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.
