• The feast of St Anthony of Padua will be celebrated by the Fransiscan Fathers in Għajnsielem today with a Pontifical Mass led by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, who will also deliver the panegyric at 9am, followed by the blessing and distribution of bread. The procession with the statue of the saint will leave the church at 7.30pm, accompanied by the St Joseph Band of Għajnsielem. The Mnarja Band of Nadur will also take part. The feast ends with the antiphon and sacramental blessing. On the liturgical feast of St Anthony on Wednesday, Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona, OP, will lead a Pontifical Mass at 7pm to be attended by all priests named Anthony.
• A blood donation session will be held at the new District Health Centre in Triq tal-Ħamrija, near the Xewkija Primary School, today from 8am to 1pm.
• The Fergha Ewkaristika (Għawdex) will hold an hour of adoration at Our Lady of Pompeii church, Victoria, on Thursday from 9am to 10am. Holy rosary will be recited at 8.45am. Everyone is invited.
• The Mnarja Philharmonic Band of Nadur will be holding its annual symphonic concert, entitled ‘Big Band Adventures’, at St Peter and St Paul’s Square, Nadur, on Saturday at 9pm. The event is being organised with the collaboration of the Nadur local council and the Gozo Ministry to mark the feast of St Peter and St Paul.
charles.spiteri@timesofmalta.com