Coming up

¤ The Gozo Bird Breeders Society is holding its annual bird show at Munxar parish centre today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

¤ The Cultural Organising Committee is holding a Christmas Village at Villa Rundle Gardens, Victoria, from today to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. A selection of commercial stands will be set up to raise funds for philanthropic organisations and there will also be other fringe activities.

¤ The Ghaqda Hbieb tal-Presepju is holding a lecture today at 10 a.m. at the Victory Band Club, Xaghra. Joe Camilleri will deliver a talk on statuettes.

¤ The Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria is holding its annual book fair at the Ministry for Gozo Exhibition Hall on St Francis Square, Victoria, from today to Wednesday.

¤ A get-together in aid of the MSSP mission in the Philippines is being held today at 4 p.m. at Dar Stella Maris, Zebbug. There will be bingo, and spot prizes. Tickets may be obtained from Carmen Muscat or by phoning 2155-1159.

¤ Shrek 2, a family film, is being shown today at 5.30 p.m. at the Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria.

¤ The three-act play It-Taqbida ta' l-Imhabba, by Mgr Salvatore Borg, is being staged today at 6 p.m. and on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Seminary, Victoria. Tickets may be obtained from the seminary (tel: 2155-6479) or from parish centres.

¤ A coffee morning with tombola is being organised by the Kercem Ajax Football Club on Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the club. Tickets can be obtained from the club or by phoning 7909-1230 or 9924-6569.

¤ The feast of the Immaculate Conception is being celebrated in Qala and Victoria on Wednesday.

In Qala, Bishop Nikol Cauchi will lead a concelebrated Mass at the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception at 9.15 a.m.

The traditional pilgrimage, with motorcycles and cars, leaves Ta' Pinu Sanctuary at 1.30 p.m. for Qala Sanctuary, where they will be blessed by the archpriest, Fr Carmelo Refalo. Mementoes will be given to the drivers.

Solemn vespers will be animated by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart at 4.

The procession with the titular statue leaves the church at 5. The Ite ad Joseph Band will take part. Sacramental benediction follows.

In Victoria, Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka will lead a concelebrated Mass at the Franciscan Conventual church at 9.30 a.m. The Cathedral Chapter, the three Franciscan communities in Gozo, archpriests, parish priests and rectors of all churches in Gozo, representatives of the Confraternity of Our Lady of the Lily of Mqabba and the Laudate Pueri Choir will take part. Cardinal Szoka will deliver the panegyric.

A plaque, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, will then be unveiled outside the convent.

Solemn vespers will be led by Mgr Joseph Farrugia, Archpriest of St George's Basilica, at 5 p.m., accompanied by the basilica's collegiate chapter.

The procession with the titular statue, led by Cardinal Szoka, leaves the church at 5.45. The La Stella Band will take part. The procession will end with the singing of the antiphon Hodie egressa est of Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia, and a sacramental blessing.

Traditional horse and donkey races will be held in Republic Street, Victoria, at 1 p.m.

¤ A high tea and tombola is being held at St George's parish centre in Victoria on Friday at 7 p.m. Entrance is free.

¤ A high tea and tombola to raise funds for the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady in Xaghra is being organised by the Victory Band on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Villa Fiorita, Marsalforn.

Tickets may be obtained from helpers or by phoning 2155-0450 or 9982-6367.

¤ The Gozo Animal Sanctuary Association is holding a buffet dinner at the Cornucopia Hotel, Xaghra, on Sunday at 7.30 p.m. A raffle with several attractive prizes will also be held during the dinner.

Tickets cost Lm10 (including wine and water). For bookings and more information contact treasurer Helen Cassar on 2156-3317, 9946-7858 or e-mail gozo@hix.com.mt.

¤ The 26th Xaghra Song Festival is being organised by the Victory Band Club on December 18 in the band club hall. Those wishing to take part should call 7920-4466, 2155-1055 or 2155-6835.