News from the Church in Malta
Nhar l-Erbgħa 31 ta’ Diċembru 2014, l-Isqof Charles J. Scicluna, Amministratur Appostoliku, u l-Arċisqof Emeritu Pawlu Cremona O.P. taw l-awguri ta’ sena ġdida lill-E.T. il-President ta’ Malta u s-Sur Preca, lill-Awtoritajiet tal-Istat u l-korpi kostitwiti, fil-Palazz tal-Arċisqof, il-Belt Valletta.
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As we conclude a memorable year in the history of Malta, our beloved country and nation, I would like to offer a short reflection on today’s first reading from the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.
The reading is taken from the Book of Numbers (Chapter 6, verses 22-27): “The Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron and his sons, thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace”…
Father Federico Lombardi SJ highlights some of the events that have made 2014 an extremely busy and significant year for Pope Francis.
In a long interview with Vatican Radio, the Director of the Vatican Press Office lists an impressive number of events, speeches, journeys and appeals pronounced by Pope Francis in the year gone by, and says that perhaps the most powerful images to linger in our minds are those of the Pope amongst the people: his reaching out to the faithful in every circumstance, the warmth of his embrace in particular towards children, people with disabilities or ill health…
Pope Francis said on Sunday that “his thoughts are with those on board the missing AirAsia plane that disappeared during a flight between Indonesia and Singapore.” He added he was also thinking of two separate accidents involving two merchant ships and a ferry in the Adriatic Sea. “I am close with my affection and prayer,” the Pope said, to the families and loved ones who are undergoing “these difficult situations with apprehension and suffering” and also to those involved in the rescue operations…
Il-Ħadd 28 ta’ Diċembru 2014
Kurja tal-Arċisqof, il-Furjana
Nirringrazzjakom ħafna talli ġejtu biex nawguraw lil xulxin l-isbaħ xewqat f’dan iż-żmien tal-Milied, aħna u nippreparaw biex nibdew sena ċivili ġdida.
Nixtieq naqsam magħkom ħsieb żgħir li nixtieq noffrih għal kull wieħed u waħda minna, nibda minni nniffsi. Dan li se nitlob ma jiġix mill-kapaċitajiet tagħna, imma huwa frott talgħajnuna li jagħtina Alla: Ejjew nitolbu lill-Mulej biex f’din is-sena l-ġdida nkunu preżenza sabiħa, qawwija u ta’ servizz fis-soċjetà Maltija…
Familja Inklussiva
Illum, il-Liturġija tal-Knisja Kattolika hija ddedikata għall-Familja Mqaddsa: Ġużeppi, Marija u Ġesù. Il-Vanġeli li jintużaw biex ifakkru din ir-realtà sabiħa huma Vanġeli fejn il-familja Mqaddsa kienet tinsab mhedda jew għaddiet minn xi nkwiet.
Wieħed mill-Vanġeli jfakkarna fil-ħolma li kellu Ġużeppi, li fiha l-anġlu wissieh biex ma jmurx lura Nazaret, imma jmur l-Eġittu biex isalva l-ħajja tat-tarbija li kienet mhedda minn Erodi…
We are all grateful for Maltese and Gozitan families. As a Church and also as a society, we are indebted towards families because they are our greatest resource. Even though our family life may not always be a bed of roses, we are convinced that there are more roses than thorns. The Church wishes to contribute so that all that is beautiful and that enriches our families may continue to flourish…
By offering to Jesus the gift of his own life, Saint Stephen, the first martyr, honoured the coming of the King of kings – and showed us how to live the fullness of the mystery of Christmas.
That was Pope Francis’ message during the Angelus on the Feast of Saint Stephen. The Holy Father recalled the words of Jesus as He sent his disciples on mission: “You will be hated because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” These words, the Pope said, do not take away from the joy of Christmas, “but strip it of the false, saccharine sweetness that does not belong to it…
Urbi et Orbi Message of Pope Francis
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Happy Christmas!
Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, is born for us, born in Bethlehem of a Virgin, fulfilling the ancient prophecies. The Virgin’s name is Mary, the wife of Joseph.
Humble people, full of hope in the goodness of God, are those who welcome Jesus and recognize him. And so the Holy Spirit enlightened the shepherds of Bethlehem, who hastened to the grotto and adored the Child. Then the Spirit led the elderly and humble couple Simeon and Anna into the temple of Jerusalem, and they recognized in Jesus the Messiah. “My eyes have seen your salvation”, Simeon exclaimed, “the salvation prepared by God in the sight of all peoples” (Lk 2:30)…
On Wednesday 24th December 2014, Bishop Charles J. Scicluna, Apostolic Administrator, celebrated Midnight Mass at the Cathedral in Mdina. The Child’s Sermon (Priedka tat-Tifel) was held before the commencement of Mass.
Photos: Curia Communications Office
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