Heard in the hive

The Law course students of 1979 recently celebrated their 25th anniversary of their graduation from the University of Malta.

The reunion took place at the Crianza Restaurant in Valletta. Among those celebrating the occasion were Dr Henry Antoncich, Judge Joe Azzopardi, Dr Austin Bencini, Dr Leon Bencini, Minister Tonio Borg, Dr Adrian Borg Cardona, Dr Andrew Borg Cardona, Dr Peter Borg Costanzi, Dr Richard Camilleri, Dr Tony Degaetano, Dr David Fabri, Dr Anton Felice, Dr Marthese Felice, Dr Carmel Galea, Dr Paul Gauci Maistre, Dr Peter Grech, Dr Godwin Grima, Dr George Hyzler, Dr Albert Libreri, Dr Emmanuel Mallia, Dr Mark A. Miggiani, Magistrate Antonio Mizzi, Dr Michael Refalo, Dr Suzanne Sant Cassia, Dr Joe Sciriha, Dr Catherine Tabone, Dr Robert Tufigno and Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.

Among the customary songs associated with the course of Laws, messages of greetings from colleagues abroad were read out from Dr George Xuereb and Dr Tanya Vella, together with apologies from Dr John Attard Montalto, MEP, and Dr Edwin Borg Manchè, who could not attend.

Lions Club Sliema celebrate charter anniversary

Lions Club Sliema recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of their charter with a gala dinner at the St George's Hall of the Crowne Plaza.

A good number of members and Lions from overseas twinned clubs attended, including Zone chairman Patrick Frendo, presidents of the other Lions Club in Malta, namely Joe C. Gauci (LC Malta Host), Emanuel Schembri (LC St Paul's Bay) and Joe Smith La Rosa (LC La Vallette), and first vice president Isabelle Coppini (LC Mdina), past governor District 108YB of Sicily Silvio Cavallaro, chairman District 108YB Francesco Piccirillo, and presidents Giovanni Allegra (LC Catania Nord) and Luigi Nava (LC Paderno Dugnano).

Before dinner, Daniela Stigliano, a soprano who sings in the prestigious Salone d'Oro, Società del Giardino and the Chapter hall of St Mark's Basilica of Milan, gave a recital in the St Peter's Hall to the delight of all guests present.

Ms Stigliano sang arias from operas and ended her short recital with two popular Neapolitan songs. Cynthia Genovese accompanied Ms Stigliano at the piano.

A congratulatory message from International Lions President Clement F. Kusiak was read. In his message, the International President said: "As we celebrate our achievements, we will continue to look toward the future for opportunities to improve and expand our projects of service."

Dr Frendo congratulated Lions Club Sliema for the service to the community over the last 30 years and hoped that the club will continue to be in the forefront to help the Maltese community.

Lion president Joe Messina said that he was proud and honoured to be leading LC Club Sliema in its 30th anniversary. He mentioned some projects which the club had undertaken during its existence, including the restoration of frescoes at St Agatha's catacombs and being the catalyst of the organ donation campaign which has made the Maltese conscious of the importance of organ donation. Mr Messina said he was confident that in future years the club would continue to be of service to the community.

Mgr Charles Vella's golden jubilee

On the occasion of the golden jubilee of the priesthood of Mgr Charles G. Vella, His Holiness the Pope sent an autographed message to congratulate and bless Mgr Vella.

Likewise, Archbishop Mercieca and several cardinals and bishops sent messages of greetings. The Thanksgiving Mass was held at St Gregory the Great parish church, Sliema, on Wednesday week, feast of the Immaculate Conception, as Mgr Vella was ordained in Rome in 1954 on this day.

Forty Italian and English guests came over to Malta including Bishop Eamon Casey and the well-known Italian singer Al Bano who sang the Ave Maria beautifully. Thirty priests concelebrated with Mgr Vella and Archbishop Paul Giglio assisted during the Mass just as he did 50 years ago at the ordination and the first Mass of Mgr Vella in Rome.

There were several highlights during the celebration, which included the homily preached by Mgr Lawrence Gatt, the Kiss of Peace given before the offertory according to the Ambrosian rite and the invocation to the Holy Spirit. The St Monica Choir directed by Sr Beniamina Portelli sang during the Mass.

Mgr Vella in his conclusion thanked all those who throughout these years have helped him in his ministry in Malta and in Italy. He announced the setting of the Mgr Charles Vella Foundation to support the Cana Movement, which he had set up in 1956.

The previous evening a reception was held for the foreign guests, the family and friends of Mgr Vella, at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, St Julian's.

President Eddie Fenech Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Minister Louis Galea and Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and many others were present.

BergHOFF annual seminar

Victor and Marie Josette Musu, of Channel Trade Marketing and local agents and representatives of BergHOFF Malta, recently attended the 2004 BergHOFF seminar in Antwerp, Belgium.

BergHOFF has now been in Malta for the past five years and has established itself as one of the top sellers in Malta of kitchen and tableware.

BergHOFF invests heavily in research and technology resulting in improved and innovative cookware and other kitchenware products that match society's changing needs and tastes, and is always on the forefront with the best designs, quality and innovative items.

At the end of the seminar, BergHOFF Malta was presented with a certificate and an etching for this special occasion by BergHOFF's president Raf Vanthoor.

Investiture at St James

The Royal Palace of St James in the heart of London was the scene of the solemn investiture of the Marquis of St George, Dr Antony Cremona-Barbaro, as Knight of the Most Venerable Order of St John, to which rank he was promoted by Queen Elizabeth II, Sovereign Head of the Order.

The ceremony was conducted, on behalf of the Queen, by the Grand Prior the Duke of Gloucester with the customary three strokes of the sword on the left shoulder of the kneeling knight. The ceremony, which is held once every four years, was this year enhanced by the presence, among the recipients of honours, of former South African President Nelson Mandela.

At the reception which followed in the Queen Anne Room, the Duke spent some time conversing with some of the guests, among whom the Marquis himself, who has served the Order as honorary secretary of the Malta St John Council for 20 years.

The Marquis was also recently appointed Cavaliere dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana by the President of Italy motu proprio.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - December 20-26

Tomorrow
9.30 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend Mass for school- children and are presented with donations in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF) at Qala parish church.

11.30 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami inaugurate the newly refurbished Children's Ward by the Daniel Delicata Foundation at the Gozo General Hospital.

3 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami attends the official opening of the Euro Save Outlet and presents gifts to children residing in various children's homes at Birkirkara.

Tuesday
10.30 a.m. The President is presented with a donation in aid of the MCCF by Delicata Wines at the Palace, Valletta.

3 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami distributes Christmas gifts to residents at St Vincent de Paul Residence.

5 Mrs Fenech Adami attends a Christmas tea party organised by the Women's Corona Society in Sliema.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives Ranier Prokop, mayor of Bergen, Germany, accompanied by Pembroke mayor Joe Zammit, at the Palace, Valletta.

11 The President presides over a press conference launching l-Istrina 2004 on St George's Square, Valletta.

7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a chural concert directed by Mro Dione Buhagiar at San Anton Palace.

Thursday
10 a.m. The President receives Ronald Gallimore, head of the European Commission Representation office, on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.

10.30 The President receives the president and council members of the newly constituted Medical Council.

5.45 p.m. The President attends a reception hosted by the chairman of Middle Sea Group and is presented with a donation in aid of the MCCF at Middle Sea House, Floriana.

7.30 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a Christmas concert in aid of the MCCF organised by the Xaghra council at Xaghra Basilica.

Sunday
10.45 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend the launching of l-Istrina at the PBS Studios, Guardamangia.

For your diary

Ward u Zghar is organising a Christmas party for children at Mtarfa on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and a party for parents at Mtarfa on Sunday at 8 p.m. For more information and bookings phone 9947-2868.

A lecture in Maltese on the artistic treasures of the Franciscans in Valletta, part of the series "Rediscovering Valletta" organised by the Malta Historical Society, is being delivered by Fr Alexander Bonnici, OFM Conv. at the Oratory of St Francis Church, on Monday December 27, at 6 p.m.