TRIPLE-LANDMARK FEAST OF ST ANNE

This year’s ALPS feast of St Anne, celebrated on 17th
July at the chapel in Pwales Valley, was indeed another resounding
success that more than ever before led the Council of Administration
to audibly wish there could be some way of legally enlarging
either the chapel or its parvis: scores of people in the congregation
had to spill out over the rough terrain at the front of the
chapel.

There were at least three special features in this fourth
celebration of the feast (hence the “triple landmark”
in the heading): it was another event in the tenth anniversary
year of the Association; and it marked the completion of the
chapel’s expert restoration, including its repaving
with flagstones. Both landmarks are suitably commemorated
on the plaque that was unveiled on the Gospel side of the
altar by Tourism & Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech,
who not only approved the restoration project as Works Minister
but also personally paid for the polishing of the flagstones.
The occasion also saw the first public use of the brand-new
pedestal for the statues of St Anne, St Joachim and their
Infant Mary.

A third landmark, which of course is not recorded on the
plaque, was the presentation of a 10-month-old girl to St
Anne at the end of Holy Mass – possibly the first-ever
such ceremony at St Anne Chapel. Little Ann Cilia was proudly
held by her mother Margaret while father Jack held elder sister
Esther.

Dr Zammit Dimech was invited to unveil the plaque with ALPS
Founder and Deputy President Guido Saliba in the unavoidable
absence of Acting President George Stagno Navarra. The minister
praised the initiatives of the Association in connection with
the chapel and said how wonderful it would be if other associations
would do likewise. The Government, he added, would do anything
to help, but it could not be expected to do everything on
its own.

Holy Mass, the presentation of Baby Ann and the blessing
of the plaque were carried out by Fr Reno Grech SJ, himself
a Lyceum past student. The Choir of the University of the
Third Age sang during Mass and later entertained the congregation-turned-audience
under the baton of Maestro Joe Fenech. The evening ended late
at night with the now-customary light refreshments.

AN OUTING WITH A DIFFERENCE

For our socio-cultural event this month the Council of Administration
has organised something with a difference(s). For starters,
it will last from the afternoon to late evening – with
air-conditioned transport laid on for a small extra charge.

On Saturday 25th September ALPS members, families and friends
are invited to enjoy a high tea at the renowned Il-Barri Restaurant
at Mgarr, starting at 4.30 p.m. In groups of ten or thereabouts
participants will then be able to visit the impeccably-kept
wartime shelters under the restaurant, which extend to beneath
the parish church. This visit will be followed by Holy Mass
at a venue still to be decided (possibly Mgarr itself), and
then on to the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel at Cirkewwa for a
buffet dinner complete with two-hour cabaret show.

For those who do not wish to drive at length or at night
the Council is laying on air-conditioned transport which will
pick up booked members along a pre-determined route to Mgarr,
take them to Mass, then to the hotel and drive them back to
their homes or parked cars after 11 p.m. If enough interest
is shown through bookings the transport will start its itinerary
at 3 p.m. from Paola Square and proceed to Marsa (December
13th Monument), Floriana, Sa Maison, Msida Workers’
Monument, Gzira Manoel Island, Sliema Ferries, Sliema Fond
Ghadir, San Gwann Parish Church, Naxxar Parish Church and
Mosta Subaru Showrooms. Please note that the transport cannot
wait to pick up passengers, so calculate 5 minutes for every
part of the trip before the transport gets to you. Again,
if enough interest is shown from the Mellieha and St Paul’s
Bay side the Council will consider laying on additional transport.

Price per head for the full programme, including the high
tea, shelter visit, dinner, show and return transport, is
Lm8.50. People who do not wish to use the transport may deduct
Lm1 per head. Subject to availability one can stay overnight
at the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel for additional Lm10 on bed-and-breakfast
basis or Lm13 half board (including Sunday lunch). Please
make your personal requirements known at the time of booking.

Booking is to be made by not later than Thursday 23rd September
with ALPS Secretary-General Alex Borg, on telephone/fax 21
386812 or 21 376387 or e-mail studiomoda@global.net.mt.

FAREWELL TO A WORTHY ASSOCIATE

ALPS is saddened by the news of the passing away of Mr Vincent
Attard JP, President of the ALPS Branch in New South Wales.
We are sure that all who remember him will join the Council
of Administration in sending sincere condolences to his family.

SPECIAL OFFER TO A.L.P.S. MEMBERS

Eurochange Financial Services, proprietor ALPS member Philip
O. Gatt, are offering fellow ALPS members and their families
special attention at no additional cost. When travelling abroad
for business or pleasure simply contact Eurochange on telephone
21 356272, order your foreign currency requirements and your
order will be delivered by Eurochange couriers to your home
or office address, at no additional cost.

Even at this late time of the year, a number of ALPS members have not yet paid their membership. Please send your Lm3 to the attention of Treasurer Joseph Mallia, “Daffodil Court”, A/3 St George’s Street, St Venera.