News from the Church in Malta
The Neapolitan crib has for centuries intrigued artists, historians and collectors alike. Its history dates to the early sixteenth century, emerging as a highlight in times of Catholic renewal.
The Neapolitan presepe reached its zenith in the eighteenth century during the reign of Charles VII of Bourbons, King of Naples, later to be elected as Charles III, King of Spain…
Saint Matthew 1:18-24
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home…
Pope Francis has urged that “news be communicated with serenity, precision and completeness, using a calm language in favour of a fruitful reflection; thoughtful and clear words, which reject the tempers of allusive, clamorous and ambiguous speech, Pope Francis told representatives of Italian periodicals on Saturday. “It is important that the criteria of judgment and information are offered patiently and methodically so that public opinion is able to understand and discern, and is not stunned and disoriented,” the Pope told some 350 members of the Italian Periodical Press Union (USPI) and the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies (FISC) who met him in the Vatican.
Reliable information close to reality
The Pope told them that they have a mission to inform properly, to offer everyone a version of the facts as close as possible to reality. “Your free and responsible voice,” he said, “is fundamental for the growth of any society that wants to be called democratic, so that a continuous exchange of ideas and a profitable debate based on real and correctly reported data are assured…
The Third Sunday of Advent
Saint John 1:6-8.19-28
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.”
So they asked him, “What are you then? …
Saint Matthew 17:10-13
As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased…
If your calendar is as crowded as mine, you may just be noticing that Advent is shorter than usual this year. It’s still four Sundays, but because December 25 is a Monday, there are only 22 days of the preparatory season.
There’s another thing about this shortened schedule that’s suddenly dawning on everyone. Sunday, December 24 is not only the Fourth Sunday of Advent, but also Christmas Eve! …
The Dun Mikiel Azzopardi Award 2017 was presented to the Sisters of Charity in recognition of and appreciation for the fifty years of service at Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Sr Natalie Abela, Maltese delegate for the Malta-Italy Province together with Sr Lorenza Borg, Superior of the community of Sisters that work at Id-Dar tal-Providenza.
This was announced by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, during a concert by the band of the Armed Forces of Malta at St John’s Co-Cathedral under the distinguished patronage of the President of the Republic, Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and H.G…
Saint Matthew 11:16-19
Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”
…
Knisja Parrokkjali, iż-Żurrieq
12 ta’ Novembru 2017
Ftit ħsibijiet u nixtieqkom toqgħodu attenti u tisimgħuni. L-ewwel nett nirringrazzjakom mill-ġdid, għeżież żgħażagħ, li ġejtu hawn illejla mal-parrini tagħkom u mal-ġenituri, biex qabel tirċievu l-Ispirtu s-Santu bħala Nsara adulti kif għadni kif iddikjaratkom, iġġeddu l-wegħdiet tal-Magħmudija.
Meta tgħammidtu kontu trabi, ma tiftakrux l-Magħmudija tagħkom…
Details were given on the 22nd edition of the Feast of Generosity that takes place every New Year’s Day. It is organised by Id-Dar tal-Providenza, together with RTK Radio, primarily to raise funds so that it can continue to provide and improve on the services it offers.
Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, explained the four main reasons behind the Feast of Generosity: to meet up with the residents, to see the capital projects, to raise the much needed funds but more importantly to spread the Home’s message that society has to respect persons with disability, treat them with the dignity they deserve and offer them choices and opportunities that everyone has a right to enjoy…
