Meetings, projects, a new ‘il-Belt Victoria’ and a minibus!
As we are turning another calendar page – that of October to November – here at St George’s Basilica, October was a hectic one. That is the month where all pastoral activities resume after the summer recess.
During September, the core groups responsible for all groups gathered and agreed on the dates, location and other important issues. This year, meetings for the various groups are held nearly every day of the week, excluding Monday. Below are the dates:
- 16+: Tuesday @ 8.00pm
- Years 9-11: Wednesday @ 7.30pm
- First Communion: Thursday @ 5.30pm
- Confirmation: Thursday @ 5.30pm
- Year 8: Friday @ 7.00pm
- Everyone: Friday @ 7.30pm (every fortnight)
- 18+ youths: Friday @ 8.00pm
- Married couples: Saturday @ 7.30pm (every second week)
- Engaged couples: Sunday @ 9.45am (every fortnight)
Apart from these meetings, a dedicated mass for the family and children is held every Sunday morning (10.00am) and another dedicated to youth every Sunday evening (7.00pm). A monthly activity for the elderly is also being organised.
In the last weeks we have also seen a number of projects being worked on. In the beginning of October, the Parish purchased a new minibus for pastoral use. The photovoltaic panels project is near its completion, which will see the installation of 65 panels on the parish rooftop. For such project, the parish has secured its full funding from donations of our parishioners, totalling to €70,000. After the bureaucratic hurdles and other related work, including the necessary permits and a call for quotations, the PV panels structure shall be installed during the first week of November. With regards to the restoration of our parish façade, work is mainly concentrated on the preparation of the tender document which shall be issued for bidders to submit their quotation. During the summer recess, cleaning and refurbishment of various areas of our parish centre was done, amongst which the parish hall, basement and stores. In fact, the parish hall was given a facelift, making it more welcoming and functional for activities and meetings.
Meanwhile, two youths from our parish, Samuel Aquilina and Ġorġ Pisani, have just started their propedeutical year which, God willing, will lead to their formation at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
The parish office during the last few weeks was also working on a new edition of Il-Belt Victoria. This issue features various interesting articles, amongst which an obituary on Mgr Ġwann Mercieca; an article on the anniversary of our Collegiate Chapter; the continuation of the series on our Barigozzi bells and demographic scenarios related to our parish; a collection of photos related to the titular feast; an article on the twentieth edition of the Victoria International Arts Festival; and other interesting articles. The latest issue can be viewed by clicking here [https://issuu.com/il-beltvictoria/docs/bv191].
We also invite our readers to the Sunday Luncheon to be held on Sunday 12 November on the occasion of the first anniversary of the appointment of Archpriest Mgr Joseph Curmi and in aid of the parish pastoral activities and projects. More information and bookings can be done at our parish office.