News from the Church in Malta
Dear Missionaries,
Once again it is Christmas, the time of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus’ family, Mary and Joseph, lived in Nazareth. Yet there are two episodes which remind us that they too were as missionaries: much in the same way as those who leave their country to travel afar in the name of Jesus, with all that this journey entails… Read more »
Dear Emigrants,
Once again it is Christmas, a time which recalls the supreme ‘emigration’ in history. The Son of God ‘emigrated’ so to speak, from the Father to come amongst us. He came on Earth, performed good works and was crucified.
This reflection brings you to mind, dear emigrants.
You too have undertaken a similar journey. … Read more »
The Interdiocesan Liturgical Commission has just published a book containing Responsorial Psalms for Sundays throughout the liturgical year.
The Responsorial Psalm has gained importance since Vatican Council II. Thirteen centuries of tradition had limited the psalm to an organ piece: only a line or two between the first reading and the Gospel. Since Vatican II reform demanded “a more ample, more varied, and more siutable reading” of the Word of God, the present liturgy has a more ample, more varied, and more suitable responsorial psalm through which the community welcomes the Word that is proclaimed to it… Read more »
Nhar il-Ħamis 22 ta’ Diċembru 2011, l-Arċisqof Pawlu Cremona O.P. inawgura l-ewwel fażi tal-Mużew Diġitali tal-Migrazzjoni li qed isir mill-Kummissjoni Emigranti fil-bini ta’ Dar l-Emigrant, Valletta. L-inawgurazzjoni saret waqt l-okkażjoni soċjali tal-Milied li l-Kummissjoni Emigranti torganizza kull sena għall-operaturi u l-voluntiera fid-diversi ħidmiet tagħha.
Dun Alfred Vella, Direttur tal-Kummissjoni Emigranti, spjega li l-ewwel fażi tal-mużew, li x-xogħol fuqha qed isir mill-Grupp Exalta, tħaddan sistema ta’ digital collection management li tirrekordja, tikkonsolida u tippriserva d-dokumentazzjoni kollha li għandha l-Kummissjoni Emigranti dwar l-emigrazzjoni minn Malta. … Read more »
“Mal-Għaqda Nazzjonali Armar fit-Toroq għadu ma ntlaħaqx ftehim. Madankollu aħna qalbna qawwija li naslu ukoll fi ftit żmien. Riedna niffirmaw mal-għaqdiet b’mod separat għaliex kull għaqda hi awtonoma.”
Hekk qal lil IL-ĠENSillum online din il-ġimgħa kelliemi għall-Uffiċċju Komunikazzjoni tal-Kurja tal-Arċisqof, fid-dawl tal-ftehim dwar iċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet tal-festi reliġjużi, li kien iffirmat nhar l-Erbgħa bejn l-awtoritajiet tal-Knisja f’Malta u l-Għaqda Każini tal-Banda… Read more »
Marian icon
On the occasion of Benedict XVI’s traditional Christmas meeting with university students, a World Youth Day icon was returned to Rome from Madrid. The image of the Virgin Mary Sedes Sapientiae (Seat of Wisdom) traveled throughout Spain in preparation for the 2011 WYD.
Spanish Father Ángel Alba, staff member of the Vicariate of Rome’s university ministry, spoke to ZENIT about the importance of this event… Read more »
On Friday 9th December 2011, Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. presided over the parish assembly of Mdina, at the convent of the Sisters of St. Dorothy.
Click on the photos to enlarge. The photos of the Archbishop’s events may be obtained from PHOTOCITY, Valletta… Read more »
A group of Christians in India initiated a national prayer campaign urging lawmakers to address a pending bill that seeks to curb violence targeting religious minorities, reported Fides, the Vatican missionary news agency.
Members of the All India Christian Council, an organization that promotes religious freedom for all minorities, particularly Christians, launched the initiative to raise awareness of the “Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill.”
John Dayal, general secretary of the council, told Fides the bill is urgently needed “to put an end to hate campaigns and to restore confidence in minorities.” Proposed earlier in 2011 by the National Advisory Council, the bill has yet to reach parliament but has gained support from many religious minority groups and citizens of India… Read more »
L-Awtoritajiet tal-Knisja f’Malta u l-Għaqda Każini tal-Banda llum, l-Erbgħa 21 ta’ Diċembru 2011, ffirmaw ftehim dwar iċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet tal-festi reliġjużi. Dan wara li ż-żewġ naħat daħlu f’eżerċizzju ta’ diskussjonijiet bir-rieda li ċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet esterni tal-Festi Reliġjużi jkunu jixirqu dejjem iżjed l-ispirtu Nisrani u soċjali. Id-diskussjonijiet segwew il-publikazzjoni tad-dokument konsultattiv ‘Nirrestawraw il-Festi Flimkien’ fil-5 ta’ Ottubru 2009.
Permezz tal-Ftehim iffirmat illum, l-Awtoritajiet tal-Knisja f’Malta u l-Għaqda Każini tal-Banda ddikjaraw li sar qbil fuq il-paragrafi kollha li jinsabu elenkati f’Appendiċi A (anness) u li jifforma parti ntegrali ta’ dan il-Ftehim… Read more »
Christmas Tree in St Peter's Square
The Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square, a practice started by John Paul II and now a firm tradition, was lit last Friday evening.
The 30.5-meter (100-foot) spruce, with its 2,500 ornaments, came from the Ukrainian region of the Zakarpattia. Several thousand people watched as the lights were turned on by a small Ukrainian boy dressed in his country’s national costume… Read more »
