrifice in carrying out their mission.

The seminarians spent their time cleaning up the garden.

During Lent, the Seminarians are collecting money from among members of the community of the Seminary and the students of the Minor Seminary.  The money will be spent on monitor screens for Angela House.

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Nhar it-Tnejn, 31 ta’ Marzu, is-seminaristi ddedikaw nofs ta’ nhar ta’ ħidma volontarja f’Angela House, dar immexxija mis-sorijiet Ursolini li tilqa’ fiha tfal li minħabba raġunijiet diversi ma jkunux jistgħu jibqgħu jgħixu fid-dar mal-ġenituri tagħhom.

Qabel ma’ bdew il-ħidma, is-seminaristi ġew imdawwra mal-post fejn bħalissa qed isir diversi xogħol ta’ rinovament. Kellhom ukoll ċ-ċans li jidħlu fil-postijiet fein jgħixu t-tfal, fejn iltaqgħu ma’ xi tfal li jgħixu f’din id-dar. Setgħu jinnutaw il-ħidma li dawn is-sorijiet iwettqu b’tant imħabba u dedikazzjoni kif ukoll b’impenn u sagrifiċċju personali.

Matul dan in-nofs ta’ nhar, is-seminaristi għenu lil din il-komunita’ billi taw is-sehem tagħhom fit-tindif tal-ġnien.

Marbuta ma din id-dar ukoll, matul ir-Randan, is-seminaristi qed jiġbru fondi kemm minn fost il-komunita’ tas-Seminarju kif ukoll minn fost l-istudenti tal-Iskola tas-Seminarju Minuri b’risq din id-dar sabiex ikunu jistgħu jinxtraw xi monitors.

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After the Christmas holidays, the Seminary continued with the initiative which was started this year as part of the formation of seminarians and which promotes meetings with a pastoral orientation.  These meetings aim at helping the seminarians be more familiar with the various groups and movements within the diocese and the pastoral work that is being done.

The first meeting for the year 2014 was held on Tuesday, 21st January.  Mr Ivan Farrugia, member of the Society of Christian Doctrine, was invited to address the seminarians and talk about the Society.  Mr Farrugia talked about the origins and history of this Society which was founded by Saint Gorg Preca.  Nowadays the Society has branches in various countries.  Mr Farrugia talked also about the various aspects of the vocation of a member of MUSEUM Society.  This vocation is embraced by lay people and is based on celibacy and on dimensions which can be called active-apostolic, prophetic and contemplative.  He ended his talk by expanding on the challenges which the Society is facing nowadays.

On Wednesday, 12th February, members of Anawim were invited to share with the community of the Seminary the aims, work and charisma of the Community Anawim.  This secular institute of lay members was set up in the Diocese of Gozo on 28th November, 1987.  On 28th November, 2013, Bishop Mario Grech founded Community Anawim as a public lay association.  The members shared one aim: that of a lay consecration lived in a community but at the same time the members residing withe their families and getting on with their everyday life and work.  Their apostolic work includes support to unmarried mothers and work among youth.

On Wednesday, 26th February, it was the turn of the Spigolatrici della Chiesa.  This lay institute of consecrated life was founded by Pia Tavernelli, a young Italian lady.  The name of this institute focuses on the biblical figure of Ruth, a woman who gleans corn in the fields.  Ruth inspires the charisma of this lay institute, that is helping priests and the Church.  The members of this institute offer a helping hand to drop-outs and offer of reparation to make up for offences against Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.  Members of this institute can choose either to live with their families or lead a communal life.

On Wednesday, 12th March, Fr Anton Teuma addressed the community of the Seminary.  He was accompanied by two couples who form part of the Eucharistic Community.  The origin of the Eucharistic Communities goes back to Rome in the 70’s.  The aim was to make the Word of God more familiar with lay people.  The community lives four particular moments:  cathechises, sharing of the Word, adoration and the Holy Eucharist.  In Gozo, at present there are 13 Eucharistic Communities with about 300 members.  Through these communities, the members can receive a religious formation so that they can share the Word of God with others by word of mouth and by example. As the members themselves have said, the Eucharistic Community helps them not only spiritually, by making them feel closer to the Word of God, but also materially, since they find a place where to share and discuss their difficulties.

On Wednesday, 26th March, Fr Teuma was again guest speaker.  This time he was accompanied by a number of couples who run the Diocesan Commission for the Family and members of the same commission.  This commission has three main aims:  it helps prepare couples for marriage, it offers advice to newly married couples and it helps and supports families passing through a difficult time.  The latter includes couples with marital problems, separated couples and people living a second relationship.  This is done through the Concistory of the Family.  The Commission also holds meetings and seminars linked with family formation.  The members of the Commission shared with the community of the Seminary the work they perform in the diocese and the various parishes.  They talked also about the good that they themselves receive when they do this work.

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