Coming up

¤ The feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is being celebrated at the Fontana parish church today.

Bishop Nikol Cauchi will lead a concelebrated Mass at 9 a.m.

After solemn vespers, led by Mgr Albert Curmi, at 6.30, the procession with the statue of Jesus, led by Mgr Joseph Bajada and accompanied by the La Stella Band, leaves the church at 7.30.

The procession will end with the playing of the antiphon and a sacramental blessing.

Pony races will be held in St Dominica Street at 2 p.m.

¤ The feast of St John the Baptist will be celebrated in Xewkija on Sunday.

The week-long festivities start today at 9.30 a.m. with horse races, with the participation of the Precursor Band, organised by the local council from Triq l-Gharus to the Xewkija Rotunda.

The blessing of the horses will be held in front of the church, while mayor Dr Monika Vella will give out mementoes.

A traditional dinner is being held on the main square on Tuesday at 9 p.m.

Traditional horse and donkey races will be held on Saturday at 2.30 p.m.

The translation of the relic of St John, with the participation of the Knights of St John, at 6.45, will be followed by concelebrated Mass, led by the Vicar General, Mgr Giovanni B. Gauci. Fr Paul Galea, OFM, will deliver the sermon.

The St Margaret, Precusor and St Joseph bands will play marches at 9 p.m., followed by a fireworks display.

Today at 10 a.m. Canon Carmelo Cini will hold a Father's Day Mass, organised by the St Mary Band Club, at Zebbug cemetery. Mementoes will be distributed to the fathers present.

¤ Nadur council is holding various activities to celebrate the feast of St Peter and St Paul, Mnarja.

Today at 10 a.m. Nadur archpriest Mgr Salv Muscat will bless an agrarian exhibition, featuring produce and animals on Archpriest Martin Camilleri Square. Prizes for the best exhibits will be presented by Minister Giovanna Debono and Mayor Dr Chris Said.

A traditional Mnarja dinner, will be held on Friday at 9 p.m. with entertainment by singers Chiara and Claudette Pace, the Mnarja Folk Group, Young Talent Team, Ace Line Dancers, Alfred Portelli, Alexis Samantha Falzon, Duo Breezes and others.

¤ The feast of Our Lady of Ta' Pinu is being celebrated at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary on Tuesday. Vicar General Mgr G.B. Gauci will lead a concelebrated Mass at 9 a.m., followed by a sacramental blessing.

Mass, organised by the Ta' Pinu Prayer Group, with the participation of the Gharb collegiate chapter, will be said at 5.30 p.m. Bishop Cauchi leads a concelebrated Mass at 7.30.

¤ A coffee morning is being organised by the Cathedral parish church at Café Roma, Victoria, on Tuesday. Tickets, at Lm1.25 each, may be obtained from Grace Debono (2155-1460) or Coney Island Bar (2155-1289).

¤ The play Ir-Rebha ta' l-Appostli Pietru u Pawlu, by Bishop Cauchi, is being staged on St Peter and Paul Square, Nadur, on Tuesday at 9 p.m. Directed by Antoine Theuma the play, produced by Eucharist Camilleri, will include music by Mgr Martin Portelli.

¤ A meeting for clergy is being held at Nadur Basilica on Thursday at 5 p.m. Abbot Dom Paolo Lunardon of San Paolo Fuori le Mura Basilica in Rome will talk about the priesthood in the Pauline doctrine. This will be followed by a reception.

On Thursday at 7.15 p.m. Bishop Cauchi, accompanied by Dom Paolo Lunardon and the collegiate chapter and clergy, will lead a Pontifical concelebrated Mass to mark the 200th anniversary of the consecration of Nadur parish church.

¤ Geoffrey Attard, from St George's parish, will be ordained priest by Bishop Cauchi at the Cathedral on Friday at 5.45 p.m. Christopher Cauchi of Gharb, Pierre Farrugia, OFM, Peter Paul Sammut of Nadur and Domnic Sultana of Xaghra will be ordained deacons.

¤ A barbecue is being organised by the Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria, at the football grounds on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets and further information may be obtained from the oratory (tel. 2155-6616).

¤ An al fresco Summer Special is being held at the Victoria Scout Group premises in St Dominica Street, Victoria, on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets, at Lm4 for adults and Lm 2 for children up to 12, may be obtained from the Scouts headquarters (tel. 2155-6497), Briffa New Store, Josie's Supermarket and Bookpoint by Wednesday.

¤ A car boot sale, in aid of the OASI Foundation, is being held in front of Marsalforn car park on Sunday from 7.30 a.m. For more information phone 2155-1294, 9926-1640, 7955-3812 or 9942-6338.

¤ A ftira night, organised by the Leone Band Club, together with the feast decorations committee and the Vampa Organisation, is being held at the Citadel on Monday, June 28, at 7.30 p.m. Tickets may be obtained from the band club.

¤ A group of volunteers from the Arka Foundation will be collecting donations on board the Gozo ferries, in aid of the Arka Respite Centre where persons with special needs are offered permanent or short term shelter, from June 25 to 29. Those wishing to lend a helping hand are to contact Fr Emmauel Curmi or the foundation's offices on 2156-5773.