Former Għajnsielem archpriest honoured

Mgr Frankie Bajada was awarded the Ġieħ Għajnsielem honour by Għajnsielem local council during a ceremony held at the St Joseph Band Club. Mgr Bajada served as archpriest of Għajnsielem parish for 19 years. He was appointed to the post in October 2006 by bishop Mario Grech, now cardinal, and officially began his pastoral ministry on December 10, feast of Our Lady of Loreto.

The event opened with an introduction by Antonella Azzopardi and featured musical interludes performed by Mro Frankie Debono, including works by John Rutter, Rolf Løvland and J.S. Bach.

Speakers at the ceremony described Mgr Bajada as a dedicated priest whose long years of pastoral service contributed significantly to the spiritual life of the parish and to the good name of Għajnsielem. Mayor Kevin Cauchi said Fr Frankie consistently translated his love for the Church and for Għajnsielem into concrete pastoral initiatives, guided by his chosen motto, According to Your Word, Lord. During his tenure, he focused on spiritual formation, the proclamation of the Word of God, the establishment of Eucharistic communities, and close collaboration with religious associations.

Cauchi said Fr Frankie also established strong links with the shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, including youth exchanges with Italy and official visits by archbishops Giovanni Tonucci and Fabio Dal Cin. In 2024, the aggregation between the parish of Għajnsielem and the Loreto sanctuary was renewed.

Projects carried out during the office of Fr Frankie were the setting up of Radio Lauretana and the children’s choir Virgo, the renovation of parish properties, restoration works at the Old Church and the archpriest home and centre, the installation of new bells and tower clocks, and the continued construction works at the parish church, including the installation of the first phase of a restored Henry Willis organ. He also commissioned original music for the parish’s pontifical mass on the feast of its titular saint.

Following the presentation of the award, Mgr Bajada addressed the audience with a brief message of thanks. Mgr Bajada was also presented with gifts by committees representing various associations in the village of Għajnsielem, while musical interludes were provided by Loredana Agius, accompanied by pianist Jessica Bugeja. Also present for the ceremony were members of Mgr Bajada’s family and the newly installed archpriest Fr Joseph Hili.