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F’rabta mat-tema magħżula għal din is-sena ‘Hawn hi Ommok”, nhar is-Sibt, 30 ta’ Novembru, ġiet organizzata laqgħa ta’ formazzjoni li tmexxiet minn Fr. Ray Toledo bħala parti mill-preparazzjoni għall-att ta’ Konsagrazzjoni lill-Madonna.

Waqt din il-laqgħa, Fr. Ray għamel referenzi għall-Ktieb ta’ San Luigi Maria de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary, ktieb li din is-sena qiegħed jakkumpanja lill-komunita’ qat il-qari spiritwali ta’ kull nhar ta’ Ġimgħa.

F’din il-laqgħa Fr. Ray tkellem dwar l-importanza tal-figura ta’ Marija speċjalment fil-ħajja tas-Saċerdot għax bħalma kienet Marija li preparat u akkumpanjat lil Ġesu’ fil-missjoni tiegħu, hekk ukoll trid tkun Marija li tipprepara u takkumpanja lil kull Saċerdot fil-ħidma tiegħu għall-ġid tal-Knisja.

Marija hi wkoll t-triq li permezz tagħha l-bniedem jista’ jasal għand binha Ġesu’ u dan jidher b’mod speċjali fir-rakkont tat-tieġ ta’ Kana, fejn l-aħħar kelmiet ta’ Marija lill-qaddejja jkunu: “Għamlu kull ma’ jgħidilkom Hu”.

Fr. Ray tkellem ukoll dwar l-importanza tat-talba tar-Rużarju bħala talba ma’ Marija li tmexxina qalb l-episodji l-iktar importanti fl-istorja tas-salvazzjoni.

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On Saturday, 30^th November, Fr Ray Toledo led a meeting of formation in relation with the theme chosen for this year: “Here is your Mother”.  This meeting formed part of the preparation for the Act of Consegration to the Holy Mother.

During the meeting, Fr Ray referred to the book of San Luigi Maria de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary, extracts from which  are being read this year, during sessions of spiritual readings held every Friday.

Fr Ray talked about the importance of the figure of Mary, especially in the life of the priest.  As Mary prepared and accompanied Jesus in his mission, so does she prepare and accompany every priest in his mission for the benefit of the Church.

Mary is also the way which leads man to her son Jesus. This is clearly shown in the episode of the marriage at Cana, where Mary’s last words to the servants were: “Do whatever he asks you to do”.

Fr Ray talked also about the importance of the Rosary as a prayer with Mary.  The Rosary leads through the most important episodes in the story of salvation.

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“Il-ħsad huwa kbir, iżda l-ħaddiema ftit. Itolbu mela lil Sid il-ħsad biex jibgħat ħaddierma għall-ħsad tiegħu.” (Mt 9, 37-38). Kien b’dan il-ħsieb f’moħħna, meħud mill-Evanġelju skont San Mattew, li l-komunità tas-Seminarju għexet l-esperjenza tal-ġimgħa vokazzjonali li ġiet orġanizzata fil-Parroċċa tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni u San Ġuzepp, fir-raħal tal-Qala.

Wara l-esperjenza ta’ Fidi li l-komunità tas-Seminarju għamlet is-sena l-oħra fil-Parroċċa tal-Għasri, din is-sena l-komunità  tas-Seminarju kienet mistiedna sabiex matul il-ġimgħa ta’ bejn il-15 u t-22 ta’ Novembru tagħmel esperjenza oħra fejn din id-darba tiffoka b’mod partikulari fuq il-Vokazzjonijiet speċjalment il-vokazzjonijiet saċerdotali u ta’ ħajja kkonsagrata.

Prinċipalment l-esperjenza kienet tikkonsisti f’mumenti ta’ talb komunitarju, kif ukoll fiż-żjajjar tal-familji fid-djar tagħhom. Matul din il-ġimgħa, l-esperjenza kienet ukoll imsieħba miċ-ċelebrazzjoni ta’ kuljum tal-Quddiesa minn wieħed mis-superjuri tas-Seminarju kif ukoll minn ħin ta’ Adorazzjoni quddiem Ġesu’ Sagramentat waqt li s-seminaristi jkunu qed jagħmlu ż-żjajjar fid-djar.

Din l-esperjenza fetħet b’quddiesa nħar il-Ġimgħa, 15 ta’ Novembru fil-Knisja Parrokjali ċċelebrata mir-Rettur tas-Seminarju Dun Daniel Xerri flimkien mas-superjuri tas-Seminarju u l-Arċipriet u s-saċerdoti li jaqdu l-ministeru tagħhom f’din il-Parroċċa.

Imbagħad s-seminaristi matul il-ġimgħa kellhom l-opportunita’ li jiltaqgħu ma’ numru sabieħ ta’ tfal u żgħażagħ f’laqgħat li ġew orġanizzati għalihom. Fost dawn ta’ min isemmi l-laqgħat b’temi vokazzjonali li s-seminaristi mexxew fiċ-ċentri tad-duttrina għat-tfal, laqgħat fejn deher ukoll l-interess tat-tfal li jsiru jafu aktar dwar x’inhi l-vokazzjoni, u kif wieħed jista’ jagħraf is-sejħa tiegħu. Ma’ dawn wieħed irid ukoll isemmi l-laqgħa sabiħa li kellna fl-iskola primarja tar-raħal, fejn kellna l-opportunita’ li nidħlu fil-klassijiet tal-iskola u niltaqgħu mal-istaff u l-istudenti.

Aspett importanti ta’ din l-esperjenza kienet iż-żjajjar tas-seminaristi fid-djar. Minħabba d-daqs tal-Parroċċa, matul din is-sena, ż-żjajjar saru lill-familji fejn joqogħdu l-adoloxxenti u ż-żgħażagħ. Li tidħol f’dar ta’ familja partikulari u ssib akkoljenza tajba li tgħinek tibni konversazzjoni, hi diġa esperjenza sabiħa. Matul dawn iż-żjajjar s-seminaristi kellhom ċ-ċans li waqt li jsiru jafu xi ftit lil dawn il-familji, jitkellmu magħhom dwar il-vokazzjonijiet, waqt li ma jonqosx li jaqsmu magħhom ukoll is-sejħa tal-vokazzjoni tagħhom. Ta’ min jgħid li kien hemm żgħażagħ li wrer interess partikulari u għalhekk ma naqsitx l-istedina min-naħa tas-seminaristi, sabiex jkomplu jfittxu aktar fil-fond dwar is-sejħa tagħhom.

Din l-esperjenza kienet waħda ta’ ġid mhux biss għall-Parroċċa tal-Qala imma wkoll għall-komunità tas-Seminarju għax waqt li kienet mument ta’ promozzjoni vokazzjonali, kienet ukoll esperjenza li għenet lill-komunità  tidħol fir-realta’ tal-ħajja pastorali u tara xi ftit iżjed mill-qrib ir-realta li fiha qed tgħix il-Knisja llum.

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“The harvest is good, but labourers are scarce.  Beg the harvest master to send out labourers to gather his harvest.” (Mt 9, 37-38).  This extract taken from the St Matthew’s Gospel accompanied the community of the Seminary during Vocations Week held in Qala,  at the Parish of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph.

Following last year’s similar experience at Għasri Parish, the community of the Seminary was invited to renew this experience from the 15^th to the 22^nd November.  This year, the focus was on vocations, especially for priesthood and for a consecrated life.

The experience consisted mainly of moments of communal prayer and of home visits.  It included also a daily Mass, said by one of the superiors of the Seminary, and moments of Adoration of the Holy Eucharist. In the meantime, the seminarians were engaged on home visits.

The week started on Friday 15^th November, with Mass celebrated in the parish church by the Rev. Rector Fr Daniel Xerri.  Fr Xerri was accompanied by the superiors of the Seminary and the Archpriest and priests serving at the same parish.

During the week, the seminarians had the opportunity of addressing a number of children and youths during meetings held for the occasion.  These meetings focused on vocations.  They were held in centres where religion lessons are delivered.  The children were interested in learning about the meaning of ‘vocation’ and how a person can understand his or her call.

The home visits by the seminarians played an important part in this experience.  Due to the great number of families living at Qala, these visits were paid mainly to families with adolescents and youths.  Paying a visit to a household and receiving a welcome which helps you to start a conversation are in themselves a wonderful experience.  During these home visits, the seminarians had the opportunity of getting to know the family and talking about vocations, particularly about their own call for priesthood.  There were some youths who showed interest in the call for priesthood and the seminarians encouraged them to discern their call.

This pastoral experience was beneficial to both the community of the Seminary and the Qala Parish since, besides serving to promote vocations, it helped the community to become familiar with the realities of pastoral life and to come closer to the realities through which the Church is passing in our time.

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Fl-okkażjoni tal-festa ta’ San Martin, Isqof ta’ Tours, ta’ kull sena, is-Seminarju jorganizza l-Ikla ta’ San Martin.  Din is-sena l-ikla saret nhar is-Sibt 16 ta’ Novembru.  Din l-attività tradizzjoni, li ilha ssir għal għexieren ta’ snin ġiet organizzata mill-Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju.  L-iskop prinċipali ta’ din l-ikla huwa wieħed ta’ ġbir ta’ fondi b’risq is-Seminarju Maġġuri.  Din is-sena wkoll, ammont kbir ta’ nies (mal-mija u erbgħin ruħ) ippakkjaw is-sala tas-Seminarju sabiex jieħdu gost flimkien filwaqt li jduqu mill-benna tal-ikel imħejji mill-voluntiera flimkien mas-sorijiet tas-Seminarju. L-ikla kompliet tiġi mżewqa b’serata ta’ mużika minn Spiru Sillato, waqt li ma naqsux ukoll ir-rigali li jittelgħu bix-xorti. F’din l-attività s-seminaristi jkollhom rwol differenti mill-bqija tas-sena għax ikunu huma li jservu l-ikel.

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On the occasion of the feast of St Martin, Bishop of Tours, the Seminary holds its annual St Martin’s Dinner.  This year the dinner was held on Saturday 16^th November.  This traditional activity, which has been held annually for a number of years, was organised by Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju.  This is a fund-raising activity in aid of the Major Seminary. About one hundred and forty guests were hosted at the Seminary hall where they were entertained by Spiro Sillato.  The menu was prepared by volunteers and the nuns of the Seminary.  Various raffles were held and spot prizes were distributed.  The seminarians waited upon the guests at table.

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Nhar il-Ġimgħa 15 ta’ Novembru, wara diversi tħejjijiet, il-komunità tas-Seminarju tat bidu għall-esperjenza vokazzjonali ġewwa l-parroċċa tal-Qala. Din l-esperjenza li qed tiġi organizzata bejn il-15 u t-22 ta’ Novembru għandha l-għan li tqajjem aktar għarfien dwar il-vokazzjonijiet Saċerdotali waqt li jsir ukoll talb lil Alla sabiex ikompli jsejjaħ aktar vokazzjonijiet qaddisa, anke mill-Parroċċa tal-Qala, sabiex jaħdmu fil-għalqa tiegħu.

Din il-ġimgħa fetħet b’Quddiesa, immexxiha mir-Rettur flimkien mal-formators u mas-saċerdoti kollha tal-parroċċa. Iktar tard imbagħad, is-seminaristi ltaqgħu ma’ numru sabiħ ta’ adoloxxenti waqt laqgħa organizzata għalihom fiċ-ċentru parrokjali fejn trattaw temi vokazzjonali. Imbagħad is-Sibt, 16 ta’ Novembru, il-komunita’ tas-Seminarju mexxiet it-talba tar-rużarju fis-Santwarju tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni, fejn kien hemm ukoll il-preżenza tat-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ.

Matul il-weekend, il-formators tqassmu u kienu preżenti fil-quddies prinċipali li sar fil-knisja parrokkjali.  Imbagħad it-Tnejn, 18 ta’ Novembru, is-seminaristi wara li ltaqgħu mal-istudenti fiċ-ċentri tad-duttrina taw bidu għall-erbat ijiem fejn skont programm iffissat minn qabel qed izuru id-djar u jiltaqgħu mal-familji li fihom jgħixu l-adoloxxenti. Waqt il-ħin tal-viżti l-formators ikunu fil-Knisja Parrokjali fejn imexxu ħin ta’ adorazzjoni quddiem Ġesu’ Sagramentat.

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Following a period of preparation, Vocations Week started on 15^th November, at Qala Parish.This experience, which lasts from 15^th to 22^nd November, aims to increase awareness about priestly vocations. God is beseeched to encourage more people to work in His field.

The week started with a Mass, led by the Reverend Rector accompanied by the formators and all the priests of the parish.  Later the seminarians joined a group of adoloscents in a meeting at the parish centre.  Together they discussed themes related with religious vocations.   On 16^th November, the community of the Seminary led the recitation of the Rosary at the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception.  The congregation included a number of children and youths.

During the weekend, the formators took turns in attending Mass said in the parish church.  On Monday 18^th November, the seminarians visited the students at the centres where cathecism lessons are held and then they started home visits to meet families with adolescents. While the seminarians on home visits, the formators will be conducting a session of Adoration of the Holy Eucharist at the Parish Chuch.

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Tradizzjoni li daħlet sew fil-kalendaju tas-Seminarju hija l-lungo passeggio, li din is-sena ġiet organizzata nhar il-Ħamis, 14 ta’ Novembru. Is-seminaristi flimkien mal-formators telqu bil-mixi mis-Seminarju u mxew lwjn il-wied tar-Ramla sa ma waslu fil-bajja tar-Ramla l-Ħamra. Minn hemm imbagħad imxew mal-kosta lejn il-Qala. Il-mixja kienet ftit impennjattiva però fl-istess waqt kien mument fejn is-seminaristi setgħu jammiraw is-sbuħija tan-natura li għandna Għawdex. Nistgħu ngħidu li t-temp kien favorevoli għax wara jiem ta’ maltemp, il-Ħamis ħareġ jum xemxi li għen sabiex il-mixja tkun waħda sabiħa.

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One of the Seminary’s long-standing traditions is the Lungo Passeggio.  This year, it took place on Thursday, 14^th November.  The seminarians and their formators left the Seminary for Ramla Valley and reached Ramla Bay.  Then they proceeded along the coast to Qala.  The hike was rather challenging but it provided the seminarians with an opportunity to admire the beauty of the Gozitan countryside. The weather was fine, following a number of stormy days.  Thursday dawned bright and sunny and this contributed to the success of our hike.

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Bħala parti mill-attivitajiet misjuba fil-pjan ta’ ħidma vokazzjonali fid-Djoċesi ta’ Għawdex, nhar s-Sibt, 9 ta’ Novembru, fis-Seminarju ġiet organizzata attivita’ għall-istudenti minn Forms 2 sa 5 li huma membri fil-gruppi tal-Abbatini u tal-Vokazzjonijiet.

L-attivita’ bdiet b’laqgħa mmexxija mis-seminaristi bit-tema tkun ‘l-importanza li nkun naf x’nixtieq u anke x’jixtieq Alla minni’. F’din il-laqgħa s-seminaristi ppruvaw juru lil dawn l-istudenti l-importanza li wieħed ikun konxju tax-xewqat tiegħu, għax Alla jista’ jagħmel użu minn dawn ix-xewqat biex jgħin lill-bniedem jiskopri l-vokazzjoni tiegħu.

L-attivita’ imbagħad kompliet b’mument qasir ta’ Adorazzjoni quddiem Ġesu’ Sagramentat li saret fil-kappella ta’ fuq tas-Seminarju Maġġuri. Il-laqgħa ntemmet bi ftit ħin ta’ rikreazzjoni fejn l-istudenti kellhom iċ-ċans li jsiru jafu aħjar lil xulxin kif ukoll li jiltaqgħu mas-seminaristi waqt li jieklu xi ħaġa u jilgħabu xi logħba futbol fil-bitħa tas-Seminarju.

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On Saturday 9^th November, the Seminary held an activity for Form 2 – Form 5 students who form part of the various Vocation Groups or are altar boys. This activity was held as part of the plan of action for vocations in the Diocese of Gozo.

The activity started with a meeting led by the seminarians.  The theme of discussion was: The importance of knowing what I long for and what God expects of me.  During the discussion, the seminarians tried to show the students how important it is for a person to be conscious of what he really wants in life.  Thus God will help this person to discover and embrace his vocation.

The activity continued with moments of prayer and adoration of the Holy Eucharist in the Seminary Chapel.  Later the students spent some time playing football and socializing.

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