Social and Personal

DARMANIN. On January 25, at Gzira Home for the Elderly, CARMEN, of Msida, aged 89, wife of the late Dominic, passed peacefully away. She leaves to mourn her sad loss her children John and his wife Teja of Australia, Miriam and her husband John Bonaci, Yvonne and her husband Charles Vella of Canada, Charles and Ermine, also of Canada, Doris and her husband Frank Schembri, and Josephine and her husband George Gauci, their families, other relatives and friends. Mass praesente cadavere will be said today at 2.15 p.m. at St John of the Cross parish church, Ta' Xbiex. Lord grant her eternal rest.

Requiem Masses

Tomorrow is the second anniversary of the death of ARTHUR AQUILINA. Always remembered by his wife Maria, his children Roger and his wife Marisa and Josephine. A Mass for the repose of his soul will be celebrated tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Ta' Giezu church, Rabat. The attendance of family and friends will be appreciated.

In Memoriam

BANAVAGE - MARIA ASSUNTA. Treasured memories of a dear mother on her 58th anniversary. Fondly remembered by her son Robert and family.

CALAMATTA - RACHELA. Treasured and unfading memories of a most beloved mother on the fourth anniversary of her demise. I still miss your love and your good example but I know that you are safe and protecting me in the Lord's hands. Your only daughter, Helen.

CALLEJA. In unforgettable memory of our beloved MICHAEL (ex-PS 962), on the third anniversary of his meeting with the Risen Lord. Always lovingly remembered by his wife Mary, his daughter Marthese and her husband Noel, his sons Maurice and his wife Louise, and Martin, his grandchildren Jennifer, Carolanne, Matthew, Mandy and Michelle, relatives and friends. Grant him, O Lord, eternal rest.

DEBONO. In loving memory of our dear sister FRANCESCA on the first anniversary of her demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Her sister Carmen, brothers Salvino and Twanny, relatives and friends.

ELLUL. In loving memory of our dearest sister MARIA on the eighth anniversary of her demise. Giovanna, Risette and family.

ELLUL GALEA - CARMELA. Treasured memories of a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, today the second anniversary of her demise. Her husband and children.

GINGELL - MARY. In loving memory of a dear mother and grandmother on the first anniversary of her passing away to a better life.
Gone from our sight
But never from our memories.
It broke our hearts to lose you
Yet you did not go alone
For part of us went with you.
We miss you. Your daughters Lorna, Priscilla and their families. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

LAPIRA - HUGH. Treasured memories of a wonderful father on the 42nd anniversary of his meeting with the Risen Lord. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered. Noel, Myra and Monique, in-laws and grandchildren.

RAGONESI. Of your charity remember in your prayers ANNA, a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whom the good Lord called unto himself 17 years ago today. On her soul sweet Jesus have mercy. Her family.

SCIBERRAS. Ever loving memories of FILOMENA, today the 34th anniversary of her death. Fondly remembered by her sons, their wives, and her daughter Lilian.

VELLA-ZARB. Treasured memories of my dearest mother RITA on the 14th anniversary of her demise. Anne.

ZAMMIT-GERMAN - ARTHUR. In ever loving memory, on the seventh anniversary of his demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Elizabeth, Sharon and Karl. A prayer is solicited.

Lost

Parrot in Qawra area. Reward Lm100. Phone 9942 0009.

Inclusive Church

A draft document entitled Lejn Knisja Inkluziva (Towards an inclusive Church), drawn up by the Pastoral Commission for Persons with Disability, will be discussed at a seminar being held at the Archbishop's Curia, in Floriana, on Saturday between 9.30 a.m. and noon.

The document follows on the experience of the recent Diocesan Synod.

Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of the document can phone 2590 6506.

pastoral.secretariat@maltachurch.org.mt

Day Of Life

The day known as Jum il-Hajja (Day of Life) in Gozo and Giorno Per La Vita in Italy is being marked for the first time in Malta this year on February 1.

Jum il-Hajja has been celebrated in Gozo on the first Sunday in February for the last 18 years, since the opening of Dar Giuseppa Debono for single mothers. Italy has been celebrating the day for the past 26 years.

The theme embraces a celebration of life and includes the rights of the unborn.

A number of activities are being held to mark the day. Several schools have also taken up the idea and are organising events to mark the date.

Retirement Planning

Bank of Valletta is offering a range of retirement planning options to its customers through its BOV Lifelink unit-linked range of life assurance policies.

The bank said these are especially relevant to customers today given the increased awareness about the importance to plan one's financial position in view of retirement planning.

The MSV Retirement Plan, the BOV Lifelink Maximum Investment Plan and the BOV Lifelink Investment Bond are specifically designed to cater for the different needs of customers concerned about their future after retirement, the bank said.

The BOV is offering a time and stock limited promotion whereby new policy-subscribers will be entitled to a free Lm20 voucher worth of purchases from the Plaza Shopping Complex.

The offer is valid until February 28 or until stocks last.

www.bov.com

bancassurance@bov.com

Consecrated Life Day

Priests and nuns will be celebrating Consecrated Life Day at St Monica School, Fleur-de-Lys, on February 4 at 6 p.m.

The gathering will enable them to concentrate on their role in the implementation of recommendations of the Diocesan Synod.

Archbishop Joseph Mercieca will attend.

Olmi Film

The Italian Cultural Institute is screening the award-winning film Il mestiere delle armi at the institute in Valletta on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Ermanno Olmi's film chronicles the last seven days in the life of Capitano Giovanni de Medici, a young officer in charge of a troop from the Pope's Army trying to stop 18,000 men from the army of Emperor Charles V marching to Rome to kill Pope Clement VII in 1526.

Entrance is free.

Card Party

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on February 4, from 10 a.m.

For booking phone Blanche Martin on 2133 0387.

First Aid Courses

The Malta Red Cross Society is holding basic first aid courses in Maltese and English due to demand.

For more information contact the Malta Red Cross office on telephone 2122 2645 or fax 2124 3664.

Local Councils

Today's meetings
1 p.m. Ghajnsielem.
5.30 p.m. Iklin.
6.30 p.m. Mqabba.
7 p.m. Sta Venera.

President's Engagements Today

11 a.m., at the Palace, Valletta, the President receives a delegation from Pembroke Wales accompanied by the mayor of the locality of Pembroke.
Noon, at the Palace, Valletta, the President receives Carmlino Spiteri, chairman of the Malta Desalination Services, and is presented with a donation in aid of The Malta Community Chest Fund.
5.30 p.m., at the Palace Valletta, the President receives the president and council members of the Malta Society of Arts, Commerce and Manufacture.
7 p.m., at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner, San Pawl tat-Targa, the President and Mrs de Marco attend a reception hosted by the Australian High Commissioner and Mrs Palk on the occasion of Australia Day.

What's On Today

Poetry
7.30 p.m. at the Manoel Theatre courtyard, Valletta, meeting of poetry appreciation group Poezijaplus.

Lecture
6 p.m. at Carmelite Hall, Birkirkara, Malta Historical Society lecture on Birkirkara in the 19th century by Winston Zammit.

Exhibitions
8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, exhibition organised by Heritage Malta to mark the 100th anniversary since the establishment of the first National Museum in Malta.
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at St James Cavalier, Valletta, Eurofram collective exhibition and collective exhibition by the Maltese Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Australian High Commission.
At German-Maltese Circle, St Christopher Street, Valletta, exhibition of paintings by Christine Micallef.