Coming up

¤ The 120th anniverary of the Apparition of Our Lady at Ta' Pinu is being celebrated at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary today.

Concelebrated Mass will be led by the vicar-general, Mgr Giovanni B. Gauci at 9.15 a.m., followed by a sacramental blessing by Bishop Cauchi. The Gharb collegiate chapter will participate during Mass at 5 p.m., which will be followed by solemn vespers.

Concelebrated Mass will be led by Bishop Cauchi at 7 p.m. followed by a Eucharistic adoration at 8 p.m., prayers and Sacramental benediction at 11 p.m.

¤ The feast of St John the Baptist is being celebrated at Xewkija today. An Italian prelate, Mgr Michele De Rosa, Bishop of Carreto Sannita, will lead a pontifical concelebrated Mass at 8.45 a.m., with a panegyric by Fr Martin Mamo. The Leone Band, accompanied by the St Cajetan Band will be playing marches at 11 a.m. There will be traditional horse races at 2 p.m.

At 6 p.m. Bishop De Rosa will again lead a pontifical concelebrated Mass, followed by the procession with the statue of the saint at 7.30 p.m., accompanied by the Precursor Band. The Mnarja Band will perform on the village square, while the Santa Marija Band will play marches at 11 p.m.

¤ The feast of St Peter and St Paul, popularly known as L-Imnarja, is being celebrated in Nadur on Saturday.

An agricultural fair will be held on the village square today at 8.30 a.m., followed by the blessing of animals by Mgr Salv Muscat. Prizes will be distributed by Mayor Dr Chris Said and Minister Giovanna Debono.

The Mnarja Band, conducted by Mro Joseph Grech, will be playing on Archpriest Martin Camilleri Square tomorrow at 8.30 p.m. following the inauguration of a photo exhibition on St Peter and St Paul Square, which will remain open till Monday, June 30.

A Family Monument in Gnien il-Kunsill will be inaugurated on Tuesday at 8.30 p.m., with the participation of the Mnarja Band, singer Fabrizio Fianello and Aceline.

A traditional dinner is being organised on Archpriest Martin Camilleri Square, on Wednesday at 8.30 p.m. with the participation of various folk groups and a number of well-known singers, including Lynn Chircop and The Greenfields. There will also be a re-enactment of a traditional Maltese wedding.

On Thursday at 7.15 p.m., a concert is being organised to mark the inauguration of the newly restored church organ (by Robert Buhagiar) and of the wooden base and gold jewellery of the statue of St Peter and St Paul, at the Nadur parish church. The Ite ad Joseph Band will be playing after the concert.

The St Margaret, Precursor, La Stella and St Joseph Bands will be performing in Nadur on Friday and Saturday.

¤ A coffee morning is being organised by the Cathedral Parish Church, at the Crystal Palace, Marsalforn, on Tuesday at 9 a.m. For tickets phone Grace Debono on 2155-1460 or Coney Island Bar on 2155-1289.

¤ The sixth Victoria International Arts Festival is being held at St George's Basilica this week. The inaugural concert, featuring the choir of Magdalene College, Cambridge, will be held on Tuesday at 8 p.m. This will be followed by Patrick Holming's piano recital on Friday. Joe Vella and Sharon Gauci will be giving a saxophone and piano recital on Saturday.

Those wishing to donate Lm15 which entitles them to a reserved seat for all events, may do so by sending a cheque to Victoria International Arts Festival, c/o St George's Basilica, Victoria. For further information contact the parish office on 2155-6311, fax 2155-6981, e-mail info@stgeorge.org.mt.

¤ A coffee morning, in aid of the village feast, is being organised at the Xaghra Youth Centre on Thursday at 9 a.m. For tickets phone the parish office on 2155-1042 or 2155-4881.

¤ A Maltese folklore and Rock and Roll night, organised by Xewkija council, is being held on St John the Baptist Square on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Fredu il- Bamboccu, Ringo and William Taylor will be impersonating Elvis Presley.

¤ A pizza and bingo night is being organised on the square opposite St Joseph Band Club, Ghajnsielem, on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets, at Lm1 each, are available from the feast committee.

¤ The feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is being celebrated at Fontana on Friday. At 6.30 p.m. a concelebrated Mass will be led by Bishop Cauchi, accompanied by the Chorus Urbanus, directed by Mro John Galea. This will be followed by a procession with the Holy Eucharist.

¤ An experience for volunteers to work with children under the care of the Sisters of Mother Theresa in Naples is being organised by the Diocesan Youths Commission. Applications are open to those aged 16 and up. Those wishing to join should call 2156-5638 or 9922-8918.