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F’Konferenza Stampa li nżammet is-Sibt 24 ta’ Settembru fis-Seminarju tagħna, tħabbar il-programm ta’ attivitajiet imniedi għal dan l-anniversarju, li jiftaħ b’Pontifikal mill-Isqof ta’ Għawdex fil-Katidral tal-Assunta fl-4 ta’ Novembru li ġej.

Kien propju f’dan il-jum tal-1866 li l-binja, li qabel kienet sptar tal-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann, fetħet il-bibien tagħha għall-formazzjoni. Ma damx ma żdied ukoll is-Seminarju Minuri, skola sekondarja għas-subien li llum tilqa’ fiha fuq 360 student li, fi kliem is-Surmast Dun Noel Saliba, huma ċ-ċittadini Nsara ta’ għada.

Ir-Rettur il-ġdid tas-Seminarju Dun Richard Nazzareno Farrugia qal li din is-sena trid tkun ċelebrazzjoni tal-imgħoddi, il-preżent u l-ġejjieni, biex fuq kollox issir “okkażjoni ta’ riflessjoni fuq il-missjoni tas-Seminarju Minuri u Maġġuri u ta’ viżjoni biex iwieġeb għall-isfidi tas-soċjetà tal-lum kif għaraf iwieġeb għall-isfidi ta’ qabel”.

Il-programm ta’ attivitajiet jinkludi wkoll tifkira ta’ dawn il-mija u ħamsin sena permezz ta’ wirja u ktieb kommemorattiv, kif ukoll kampanja ta’ għarfien u promozzjoni vokazzjonali, b’open week f’Novembru u dramm is-sena d-dieħla.

L-Isqof ta’ Għawdex Mons. Mario Grech qal li s-Seminarju hu l-qalb tad-Djoċesi u preżenza imprezzabbli fil-ħajja spiritwali u pastorali tal-poplu ta’ Alla. B’riferenza għall-użu qadim tal-binja, hu fisser is-Seminarju bħala “sptar” li rawwam lis-seminaristi li għaddew minnu u laqqagħhom mat-“tabib il-kbir” li hu Ġesù, biex is-saċerdoti ta’ għada jsiru tassew “infermiera” tal-ġerħat umani u spiritwali tal-bniedem. Hu ħeġġeġ lill-poplu ta’ Alla biex ikompli jinvesti f’din id-dar ta’ formazzjoni ħalli tibqa’ tipproduċi saċerdoti tajba li jgħinu lill-bniedem jiltaqa’ ma’ Kristu.

Ritratti

A press conference called on Saturday 24^th September at our Seminary launched the programme of activities to mark this anniversary.  A Pontifical Mass said at the Cathedral on 4^th November and presided by the Bishop of Gozo, will mark the beginning of the programme of activities.

On the November 4^th, 1866, the building which had served as a hospital of the Order of St John, opened its doors to welcome its first seminarians.  The founding of the Minor Seminary soon followed suit.  The Minor Seminary is a Secondary School for boys and hosts 360 students.  Fr Noel Saliba, who is Head of the Minor Seminary and who also addressed the press conference, referred to these boys as the Christian Citizens of the future.

Rector Fr Richard Nazzareno Farrugia said that this year should be a celebration of the past, the present and the future, and should be an opportunity for us all to reflect on the mission of the Major and Minor Seminary to face the challenges of nowadays in the same way it faced the challenges of the past.

The programme of activities include an exhibition, the publication of a commemorative book, a campaign to promote information and encourage vocations, an open week in November and a play.

Bishop Grech said that the Seminary is the kernel of the Diocese and a priceless presence in the spiritual and pastoral life of the poeple of God.  Referring to the fact that the building had been a hospital, he drew on the connotation of the word ‘hospital’ to refer to the Seminary as a place that rears the seminarians and leads them to Jesus, ‘the great doctor’, so that they become true ‘nurses’ that cure the spiritual and physical wounds of man.  He urged us, the people of God, to continue investing in this house of formation so that we will have more priests who dedicate their life to lead man to God.

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Il-komunità tas-Seminarju reġgħet lura għal sena oħra ta’ formazzjoni nhar il-Ġimgħa 23 ta’ Settembru.  Tul il-waqfa tas-sajf kien hemm diversi mumenti li fihom il-komunità ltaqgħet flimkien, fosthom in-nofstanhar ta’ riflessjoni li sar nhar id-19 ta’ Lulju f’ Dar Ġużeppa Debono, Għajnsielem.

Il-Ġimgħa 23 ta’ Settembru s-seminaristi daħlu s-seminarju fejn kellhom laqgħa mir-rettur il-ġdid Dun Richard ġie maħtur f’Ġunju li għadda u wara ġiet iċċelebrata l-Ewkaristija. Filgħaxija s-seminaristi ltaqgħu flimkien u tkellmu waqt sharing fuq id-diversi esperjenzi ta’ volontarjat li huma wettqu fis-sajf u wara rħewlha għall-Bajja ta’ Ħondoq ir-Rummien fejn hemm hekk ghamlu BBQ li jimmarka l-bidu ta’ sena oħra.  Ta’ min jgħid ukoll, li f’dan il-jum is-seminaristi ltaqgħu għall-ewwel darba mal-Viċi-Rettur, Dun Gabriel Gauci.

L-għada s-Sibt fin-nofstanhar ta’ filgħodu saret Konferenza Stampa fejn fiha ngħatat xi informazzjoni fuq l-attivitajiet li s-seminarju tagħna ser ikun qed jorganizza f’għeluq il-150 Sena minn mindu infetaħ dan is-seminarju. Il-Ħadd 25 filgħaxija l-komunità tat bidu għall-irtir tal-bidu tas-sena fir-Rabat Malta.  Din is-sena sar ukoll fid-Dar tas-Sorijiet tas-Saint Joseph.  Din id-darba kien Dun Mark Sultana li mexxa l-irtir li ntemm il-Ħamis 29 ta’ Settembru.

Filgħaxija mbagħad ngħata bidu għas-sena akkademika permezz tal-Quddiesa tal-Ispirtu s-Santu, immexxija minn Mons. Isqof Mario Grech. Permezz ta’ din il-Quddiesa l-komunità sellmet lil Fr Tony Sciberras MSSP.  Minħabba li dakinhar iċċelebrajna l-Festa tal-Arkanġli Mqaddsa, Mikiel, Gabrijel u Rafel, waqt l-omelija l-Isqof semma li aħna bħall-anġli rridu nkunu medjaturi bejn l-art u s-sema. Għaldaqstant l-Isqof ħeġġeġ lis-saċerdoti sabiex ikunu qrib l-Iskrittura u jagħrfu jittraduċuha għaż-żminijiet tal-lum sabiex ikunu l-vera medjaturi.  Għal din l-Ewkaristija kienu mistiedna l-professuri, il-familjari tas-seminaristi u l-membri tal-Għaqda Ħbieb tas-Seminarju. Fi tmiem il-Quddiesa saret bibita.

Ritratti

Friday 23^rd September marked the beginning of another year of formation for the Seminary community.  During the summer holidays, the community succeeded in coming together on several occasions, for example on 19^th July when the community met for a half-day of reflection at Dar Ġużeppa Debono in Għajnsielem.

On Friday, the seminarians met Fr Richard, the new Rector, who had been made Rector in June, and then took part in the celebration of the Eucharist.  In the afternoon, the seminarians took part in sharing sessions during which they talked about their experience of voluntary work in various areas during the summer holidays.  Later on, they met at Ħondoq ir-Rummien Bay for a barbeque to mark the beginning of a new year at the Seminary.  On the same day, the seminarians met also Fr Gabriel Gauci, the new Vice-Rector.

The following morning, a press conference was called at the Seminary to present to the press the activities which the Seminary will hold to mark its 150^th anniversary. On Sunday 25^th September, the community crossed over to Malta to hold a 5 day retreat at St Joseph Home in Rabat.  The retreat was presided over by Fr Mark Sultana.

On Thursday evening, Bishop Mario Grech celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit to mark the beginning of the new academic year and greet farewell to Fr Tony Sciberras MSSP. The 29^th September happened to be the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. During the homily, the bishop talked about the importance of us being mediators between Earth and Heaven. He urged the priests to be familiar with the Holy Scripture and to apply its teachings to modern times so that they will be really playing the role of mediators.  Professors, relatives of seminarians and members of the Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju participated in this Mass.  Refreshments followed.

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Nhar il-Ħamis 30 ta’ Ġunju 2016, l-Isqof ta’ Għawdex Mons. Mario Grech ħatar, b’effett immedjat, Rettur u Viċi Rettur ġdid għas-Seminarju ta’ Għawdex. Dun Richard Nazzareno Farrugia, mix-Xagħra, se jkun qed jieħu post Fr Tony Sciberras mssp bħala Rettur, filwaqt li Dun Gabriel Gauci se jservi bħala Viċi-Rettur u Prefett tal-Istudji.

Dun Richard għandu 31 sena u ġie ordnat saċerdot sitt snin ilu mill-Isqof ta’ Għawdex. Huwa kompla jistudja fl-Accademia Alfonsiana f’Ruma minn fejn kiseb il-Liċenzjat u d-Dottorat fit-Teoloġija Morali. Huwa studja wkoll il-Bioetika fis-sede Rumana tal-Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. F’Ruma wettaq ħidma pastorali fil-Parroċċa ta’ Sant’Injazju ta’ Antjokja. Tliet snin ilu hu nħatar segretarju tal-Isqof minn Mons. Grech u ċerimonjier djoċesan. Dun Richard  serva wkoll bħala Prefett tal-Istudji fis-Seminarju ta’ Għawdex. Tul l-aħħar ħames xhur serva wkoll bħala Viċi Rettur tas-Seminarju.

Dun Gabriel Gauci, minn Ta’ Kerċem u li għandu 28 sena, se jkun jieħu post Dun Richard bħala Viċi Rettur tas-Seminarju. Dun Gabriel ilu tliet snin saċerdot u dawn qattagħhom Ruma fejn kien qed jistudja fl-Università Pontificia Gregoriana minn fejn kiseb Liċenzjat fil-Filosofija. Bħalissa għadu qed jikteb it-teżi tiegħu. Matul it-tliet snin f’Ruma huwa kien kollaboratur parrokkjali fil-Parroċċa tal-Protomartiri.

On Thursday 30th June 2016, Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, nominated with immediate effect a new rector and a new vice-rector for the Seminary. Fr Richard Nazzareno Farrugia from Xagħra will be replacing Fr Tony Sciberras MSSP as Rector, while Fr Gabriel Gauci will be Vice-Rector and Prefect of Studies.

Fr Richard is 31 years old and was ordained priest six years ago.  He read for a Licenciate and a Doctorate in Moral Theology at the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome. He also studied Bioethics at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and did pastoral work at the Parish of San Ignazio di Antiochia in Rome. For three years, he served as secretary to Bishop Mario Grech, was Master of Ceremonies for the Diocese and Prefect of Studies at the Gozo Seminary.  During the last five months he served as Vice-Rector of the Seminary.

Fr Gabriel Gauci from Kerċem will be replacing Fr Richard in his role as Vice-Rector and Prefect of Studies.  Fr Gabriel is 28 years old.  He was ordained priest three years ago.  He read for a Licenciate in Philosophy at the Università Pontificia Gregoriana.  He is still writing his thesis.  For these years he was a collaborator in the Parish of the Protomartiri in Rome.

Nhar il-Ġimgħa, 24 ta’ Ġunju 2016, Solennità ta’ San Ġwann Battista fil-Knisja Katidrali, Mons. Mario Grech, Isqof ta’ Għawdex amministra s-Sagrament tal-Ordni Sagri fil-grad tad-Djakonat lil Michael Grima mill-Parroċċa ta’ San Lawrenz u Carl Scerri mill-Parroċċa tal-Katidral, fil-preżenza tal-familjari u l-ħbieb flimkien ma’ numru sabiħ ta’ saċerdoti. Il-Quddiesa tal-Ordinazzjoni ġiet animata mill-Kor Djoċesan taż-Żgħażagħ.

Fl-omelija tiegħu, Mons. Isqof qasam maż-żewġ seminaristi li ġew ordnati djakni x-xewqa tiegħu li huma jaħdmu sabiex ikollna kultura tal-għotja.

L-Isqof Grech tkellem fuq ir-rakkont tat-twelid ta’ San Ġwann il-Battista li huwa minsuġ propju bil-ħjut tal-loġika tal-għotja. Il-Mulej wera ħniena kbira ma’ Eliżabetta u fi xjuħitha taha iben. Alla kien ġeneruż ma’ Żakkarija u reġa’ tah mhux biss id-don tal-kelma imma wkoll id-don tal-fiduċja fiH. Anki l-isem mogħti lit-tifel, “Ikun jismu Ġwanni”, ifisser li din it-tarbija hija don. Ġwanni kien tassew don ta’ Alla għall-poplu Lhudi għax kien l-aħħar profeta li Alla pprovdielhom biex jgħinhom jilqgħu lil Kristu, li huwa l-ikbar don ta’ Alla għalina.

L-Isqof kompla billi qal li Alla min-natura tiegħu huwa “għotja”. Alla huwa mħabba bla tarf u għandu d-dgħufija li din l-imħabba ma jafx iżommha għalih, għalhekk kontinwament iferra’ l-abbundanza tal-grazzja fuq l-umanità.

Fl-aħħar ħeġġeġ lil Michael u lil Carl sabiex ma jkunux xħaħ, imma jkunu ġenerużi fis-servizz li joffru lill-bnedmin, partikularment lill-foqra. Saħaq li huma m’għandhomx jagħmlu kalkoli u li m’għandhomx iħallu l-ministeru tagħhom ikun ikkundizzjonat mil-liġi tas-suq.

Ritratti

On Friday 24th June 2016, Feast of St John the Baptist, Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, administered the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the grade of Deacons at the Gozo Cathedral.  The two new Deacons are Michael Grima from Saint Laurence Parish and Carl Scerri from the Cathedral Parish.  Relatives, friends and a number of priests took part in the celebration.  The Ordination Mass was animated by the Youth Choir of the Diocese.

In his homily, Bishop Grech addressed the two new Deacons, telling them that it is his wish that they promote the culture of giving.

He referred to the episode of the birth of St John the Baptist, which is woven by the thread of the logic of giving.  The Lord showed great mercy with Elizabeth, who in her old age, gave birth to a child.  God was generous with Zachary and gave him not only the gift of speech but also the gift of trust in Him.  Even the name given to the child, ‘His name will be John’, means that the child is a gift.  John was really a gift of God to the Jewish people since he was the last prophet sent by God to help them welcome Christ, who is God’s greatest gift to us.  The Bishop continued that God’s nature in itself is a giving.  God is infinite love and He wants to share this love with others.  So He is continually spreading grace to mankind.

To conclude, the Bishop urged Michael and Carl not to be mean.  They should be generous in their service to man, especially to the poor.  He stressed that they should neither work out any calculations nor let their ministry be conditioned by the law of the market.

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Il-Ġimgħa 10 ta’ Ġunju Mons. Isqof ingħaqad mal-komunità fil-kappella tas-Seminarju għall-Quddiesa fi tmiem is-Sena ta’ Formazzjoni.  Kienu mistiedna għal din il-Quddiesa l-familjari tas-seminaristi flimkien mal-Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju.  Tul din il-Quddiesa s-seminaristi Michael Grima u Carl Scerri ġew ammessi bħala kandidati għall-ordni sagri.

Permezz tal-prietka Mons. Isqof stqarr li għandu għal qalbu ħafna s-Seminarju u jixtieq li jibqa’ dar miftuħa li tagħti kontribut siewi fid-djoċesi tagħna.  Dan hu l-post fejn komunità ta’ żgħażagħ twettaq l-eżerċizzju tad-dixxerniment fid-dawl tal-vokazzjoni saċerdotali.  Hu stqarr li barra li jissaħħaħ is-Seminarju Maġġuri tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù jeħtieġ li jissaħħu wkoll il-familji, is-seminarji ż-żgħar.  Huwa fihom li jiġu mrawma l-vokazzjonijiet.  Hu importanti li s-saċerdoti flimkien mal-bqija tal-komunità jaħdmu sabiex kull familja, anki dawk li huma feruti, ikomplu joffru lok fejn il-Mulej ikompli jsejjaħ aktar żgħażagħ biex jimxu warajh.

Wara l-omelija r-Rettur Dun Tony Sciberras mssp ippreżenta lil Michael Grima u lil Carl Scerri li min-naħa tagħhom wieġbu “iva” għall-mistoqsijiet li għamlilhom Mons. Isqof.  Hekk huma ġew milqugħa bħala kandidati għall-ordinazzjoni djakonali li se jirċievu l-Ġimgħa 24 ta’ Ġunju 2016.

Is-seminaristi bdew il-vaganzi tas-Sajf nhar is-Sibt 11 ta’ Ġunju 2016.  Dan il-perjodu jkun għalihom żmien ta’ esperjenzi pastorali u fih huma jqattgħu aktar ħin ma’ tal-familja tagħhom.

On Friday 10th June, Bishop Grech joined the community for Mass at the Seminary Chapel to mark the end of the Year of Formation. The relatives of the seminarians and the members of Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju attended the celebration.  During Mass, seminarians Michael Grima and Carl Scerri were accepted as candidates for the Sacrament of the Holy Orders.

During the homily, Bishop Grech said that he was grateful for the Seminary which he hoped would continue to give its fruitful contribution to the diocese.  It is at the Seminary that young men discern their priestly vocation.  The Bishop said that the strengthening of the Major Seminary should run parallel to the strengthening of the family, which he referred to as a minor seminary.  It is in the environment of the family that priestly vocations are rooted.  It is important for priests and society in general to work hard so that more priestly vocations find roots within the families, including those families who are passing through a hard time.

After the bishop’s homily, Rector Fr Tony Sciberras MSSP presented Michael Grima and Carl Scerri as candidates for the ordination of deacons.  The candidates answered ‘yes’ to the questions set by the bishop, thus paving the way for their ordination on Friday, 24th June, 2016.

The seminarians started their holidays on Saturday, 11th June 2016.  During the holidays, they will be doing pastoral work and will have time to spend with their family.

Huma ħafna dawk li jistaqsu dwar x’joqogħdu jagħmlu s-seminaristi fil-ġranet li fihom ikunu fis-Seminarju.  Is-seminarista, għal seba’ snin sħaħ, iqatta’ ħafna ġimgħat ‘magħluq’ f’din id-dar ta’ formazzjoni, biex iħejji ruħu tajjeb għall-ħajja saċerdotali.

Is-Seminarju jgħin sabiex iż-żagħżugħ jikseb formazzjoni integrali.  Qabel kollox, is-seminarista jkollu l-għajnuna biex jaħseb u jirrifletti fuq is-sejħa għas-saċerdozju, li hu jkun qed iħoss f’qalbu.  Tul dawn is-seba’ snin hu jrid jasal li flimkien mal-Knisja jikkonferma li Alla tassew qed isajjaħlu għal dan it-tip ta’ ħajja.  Għaldaqstant il-formators (persuni ta’ esperjenza magħżula biex jakkumpanjaw lis-seminarista) jgħinu lil dan iż-żagħżugħ jifhem u jaċċetta aktar lilu nnifsu, u anki jikber fil-ħajja spiritwali tiegħu.  L-esperjenzi pastorali li s-seminarista jwettaq fil-weekend u anki fis-sena intermedjarja, ikomplu jgħinu biex hu jiżżejjen dejjem aktar b’qalb ta’ ragħaj.

Sadanittant is-seminarista għandu wkoll ir-responsabbiltà li jħejji lilu nnifsu tajjeb akkademikament għal din il-missjoni impenjattiva.  Għal din ir-raġuni, tul iż-żmien li fih ikunu fis-Seminarju, is-seminarista jitħarreġ fix-xjenzi tal-filosofija u tat-teoloġija.  Dan l-istudju jkun ta’ livell terzjarju (fil-fatt il-fakultà tat-teoloġija fis-Seminarju ta’ Għawdex hi affiljata mal-Angelicum Pontificia Università San Tommaso d’Aquino) u jsir mit-Tnejn sal-Ġimgħa filgħodu (barra l-Ħamis). Diversi huma l-lecturers li ta’ kuljum jiġu fis-Seminarju biex jagħtu lectures marbuta ma’ dawn is-suġġetti.

Id-djaknu Massimo Buttigieg, tul ix-xahar ta’ Mejju, kellu l-eżami de universa (comprehensive), li permezz tiegħu għalaq l-istudji akkademiċi tiegħu fis-Seminarju ta’ Għawdex.  Dan filwaqt li l-bqija tas-seminaristi, nhar il-Ġimgħa 27 ta’ Mejju temmew il-lectures tagħhom għal din is-sena, u wara kellhom l-eżamijiet li saru bejn it-Tlieta 31 ta’ Mejju u l-Ġimgħa 10 ta’ Ġunju.

One may wonder how the seminarian spends his time at the Seminary.  For seven whole years, the seminarian is boarder at this house of formation where he prepares himself to embrace the life of priesthood.

The Seminary helps the seminarian to acquire a holistic formation.  First of all, the seminarian is helped to reflect on his vocation.  Throughout these seven years of formation, he has to reaffirm his conviction that he is being called for priesthood.  For this reason, formators who are chosen to accompany the seminarian help the young man to understand what he is being called for and to grow spiritually.  The pastoral work that the seminarian is called to carry out during the weekends and during the intermediary year help him to enhance his vocation.

During these seven years, the seminarian has also to prepare himself academically for his arduous mission.  For this reason, he reads for courses in philosophy and theology.  The faculty of Theology at the Seminary is affiliated with the Angelicum Pontificia Università San Tommaso d’Aquino.  Lectures at tertiary level are held daily from Monday to Friday and are delivered by qualified lecturers.

During May, Deacon Massimo Buttigieg sat for the de universa (comprehensive), the exam which marked his end of academic studies at the Seminary.  The other seminarians ended their lectures for the year on the 27th May and sat for their annual exams between 31st May and 10th June.