For your diary

• A prayer meeting at Girgenti, Siġġiewi, will be held today at 3 p.m. by the Moviment Madonna tal-Konsagrazzjoni committee. For details view www.ourladyofconsecration.org.

• The next MIR prayer meeting will be held today from 7.15 to 10 p.m. at Pembroke parish church. It will consist of the reciting of the rosary followed by Mass and adoration. Instead of holding a money collection, those attending are asked to bring foodstuffs for Fondżżjoni Suret il-Bniedem, which cares for homeless people.

• St Gabriel Band Club women's sub-committee is organising a tombola morning at the Mellieħa Holiday Complex on Tuesday at 9 a.m. For tickets at €6 call 2144 5840 or 9924 5466.

• YWCA (Malta) will be organising a tea, card and games party at the Imperial Hotel, Sliema, on Wednesday at 4.30 p.m. Members and guests are invited. For bookings phone 2132 4424 or 7925 2296.

• The International Movement of Prayer Blessed Pope John XXIII is holding an evening of prayer for peace and new evangelisation of the world at the Madonna tal-Ħerba church, Birkirkara, on Wednesday from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. It will consist of Mass and 20 minutes of adoration.

• The fundraising and social activities committee of the Physically Handicapped Rehabilitation Fund is holding a coffee morning on Thursday at Attard parish hall. To book, call Helen Sciberras on 2143 6421 or 9984 5600, or Rita Bezzina on 2169 3863. Tickets are also available at the door.

• The Gozo branch of Friends of Australia Association is holding its annual Australia Day lunch under the auspices of the new Australian High Commissioner Anne Quinane, at the Calypso Hotel, Marsalforn, next Sunday at noon. To book tickets at €25 for adults and €12 for children under 10, call 9942 7633 or e-mail friendsofaustraliagozo@onvol.net by Friday.

• The education committee of the National Council of Women is holding a talk by school councellor Carmen Galea entitled 'Recognising Signs and Symptoms of Abuse' on January 28 at 7.15 p.m. at the National Council of Women Centre, Blata-l-Bajda. To book or for more information call 2124 8881 or 2124 6982 or e-mail ncwmalta@camline.net.mt.

• A reunion for ex-students and staff of Verdala Junior Lyceum (1989-1994) will be held on January 29. Those interested are asked to call Jurgen Cucciardi on 7920 0745.

• 'Empowering families as sustaining partners in social policy' is the theme of the 57th international conference of the International Commission on Couple and Family Relations (ICCFR) that is to be held from March 12 to 14 March at the Dolmen Hotel, Qawra, in collaboration with the Cana Movement. The registration fee for Maltese citizens, including lunches and evening receptions, is €100. The closing date for applications is January 31. For details view http://iccfr.org/en/conferences/our_next_conference.php . Completed registration forms are to be e-mailed to Ray Baldacchino at maltaconf@onvol.net.

• A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on February 3 from 10 a.m. For booking call Blanche Martin on 2133 0387.