Along the years, the Catholic Action property in Żurrieq suffered some damages and was in dire need of maintenance. An extensive renovation was carried out in order to transform it into a safe space adequate to serve its mission; working with youth.
Therefore the Maltese Catholic Action was granted funds for a €30,000 project entitled: Reviving a safe space for youth formation and development in Żurrieq through infrastructural investment. This project is co-financed by EU funds from the Leader Programme under Measure 2: Strengthening a Healthy Cultural Identity administered by the Gal Xlokk Foundation. The Maltese Catholic Action has also been awarded €7,500 from the Co-Financing Fund, a funding scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector. Thanks to the Planning Authority scheme: Irrestawra Darek, the Maltese Catholic Action has also been able to carry out restoration works to the apertures of its facade. The organisation has forked out an additional €11,000 and there have also been a number of volunteers and benefactors who have also ensured the project is completed in a timely manner. Through such funds, the renovation of this building included the restoration of the stone facade, the restoration of the yard, the installation of membrane on the roof and terraces, restoration of the balcony and a number of apertures, as well as the installation of a new bathroom.
The legacy of Fr. Ġużepp Zammit Falzon continues in Żurrieq
Fr. Ġużepp Zammit Falzon (15.04.1895 – 16.04.1964) was born, lived, served and died in the village of Żurrieq. Apart from serving the Parish of Żurrieq as an exemplary priest, Fr. Ġużepp worked tirelessly to strengthen the Parish and the Maltese Catholic Action and was respected for both his work and the values he personified. Fr. Ġużepp Zammit Falzon recognised the role of the laity in the Church and helped to strengthen the Maltese Catholic Action in the village of Żurrieq. So much so, that Fr. Joseph Zammit Falzon offered the property in Triq San Mikiel, Żurrieq, in which property he lived and died, for the use of the Maltese Catholic Action in Żurrieq.
Over time, the Maltese Catholic Action recognized the need for a youth centre in Żurrieq and the property hosted youth groups for several decades. Here, the youth found a place of refuge after school or work hours, where they could participate in informal and non- formal educational activities, which contributed to their personal, mental, emotional, social and spiritual development. All meetings and activities that take place are inspired by the Word of God.
Activities organised by ŻAK focus on communication skills, leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, management of resources, as well as the implementation of initiatives and activities by the youth themselves. These skills are relevant to both ones personal and professional life. Furthermore, the activities are inspired by the values of social justice and civic action, thus fostering in the youth a sense of responsibility and accountability towards society and foster Catholic values. During these activities, the youth of Żurrieq and the surrounding area built friendships that have sustained outside of ŻAK, including friendships with people even living abroad, who they would not have met had it not been through them being members in ŻAK.
The ultimate aim of the Maltese Catholic Action is that the Żurrieq Centre continues to be a safe and suitable place for today’s youth, so that more young people have the opportunity to take part in group meetings and activities that contribute to their holistic development. In this way, the legacy of Dun Ġużepp Zammit Falzon in Żurrieq continues. Like any other voluntary organisation in 2020, ŻAK Żurrieq went through a difficult period due to the pandemic and was closed for some time due to the lack of members and leaders. Despite the challenges they faced, a new group for young people aged 16 and above was re-established in 2023. ŻAK Żurrieq is now inviting young people born in 2007 or before (16+) to attend the weekly meetings that take place on Friday between 7pm and 9.30pm, at this centre in Triq San Mikiel.
The Official Opening
The Maltese Catholic Action together with ŻAK Żurrieq, are inviting young people, their parents, parishioners of Żurrieq and other interested persons to visit the centre to see the work carried out through this project, as well as to discover more about the groups and activities of ŻAK Żurrieq. The official celebration which will be held at the same ŻAK centre located at 38, Triq San Mikiel in Żurrieq, on Saturday 25th January. The official opening will take place at 5pm, while a mass will be celebrated at 6pm. There will be an informal reception afterwards.
If you would like to help the Maltese Catholic Action in this particular project, you can contact us on [email protected] or call the Catholic Action on 2122 2239. You can also donate in cash via BOV Pay on 7956 3681 or by deposit into the BOV account (IBAN: MT94VALL 22013000 00004002 3865169) or the APS account (IBAN: MT10APSB 77046004 25502000 0217651). Catholic Action is registered with the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (VO/1743).