On Tuesday 8 December we celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the opening of the Millennium Chapel

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we were unable to celebrate this event in a way that befitted the occasion. However, with God’s help we managed to have the thanksgiving Mass broadcast on the Facebook page of the Millennium Chapel so that those who wished to be present, and were unable to do so, could join us. During this Mass we remembered also those who died in tragic circumstances during this year as well as in past years.

During the Mass, God was thanked for so much good that emanated from the Chapel during the past 20 years not only from a spiritual point of view but also from a social aspect through WOW that was built four year later. We also thanked God for all those who, is some way or other, helped to make possible the Chapel project, and for all benefactors and many volunteers who, over the years, kindly offered their time for others.

Many are the individuals and families who found, and still find, help and succour at the Chapel, by way of counselling that is given, as well as through foodstuffs that are distributed monthly to needy families. N.A. and A.A. support groups also find solace in this complex as they have regular meetings at The Word Meditation garden that was inaugurated two years ago. Moreover, every year students from  various secondary schools attend ‘WOW Xperience’ half-day seminars that emphasise the beauty of life.

Mass was celebrated by Fr. Hilary, Founder of the Millennium Chapel. The Archbishop’s Delegate for Djakonija, Mgr. Charles Cordina together with the Paceville Community Prior, Fr. Franco Grech, concelebrated. Caritas also participated actively in this Mass. Soprano Ruth Casingena and singer Ivan Grech added to the beauty of this celebration through their lovely singing, accompanied by Mario Balzan Demajo on the organ.

After Mass, by the olive tree known as ‘Tree of Life’ near the entrance to the Chapel, prayers were said for the souls of all those who lost their lives under tragic circumstances and for the needs of their families. This was followed by tethering on the tree heart shaped signs with the names of those concerned so that the memory of these loved ones will always remain alive in our prayers, in mind and in our hearts.bna.

Doreen Vassallo Grant

‘A Hint of Hope, Notes, groans and rushes of blood from my heart’ is a new book with reflections by Fr. Raymond Francalanza O.S.A. which will be published in the coming days. The book comprises more than 150 writings by Fr. Raymond himself in the form of reflections and prayers inspired by his ‘journey of life’, this at a time when he is celebrating the 30^th anniversary of his Priestly Ordination.

The book comprises seven sections as follows, the first and last being an introduction and a conclusion that form part of the same reflections. At the end of the book one finds a detailed index. In this manner Fr. Raymond makes a brief summary of each chapter.

1. Introduction: How the journey evolved

Here he sees life as an adventure, a mission in which he finds a scope. However, there are some who see this empty, even a burden, full of challenges and crosses. Some look at life as being beautiful, full of charm, blessings and beauty. But there are others who, on the contrary, see life as being dark, full of entanglements and worry. I look upon life as a journey. Every day I try to walk its pace. Some times I am successful; other times not.

2. The first journey: A window slightly ajar in my heart

In these reflections I felt I was searching in the chest of my past but also in my baggage of my present lifetime. What I have written represents my self-portrait, but even more the mosaic that there is in my heart. Of that which roused, inspired and engraved my innermost feelings. During this journey, I felt I was digging deeply into my conscience.

3. The second journey: From the rainbow of life

These are reflections on life, the human adventure, man’s behaviour, the co-existence of contrary influences, ambiguities, distractions, compromises, insensibility, masks, our blindness and misdeeds. And the subtle tendency to escape so as not to face reality.

4. The third journey: Homage ... In the spirit and the truth

During this journey I experienced the reality of the Church, the light and its and our shadows, the life of faith and religion, a priestly and consecrated life, spirituality meditation and a mysterious walk in a spiritual world which only this has the power to liberate.

5. The fourth journey: When life becomes a prayer

These are experiences from the realities of everyday life, with sudden knocks, with its ups and downs. All is well in good weather, but when the way ahead seems rugged and snakelike, we may find that time is lengthy and heavy going and we do not understand everything. For me these are moments that one can change into prayer.  Because prayer is not a ritual, an escape from life or from the spoken word, but when your own life becomes an offer.

6. The fifth journey: Words that do not evaporate

These are reflections concerning phrases from scripture, some of them spoken by Jesus himself that in different times touched my heart. His words provoked me many times, in them I found expressions that help one follow the road of sincerity, and at the same time have the power to awaken our sleepy conscience.

7. Conclusion: Live will go on

What is important is to live a life with your feet on the ground. But for me it is more important that you do not lose the mystery of ecstasy in yourself. I recognise that the constant beating in me is still all there. I tried to put to writing my feelings. Because I know that the time will come when I will be unable to write another word. And during my life journey I will continue going …. I will also continue walking and flying …. until I finally arrive near Him.

In a celebration held on Wednesday, Dcember 9 at St. John's Co-Cathedral, the Church in Malta greeted and thanked the Lord for the gift of His Eminence Mons. Mario Grech who was created Cardinal in the consistory of November 28. The Prior Provincial Fr Leslie Gatt, represented the Maltese Province in the celebration.

His Eminence Mario Grech was in fact created Cardinal just a few months after the death of our brother the Maltese Cardinal Prospero Grech osa. As a gesture of remembrance and appreciation of his closeness to the Augustinians in Malta, as well as of the friendship between them, the Augustinian Province gave the new Cardinal the red cord which holds the pectoral cross that belonged to Cardinal Prospero Grech.

At the General Curia of the Augustinian Order, where the Cardinal is currently residing, the Prior General Fr. Alejandro Morál Antón osa presented the Maltese Cardinal with a silver pectoral cross with a relic of St. Augustine, accompanied by the certificate of authentication by the postulator general of the Order, fr. Josef Sciberras osa.

Cardinal Mario Grech was in fact granted affiliation to the Augustinian Order in the in the bicentennial year of the Province in 2017. Through this affiliation, granted by the Pirjol General, endowed with the authority required by the Holy See, Grech is considered one of the sons of the Order, and is a full member of the Augustinian Family. In a post on his Facebook profile a few days ago, Cardinal Grech expressed his gratitude to the Augustinian Order.

On Tuesday, 8^th December, feast of the Immaculate Conception, we Augustinian brethren gathered together at the Church dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Paceville for a moment of prayer during advent. The gathering started with praying the 9 o’clock morning Psalms. This was followed by some spiritual thoughts by Fr. Franco Fenech and ended with Adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and a Sacramental Blessing.

This short period of prayer together was held instead of the usual Advent retreat which is held annually. However, in view of the pandemic, this year we were constrained to hold this retreat in such a restricted way. Nonetheless, it was a good occasion that, whilst adhering to all the health authorities’ directives, we got together and reflected on the true meaning of Advent during these particular times that we are presently living.