Catechesis on Christmas

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

In this catechesis, as we approach Christmas, I would like to offer some food for thought in preparation for the celebration of Christmas. In the Midnight Mass liturgy the Angel’s proclamation to the Shepherds: “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a  great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:10-12)… Read more »

“It is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.”

Due to the situation of the ongoing pandemic, “all vaccinations recognized as clinically safe and effective can be used in good conscience with the certain knowledge that the use of such vaccines does not constitute formal cooperation with the abortion from which the cells used in production of the vaccines derive.”

The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) made these statements in a note signed by the Prefect, Cardinal Luis Ladaria, and the Secretary, Archbishop Giacomo Morandi… Read more »

Pope Francis led the prayer of the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square on the fourth and final Sunday of Advent.

Reflecting on the day’s Gospel of the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38), the Pope said the invitation to become the Mother of the Messiah carried with it both pure joy and great trial.

According to the Gospel, Mary was betrothed to Joseph, and faced the death penalty if found to be pregnant… Read more »

Dalgħodu l-Arċisqof Charles Jude Scicluna bierek l-estensjoni l-ġdida taċ-Ċimiterju tal-Addolorata f’Raħal Ġdid. Hu kien akkumpanjat mid-Deputat Prim Ministru u Ministru għas-Saħħa Chris Fearne. Waqt iż-żjara, Mons. Arċisqof iltaqa’ wkoll mal-ħaddiema li qed jaħdmu fuq din iż-żona l-ġdida tac-ċimiterju. Read more »

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This year, the Dun Mikiel Azzopardi Award went to Gordon Hewitt, a volunteer at Dar tal-Providenza, and to all Dar tal-Providenza employees as a sign of gratitude and recognition for their dedication and extraordinary work done during the past hard months of the Covid-19 pandemic to keep the residents and their colleagues safe from the virus.

In 1989 Gordon had to take early retirement to look after his mother Sylvia who was seriously ill… Read more »

On the occasion of the last 2020 meeting of the COMECE Standing Committee on Tuesday 15 December 2020, the Bishops also addressed the European Commission Strategy on “Staying safe from Covid-19 during winter”. While welcoming the efforts for a coordinated and sustainable EU approach against the current pandemic, COMECE urges the European institutions to consult with Churches and religious communities especially when considering recommendations that have an impact on religious matters… Read more »

Following the analysis of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, proposed by the European Commission on 23 September 2020, the COMECE Working Group on Migration and Asylum expresses its concerns about the effectiveness of the Pact to alleviate the difficult situation, aggravated by COVID-19, in which migrants and refugees find themselves.

While recognizing the efforts of the European Commission to set out a new and comprehensive framework aimed to create a fair and predictable migration management mechanism, COMECE urges all negotiating actors to promote a welcoming context as well as a fair and just approach to those in need… Read more »

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Those who pray never turn their backs on the world. If prayer does not gather the joys and sorrows, the hopes and the anxieties of humanity, it becomes a “decorative” activity, a superficial, theatrical, solitary way of behaving. We all need interiority: to retreat within a space and a time dedicated to our relationship with God… Read more »

These ballots and registrations are going to be held for those who at present attend Kinder 2 at St Francis Santa Luċija and San Ġwann and opted for St Francis Birkirkara. This is due to more applications for Birkirkara than there are availabilities. Read more »

Ballot 1 starting at 11 am – St Francis transfer to Year 1 Girls Registration 1 starting at 11:15 am – St Francis transfer to Year 1 Girls Ballot 2 starting at 12 pm – St Francis transfer to Year 1 Boys Registration 2 starting at 12:15 pm – St Francis transfer to Year 1 Boys …

L-omelija tal-Isqof Joseph Galea-Curmi

Beżqilhom mis-sunnara. Hekk jidher li għamel Ġesù fl-Evanġelju tal-lum lill-qassisin il-kbar u lix-xjuħ tal-poplu meta dawn għamlulu mistoqsija. Ġesù spiċċa biex ma weġibhomx, u huma baqgħu b’xiber imnieħer.

Ħa naraw ftit il-kuntest ta’ dan ir-rakkont, li jiġi ftit wara li Ġesù kien keċċa l-bejjiegħa mit-tempju, dik il-ġrajja li qajmet ferment sħiħ. Hawn jiġu l-qassisin il-kbar u x-xjuħ tal-poplu fit-tempju, fejn Ġesù qed jgħallem, u jistaqsuh: inti b’liema setgħa qed tagħmel dan? … Read more »