Coming Up

¤ The feast of St Publius is being celebrated today at St Publius chapel, at Wara t'Ghammar, limits of Gharb. Solemn vespers will be performed at 3.30 p.m., followed by Concelebrated Mass, led by Fr Anton Mizzi at 4 p.m. There will be Sacramental benediction afterwards.

¤ The feast of St Anthony the Abbot is being celebrated today in Xaghra. Mass, led by Bishop Nikol Cauchi, will be said at St Anthony's chapel at 3.30 p.m. The traditional procession with the statue of St Anthony, with the participation of the Victory Band, will be held at 4.15 p.m., followed by the traditional blessing of the animals on St Anthony Square at 5 p.m.

¤ A bird show is being held next to St Anthony's chapel today from 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. where there will be a dog show on the square from 9.30 a.m. till noon.

¤ An outing for the elderly is being organised by the Cathedral parish on Tuesday morning. The group will leave Savina Square, Victoria, at 9 a.m. For more information and tickets, phone George Debono on 2155-1460.

¤ A coffee morning in aid of St Francis School, Victoria, is being held at the City Pearl Hall, Victoria, on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Transport will be provided from every town. For more information and tickets phone Rita Portelli on 2155-2553 or 7955-2553.

¤ Bishop Nikol Cauchi will lead a concelebrated Mass for journalists and writers on the occasion of the feast of St Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists, at the Franciscan Sisters' church in Palm Street, Victoria, on Friday at 5 p.m.

¤ Prayer meetings are being organised by the Bethel Charismatic Group at Fontana parish church, on Saturday at 7 p.m., and by the Diocesan Eucharistic Movement at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary on Saturday at 8.30 p.m.

¤ A high tea is being organised at the Xaghra Youth Circle on Saturday at 7.15 p.m. Tickets can be obtained from the altar boys at Xaghra basilica, from Josephine Sultana and other helpers at the parish, or from Gester Restaurant.

¤ A dinner to mark the crowning of the titular icon of Our Lady of Grace, at the Capuchin church, Victoria, is being organised at Palazzo Margerita, Sannat, on Saturday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets can be obtained from George Debono (tel: 2155-1460).

¤ Mirage... a last glimpse at a very old island, an art exhibition by Vince Caruana, is being held at the Exhibition Hall of the Ministry in Victoria till January 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to noon on weekends.

¤ The annual general meeting of the Friends of the Sick and Elderly is being held at the Exhibition Hall, St Francis Square, Victoria, on Friday. There will first be Mass at 6 p.m.

¤ The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in conjunction with the Ministry for Gozo is requesting farmers from Fontana and Victoria to register any agricultural land in Gozo and Comino with the Department for Projects and Development.

Registration, free of charge, can be made at the Agricultural Office in Victoria (opposite the Minor Seminary) till January 31, during the following hours: Monday to Friday, from 4 to 7.30 p.m.; Saturday, from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. till noon.

Farmers are requested to bring their identity cards, together with the farmer's registration card (if any), a site plan and other relevant documents (if available). For more information, contact Emmanuel Terribile on 2156-5809, between 8 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.

¤ The University of Malta - Gozo Centre will be holding a one-day seminar, "Understanding dyslexia and maximising a dyslexic student's potential", on Saturday, February 1, from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The seminar will explore the nature of dyslexia as a language difficulty and will give suggestions on how to help dyslexic children both at home and at school.

To participate, contact the centre on 2156-4559, 2156-2054; fax: 2156-4550; e-mail: ugc@um.edu. mt; or write to the University of Malta - Gozo Centre, Mgarr Road, Xewkija, VCT 111.

¤ Nadur council is organising a photographic competition with varying themes, including "Natural environment", "Nadur's traditional Carnival", and "Views of Nadur". The competition will close on May 30. For more information contact the local council (tel: 2155-8080), or the Malta Photographic Society.