|
Current News from our Locality.
The Council acquires more funds from the European Union
24 August 2010
 While the great and ambitious project of the restoration of the church façade is underway in our village, our Local Council continues with its work to acquire more funds to be able to commence other projects for the benefit of the residents and also those who visit our village. This site has information that the Local Council has just acquired more than seven hundred thousand euro to implement another large project, which, this time, will affect every part of the village. The works consists of the restoration of the 14 alleys scattered around the village, the square project and the building of rubble walls at the lower part of Triq Wied Merill. These projects will join a series of other works that are currently being carried out in our village. According to the Mayor when contacted, these projects are contributing for the regeneration of the village. He said that in the near future the Council would be presenting a report that will give in detail ways of how our locality can become more sustainable. The mayor said that he dreams of a more open village to generate more opportunities for our residents. The Local Council intends to commence the alley project as soon as possible so that it could later implement the square project. It seems that with these funds, the possibility of the square project is finally in the limelight.
Francine Caruana is chosen to participate in a Commonwealth project in Rwanda
23 August 2010
 In a statement issued today the San Lawrenz Local Council congratulated Francine Caruana, a young 21-year-old woman from San Lawrenz who was chosen as one of 35 participants in a Commonwealth programme focusing on leadership amongst youths. Francine, who has just completed her Masters at the University of Malta, is very interested in this subject. She was able to pass through rigid competition amongst more than 500 international participants. She will be the only Maltese in a group of 28 youths, coming from different countries. The programme in which Francine will take part is called Nkabom and is one of the most important programmes of the Royal Commonwealth Society. This society is also the oldest one working in the commonwealth. Nkabom means “moving closer together”. Next month, Francine, together with the other chosen participants, will travel to Kigali, in Rwanda to experience ten days of an intensive programme which focuses mostly on helping youths understand international affairs, generate peace and to be able to solve conflicts. Rwanda, which is the newest country in the Commonwealth with an average age of 18, will be the best site where these youths could discover their potential to be agents of peace and development.
Restoration works underway
16 August 2010
 At the moment the façade of our church is undergoing restoration work. Work has commenced well before the feast and is progressing in a steady manner. A group of Italian experts were here in July to study the needs of the façade. After issuing the report works started immediately by the Italians and under the direct supervision of an Italian expert. Besides, the Project Architect, Ivana Farrugia, is doing inspections regularly, meeting the company architects and the Italian expert on site, This site has information that works are progressing according to schedule and as agreed with the European Union. In the meantime the last preparations are underway for restoration works on the Cali paintings and the Church organ, which will commence soon. Restoration on the church bells have also commenced, although work was put on hold during the feast, as we all know, the bells were justly being used during the feast days. Meanwhile this site is informed that the Local Council has also began its preparations for the restoration of the niche of Our Lady of Sorrows which is situated on the façade of the Parish Centre. This restoration will be possible thanks to the Local Councils’ application with the Parliamentary Secretariat of Public Consultation. These projects all form part of the Local Council’s Locality regeneration programme
The festivities come to an end with dignity
11 August 2010
 Yesterday, 10th August, the Universal Church celebrated the Feast of St Lawrence. Our community celebrated this day by bringing to an end its celebrations in honour of our Patron Saint, St Lawrence. In the evening, after vespers, the reciting of the prayers in honour of St Lawrence (Kurunella), the singing of the antiphon and the Sacramental Blessing, Mgr Bishop Mario Grech led the Eucharist. Besides the Parish Priest, Fr Injazju Borg, the assistant Parish Priest Fr Charles Sultana and Fr Manwel Cutajar, other Gozitans priests who have a devotion to St Lawrence attended this Mass, amongst whom was our ex-Parish Priest, the Seminary Rector Fr Daniel Xerri. In his homily the Bishop spoke of the persecution being experienced by the Church in our times, as during the times of St Lawrence, with the difference that today the persecutions are undermining the society such as the family. He urged the Christians to follow the example of St Lawrence and to be firm in the face of these persecutions. After Mass, which was animated by the Levita Laurentius Choir under the direction of Joe Formosa, the statue of St Lawrence was put back into its niche by the members of the External Feast Committee, amidst the singing and applause of the San Lawrenz community. Later a get together was organized in the square, as part of St Lawrence Day. It was a lovely occasion, giving the community the occasion to meet in a fraternal spirit to celebrate its Patron Saint.
Today the world celebrates ST LAWRENCE DAY
10 August 2010
 Today the Universal Church solemnly celebrates the feast of St Lawrence. St Lawrence is a martyr documented in the Church’s infancy, and shortly after his death (on a grid) his cult began to spread to the four corners of the world. Great doctors of the Church such as St Augustine and St Ambrog spoke about this great Saint. The same is still happening today; many are those who speak about this saint who is contemporary to this day, especially where the rights of those most needy are concerned. The current Pope, Benedict XVI speaks about St Lawrence is his Encyclical Deus Est Charita, as an example of love towards one’s neighbors. And last Sunday during Angelus the same Pope mentioned St Lawrence as a great martyr of the Catholic Church. The worldwide worship of St Lawrence is not only linked with Christians but also with several institutions. St Lawrence is linked to the phenomenon which appears annually close to the 10th of August, the Perseids or as they are also known as the Tears of St Lawrence. During the nights close to the 10th of August the sky is full of a great amount of stars thus the connection to St Lawrence. This saint is also one of the main patrons of Rome, so much so that this day is a very important day in this city. Our same patron saint is also patron saint of librarians and chefs. In our country the worship of St Lawrence is one with roots in very old times. The parish of Birgu is evidence to this; the same could be said for our island. The oldest history book of our island, that written by Agius de Soldanis who lived between 1712 and 1770 mentions the fact that the elderly of that time used to say that the oldest chapel they remember in the citadel was dedicated to St Lawrence. Even in the area close to our village, there were two chapels dedicated to St Lawrence. All this shows the magnitude and also the love and respect the Catholic Church always gave to St Lawrence. Today, together with the church, we are also commemorating this great saint and this evening the Bishop of our Diocese, Mario Grech will be presiding the Main Eucharist of the day.
A Great Feast from a community that keeps St Lawrence deeply in its heart
09 August 2010
 Yesterday the festivities in honour of the great St Lawrence, Patron saint of our community reached their peak with a day full of activities. All those present, parishioners and visitors, showed their satisfaction at having joined us during this feast. The day started with a solemn concelebration lead by the Vicar of the Diocese and in which Fr Roberto Gauci delivered an optimal panegyric. After the 11am band march the community disco was held where everyone could meet and enjoy themselves in a family atmosphere. The evening saw the highlight of the whole feast. Solemn Vespers were said in Church and afterwards the procession proceeded into the square, amidst the singing of the anthem dedicated to St Lawrence and the pyrotechnic fireworks, which were a success similar to yesterday’s ground fireworks. At the end of the procession the parish priest thanked God that all went well and also thanked the dedicated Committee for their efforts to organize such a dignified feast that unites the community. He said that today’s feast is the Community Feast but he continued that ‘from tomorrow the 9th to the 10th of August the Universal Church will be commemorating the feast of St Lawrence’. He urged everyone to unite with the church in this commemoration. This evening solemn vespers of the vigil of St Lawrence will be said and afterwards HE Mgr Silvestru Magro, Bishop of Benghazi, will lead a Mass.
Hundreds, if not thousands of Maltese, Gozitans and foreigners join us to enjoy the ground fireworks
08 August 2010
 Yesterday evening the ceremony with the relic of St Lawrence was held, accompanied by the members of the third order – the ‘fratelli’ and ‘terzjarji’ as well as the small children wearing the altar vestments, known amongst us as the ‘zimmarra’. Many were those who attended to accompany the procession led by the parish priest and also to enjoy the fireworks. But, if many attended for this occasion, many, many more attended in the evening to enjoy the ground fireworks show offered by the Feast Committee. During the day, St Lawrence Street was packed with the ground fireworks equipment, from the Square reaching to Dahlet Pawluzzu. Then in the evening this street was crowded with people who came to be entertained by the fireworks show. The general comment was one of praise. Many appreciated the show on offer and commented on the fact that although we are a small community, we were able to organize a great performance. Today we have the climax of the whole feast. This morning Mgr Vicar General will lead the Solemn Mass while Fr Roberto Gauci will deliver the panegyric in honour of St Lawrence. The 11.00 o clock band march will be held straight afterwards and then in the evening the procession with the statue of St Lawrence will be led by Xaghra Emeritus Archpriest, Mgr Ewkaristiku Sultana. This site augurs HAPPY FEAST to everyone, but especially to all the ‘Lawrenzjani’.
St Lawrence, our Patron Saint dominates the square
07 August 2010
 Yesterday evening after having passed through the main streets of the village carried shoulder high by our youths, the statue of St Lawrence took prominence on the pedestal to be the centre of the community during the feast days. At the same time, besides the Xewkija Band which accompanied the statue of St Lawrence, the special guest band coming from Belgium offered a great concert on the main stage with a variety of music which surely entertained all those present. This band, which is in Malta as the guest of the San Lawrenz Musical Society in Vittoriosa, was also invited to visit Gozo to give a musical concert in our square during this year’s Feast. From the feedback we got, it seems that those present appreciated this band and the music offered. At the end of the programme the Parish Priest, accompanied by the Mayor offered a token gift to the conductor of the band. Regarding the activities in church yesterday was the last day of the solemn triduum. Mgr Lawrence Sciberras delivered his last homily on St Lawrence with the congregation acknowledging his contribution with a great applause. Today the solemn ceremony in which the relic of St Lawrence will be transported to the church will be held in the evening. After the ceremony the outside activities will continue with the La Stella Band from Victoria and the St Joseph Band from Ghajnsielem. At the end a spectacle of ground fireworks will be held.
|
