Social and Personal

CASHA. On January 23, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Anne née Farrugia and Conrad, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - CLAIRE. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to all the maternity staff.

CASSAR. On January 24, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Anne Marie née Galea and Albert, God's precious gift of a son - RAPHAEL, a very welcome brother to Caitlin. Thanks be to the Holy Family. Special thanks to all the staff at the labour ward and post-natal ward, especially midwife Romina D'Agostino, for the excellent service provided.

CHETCUTI. On January 30, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Marianne née Ellul and Michael, God's precious gift of a daughter - MICHELLE, a most welcome sister to Martina. Special thanks to the obstetrician and the maternity staff.

CORDINA. On January 25, at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, to Stephanie née Caruana and John, God's precious gift of a son - JEREMY, a welcome brother to Jacques and Paul. Deo gratias et Mariae.

ELLUL. On February 2, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Marie Louise née Psaila and Alan, God's precious gift of a first-born son - MATTHIAS. Thanks be to God for this gift of love.

GRIMA. On January 22, at St Philip's Hospital, to Sofia Dvonychenko and Massimo, God's precious gift of a son - JOHNSTON. Thanks to all the staff at the maternity, the obstetrician and Massimo's family.

MERCIECA. On January 26, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Nathalie née Attard and Martin, God's precious gift of a son - CHRISTOPHER DANIEL. Thanks to the Holy Mary. Special thanks to the obstetrician, the gynaecologist, the paediatrician, midwife Carmen Lillian Azzopardi and to all the staff at the maternity ward.

MUSCAT. On November 29, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Sharon née Abela and Brian, God's most precious gift of a first-born son - JORDAN EMMANUEL. Our words can never be enough to thank Our God the Almighty, the Holy Mother and saints for giving us this precious gift. Special thanks go to our families and friends for their continuous support and to all the staff at the SCBU, the obstetrician and the maternity wing for their dedication and support.

PACE. On January 24, at St James Hospital, Ûabbar, to Monica née Sasi and Luciano, God's precious gift of a daughter - NIKITA. Special thanks to the obstetrician, midwives Anna Calleja and Anna Croucher for their care and support.

SAID. On January 27, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Vanessa née Sala-mone and Adrian, God's precious gift of a daughter - FEDERICA, a sister to Sofia. Thanks to all the staff at the hospital for the excellent service, care and attention.

SCHEMBRI. On January 25, to Stefania and Carlo, God's precious gift of a first-born son - JULIAN. Thanks go to all the staff at the labour and post-natal wards.

STIVALA. On January 30, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Silvia née Stivala and Sinclair, God's precious gift of a first-born son - ISAAC. Thanks to the gynaecologist and to all the staff at the hospital for their professionalism and dedication.

TAVANTI. On January 23, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Elena née Bianchi and Nicholas, God's precious gift of a first-born son - SAMUELE. Special thanks to midwife Sharon and Natasha.

ZAMMIT. On February 3, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Lucienne and Alexander, God's precious gift of a son - JEAN, a brother to Matthias and Thomas. Thanks to our parents and all the staff at the hospital.

Marriages

Dr MATTHEW BORG, B.Sc. (Hons.), Ph.D. (Manchester) and Miss RUTH MUSCAT, B.Pharm. (Hons.), LLCM
The marriage took place on Sunday, January 23 at Naxxar parish church, between MATTHEW, son of Mr G.A. Borg, B.Sc. (Eng.), BA (Arch.) A&CE, and Mrs Borg, and RUTH, daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Muscat. Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Richard Grech, OFM. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr Duncan Abela, B.Com. (Hons.) MBA, and Ms Karen Leonardi. Mr Andrew Borg, B.Sc. (Hons.) carried out the duties of best man, while Mr Michael Ciliberti and Mr Adrian Cipriott were ushers. The bride was attended by Ms Rosalie Muscat, B.Com. (Hons.) and Ms Jennifer Attard, while Nicky and Gulia were pageboy and flower-girl respectively. A reception was later held at Villa Arrigo, Naxxar. The couple are honeymooning in Malaysia.

Wedding Anniversary

Mr JOSEPH SPITERI BAILEY and Miss LINA ABELA
The marriage took place on January 30, 1966, in Valletta. Congratulations and thank you both for all you have done for us throughout these wonderful years. Love from William and Karen, Ian and Michelle, Ingrid and Raffaele, Jeremy, Martina, Michaela, Katrina and Erika.

Obituary

Cassar. On February 5, JOSEPH of Hamrun, aged 79, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Censina, his sons Dr George, Ph.D., husband of Pauline, John, MBA, husband of Michelle, his grandchildren James, Marie-Claire, Stefan and Myra, his sister Anne and her family residing in New York, his sister Stella, in-laws, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 8.15 a.m. for St Cajetan's parish church, Hamrun, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 9 a.m., followed by interment at Lija Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be appreciated. The family regrets that they are unable to accept visitors.

CASSAR. On Februrary 5, at St Luke's Hospital, SUOR ARTEMISIA, aged 84, of the Immaculate Conception School in Hamrun (tal-Egittu) passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her fellow sisters at the convent and her sister Antonia, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 2.15 p.m. for St Francis Church, Hamrun where Mass praesente cadvere will be said at 2.30 p.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza would be appreciated.

CONTI. We announce the death of MARIE née Magri, aged 76, at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, on February 5, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her great loss her beloved daughter and son in-law Yulla and Oliver Xuereb, her most beloved grandchildren Nikki, Zack and Sean, her son Joseph, Marianne, their daughter Luanne and her fiancé Tyrone Muscat, her daughter Josette and her husband Charles Spagnol of the USA, her grandchildren Karl and Karen and great-grandchildren, her brother Veron and his wife Annie, her sisters Carmelina, widow of Edwin Cole, Josephine and her husband Carmel Conti, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves Sir Paul Boffa hospital tomorrow at 8 a.m. for Jesus of Nazareth Church, Sliema where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 9 a.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to the Hospice Movement will be appreciated. The family regret they are unable to receive visitors. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

CUSCHIERI. On February 4, at St Luke's Hospital, EUGENIA née Calleja, of Hamrun, widow of Carmelo, at the venerable age of 98, passed away to meet the Risen Lord comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children Giovanna, widow of Danny Cacciottolo, Franz and his wife May, Doris, widow of Joseph Debattista, Lilian, widow of Gaetano Falzon, Mary, wife of Anthony Cuschieri, Alfred and his wife Jane, Louis, Carol, grandchildren and great- grandchildren, relatives and friends. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 2 p.m. for St Cajetan's parish church, Hamrun, where Mass preasente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza will be appreciated.

DOUBLET. On February 3, at the Walnut Tree Hospital in Suffolk, UK, RONALD (Ronnie), aged 75, after a long illness bravely borne, passed away comforted by rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his sister Rose Pace, his nephews and nieces in UK, Malta, New Zealand and Australia, grand-nephews and grand-nieces, especially Rosie and her husband Mick, Charlie and his wife Debbie and Irene and her husband, who all cared for him, and his many friends in Britain and Malta. Funeral arrangements will be an-nounced later. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

PHILPOTT. On February 4, at Casa Arkati, Mosta, GWENNETH SYLVIA, passed peacefully away, aged 80. Mourned by her loving sons Ian and Stephen, their families and grandchildren, many relatives in Malta and the UK. The funeral leaves Casa Arkati on Tuesday, February 8, at 11.15 a.m. for Mellieha cemetery where a burial service will be held at noon. Family flowers only. May the Lord grant her eternal rest.

Zammit. On February 4, at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, EMMANUEL (ex-cook with the British Army, Malta), aged 83, born in Mqabba, widower of Polly and residing in Sliema, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved children Joe and his wife Frances, Maria and husband Gaetano Falzon, his grandchildren Jairzinho and his wife Fleur, Rita and her husband Michael Bonnici, Erica, Daria, Jurgen, and great-grandson Eric-James, his sisters Nina and Maria, his brother Joe of USA, in-laws, cousins, other relatives, neighbours and many friends. - R.I.P. The funeral leaves Sir Paul Boffa Hospital tomorrow at 8 a.m. for Stella Maris parish church, Sliema, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 9 a.m., followed by interment at Mqabba Cemetery. Donations to the Ursuline Creche, Sliema, and St Patrick's Institute, Sliema, will be appreciated.

Appreciation Fr Charles Caruana, SJ

Dr Hermann P. Farrugia, of Kappara, writes:

After an initial short-lived spate of disbelief, the untimely, evitable, tragic demise of an acquaintance subtly triggers on an uneasy sentiment of gloom, anger and then resentment for the immediate provoking circumstance.

Nothing less than this constituted my personal experience these past days when I came to hear of the fateful 'lightning flash'. A freak motor vehicle accident on the most bitterly cold of January nights that perversely but surely struck and extinguished the rudiments of mortal life in Fr Charles Caruana, SJ.

To me, the unfortunate victim was one of the most exemplary of Jesuit fathers. A dedicated religious, an outstanding and devoted teacher - in fact, a true priest, 'simply the best' a young lad could ever hope to come across, having been brought up in a family attempting to instil and nurture a commitment to serious studying and above all, Catholic values of steadfastness and altruism in the face of all adversity.

I am hopefully and most probably airing the profound sentiment of a multitude of ex-alumni when I state that Fr Caruana was, through our seemingly endless but nevertheless happy years at St Aloysius' College, the proud guiding light, the personification of the college ethos that till this very day remains Serio et constanter - the real essence of the badge we wore on our blazer breast pocket through thick and think during our youthful and energetic experience at SAC.

In fact, I would have loved to see the St Aloysius' College colours and imposing banner eminently placed by Fr Caruana's side at his beautiful and edifying funeral celebration last Sunday.

It providentially turned out that Fr Caruana's premature and ultimate sacrifice, rather than being interpreted as a cowardly theft from us by death itself, transformed itself into an act of thanksgiving to God for all the good He permitted to be done through his humble servant. This is the crux of the message most aptly imparted to the congregation by the celebrants, Fr Caruana's brothers in the Society of Jesus.

Fr Caruana's command of the English language (along with the determined efforts of our other dedicated English tutors, among whom Joseph Carr, Ann Gingell Littlejohn, the late Fr Victor Formosa Gauci and the late Carmelina Mangion), his all-encompassing intellectual skills and his level of preparedness in transcribing to us, early teenagers, the human values of Shakespearean tragi-comedies, have inevitably left their influence on our formation and our reasoning.

As rector at St Aloysius' College for two lengthy spans, when coming to adjudicate or resolve what then appeared to us as 'major or insurmountable difficulties', whether pedagogic in nature or simply 'profane' adolescent behavioural mishaps, his insight, shrewdness and educational perspective were distinctive elements in his ways.

I would not be expressing these feelings in praise of Fr Caruana were it not for a specific social purpose I consider appropriate in the circumstance. Indeed, today, Fr Caruana's transformed state of existence requires no verbosity be it incensing prose or eloquent appreciation theory.

These are certainly futile to him at this stage, as I believe that his soul is already partaking of the promised eternal feast - his well and long deserved heavenly reward. I take this occasion to humbly urge fellow Maltese men and women from all walks of life, be they Old Aloysians or not, motorists or 'simply' pedestrians on our roads, to reflect deeply on the essence of human life - to respect and actively help preserve its diversity and resourcefulness. Let us start off by amending our general attitude and care on our roads and thoroughfares.

In Memoriam

BUSUTTIL DELIA - PAOLINA. Fondly remembered by her family on her 35th anniversary.

CALLEJA. In loving memory of a dear mother, CARMELINA (Nini) on the 28th anniversary of her demise. Always in our hearts and prayers. Her son Joe and his family.

CAMILLERI - CARMEN née Rizzo. Today being the sixth anniversary of her passing. Fondly remembered by her daughters Simone and Thelma, her sons-in-law, her grandchildren and in-laws. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

CARUANA - SAVERIA. Treasured memories of a very dear mother and grandmother on the first anniversary of her death. Fondly remembered by her children Vivien, Lydia and Gladys, their spouses and grandchildren. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

FARRUGIA. Cherished memories of our dearest parents ALFRED and ERMELINDA on their 43rd and 33rd anniversary. Lovingly remembered by Mary, Evelyn, Sr Ìemma, Nanette, Imelda and their families.

FEDOROFF - JAMES. When I was a little child, the Lord took you away to a better world. The pain of loss was great. You meant a lot to us. Twelve years have gone by, you are and will always be that special icon in our lives. Always in our hearts. Marijana and Mummy.

GRECH - M'STELLA. In loving memory of our dear sister on the first anniversary of her death. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

PACE BONELLO. In ever loving memory of our dear father EDWARD on the 63rd anniversary of his tragic death. Lina and Eric.

SPITERI. In loving memory of RENO on the second anniversary of his death. Always remembered by his wife Doris, his children Raymond and Marbeck, in-laws and grandchildren. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

TABONE - RALPH. Remembered with love on his 23rd anniversary, today and every day. Christine and the children.

VELLA. In loving memory of JOSEPH on the ninth anniversary of his death. His children Louise, Mary, Vicky and Leonard, his in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Praise be to Jesus and Mary.

ZARB COUSIN - LUCIA née Bonaci. On the fourth anniversary of her demise. Always remembered by her family.

Consumer Claims Tribunal Notice

Mr Francis Stabile notifies Masc Waterproofing of Salina that the sitting before the Consumer Claims Tribunal, concerning waterproofing is going to be held on February 24, 2005, at 1.30 p.m. at 4, Old Mint Street, Valletta.

Pharmacies Open Today

Malta 9 a.m. to noon, Gozo 7.30 to 11 a.m.

Empire Pharmacy, 77, Old Theatre Street, Valletta
International Pharmacy, 650, St Joseph High Road, Hamrun
Tal-Hlas Pharmacy, Freedom Road, Qormi
St Bartholomew Pharmacy, 230, Fleur-de-Lys Road, St Venera
Toni's Pharmacy, 100, Sir Patrick Stuart Street, Gzira
Krypton Chemists, L-Ibrag Road, Ta' l-Ibrag
Chemimart Ltd. Pharmacy, 4, 5, 6, Il-Piazzetta, Tower Road, Sliema
St Mary Pharmacy, 2, Antonio Schembri Street, Attard
St Albert Pharmacy, Oratory Street, Gharghur
St Simon Pharmacy, 8, Islets Promenade, Bugibba
Sonren Pharmacy, Zejtun Road, Tarxien
San Filippu Pharmacy, 155, Victory Street, Senglea
Felice Dispensary, 95, Sanctuary Street, Zabbar
Blossoms Pharmacy, N.B., Triq Gurgier, Birzebbuga
Qrendi Pharmacy, 6, Main Street, Qrendi
De Rohan Pharmacy, 24, St Anthony Road, Zebbug
Santa Marija Pharmacy, Frenc Abela Square, Dingli
Abela's Pharmacy, 42, G.P.F. Agius De Soldanis Street, Victoria, GOZO
St John's Pharmacy, 85, Independence Road, Xewkija.