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On Wednesday, 31st March, the seminarians spent half a day on voluntary work at Angela House, which is a house run by the Ursoline nuns and which hosts children who, for various reasons, cannot stay any longer at their parents’ house.

Before setting to work, the seminarians were taken round the areas where refurbishment work is being carried out.  They visited also the place which hosts the children and they met the children who are staying in the house.  They could witness the nuns’ love and dedication, together with their commitment and personal sacrifice in carrying out their mission.

The seminarians spent their time cleaning up the garden.

During Lent, the Seminarians are collecting money from among members of the community of the Seminary and the students of the Minor Seminary.  The money will be spent on monitor screens for Angela House.

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Wara l-vaganzi tal-Milied is-seminarju kompla bl-inizjattiva li kien beda din is-sena bħala parti mill-formazzjoni tas-seminaristi li jorganizza laqgħat b’orjentament pastorali. Dawn il-laqgħat qed isiru l-iskop li jgħinu lis-seminaristi jsiru jafu aħjar bid-diversi grupp, għaqdiet u ħidmiet pastorali li għandna fid-Djoċesi tagħna waqt li jiffamiljarizzaw aktar ruħhom ma’ dawn l-għaqdiet u l-ħidma li qed iwettqu.

L-ewwel laqgħa għas-sena 2014 saret nhar it-Tlieta, 21 ta’ Jannar u għaliha ġie mistieden is-Sur Ivan Farrugia li huwa soċju tal-Museum sabiex ikellimna dwar din is-soċjeta’. Waqt din il-laqgħa, Ivan qasam mal-komunita’ l-istorja u l-oriġini ta’ din l-organizzazzjoni. Is-soċjeta’ tal-Museum taf il-bidu tagħha f’Malta, meta ġiet imwaqqfa mis-saċerdot qaddis San Ġorġ Preca, imma llum din tinsab ukoll f’diversi pajjiżi. Huwa tkellem ukoll dwar d-dimensjonijiet tal-vokazzjoni museumina li huma mibnija fuq id-dimensjoni lajkali, id-dimensjoni ċelibatarja, id-dimensjoni attiva-appostolika, id-dimensjoni profetika, u d-dimensjoni kontemplattiva. Ma naqasx ukoll milli jitkellem dwar l-isfidi li s-soċjeta’ qed tiltaqgħa magħhom illum fil-ħidma li hija twettaq.

Imbagħad, nhar l-Erbgħa, 12 ta’ Frar ġew mistiedna membri mill-Komunita’ Anawim sabiex jaqsmu mal-komunita’ tas-Seminarju l-għan, l-ħidma u l-kariżma tal-Komunita’ Anawim. Dan l-istitut sekulari ta’ fidili lajċi ġie mwaqqaf fid-Djoċesi ta’Għawdex fit-28 ta’ Novembru, 1987. Imbagħad, nhar it-28 ta’ Novembru, 2013, l-E.T. Mons. Isqof Mario Grech waqqaf il-Komunita’ Anawim bħala assoċjazzjoni lajkali pubblika. Dak li ġabar il-membri flimkien, kienet ix-xewqa tal-konsagrazzjoni lajkali mgħixa f’komunita’ imma fl-istess ħin il-membri jibqgħu jgħixu d-dar tagħhom u jwettqu l-ħidma tagħhom fid-dinja. Infatti fost l-appostolat li l-membri jwettqu insibu s-sapport li jagħtu lit-tfajla omm kif ukoll l-ħidma tagħhom maż-żgħażagħ.

Laqgħa oħra tmexxiet mill-Spigolatrici della Chiesa nhar l-Erbgħa, 26 ta’ Frar. Dan l-istitut lajkali ta’ ħajja kkonsagrata ġie mwaqqaf minn Pia Tavernelli, żagħżugħa Taljana. L-isem ta’ dan l-istitut hu mdawwal mill-figura bibblika ta’ Rut, mara li toħroġ fl-għelieqi sabiex tiġbor il-fdalijiet tal-qamħ. Minn hawn toħroġ il-kariżma ta’ dan l-istitut lajkali, jiġifieri li jagħtu l-għajnuna tagħhom lis-saċerdoti u lill-Knisja. Infatti l-membri ta’ dan l-istitut insibuhom attivi fost l-oħrajn fost dawk li huma emarġinati waqt li jagħmlu talb ta’ riparazzjoni biex ipattu għall-ingratitudni lejn Ġesu’ Ewkaristija. Il-membri fi ħdan dan l-istitut jistgħu jagħżlu li jibqgħu jgħixu mal-familja tagħhom, imma jistgħu jgħixu ukoll fi fraternita’.

Nhar l-Erbgħa, 12 ta’ Marzu, imbagħad ġie mistieden Dun Anton Teuma flimkien ma żewġ koppji li jagħmlu parti mill-komunita’ Ewkaristika. Il-Komunitajiet Ewkaristiċi jafu l-oriġini tagħhom f’Ruma fis-snin 70 u l-iskop tagħhom kien li l-lajċi jsiru aktar midħla tal-Kelma ta’ Alla. Il-komunita’ tgħix erba’ mumenti partikulari: il-Katekeżi, il-kondiviżjoni tal-Kelma, l-adorazzjoni, u l-Ewkaristija. F’Għawdex fil-preżent hawn 13-il komunita’ Ewkaristika li jiġbru fihom madwar 300 membru. Permezz ta’ dawn il-komunitajiet, il-membri jkunu jistgħu jirċievu formazzjoni reliġjuża sabiex imbagħad ikunu jistgħu jaqsmu l-Kelma mal-oħrajn mhux biss bil-kliem imma wkoll bl-eżempju. Kif xhedu l-membri, il-Komunita’ Ewkaristika tgħinhom mhux biss fl-aspett spiritwali, billi tressaqhom aktar qrib il-Kelma ta’ Alla, imma wkoll fl-aspett human fejn huma jsibu post fejn jistgħu jaqsmu u jiddiskutu id-diffikultajiet tagħhom.

Għal darb’oħra, nhar l-Erbgħa, 26 ta’ Marzu, ġie mistieden Dun Anton Teuma li flimkien ma grupp ta’ koppji lajċi jieħu ħsieb il-Kummissjoni Djoċesana Familja. Flimkien ma’ Dun Anton ġew ukoll xi membri li huma parti minn din il-kummisjoni. Din il-kummisjoni għandha tliet għanijiet partikulari: li tgħin lill-koppji għarajjes fit-tħejjija għaż-żwieġ; li takkumpanja l-familji li jkunu fil-bidu tal-ħajja miżżewġa; u li tgħin u tissapportja familji li jkunu qed jesperjenzaw problemi anke fiż-żwieġ jew li huma sseparati jew anke fit-tieni relazzjoni, u dan isir permezz tal-Konċistorju tal-Familja. Minbarra dan il-Kummissjoni Djoċesana Familja tieħu ħsieb li torganizza diversi laqgħat u seminars bil-għan li tgħin fil-formazzjoni tal-familji. Waqt il-laqgħa l-membri tal-kummisjoni kellhom iċ-ċans li jaqsmu mal-komunita’ tas-seminarju l-esperjenza tagħhom dwar il-ħidma li huma jwettqu fid-djoċesi u fil-parroċċi, kif ukoll l-ġid li huma stess jirċievu.

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After the Christmas holidays, the Seminary continued with the initiative which was started this year as part of the formation of seminarians and which promotes meetings with a pastoral orientation.  These meetings aim at helping the seminarians be more familiar with the various groups and movements within the diocese and the pastoral work that is being done.

The first meeting for the year 2014 was held on Tuesday, 21st January.  Mr Ivan Farrugia, member of the Society of Christian Doctrine, was invited to address the seminarians and talk about the Society.  Mr Farrugia talked about the origins and history of this Society which was founded by Saint Gorg Preca.  Nowadays the Society has branches in various countries.  Mr Farrugia talked also about the various aspects of the vocation of a member of MUSEUM Society.  This vocation is embraced by lay people and is based on celibacy and on dimensions which can be called active-apostolic, prophetic and contemplative.  He ended his talk by expanding on the challenges which the Society is facing nowadays.

On Wednesday, 12th February, members of Anawim were invited to share with the community of the Seminary the aims, work and charisma of the Community Anawim.  This secular institute of lay members was set up in the Diocese of Gozo on 28th November, 1987.  On 28th November, 2013, Bishop Mario Grech founded Community Anawim as a public lay association.  The members shared one aim: that of a lay consecration lived in a community but at the same time the members residing withe their families and getting on with their everyday life and work.  Their apostolic work includes support to unmarried mothers and work among youth.

On Wednesday, 26th February, it was the turn of the Spigolatrici della Chiesa.  This lay institute of consecrated life was founded by Pia Tavernelli, a young Italian lady.  The name of this institute focuses on the biblical figure of Ruth, a woman who gleans corn in the fields.  Ruth inspires the charisma of this lay institute, that is helping priests and the Church.  The members of this institute offer a helping hand to drop-outs and offer of reparation to make up for offences against Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.  Members of this institute can choose either to live with their families or lead a communal life.

On Wednesday, 12th March, Fr Anton Teuma addressed the community of the Seminary.  He was accompanied by two couples who form part of the Eucharistic Community.  The origin of the Eucharistic Communities goes back to Rome in the 70’s.  The aim was to make the Word of God more familiar with lay people.  The community lives four particular moments:  cathechises, sharing of the Word, adoration and the Holy Eucharist.  In Gozo, at present there are 13 Eucharistic Communities with about 300 members.  Through these communities, the members can receive a religious formation so that they can share the Word of God with others by word of mouth and by example. As the members themselves have said, the Eucharistic Community helps them not only spiritually, by making them feel closer to the Word of God, but also materially, since they find a place where to share and discuss their difficulties.

On Wednesday, 26th March, Fr Teuma was again guest speaker.  This time he was accompanied by a number of couples who run the Diocesan Commission for the Family and members of the same commission.  This commission has three main aims:  it helps prepare couples for marriage, it offers advice to newly married couples and it helps and supports families passing through a difficult time.  The latter includes couples with marital problems, separated couples and people living a second relationship.  This is done through the Concistory of the Family.  The Commission also holds meetings and seminars linked with family formation.  The members of the Commission shared with the community of the Seminary the work they perform in the diocese and the various parishes.  They talked also about the good that they themselves receive when they do this work.

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Nhar it-Tlieta 25 ta’ Marzu, fl-okkażjoni tas-solennita’ tat-Tħabbira tal-Mulej, filgħaxija, il-komunità tas-seminarju ngħaqdet mal-pellegrini li żaru l-kappella tal-Lunzjata fir-Rabat, u magħhom iċċelebrat it-tieni għasar u l-Ewkaristija.

Waqt il-quddiesa, d-Djaknu Daniel Sultana għamel riflessjoni fuq is-sejħa ta’ Marija u fuq l-aċċetazzjoni tas-sejħa.

Fi tmiem it-talb tal-fidili r-Rettur sejjaħ imbagħad lid-Djaknu Daniel sabiex jippreżenta t-talba tiegħu għall-ordinazzjoni presbiterali.  Huwa għamel dan filwaqt li l-kongregazzjoni ngħaqdet miegħu f’talba fis-skiet.

Fi tmiem il-Quddiesa, fl-okkazjoni tal-anniversarju tas-sittin sena mill-wasla tal-istatwa, ir-Rettur tal-kappella Mons. Karm Borg ippreżenta lir-Rettur tas-Seminarju borża ta’ studju li kienet miġbura minn fost il-komunita’ li tattendi għas-servizzi liturġiċi f’din il-kappella.

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On Tuesday evening, 25th March, on the occasion of the feast of The Annunciation of Our Lady, the community of the Seminary joined other visitors in the chapel at Lunzjata and participated in the celebrateion of the second vespers aand the Holy Mass.

During the Mass, Deacon Daniel Sultana reflected on the call of Our Lady and her acceptance of the call.  Following the prayers of the faithful, the Rector called Deacon Daniel to present his formal request for the priestly ordination.    The congregation accompanied the deacon in silent prayer as he was presenting his request.

On the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the arrival of the statue, Mgr Karm Borg, Rector of the chapel, offered to the Rector of the Seminary a fund to finace the studies of a seminarian.  The money was collected from among the congregation which attends the liturgical services held in the chapel.

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Bħas-snin l-imgħoddija, nhar l-Erbgħa 19 ta’ Marzu, festa ta’ San Ġuzepp, is-seminaristi ħadu ħsieb jorganizzaw sports day għall-abbatini u għall-istudenti tal-vokazzjonijiet tad-djoċesi.

Għadd ta’ tfal u adoloxxenti nġabru fis-Seminarju fid-9.00am.  L-attività bdiet permezz ta’ mument ta’ talb immexxi minn Fr Michael Curmi, Viċi Rettur tas-Seminarju u Direttur Djoċesan tal-Vokazzjonijiet.  Wara li l-parteċipanti ġew imqassma f’erba’ gruppi, ingħata bidu għal-logħob. Il-logħob kien jinkludi football, sackrace, obstacle rece u tug of war fost l-oħrajn. L-attivita’ intemmet fis-2.00pm.

Fi tmiem din il-ġurnata sabiħa tqassmet tifkira lil kull min attenda, magħmula mis-seminaristi stess.  L-abbatini kellhom l-opportunità li jiltaqgħu mas-seminaristi f’ambjent differenti minn dak li soltu jiltaqgħu magħhom.  Kellhom ukoll il-possibbiltà li jiltaqgħu mal-abbatini ta’ parroċċi oħrajn u magħhom jaħdmu f’team-work għal għan wieħed.

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On Wednesday, 19th March,  the feast of St Joseph, the seminarians organised a sports day for the Vocation Groups and the altar boys of the diocese

A number of children and adolescents gathered at the Seminary at 9.00am.  Fr Michael Curmi, Vice Rector of the Seminary and Diocesean Director for Vocations led the prayers which marked the opening of the activity.  The partecipants were then divided into four groups and the sports acitivities started.  These activities, which included football, sackrace, obstacle race and tug of war, ended at 2.00pm.

All the partecipants were presented with a memento, provided by the seminarians.   The altar boys had the opportunity to meet the seminarians in an environment different to that where they usually meet.  They could also meet altar boys from other parishes and they could work together as a team to attain the same end.

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Hija drawwa sabiħa li fis-seminarju tagħna tiġi ċċelebrata bħala festa komunitarja s-solennità ta’ San Ġużepp, ħarries ta’ Ġesù u raġel ta’ Marija.  Barra minn dan, lejliet u nhar id-19 ta’ Marzu s-seminaristi taw s-servizz tagħhom fil-Katidral matul iċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet immexxija minn Mons. Isqof.

Fl-okkażjoni ta’ din il-festa wkoll, is-Sibt 22 ta’ Marzu, il-lecturers iltaqgħu fis-Seminarju għal laqgħa flimkien ma’ Mons. Isqof u wara ngħaqdu mal-komunità għall-ikel ta’ nofsinhar.

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Every year, the community of the Seminary follows the tradition of celebrationg the Feast of St Joseph, protector of Jesus and husband of Mary.  On the eve of the feast day and on the feast day itself the seminarians assisted the celebrations at the Cathedral.  These celebrations were led by His Lordship, the Bishop.

On Saturday, 22nd March, the lecturers met at the Seminary for a meeting with Bishop Grech.  Then they joined the community at lunch.

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Bejn il-15 u t-23 ta’ Marzu, fis-sala tas-Seminarju Maġġuri, ġiet imtella’ esebizzjoni marbuta mal-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa. Din l-esebizzjoni ġiet miftuħa uffiċċjalment nhar il-15 ta’ Marzu mill-Ministru għal Għawdex Anton Refalo u mbierka mill-E.T. Mons Isqof Mario Grech. Kienet tinkludi fiha statwi marbuta mal-passjoni, ritratti antiki, kif ukoll purcissjoni f’minjatura tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira. Din ġiet organizzata mill-Għaqda Dilettanti tal-Ġimgħ l-Kbira.

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From 15th March to 23rd March, the hall of the Major Seminary hosted an exhibition linked with Holy Week.  This exhibition was inaugurated officially on the 15th March by Dr. Anton Refalo, Minister of Gozo.  It was blessed by Bishop Mgr Mario Grech.  The exhibition included statues linked with the Passion of Christ, old photographs and a miniature procession of the Holy Passion.  The exhibition was set up by the Għaqda Dilettanti tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira.

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Bejn il-Ħadd, 9  u l-Ġimgħa 14 ta’ Marzu , il-komunita’ tas-Seminarju organizzat ġimgħa ta’ talb għall-vokazzjonijiet fil-parroċċa tax-Xewkija, iddedikata lil San Ġwann il-Battista. Matul din il-ġimgħa waqt il-quddies saret enfasi fit-talb tal-komunita’ għall-vokazzjonijiet.

Il-Ġimgħa il-komunita’ kollha tas-Seminarju flimkien mas-superjuri mexxew il-quddies ta’ filgħaxija fil-knisja parrokjali fejn is-seminarista Andrew Grima qasam l-esperjenza tal-vokazzjoni tiegħu.

Imbagħad, s-seminaristi ltaqgħu mal-adoloxxenti li jattendu l-Mużew fejn qasmu magħhom riflessjonijiet fuq is-sejħa li Alla għandu għal kull wieħed minna.

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