Coming up

¤ The feast of the Visitation is being celebrated in Gharb today.

Bishop Nikol Cauchi, accompanied by the collegiate chapter and clergy, will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m. and will also deliver the panygeric.

Solemn vespers, the Salve Regina and the antiphon will be led by Mgr Benedict Camilleri at 6.30 p.m.

The procession led by Vicar General Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci accompanied by the Peace Band of Naxxar, leaves the church at 7.45. The Leone Band will play marches on a stand, on the main square. The procession ends at 10 p.m. with a sacramental blessing.

The St Mary Band will play marches in the village streets from Visitation Street at 10.30.

¤ Tombola, to raise funds for the feast of Our Lady of Victory, is being held at Xaghra Youth Centre today from 1 p.m. onwards.

¤ Various concerts are being organised as part of this year's Victoria International Arts Festival, from today to Saturday.

The Youth Ensemble - Clarinets and Brass (Malta) is giving a concert at St George's Basilica today at 8 p.m. The Cukulari Ensemble will be performing tomorrow while the Arpege duo Christina Rhys (harp) and Stephen Stirling (horn) from England will be holding a concert on Wednesday. A choral concert by the Newcastle Cathedral Choir of England is being held on Saturday.

¤ The festivites for Our Lady of Soccour, which is being celebrated in Kercem on Sunday, start this week.

A barbecue will be held in Dr Anton Calleja Street, tomorrow at 8 p.m.

The translation of the relic of St Gregory, which is being brought from the St Andrew in Heaven Monastery in Rome to commemorate the 1,400th anniversary of the death of Gregory, the 100th anniversary since the titular statue of St Gregory was brought to Kercem, and the 150th anniversary since the titular painting was put in Kercem parish church, will be held on Tuesday at 6.30 p.m.

Parish priest Fr Francis Debrincat leads the procession, with the participation of the clergy and the St Gregory Band from Xuxa Street to the parish church. On the relic's arrival at the parish church there will be sung antiphon, solemn vespers and sacramental blessing.

Fr Mario Grech will say Mass at 8.30 while Fr Roberto Gauci will say Mass at 11.

Pilgrimages are being organised to Kercem parish church from other parishes in Gozo and Malta, incliuding St Gregory's Sliema.

Public adoration of the relic will be taking place at 8.30 p.m. An aux flambaux procession with the relic will be held from the parish church to Orvieto Square, where Fontana parish priest Cannon George Bezzina will lead a prayer meeting.

On Thursday, the relic will be taken to various places for public adoration, including the General Hospital and homes for the elderly.

Pontifical concelebrated Mass will be led by Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Felix del Blanco Prietro, with the participation of the clergy, at 6.30 p.m. There will also be festivities, with the participation of the Precursor Band at 9.30.

The St Gregory and St Mary bands will play marches on Friday at 9.30 p.m.

The translation of the relic of Our Lady from St Therese chapel of the Carmelite Sisters Convent to the parish church will take place on Saturday at 6.30 p.m., followed by a concelebrated Mass, led by Vicar General Mrg Giovanni Bosco Gauci.

The St Gregory and Victory bands will play marches at 9.30, followed by a fireworks display by the St Mary Fireworks Group of Mqabba.

¤ A high tea is being organised by the Leone Band Club at Crystal Palace, Marsalforn, on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Transport from Savina Square and the Leon Band Club leaves at 7. Tickets at Lm1.50 may be obtained from Grace Debono (tel. 2155-1460) or Coney Island Bar (2155-1289).

¤ The Friends of the Sick and the Elderly are organising the sale of the contents of a flat at 3, Seascape Mansions, Ghar Qawqla Street, Marsalforn, on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information phone 2155-3336.

¤ The Dog of the Year show, sponsored by Royal Canin, for all SPCA rescued dogs and non-pedigree pets is being held at the Victoria football ground on Sunday. Judging starts at 8.30 a.m. There will also be demonstrations by the Police Dogs, the Civil Protection Department Red Cross (Gozo Branch) and Rescue Dog. Entry forms may be collected from the Gozo SPCA by the playing field in Victoria (tel. 2155-3769).