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Current News from our Locality.
Dun Guzepp commemorated in Sydney, Australia
12 June 2010
 On the 11th of June 2010, in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Wentworthville, a special mass was celebrated to commemorate Dun Guzepp Piscopo and also another two parishioners, Golina Cauchi and Grezzja Grima who have passed away recently. Many emigrants from San Lawrenz attended this mass. Among them was Mayor Noel Formosa who is currently in Australia. During mass, special prayers were said for these deceased and before the ceremony the Mayor greeted those present and spoke about the importance our Council gives to the Emigrants. He spoke about Golina and Grezzja and especially about Dun Guzepp, highlighting the most important aspects of his life and especially his great love towards our village and the emigrants who were so close to his heart. At the end of mass, a get together provided the opportunity for the emigrants to meet the Mayor personally. When we asked him for his comments regarding this experience, the Mayor expressed his satisfaction for having this opportunity to meet the community from San Lawrenz living in Sydney. He congratulated the organizers of this activity for their work and also for the initiative to commemorate Dun Guzepp and also others who have passed away. He encouraged this community “Lawrenzjana” to continue to express this spirit of unity amongst them.
The Church Façade Restoration begins
11 June 2010
 In the last few days a new project has commenced in our village. This project will not only be of benefit for the residents of San Lawrenz and will also be included in the history of our village, but it is intended to draw more tourists towards this part of Gozo. The restoration of the Church Façade is finally underway. During the last week the awarded contractor began with the mounting of the scaffolding which will then be in place for the actual works. The European Union will be financing 80% of this project. As mentioned many times before, this project has been involved in paperwork for the last two years. Two years ago the Church and the Local Council agreed to submit an application to the European Union to acquire funds for this much needed restoration. In the meantime the necessary permits from MEPA and other entities were acquired. Months later it was announced that the Parish, together with the Local Council were granted the funds. Immediately the many bureaucratic works in connection with this type of application began, coordinated by the Local Council. Recently the contracts were signed by the contractors who were awarded the works and now we will be able to actually see the work underway. Every contractor has a timeframe to terminate the work. This site will keep you informed with the developments taking place. In the section on the left hand side of this site, which was introduced when the tenders were being made public, there is another section which will be including photos to show the difference while the works are progressing.
New pavements for Our Lady of Sorrows Street
09 June 2010
 Yesterday, a new project took off in Our Lady of Sorrows Street, with the constructions of new pavements with a uniformed design. This will compliment other pavements in the central streets of the locality such as Cangura Street, part of Fungus Rock Street and Dalelands Street. A Special Funds Scheme sponsored by the Local Councils Department will be financing this embellishment project, which should be completed in about a month’s time. This street, which is very frequently used by hundreds of Maltese and foreigners daily as it is the main road to Dwejra, is expected be given a new, attractive and organized appearance. Through this site we wish to excuse ourselves for any inconvenience for the residents and the public in general and we assure you that soon the pavements will be more comfortable and accessible.
Another Outing
04 June 2010
 This morning the Local Council once again organized the monthly outing for the Elderly.
Today they paid a visit to the village of Ghasri which will be celebrating its feast this weekend.
The day started with mass in the Ghasri Parish Church which was decorated for the occasion. Fr Charles Sultana, celebrated the mass and gave an explanation of the titular feast of Ghasri. After mass, the Mayor of Ghasri, Mr Andrew Vella invited us to their parish centre where they offered us a coffee and some nourishment and the group had the opportunity to meet some residents and exchange a few words. Later on the group headed to a restaurant where, as usual, they had the time to relax with a game of bingo. The outing came to an end with a very good lunch. On their way home, the group thanked the council and expressed their eagerness for the next outing.
Mayor Formosa interviewed in Australia
31 May 2010
 Mayor Noel Formosa is currently in Australia on a personal visit where apart from enjoying the family’s company, he is also meeting some emigrants in various occasions. Next week Mayor Formosa is going to be the main guest on a maltese program on the national station SBS. This interview was recorded and directed by Marlene Galea who is one of the station’s producers. During this interview the Mayor was enquired about what’s going on in San Lawrenz and Gozo. A particular reference was applied to Dwejra Bay and what is being done to protect it. The Mayor also referred to the most important undergoing project in our locality such as the restoration of the church façade which is expected to commence in the coming days. During his stay, the Mayor is planning to visit the city of Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
San Lawrenz...runner-up in the EDEN 2010 Award
29 May 2010
 The 3D Festival held at Dwejra on September 2007, placed San Lawrenz as the runner-up of the EDEN 2010 Award – European Destination of Excellence for aquatic tourism in EU funded projects aiming to promote sustainable tourism throughout Europe. The competition was targeted for Maltese coastal localities which during these last three years have implemented a project thus promoting aquatic tourism. The 3D-Dwejra Festival was held on two days at Dwejra bay at the end of Sumjmer 2007. It included cultural, traditional and marine activities. This festival was so impressive that everyone is continuously asking for the second edition. Eden 2010 was won by Senglea and San Lawrenz ended up as a runner up together with the localities of Gharb and Birgu.
The Childcare Centre to open daily
28 May 2010
 The Childcare Centre in San Lawrenz has been operating since July 2002. It caters for babies and young children between the ages of a year and a half and seven years. Up till now, it has been opening twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays and sometimes it was open three times a week during the summer months. On an insistent request from the parents, the Council has decided that for the coming summer, precisely from 1st July 2010, the Childcare Centre will be opening every day, between Monday and Friday from 8:00 and 12.30. This will be on a trial basis and if we have a satisfactory attendance, the Centre will continue to open daily throughout the winter as well. The Childcare Centre is highly equipped and lately more furniture and new toys were added to continue to enhance it. During the summer months, the children could also play on the outside while still being protected from the sun. All those who are interested to make use of this service are encouraged to phone the Council office on 21563556 or 27013054 for more information. This service is open for all of Gozo. We assure you that your children will be in the best of hands and will benefit from the best education.
Celebration Day 2009 – 2010 in our school
26 May 2010
 Yesterday an unusual atmosphere could be felt at Dun Salv Portelli Primary School. Celebration Day was being held in which the students were being awarded for their work and at the same time they had the opportunity to put on stage a special item and perform for their parents. The school hall was fully packed with the students together with their parents and relatives, and the children were happily waiting with anticipation for the beginning of this ceremony. The kinder classes presented their action songs and afterwards all the other classes together presented the musical The Litter Muncher. In his short address before presenting the prizes, the Head of School, Mr Joseph Scerri emphasized the fact that this day is the students’ Day and praised their effort, together with that of the staff in general, as with their combined efforts the school could continue to flourish. In the absence of Mayor Noel Formosa, who is presently in Australia, the Vice Mayor Mr Anthony Formosa presented the school with a small donation which would help towards our children’s education
San Lawrenz pays its last respects to Dun Guzepp
25 May 2010
 The village of San Lawrenz, yesterday, with great sorrow paid its last respects to Dun Guzepp, a very dear priest and great benefactor who passed away on Friday 21st May 2010. Dun Guzepp’s funeral took place in the St Lawrence Parish Church at 4:00pm after being exposed for the prayers of the public for two hours in the Parish Centre. The mass was lead by Gozo Bisop Mgr. Mario Grech accompanied by a great number of priests from the Gozo Diocese Presbytery. In a very moving mass, one could note tears in the eyes of the parishioners who held this dear priest so much at heart. Dun Guzepp will surely remain in our hearts and will be remembered for his great generosity and the great love he had towards our Patron Saint, St Lawrence and towards every aspect of the village of San Lawrenz
The village in mourning
22 May 2010
 Yesterday we received the news that Fr Joseph Piscopo passed away to be united with our Lord. Fr Joseph, or as he was mostly known as Dun Guzepp spent the last years of his life in great pain, fighting his illness, but this did not keep him from continuing to serve our community till the end, a village and community which were so close to his heart and which will be left with a great void. Dun Guzepp was born on the 23rd September 1932 and was ordained a priest at the age of 25. He worked a great deal in the village, in his pastoral work as a priest in the parish and also in various parochial organizations such as the Festa Committee, the Dwejra Fair, Legion of Mary, the Catholic Action and so many other works for the benefit of our community and the ‘Lawrenzjani’. Besides all this, Dun Guzepp will be remembered also for his work in the Gozo General Hospital amongst the sick and also in the confessional particularly in Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary. Last year Dun Guzepp received the honour of the Chaplain of His Holiness the Pope, with the title of Monsignor. We took the comments of Parish Priest Injazju Borg regarding this news. He said that on behalf of the parish he gives thanks to the Lord for all that Dun Guzepp has done for our parish. “He worked tirelessly, driven by a great love to God, and the Catholic community of our parish” We also asked for the comments of the Mayor Noel Formosa, who is currently in Australia. He expressed his sorrow for this loss, and also that he cannot be with the community during this difficult time. “But”, the Mayor said, “I am sure that Dun Guzepp’s work and his testimony of love which he always showed towards our village are of great consolation to us”. He sent his condolences to the family and the whole community Dun Guzepp’s funeral will take place on Monday 24th May 2010. He will be laid for the last respects and prayers of the parishioners in the Parish Centre at 2:30pm and the funeral mass will be said at 4:00pm. This site joins the rest of the community in its condolences to the Piscopo family.
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