Social and Personal

BUSUTTIL. On September 2, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Doriselle née Sciberras and Duncan, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - YANA MARIE. Special thanks to midwife Valerie Azzopardi and post-natal nurse Salvina Calleja for their dedication and support.

CARUANA. On September 6, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Marthese née Falzon and Pierre, God's precious gift of a son - JEAN PIERRE, a most welcome brother to Sarah Marie. Thanks be to God and Our Lady. Special thanks to all the staff for their dedication.

GRECH. On August 23, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Mary Grace née Fenech and Herman, God's precious gift of a first-born son - SIMON PETER. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to the hospital staff, especially Ms Elizabeth Muscat.

KITNEY. On September 5, at St James Capua Hospital, to Claudia née Grech and Jason, God's precious gift of a first-born son - DANIEL ANTHONY. Special thanks to the obstetrician and all the staff at St James Capua Hospital.

MICALLEF. On September 4, at St James Capua Hospital, to Heidi née Poole and Dominic, God's precious gift of a son - BENJAMIN ANTHONY, a welcome brother to Isaac. Special thanks to the obstetrician, midwives Odette and Lilian and all the staff at St James Capua Hospital.

SALIBA. On September 8, at St James Capua Hospital, to Karen née Bonello and Neville, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - LARA. Thanks to all the staff at St James Capua Hospital for their caring, supportive and excellent job.

WALLIN. On September 9, at St Philip's Hospital, to Juliska Kansi and Robert, a first-born son - ANTON.

Marriages

Mr CHRISTIAN GATT, B.Sc. IT (Hons.) and Miss CHARISSE MANGION
The marriage took place on Friday, July 25, at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception parish church, Ta' l-Ibrag, between CHRISTIAN, son of Dr and Mrs Alfred Gatt of San Gwann, and CHARISSE, daughter of Mr and Mrs Raymond Mangion of Balzan. Nuptial Mass was concelebrated by Fr Ray Francalanza, OSA, S.Th.Lic. and Fr Tony Agius. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr John Mangion, D.Geol. (Milan), FGS, the bride's uncle, and Mr Marcel Gatt, MD, MRCS (Ed.), the groom's brother. Mr Damian Xuereb carried out the duties of best man. The bride was attended by her sisters Justine and Marguerite Mangion. Mr Kyle Mangion, Mr Daniel Mangion, Mr Andre Gatt and Mr Karl Pisani were ushers. A reception was later held at Villa Arrigo, San Pawl tat-Targa. The couple spent their honeymoon in the Canary Islands and Madeira.

Obituary

AZZOPARDI. On September 13, at her residence in Hamrun, Carmelina, née Spiteri, aged 96, widow of Joseph, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children Rita, wife of Tony Deguara, Norman and his wife Carmen, Edith, wife of Tony Conti of Australia, and Marie widow of her son Joe, her brother Gerald and his wife Connie, grandchildren, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 7.45 a.m. for the Museum chapel in Blata l-Bajda, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.15 a.m. followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be appreciated.

BORG. On September 12, at Zammit Clapp Hospital, Carmela, aged 90, of Tarxien, widow of Toni, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her son Anthony and daughter Doris, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves Zammit Clapp Hospital tomorrow at 7.45 a.m. for Tarxien parish church, were Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.30 a.m. followed by interment at Tal-Erwieh cemetery, Tarxien. No flowers by request but donations to the Society of Christian Doctrine will be appreciated.

DEBONO. On September 10, at St Luke's Hospital, MARIA STELLA née Grech, widow of Alfred, of Sliema, residing at Gzira for the last three years, aged 83, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children Doris, Richard and his wife Alexandra, Bernardette and her husband Manuel, Charles and his wife Margaret, Antoinette and her husband Joe, residing in Australia, and Marthese and her husband Raymond, her brothers Tony, Reno and Romeo and their families in Australia, her sister-in-law Emilia, grandchildren, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital on Wednesday, September 17, for Stella Maris parish church, Sliema, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 9 a.m., followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be greatly appreciated.

ORLAND. On September 12, at Dar tal-Kleru, the Rt Rev. Mgr Pantaleone, aged 85, went to meet the Risen Lord, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his brothers Charles and his wife Agnes, and Consiglio, his brother in-law Emanuel and his wife Cettina, all his nephews and nieces in Malta and Australia, their families, the clergy, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral cortège leaves St Luke's Hospital on Wednesday at 3.30 p.m. for St Catherine parish church, Zejtun, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 4 p.m., followed by interment at St Gregory's Cemetery, Zejtun.

SANBROOK. On September 10, at St Luke's Hospital, PATRICIA, passed away after a short illness. She leaves to mourn her great loss her dear husband Sid, her sons Robert and his wife Sharon, John and his wife Shelley, her grandchildren Farrah and James and friends.
A service will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Holy Trinity church, Sliema, followed by private burial at sea. No flowers by request but donations to charitable institutions will be appreciated.

Requiem Masses

A Mass in memory of LOUIS BONELLO GHIO will be celebrated on Thursday, September 18, at 6.30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish church, Balluta, St Julian's. The participation of relatives and friends will be greatly appreciated.

In Memoriam

BETTS - CHARLES. Lovingly remembered on the 18th anniversary of his passing away. Pauline, John Charles and Alexandra.

BEZZINA - MARY STELLA. Remembering with love our dear Mummy on the seventh anniversary of her demise. Lina, Georgette, Rose Marie, Antoinette, their husbands and families.

CALLEJA - JUNIE. Treasured, everlasting memories of a dearly beloved mother and grandmother on the first anniversary of her demise.
A year has gone by
Since we last embraced
Your smile, your face
Are in our hearts engraved.
We pray to God to keep you safe until the day we meet again. Sadly missed by Joe, Edward, Therese, Katryona, Rebecca, Luke and Dorianne, Stephen, Timothy and Andrew.

GAUCI BORDA - VICTOR. In loving memory of a dear husband and father, today the 10th anniversary of his passing away.
Peacefully sleeping lies one of the best
In God's own garden now he rests.
He left us suddenly, his thoughts unknown,
He left us memories we are proud to own.
His wife Dorina, his children Annette and Albert, Joseph and Antoinette, Alexis and Pierre, Claire and Vince, and his grandchildren Peter, Rachel, Rebecca, Victor, Kristina and Adéle.

KARDASSIS - PANAYOTIS. Cherished memories of a beloved husband and father on the first anniversary of his demise. A church service took place in Greece. Helen and Vassilly.

KARDASSIS - PANAYOTIS. In sweet remembrance of a dear brother-in-law and uncle on the first anniversary of his passing away. A prayer is solicited. All his in-laws in Malta.

MIZZI. Treasured memories of ROSE, a devoted mother and grandmother, on the first anniversary of her demise. A Mass for the repose of her soul will be said on Wednesday, September 17, at 5 p.m. at the Little Sisters of the Poor, and at 6.30 p.m. at St Cajetan parish church, Hamrun. A treasure given up but always in our hearts.

QUATTROMANI. Cherished, everlasting memories of our most beloved JESMOND, on his sixth anniversary. Never forgotten by his parents Joe and Madeleine, his wife Dr Celine Quattromani, his daughters Martha and Therese, his sister Rita, her husband Saviour and their sons Marco, Matthew and Luke, other relatives and friends.

ZAMMIT - JOHN (ex-manager, Central Bank of Malta), 13.9.1999. Treasured memories of a dear and beloved husband, father and son on the fourth anniversary of his death. Always remembered in our thoughts and prayers. His wife Mary Lourdes, his son James, his mother Maggie, his step-father Charles Testa, his mother-in-law Winniefred Mercieca and family, other relatives and friends.

Appreciation - Br Peter Curran, FSC

Br Cuthman, FSC, former Principal, St Michael Training College, writes from Bournemouth, UK

It is with deep sorrow that the De La Salle Brothers of England and Malta report the death of Br Peter Curran. He passed away on Friday, September 5, in Bournemouth. His Requiem Mass was held in the parish church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Southbourne, Bournemouth, last Thursday, followed by interment at Boscombe Cemetery.

John Curran (Br Peter) was born in Gateshead, Tyneside, on March 23, 1920. He could rightfully claim to be a Geordie. And indeed for anyone meeting him in later years they would quickly realise from his strength of character and sound common sense that he was a real Geordie.

In his early years John entered the De La Salle Brothers training centre called Juniorate. This establishment was in that lovely Channel Island of Guernsey. John remained there for four years, years which were without doubt to leave pleasing memories in his mind because in the years which followed he paid many a visit to Guernsey.

After a few years in the Brothers' Noviciate and Scholasticate in the special setting of Dover, one of the Cinque Ports, Br Peter, as he was now known, received his first appointment, and it was to St Joseph's College, Beulah Hill, London.

He went there during a very difficult period: the Second World War had begun and soon London was to undergo intensive bombing. In 1955 Br Peter was asked to join the staff of St Michael's Training College, Malta. Here from the summer of 1955 he was to spend the next 11 years, which were, in some respects, the most fruitful of his life as a teacher and trainer of teachers for the islands.

The young Maltese and Gozitan students under his immediate care as Warden of Peter's Hall will no doubt recall many an incident in their lives there but they will also recall the very important role he played in their training, particularly the work he did to ensure that the very important part in their training known as TP (Teaching Practice) would really be of help to them.

While he was quiet and encouraging in his approach to them and their efforts, there was a firmness in his methods which left none of them in any doubt as to what would happen if they did not pull their weight. And I am sure that the students under his care in St Peter's Hall will have their own tales to tell of those years as boarders.

However, apart from his commitment to the life of students in his hall, I believe it was the sterling, pioneering work for the Royal Life-Saving Society within the college which should keep Br Peter's memory alive in Malta. As secretary of this society, he helped to set it up on a sound basis.

Major Alfred Briffa and the Army provided the necessary continuous backing for the society. The practical value of stressing the importance of life saving in a small country surrounded by water should be obvious to all.

And indeed it wasn't long before Br Peter was able to demonstrate the practical value of training to be a life saver. In 1962, in a matter of days, Br Peter first saved a little boy from drowning in Gozo and a few days later an adult in St Julian's.

But all good things must come to an end and so, in 1966, having helped the young men of Malta and Gozo, in the environment of St Michael's Training College, Ta' Giorni, to prepare for their life's work for the youth of Malta Br Peter was recalled to England.

There, as deputy head of St Joseph's College, Ipswich, he was to spend many more fulfilling and fruitful years.

Some of the English and Maltese Brothers with whom Br Peter worked in St Michael's Training College in Malta are still around. They have some special memories of that man from the north of England who was a true Geordie and left behind many a true friend in the island, which he had come to love.

To Whom It May Concern

Hairstylist Roderick Castillo has relocated from Attard to Fgura. Castillo's opening soon. For information phone 21801799, 79093561.

St Therese Of The Child Jesus

Visit the Website www.ocdmalta.org to view photos of the visit of the relics of St Therese of the Child Jesus in Malta and Gozo.