MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
We all deserve a break during the hot summer months. Except, of course, for the feast of St Anne in Pwales in July there shall be no further activities by ALPS up to October 2006. We therefore extend to you all heartfelt wishes for the best possible relaxation, whatever it may be that relaxes you individually.
And while you may be basking in the sun or, better still, admiring some mountain scenery or driving through some picturesque country scenery during a holiday excursion abroad, the ALPS Council of Administration will continue to strive to achieve its research goals and to build on the success of our past programmes.
Here’s hoping that when we meet again after the summer recess you will all be ready to participate in greater events that we are planning for ALPS members and friends. Happy holidays, everyone!
GEORGE STAGNO NAVARRA
BISHOP OF GOZO MADE A.L.P.S. HONORARY LIFE MEMBER
As we all but promised in the April issue of ALPS News, the highlight of the annual spiritual retreat at Manresa House between 19th and 21st May was a very enjoyable meeting with the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech. It was a meeting that, in spite of the best-laid plans, almost did not happen because Mgr Grech was called to Malta on a matter of urgency at the same time as he was scheduled to meet the ALPS gathering. In the end, instead of at 11 a.m. as planned he joined the group at 9.30 p.m., but if anything it made the all-round effort and persistency all the more enjoyable.
It was with great satisfaction all around that ALPS President George Stagno Navarra finally had the privilege of surprising Mgr Grech, who attended the Lyceum in Victoria in his youth, with the news that he was being made an Honorary Life Member of ALPS.
The President said that renewed congratulations for Mgr Grech’s appointment as Bishop of Gozo could only make sense if they were accompanied by the best wishes for success in his pastoral duties, aided with God’s blessing. The appointment was another feather in the well-adorned cap of The Lyceum, both in Malta and in Gozo, as a producer of great men who had done their school and their country proud over the centuries.
Bishop Grech graciously accepted the honour, which was only the second to have been bestowed by the ALPS Council of Administration, and heartily encouraged the Council to keep up its efforts to unite Lyceum Past Students of all ages and from all walks of life. He then imparted his blessing to all those present.
All ALPS members and friends who attended the three-day retreat, marked as usual by the all-round efforts of Fr Paul Zammit SJ, came away saying that not only had it been a breath of spiritual fresh air in their very busy lives, but the material prepared by Biblical scholar Mgr Lawrence Sciberras had been highly enlightening and informative.
SOCIAL ACTIVITY FOR JUNE
The Council of Administration is organising a buffet BBQ dinner to be held on the terraces of the Royal Malta Yacht Club on Manoel Island on Monday 19th June 2006, at 7.45 for 8 p.m. The menu can be perused at the end of this newsletter, and the price per person will be Lm6.75 with the inclusion of water and a glass of wine or soft drink.
Just follow the direction signs on Manoel Island. With the magnificent floodlit walls of Valletta across the water, members and friends of ALPS will be able not only to eat and drink to their hearts’ content but also to listen (or better still, dance) to disco melodies of the past. The guests of honour at the dinner will be ALPS Canada Branch President Milo Vassallo and his wife Rita – all the more reason why former classmates and personal friends should make it a point to attend.
Bookings can be made with ALPS Social and Cultural Commission Chairman Alfred G. Formosa (e-mail agf31@yahoo.co.uk, telephone 21 383486 or mobile 9924 6574) or ALPS Secretary-General Alex Borg (e-mail studiomoda@global.net.mt, telephone 21 386812 or 21 382082, mobile 9988 8579), preferably by Saturday 17th June with pre-payment.
FOR YOUR DIARIES …
- The feast of St Anne will be held at the Pwales Chapel on Saturday 15th July, with Mass starting at 7 p.m. More details in the next issue of ALPS News.
- The Grand Reunion for past students who first entered or left The Lyceum in 1956 (and for all others who would like to attend – the more the merrier) will be held at The Lyceum on Saturday 7th October. Early indications of intent to attend will be highly appreciated.
- Next year’s spiritual retreat at Manresa House has been booked for Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May 2007.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Individuals who have not yet done so are invited to send in their membership fee of Lm3 for 2006 to Treasurer David Abela at “Juniper”, Triq Ganni Vella, Tal-Qattus, Birkirkara BKR 13.
Contributions towards defraying the costs of printing The Chanticleer are also still being accepted.
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HELP TO MAKE A.L.P.S. BIGGER AND BETTER |
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ALPS BBQ Buffet
Monday 19th June 2006 A selection of salads to include Three-bean Salad From the Grill Marinated Beef in Red Wine Dessert Fresh Fruit Salad Drinks Water and one glass of Wine or Soft Drink |