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Ix-xahar ta’ Diċembru hu xahar partikulari.  F’dan iż-żmien ħarset kulħadd taqa’ fuq il-maxtura u fuq l-għar ta’ Betlehem.  Dan huwa xahar speċjali għall-komunità tas-Seminarju wkoll.  F’dan iż-żmien il-programm tal-ġurnata jiġi immodifikat.  Jisbieħ ukoll il-bini tas-seminarju u anki jiġu organizzati attivitajiet li ma jsirux fil-bqija tas-sena.

Tul żmien l-Avvent jiżdiedu l-mumenti ta’ talb komunitarji.  Fost l-oħrajn, ta’ kuljum fis-6.15am isir it-talb tal-Uffiċċju tal-Qari u f’12.00pm issir it-Talba ta’ Nofs il-Jum.  Fil-quddiesa ta’ kuljum isir ħsieb fuq il-Kelma ta’ Alla.  Eventwalment mill-15 ta’ Diċembru bdiet ukoll in-Novena tal-Milied bi ħsibijiet imħejjijin mis-seminaristi.

Mument ieħor speċjali, li jaħbat f’dan iż-żmien, hija l-Festa tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni, li hi wkoll it-titular tal-kappella tas-seminarju t’Għawdex.  Għaldaqstant, din hi festa speċjali għall-komunità.  Din is-sena, filgħaxija, mess lil Mario Curmi jagħmel il-ħsieb tal-okkażjoni.  Dan għamlu waqt it-talba tal-Għasar.  Fil-festa tal-Kunċizzjoni filgħodu, is-seminaristi jagħtu s-servizz tagħhom għall-Quddiesa fil-Katidral, u filgħaxija jkunu mistednin biex bħala komunità jmexxu l-Ewkaristija fil-knisja konventwali ta’ San Franġisk.

Fl-aħħar jiem ta’ qabel il-Milied, is-seminaristi flimkien mal-formators, jieħdu ħsieb iżejnu l-binja tas-seminarju permezz tat-tiżjin tal-Milied.  Hekk iħejju l-binja għall-attivitajiet li jiġu organizzati għal diversi gruppi fil-jiem ta’ qabel il-Milied.  Fost dawn wieħed ta’ min isemmi l-attività għall-abbatini u għall-gruppi tal-vokazzjonijiet, l-attività lill-Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju, il-bibita tal-lecturers, il-bibita flimkien mal-komunità tal-Ingliżi u fl-aħħar l-attività flimkien mal-familjari tas-seminaristi.

Din is-sena s-seminaristi ħarġu għall-vaganzi tal-Milied nhar il-Ġimgħa 19 ta’ Diċembru.  Dakinhar saru l-aħħar lectures għas-sena 2014.  Nhar l-Erbgħa 17, is-seminaristi kellhom ir-revision de vie (nofstanhar ta’ riflessjoni) u wara organizzaw il-quddiesa fl-għar fix-Xagħra.  Ta’ min jgħid li din kienet l-aħħar quddiesa li mexxa Dun Daniel Xerri, bħala rettur, flimkien mas-seminaristi.

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December is a special time of the year.  During this period, one’s attention is drawn to the manger and the shed at Betlehem.  It is a special month for the Seminary as well. The daily timetable is modified.  The Seminary itsef is decorated and special activities are organised.

During Advent the moments of community prayer increase.  Everyday, there is the reading form the Divine Office at 6.15 a.m. while at noon the Mid Day Prayer is recited.  A short sermon follows the Reading from the Gospels during the daily Mass.  Then, from 15th December onwards, there was the Christmas Novena during which there were short semons prepared by the seminarians themselves. 

Another special occasion which falls during this time of the year is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the titular  of the chapel of the Gozo Seminary.  This is a special feast for our community.  This year it was Mario Curmi’s turn to deliver a short sermon on the subject in the evening, during the prayer of  the Holy Vespers.  On the morning of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the seminarians offered their services during the Solemn Mass celebrated at the Cathedral, and in the evening they were invited as a community to lead the Celebration of the Eucharist at the conventual church of Saint Francis. 

During the last few days before Christmas, the seminarians, together with their formators, decorated the Seminary with festoons and other Christmas decorations.  Thus the buiding itself was prepared for the activities organised for the various groups during the days prior to Christmas.  Among these activities there is the activity organised for the altar boys and the members of the Vocations Groups.  Then there is the activity of the Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju, the lecturers’ get-together, the get-together for the English-speaking community and finally the activity to which the relatives of the seminarians are invited. 

This year the seminarians left for their Christmas vacations on Friday, 19th December.  On that day the final lectures for the year 2014 were held.  On Wednesday 17th, the Seminarians took part in their revision de vie (a half day of reflection) followed by a Mass in a cave at Xagħra.  This was the last Mass which Fr. Daniel Xerri celebrated as Rector together with the seminarians.

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Mons. Isqof Mario Grech għamel lis-Seminarista Massimo Buttigieg (mill-parroċċa tal-Katidral, Victoria) akkoltu, nhar il-Ħadd 14 ta’ Diċembru 2014.  Il-komunità tas-Seminarju flimkien mal-familjari tas-seminaristi, inġabru għall-Quddiesa fil-bażilka tal-Viżitazzjoni fl-Għarb.

Mons. Isqof mexxa l-Quddiesa u waqt l-omelija tkellem fuq is-sejħa li n-Nisrani għandu biex ikun dawl f’dinja li ħafna drabi hi ddominata mid-dlam.  Dan għandu jagħmlu fuq l-eżempju ta’ San Ġwann il-Battista, personaġġ ċentrali fil-Liturġija tal-Kelma ta’ dakinhar (it-3 Ħadd tal-Avvent).  Mons. Isqof qal li din is-sejħa hi indirizzata b’mod speċjali għal dawk kollha li għażlu li jaċċettaw li jimxu wara Ġesù.  Għal ħafna nies, żagħżugħ li jwieġeb “iva” u jħalli kollox biex ikun saċerdot jew reliġjuż, ikun ħela ħajtu – “waste of life”.  Il-bniedem tal-fidi jaf li dan mhux minnu.  Madankollu hi l-missjoni tas-seminarista u tas-saċerdot, li bil-mod kif hu jgħix ħajtu, iġiegħel lin-nies jistaqsu u jirriflettu!

Fi tmiem il-priedka sar ir-rit tal-għoti tal-ministeru tal-akkolitat, Massimo ġie mogħti l-patena bil-ħobż u l-kalċi bl-inbid.  Mil-lum ’il quddiem hu jista’ jgħin fit-tqarbin u anki joħroġ l-Ewkaristija mit-tabernaklu.

On Sunday, 14th December, 2014, Seminarian Massimo Buttigieg (hailing form the Cathedral Parish, Victoria) was bestowed the ministry of the acolytate by H.L Bishop Mario Grech.  The community of the Seminary, together with the relatives of the seminarians, were present for a Mass celebrated at the Basilica of the Visitation at Għarb. 

Bishop Grech presided at Mass.  During his homily he spoke of the mission each Christian has to be a source of light in a world which is often dominated by darkness.  In his mission the Christian has to follow the example of John the Baptist, a central character in the Liturgy of the Word that day (the 3rd Sunday of Advent). Bishop Grech said that this invitation is addressed especially to all those who choose to accept to follow Jesus.  For many, the young man who answers ‘yes’ and leaves every thing behind to become a priest or a member of a religious order, is wasting his time – ‘a waste of life’.  The person of faith knows that this is not true.  However, it is the mission of the seminarian and the priest to make people ask and reflect, and this is done by the way he lives! 

At the end of the sermon, the rite of the bestowment of the Minstry of the Acolytate took place.  Massimo was given the paten with the bread and the chalice with the wine.  From this day on he will be able to administer holy communion and take out the Holy Eucharist from the tabernacle. 

Is-Sibt 13 ta’ Diċembru filgħodu, bosta abbatini nġabru fis-Seminarju għall-attività tal-Milied.  Din is-sena l-attendenza għal din l-attività kienet sabiħa ħafna.

Fid-9.00am saret laqgħa li mexxiha Joseph Attard.  Hu tkellem fuq is-sejħa li żmien il-Milied jagħmlilna biex inkunu ġenerużi u nitgħallmu nkunu aħna l-ewwel li nagħtu rigal lil xi ħadd ieħor.  Fi tmiem il-laqgħa, Fr Tony Sciberras, ir-rettur il-ġdid, għamel messaġġ ċkejken ta’ apprezzament lill-abbatini filwaqt li awguralhom għall-Milied.

Wara s-seminaristi qassmu lit-tfal fi tliet gruppi, organizzawlhom logħob adattat għall-okkażjoni u anki pprovdewlhom xi snacks.  Mons. Isqof Mario Grech żar lill-gruppi u qassam lill-abbatini r-rigal tal-Milied, li s-seminaristi kienu ħejjew għal din is-sena.

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During the morning of Saturday, 13th December, a great number of altar boys gathered at the Seminary for their Christmas activity.  

A meeting led by Joseph Attard took place at 9.00.  He told those present that Christmas time invites us to be generous and that we should learn to be the first to donate gifts to others.  Towards the end of the meeting, the new rector, Fr. Tony Sciberras spoke about the importance of the altar boy’s service and he wished them all a happy Christmas.

Afterwards, the seminarians divided the boys into three groups and organised games suitable to this occasion. They also handed out snacks to the boys.  Bishop Mario Grech visited the groups and distributed Christmas gifts to the boys.  This year’s gifts had been prepared by the seminarians.

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Għat-tielet sena konsekuttiva s-Seminarju organizza ġimgħa ta’ missjoni f’parroċċa partikulari.  Din is-sena saret bejn il-Ħadd 23 u l-Ġimgħa 28 ta’ Novembru fil-parroċċa ta’ San Girgor il-Kbir u l-Madonna tas-Sokkors, f’Ta’ Kerċem.  L-iskop tal-missjoni kien wieħed vokazzjonali.  Għaldaqstant kien hemm diversi mumenti sbieħ matul din il-ġimgħa li fihom is-seminaristi setgħu jiltaqgħu ma’ tfal, adolexxenti u żgħażagħ. 

Għal aktar minn darba l-komunità tas-Seminarju ċċelebrat l-Ewkaristija mal-komunità parrokkjali, is-seminaristi żaru wkoll l-iskejjel primarji li hemm f’Ta’ Kerċem, ġew organizzati diversi mumenti ta’ adorazzjoni u anki saret laqgħa liż-żgħażagħ.  Kien hemm ukoll mument ta’ fraternità mas-saċerdoti tal-parroċċa.  Madankollu l-aktar attività ċentrali kienet l-home visits.  Is-seminaristi, bejn it-Tnejn u l-Ħamis, kellhom iċ-ċans iżuru diversi familji li għandhom ulied adolexxenti, xi familji bit-tfal żgħar u anki lil xi anzjani fi djarhom.  Fi tmiem din l-esperjenza s-seminaristi flimkien mas-superjuri tas-Seminarju raddew ħajr lil Alla, lill-Kappillan Dun Brian Meilak u anki lill-parroċċa Ta’ Kerċem talli offritilhom din l-opportunità sabiħa biex permezz tagħha huma setgħu jħossuhom aktar qrib tal-Poplu ta’ Alla.

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For the third consecutive year, the Seminary organised a mission week in a particular parish.  This year’s mission week was held in the Parish of St Gregory the Great and Our Lady of Help of Christions between Sunday 23rd and Friday 28th November. The aim of the mission week was the promotion of vocations.  For this reason, various activities were held during the week and the seminarians met the children, the adolescents and the youths of the parish. 

The community of the Seminary celebrated the Eucharist a number of times with the parish community.  The seminarians visited the primary school at Kercem, led adoration sessions and held a meeting for youths.  The members of the Seminary also shared a moment of fraternity with the members of the clergy of the parish.   However, home visits were the most important activity of the week.  Between Monday and Thursday, the seminarians visited the homes of various families with adolescent children, other families with smaller children and even elderly persons.  At the end of this experience the seminarians and their superiors thanked God, Parish Priest Fr. Brian Meilak and the Kercem Parish for giving them the opportunity with which they could be closer to the People of God.

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Ta’ kull sena, f’dawn l-aħħar snin, il-manifestazzjoni djoċesana fl-okkażjoni tas-Solennità ta’ Kristu Re kienet qed tibdel il-forma tagħha sabiex tiġi enfasizzata t-tema tas-sena.  Din is-sena, fl-okkażjoni tal-150 sena mit-twaqqif tad-djoċesi, it-tema kienet marbuta mal-vokazzjonijiet.  Għaldaqstant il-manifestazzjoni saret il-Ħadd 23 ta’ Novembru, fit-triq ta’ quddiem is-Seminarju.  Għaliha kienu mistiedna s-saċerdoti, ir-reliġjużi, is-seminaristi, l-abbatini kollha ta’ Għawdex u anki l-ġenituri tagħhom.  Kien mument sabiħ fejn id-djoċesi, bl-għajnuna ta’ Mons. Isqof setgħet tapprezza l-ħidma b’risq il-vokazzjonijiet li qed issir fi ħdan il-Knisja Għawdxija.  Mons. Grech enfasizza l-fatt li s-Seminarju hu l-qalb tad-djoċesi tagħna u hu meħtieġ li kull wieħed minna jagħmel ħiltu biex din il-qalb tibqa’ tħabbat!

Every year, for the last few years, the diocesan manifestation for the occasion of the Feast of Christ the King has been given a new form which adheres to the theme of the current year. This year, which happens to be the 150th anniversary of the founding of the diocese, the theme was linked with vocations.  For this purpose, the manifestation took place on Sunday, 23rd November, in the street outside the main door of the Seminary.  Priests, members of Religious Orders, seminarians, parents of altar boys and altar boys from all the parishes of Gozo took part in the manifestation.  It was a special occasion in which the diocese, through Bishop Grech, showed its appreciation for the promotion of vocations within the Gozitan church. Bishop Grech emphasized the fact that the Seminary is the heart of our diocese and that we all should do our best to keep it strong and healthy.   

Nhar is-Sibt 22 ta’ Novembru l-Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju flimkien mas-Seminarju u voluntiera oħra organizzaw l-Ikla ta’ San Martin.  L-iskop ta’ din l-ikla hu dak ta’ fund raising.  Din l-ikla għandha storja twila ħafna u dejjem ġiet marbuta mal-festa ta’ San Martin ta’ Tours li taħbat fil-11 ta’ Novembru.  Din is-sena wkoll kien hemm numru sabiħ ta’ nies li attendew u kellhom ix-xorti li tul l-ikla jiġu servuti mis-seminaristi.  Hi tradizzjoni antika li s-seminaristi, waqt din l-ikla jagħmluha ta’ waiters.  Fi tmiem l-ikla Mons. Isqof radd ħajr lil Dun Daniel Xerri li qed jersaq lejn tmiem il-ministeru bħal rettur tas-Seminarju u ppreżenta wkoll lil Dun Tony Sciberras mssp.

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On Saturday, 22nd November, the Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju, members of the Seminary and volunteers organised a fund raising activity in the form of a dinner, known as L-Ikla ta’ San Martin.  This activity has been organised annually for many years and has always been linked with the feast of St Martin of Tours, celebrated on the 11th November.  This year, quite a big number of guests participated in this activity and they were served at table by the seminarians, who this year too, followed the tradition of acting as waiters.  When dinner was over, Bishop Grech thanked Fr Daniel Xerri for the number of years he served as Rector of the Seminary and introduced the new Rector, Fr Tony Sciberras MSSP.

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