Coming up

¤ The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is being celebrated in Xlendi today. Bishop Nikol Cauchi will lead a pontifical concelebrated Mass at 10 a.m., followed by a Mass in English at noon.

There will be a greasy pole competition and other games, organised by the organising committee, under the direction of Melchiorre Cremona from 3 to 6 p.m. Trophies, sponsored by the Munxar council, will be presented to the winners by Mayor Joseph Sultana.

Mass will be said by Canon Michael Cauchi at 6, followed by solemn vespers at 6.45. The procession with the statue of Our Lady, with the participation of the La Stella Band, leaves the church at 7.30. On the procession's arrival at the square, there will be a blessing and the distribution of the scapulars of Our Lady. The procession will end with the singing of the antiphon Flos Carmeli and a sacramental blessing at the church, followed by a fireworks display at 10.

¤ The feast of Our Lady of Victory is being celebrated in Xaghra tomorrow. Today, the eve of the feast, concelebrated Mass with the participation of the Schola Cantorum Jubilate followed by the singing of the Te Deum is being held at 8.30 a.m. This will be followed at 9.30 by a ceremony commemorating the Great Siege. Dr Angele Portelli will deliver a commemorative address. This will be followed by the laying of wreaths at the foot of the Siege monument and the singing of the national anthem.

Traditional horse and donkey races will be held at 2 p.m.

The Victory Band will play marches from the band club to Victory Square to accompany Bishop Paul Darmanin who will lead the translation of the relic at 6.

The Victory, Mnarja and Nicola Isouard bands will be playing marches from 8.30 followed by a ground fireworks display.

Tomorrow morning the Ite ad Joseph Band will accompany Bishop Nikol Cauchi from Victory Square to the basilica where, with Bishop Darmanin, he will lead a concelebrated Mass at 9.15 together with the collegiate chapter and clergy. Fr Diego Theuma, OFM, will deliver the panegyric.

The decree of the affiliation of the Xaghra basilica to the Basilica of the St Mary Major in Rome, will be officially read. All those who visit the basilica tomorrow will gain a plenary indulgence. Bugeja's Mass A Maria Immacolata with the participation of the Jesus of Nazareth Choir, will be sung.

The Beland and St Gregory bands will play marches at 11 a.m.

Solemn vespers at 5.30 p.m. will be followed by a procession with the statue of Our Lady, led by Bishop Darmanin, with the participation of the Victory Band. During the procession the Leone Band will perform on the bandstand on Victory Square while the St Margaret Band will play marches in the streets. The procession ends with the antiphon and a Eucharistic celebration. Festivities will end with marches by the Victory Band.

¤ As part of the celebrations for the feast of Our Lady of Graces, the Capuchin friars are organising a traditional dinner at the convent, Victoria on Tuesday at 8 p.m. The event includes folk and country music performances by Benny and Tonia. Tickets can be obtained by phoning Guzi Abela on 2155-1805 or George Debono on 2155-4160.

A visit to the Our Lady of Graces Sanctuary in Zabbar and other places of interest is being held on Thursday. For bookings phone Guzi Abela or George Debono.

Those wishing to donate blood are requested to be at the Gozo General Hospital on Friday at 8.30 a.m.

A motorcycle and bicycle pilgrimage is being organised on Saturday. The pilgrimage will leave the Ta' Pinu Sanctuary Centre at 2 p.m. to the Our Lady of Graces Sanctuary following the effigy of Our Lady to the Sanctuary in Zabbar. The solemn translation of the relic will be held at the Capuchin church on Saturday, at 6.30 p.m. and 7. The guardian Fr Paul Bugeja will lead a solemn Mass. The Leone Band will play marches in the streets, followed by a fireworks display.

¤ Franciscan Youth Fest 2003, is being organised by the Fransiscan Youths, near St Anthony's church, Ghajnsielem, on Saturday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets at Lm1.50 (children at 75c) can be obtained from St Anthony's Centre after 7.30 p.m., or at the door.

¤ 3rd Day Productions is holding a two-hour outdoor drama entitled Jesus at Ghajnsielem parish church from Saturday till Monday, September 15, at 8 p.m. Entrance is free. For group reservations phone 7945-3787.

¤ The Fjur t'Assisi choir is organising its annual car wash to raise funds to support the local and international work of the Capuchin friars at the Capuchin Convent, Marsalforn Road, Victoria, today from 10 a.m. till noon.