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On Wednesday 23rd December 2015, Bishop Grech nominated Fr Richard N. Farrugia as Vice Rector of the Gozo Major Seminary.  He will still be Prefect of Studies at the Seminary.  He is replacing Fr Michael Curmi who last April started his new role as Archpriest of Sannat Parish.  Fr Richard will be in charge of the human formation of the seminarians, will accompany the seminarians in their day-to-day schedule at the seminary and will replace the Rector whenever the latter is absent.  Fr Richard will be sharing lodgings with the seminarians.  We congratulate him on his nomination and wish him long years of work in our community.

Ix-xahar ta’ Diċembru hu xahar partikulari.  F’dan iż-żmien ħarset kulħadd taqa’ fuq il-maxtura u fuq l-għar ta’ Betlehem.  Dan huwa xahar speċjali għall-komunità tas-Seminarju wkoll.  F’dan iż-żmien il-programm tal-ġurnata jiġi mmodifikat.  Jisbieħ ukoll il-bini tas-seminarju u anki jiġu organizzati attivitajiet li ma jsirux fil-bqija tas-sena.

Tul żmien l-Avvent jiżdiedu l-mumenti ta’ talb komunitarji.  Fost l-oħrajn, ta’ kuljum fis-6.15am isir it-talb tal-Uffiċċju tal-Qari.  Fil-Quddiesa ta’ kuljum isir ħsieb fuq il-Kelma ta’ Alla.  Eventwalment, din is-sena, mill-14 ta’ Diċembru bdiet ukoll in-Novena tal-Milied bi ħsibijiet imħejjijin mis-seminaristi.  Mument partikulari għal din is-sena kien il-Ħamis 10 ta’ Diċembru.  Dakinhar is-seminaristi żaru lil xi saċerdoti anzjani fi djarhom.

Fl-aħħar jiem ta’ qabel il-Milied, is-seminaristi flimkien mal-formators, żejnu s-Seminarju permezz tat-tiżjin tal-Milied.  F’dawn il-ġranet ġew organizzati diversi attivitajiet, ta’ min isemmi l-attività għall-abbatini u għall-gruppi tal-vokazzjonijiet, l-ikla għal-lecturers, il-quddiesa fl-għar u fl-aħħar l-attività flimkien mal-familjari tas-seminaristi.

Din is-sena s-seminaristi ħarġu għall-vaganzi tal-Milied nhar il-Ġimgħa 18 ta’ Diċembru.  Dakinhar saru l-aħħar lectures għas-sena 2015.  Huma se jirritornaw lura nhar it-Tlieta 5 ta’ Jannar 2016.

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December is a particular month during which our attention is drawn towards a cave in Bethlehem and a small manger.  It is a particular month for the Seminary community too.  During this month, our timetable is modified, the premises are decorated and special activities are held.

During Advent, community prayer time increases. Every day, we recite the Office of the Reading at 6.15am.  The daily Mass includes a homily on the Word of God.  As from this year, the Christmas Novena, prepared by the seminarians, started on the 14th December.  This year too, on Thursday, 10th December, the seminarians paid a visit to some priests who, because of their age and health, are house-bound.

In the last days prior to Christmas Day, the seminarians and formators decorated the premises.  Various activities were held. These included a gathering for altar boys and members of Vocation Groups, dinner for the lecturers, a traditional Mass celebrated in a cave and the finally, an activity, with the relatives of the seminarians.

This year, the seminarians started their holidays on Friday, 18th December, the day when the last lectures for 2015 were held.  They will return to the Seminary on Tuesday, 5th January 2016.

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Is-Sibt 12 ta’ Diċembru filgħodu, bosta abbatini nġabru fis-Seminarju għall-attività tal-Milied.  Din is-sena l-attendenza għal din l-attività kienet sabiħa ħafna.

Il-laqgħa, b’differenza mis-soltu, saret fil-bitħa tas-Seminarju.  Carl Scerri mexxa l-laqgħa u tkellem fuq ir-rigali li nirċievu f’dan iż-żmien tal-Milied.  Hu qal li l-ikbar rigal mhu ħadd ħlief Ġesù tarbija.  Waqt il-laqgħa is-seminarista Joseph Hili libes ta Father Christmas u ddendel mal-faċċata tas-Seminarju u miegħu ġab kaxxa li fiha kien hemm xbieha ta’ Ġesù tarbija.  Dan il-mument ferraħ mhux ftit lit-tfal!  Fl-istess ħin huma kellhom l-opportunità li jieħdu t-tagħlima li l-ikbar rigal tal-Milied huwa Ġesù li ġie biex isalvana u għax iħobbna.  Din l-attività saret bil-għajnuna tal-ERRC Gozo.  Waqt l-attività sar xi filming minn CVC Video Communications biex hekk ’il quddiem se jinġabu xi shots fil-programm Għawdex Illum.  Minn hawn nixtiequ nirringrazzjaw lil dawn il-persuni għall-għajnuna tagħhom.

Wara s-seminaristi qassmu lit-tfal fi tliet gruppi, organizzawlhom logħob adattat għall-okkażjoni u anki pprovdewlhom xi snacks.  Mons. Isqof Mario Grech żar lill-gruppi u tkellem mat-tfal.  Fl-aħħar tal-attività s-seminaristi qassmu r-rigal tal-Milied imħejji minnhom għal din l-okkażjoni.

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On Saturday morning, 12th December, a large number of altar boys from all over Gozo were hosted at the Seminary for a Christmas activity.

This year, the activity was held in the front yard of the Seminary.  Carl Scerri conducted the activity.  He talked about the presents that we receive during the Christmas season.  He said that the greatest gift that we receive is Baby Jesus.  Seminarian Joseph Hili dressed up as Father Christmas and, much to the delight of the children, he abseiled down the Seminary facade.  He carried with him a box which contained the image of Baby Jesus.  This reinforced the message given earlier by Carl Scerri – that the greatest gift is Jesus who was born to save us and to love us.  A big thank you goes to the ERRC Gozo who made this activity possible and to CVC Video Communications who shot some scenes of the activity to be aired on Għawdex Illum.

The children were then divided into three groups and were engaged in different games.  The children were also served some light snacks.  Bishop Mario Grech addressed the children present for the activity and later, the seminarians distributed Christmas gifts which they themselves had prepared.

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Nhar il-Ħamis 10 ta’ Diċembru ġie organizzat it-tielet Ħamis minn disa’ Ħamisijiet b’talb għal iktar vokazzjonijiet.  Filgħodu bdejna bil-Quddiesa fil-Kappella tas-Seminarju u wara saret l-esposizzjoni li tat bidu għall-Adorazzjoni li ġiet fi tmiemha fl-4.00pm.  Filgħaxija, kif kien ipprogrammat, ġiet organizzata siegħa Adorazzjoni fil-Bażilka ta’ San Ġorġ fir-Rabat.  Għaliha kienu mistiedna b’mod speċjali l-parroċċani.  Fl-ewwel parti tal-Adorazzjoni, ir-Rettur qasam ma’ dawk preżenti ħsieb ta’ Dun Mikiel Attard fuq l-Avvent, bi promozzjoni għall-kawża tal-beatifikazzjoni tal-qaddej ta’ Alla Dun Mikiel Attard.  It-tieni parti tal-Adorazzjoni tmexxiet mis-seminaristi.  Tulha sar ħsieb marbut ma’ dan iż-żmien tal-Avvent li qed ngħixu u mas-Sena tal-Ħniena li għadna kemm tajna bidu għaliha.  Qabel il-Barka Sagramentali saru xi talbiet quddiem Ġesù Ewkaristija.  L-Adorazzjoni li jmiss se ssir il-Ħamis 14 ta’ Jannar 2016 filgħodu fis-Seminarju u fl-4.30pm fil-Munxar.

The third of the nine Thursdays of Prayer for Vocations fell on the 10th December.  The morning Mass was said in the Seminary Chapel and then the Blessed Sacrament was exposed there for Adoration until 4.00pm.  Later in the afternoon there was an hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St George’s Basilica in Victoria.  The parishioners had been invited to participate in this special Hour of Adoration.  During the first part of this Hour of Adoration, the Rector of the Seminary shared with the congregation the meditations of Fr Mikiel Attard for Advent.  This presentation was a service aimed at promoting the cause of beatification of Fr Mikiel Attard.  The second part was conducted by the seminarians.  They shared meditations related with Advent and with the Year of Mercy which has just begun.  Before the blessing with the Blessed Sacrament, prayers were said.  The next Adoration is due to be held on Thursday, 14th January 2016.  It will start in the morning at the Seminary Chapel and will proceed at 4.30pm at Munxar.

Nhar it-Tlieta 8 ta’ Diċembru, il-Knisja Kattolika ċċelebrat s-Solennità tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni.  Din il-festa għandha rabta speċjali mas-Seminarju tagħna.  Dan minħabba l-fatt li l-Kappella tas-Seminarju għandha bħala titular tagħha l-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni.

It-Tnejn filgħaxija, is-seminaristi kellhom is-servizz tal-kant tal-Għasar fil-Katidral u wara saret il-Lectio Divina fil-kappella tas-Seminarju, li tmexxiet minn Dun Alex Refalo.

It-Tlieta filgħodu tkanta t-Tifħir ta’ Sbiħ il-Jum li waqtu d-Djaknu Massimo Buttigieg għamel l-omelija tal-okkażjoni.  Hu ppreżenta lil Marija bħala l-mudell ta’ kull Nisrani speċjalment fejn jidħlu l-virtujiet tat-tama u tal-fidi.

Is-seminaristi taw is-servizz tagħhom fil-Pontifikal fil-Katidral u f’nofsinhar il-komunità ltaqgħet fil-kappella tas-Seminarju għat-Talba ta’ Nofs il-Jum.  Filgħaxija saret it-talba tal-Akathistos.  Din hi it-talba ta’ tifħir li l-Knisja ta’ Lvant tagħmel lil Marija Omm Alla.  Tkanta l-Għasar, id-Djaknu Massimo ta l-Barka Sagramentali u kollox għalaq bil-kant tal-Antifona.

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On Tuesday, 8th December, the Catholic Church celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception.  This feast has a special link with our Seminary since the main altarpiece of the Seminary Chapel represents the Immaculate Conception.

On Monday evening, the seminarians participated in the singing of the Vespers at the Cathedral.  This was followed by the Lectio Divina in the Seminary Chapel. The Lectio Divina was conducted by Fr Alex Refalo.

On Tuesday morning, the community participated in the singing of the Morning Prayers during which Deacon Massimo Buttigieg delivered the homily.  He presented the Virgin Mother as the model of every Christian; especially the virtues of hope and faith are concerned.

Later, the seminarians participated in the Pontifical High Mass at the Cathedral and at noon the community gathered in the Seminary Chapel for the Mid-day Prayers.  The prayer of the Akathistos was recited in the afternoon.  The Akathistos is a prayer of praise which the Eastern Catholic Church dedicates to Mary, Mother of God.  The Vespers followed.  Deacon Massimo gave the blessing with the Blessed Sacrament and the celebration ended with the singing of the Antiphon.

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Nhar il-Ħadd 29 ta’ Novembru 2015 (l-Ewwel Ħadd tal-Avvent) Mons. Isqof Mario Grech għamel lis-Seminarista Michael Grima (mill-parroċċa ta’ San Lawrenz) u lis-Seminarista Carl Scerri (mill-parroċċa tal-Katidral, Victoria) akkolti.  Il-komunità tas-Seminarju flimkien mal-familjari tas-seminaristi u xi nies oħrajn, inġabru għall-Quddiesa fil-bażilka ta’ San Ġorġ fil-Belt Victoria.

Mons. Isqof, waqt l-omelija, irrifletta fuq il-Vanġelu tal-ġurnata.  Hu qal li Kristu ried ikisser il-kontinwità u jġib “smewwiet ġodda u art ġdida”.  L-Isqof spjega li r-reliġjon tagħna trid tgħin lil kull Nisrani jibni relazzjoni bis-sens m’Alla.  Relazzjoni li ma tkunx ta’ piż, xkiel jew jasar, iżda reliġjoni li tfittex taqbeż għall-batut.  Liż-żewġ seminaristi u lill-presbiteri preżenti ħeġġiġhom biex iġeddu l-Knisja f’Għawdex u jagħmlu minna Knisja li toħroġ tiltaqa’ mal-bniedem u takkumpanjah.  Wissihom biex ma jaqtgħu qalb ħadd, imma jgħinu lill-familji u lill-koppji li jkunu għaddejjin minn mumenti diffiċli sabiex jaraw mill-ġdid l-id ħanina tal-Missier.

Wara l-omelija sar ir-rit tal-għoti tal-ministeru tal-akkolitat.  Michael u Carl ġew mogħtija l-patena bil-ħobż u l-kalċi bl-inbid.  Mil-lum ’il quddiem huma jistgħu jgħinu fit-tqarbin, iwasslu t-tqarbin lill-morda fi djarhom u jesponu l-Ewkaristija għall-Adorazzjoni.

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On Sunday, 25th November 2015, the first Sunday of Advent, seminarian Michael Grima, from the parish of St Laurence, and seminarian Carl Scerri, from the Cathedral parish, were conferred with the Ministry of Acolyte by Bishop Mario Grech.  The Seminary community was joined by the relatives of the seminarians for Mass at the Basilica of St George in Victoria.

In his homily, the bishop shared his reflections on the Gospel of the day.  He said that Christ wanted to disrupt continuity and bring about “new skies and new land”.  The bishop explained that our religion helps every Christian build a true relationship with God.  This relationship should be one that is neither a burden nor an obstacle.  Nor should it be enslaving.  Our religion defends the weak.  The bishop urged the two seminarians and the priests present for the celebration, to renew the Church of Gozo and make it a Church that goes out to meet man and accompany him in life.  They should never lose heart but should help families and couples who are going through hard times to feel that the kind hand of the Lord is again reaching out to them

The homily was followed by the institution of the ministry of Acolyte.  Michael and Carl were presented with bread and wine in a paten and a chalice.  From now on they can distribute communion to the faithful and to the sick and expose the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration.

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Mument sabiħ fis-Seminarju seħħ nhar is-Sibt 28 ta’ Diċembru.  Dakinhar saret it-tħabbira tal-Avvent Imqaddes u saret ukoll il-preżentazzjoni tal-ikona għal din is-sena ta’ formazzjoni. 

Waqt din iċ-ċelebrazzjoni, ir-Rettur, Dun Tony Sciberras qasam mal-komunità l-ħsieb tiegħu fil-bidu ta’ din is-sena liturġika.  Ma naqasx ukoll il-kant Maranathà u innijiet oħra marbuta ma’ dan iż-żmien tal-Avvent.  B’differenza mis-soltu, din is-sena l-ikona nħadmet minn seminarista.  Daniel Mercieca ngħata dan l-impenn.  L-ikona hija kopja mpittra tal-logo uffiċċjali tal-Ġublew tal-Ħniena (l-orġinali sar mill-pittur famuż Fr Marko Ivan Rupnik).  Għalhekk filwaqt li ppreżenta l-ikona, Daniel spjega x’tifsira għandha.  L-ikona turi lil Ġesù Kristu jerfa’ fuq spallejh ruħ mitlufa raffigurata fil-persuna ta’ Adam.

Temmejna din iċ-ċelebrazzjoni bit-talba tar-rużarju.

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