Another Successful Fund Raising Concert

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The eagerly anticipated Fundraising Concert under the title of “Festa ta’ Generożità” in aid of Id-Dar Tal-Providenza held at La Vallette Social Centre on Sunday 25 February, raised the bar again as far as fundraising and entertainment combined.
This was the second of its kind, last years concert having been held at Hamrun Club. La Vallette’s Committee and volunteers ought to be congratulated and thanked for their part in assisting with the Hall and Kitchen. The Hall looked so elegant!
Congratulations and thank you to the “bevvy of entertainers” including the popular MCA Choir, for their professionalism and offering their services for free. They all kept the capacity crowd entertained for over four hours!
Our special guests for the afternoon were The Deputy High Commissioner for Malta, Ms Denise Demicoli, Mr Emanuel Camilleri, President of the Maltese Community Council of NSW, Mrs Antoinette Caruana, President of La Vallette Social Centre and our Major Sponsor, Mr George Vella of Breakaway Travel, Blacktown.
It was great to see so many of NSW Maltese Associations also represented. The generosity of the Maltese people was quite evident when after a call for donations one could notice a procession of persons placing their donation envelope in the barrel provided.
The Chocolate Wheel under the supervision of Bill Schembri, proved to be a great attraction. A lot of credit and thanks must go to Agnese and Greg Caruana for they were the powerhouse couple organising the ticket sales.
On behalf of The Friends of Providence House NSW, we extend our appreciation and heartfelt thanks to all those who attended. A very big thank you to our Sponsors, Breakaway Travel, Minchinberry Fruit Market, Zammit Ham & Bacon Curers. We also wish to acknowledge the support of The Voice of the Maltese, and Radio Stations 2GLF, SWR FM and WOW FM for their ongoing support and all those who in one way or another gave us assistance, we thank you all and truly appreciate your help for this very worthy cause.
We are happy to report a provisional result for our fundraising concert is around $8,000. It is still not too late to donate directly to “The Friends of Providence House NSW, CBA Bank, BSB: 062416 Account No: 10199448 or contact Jim Borg 9636 7767.

(written by Jim Borg and Marisa Previtera)

Id-Dar tal-Providenza welcomes its first three residents

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On the 11th of February 1968, exactly fifty years ago today, Mary Hayman, Carmen Giudice and Carmen Farrugia were the three little girls that were welcomed as residents at Villa Mons Gonzi, the first of three such villas at the Home. For Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi, the founder of the Home, this was a memorable day. He himself had stated that that was a day he will never forget. At that time, Dun Mikiel said: “I still feel a great excitement when, together with the first group of Sisters (of Charity) and those collaborators whom I used to refer to as my wings, we were waiting at the main door of Villa Mons Gonzi expecting the arrival of the first angels. It was a heavenly joy that continued throughout the whole day that climaxed during the first Mass and when, through the windows of the balcony that gives on to the playground, we looked at the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes to say the prayer on her first apparition.”
Mary Hayman, one of three girls, was also one of the first group of persons with disability that started living in ‘Dar Żerniq’, the first community home that was opened in Siġġiewi. Mary, who was seven years old when she became a resident of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, said this: “When I entered Id-Dar tal-Providenza, I could neither talk nor walk. I had a physiotherapist and a speech therapist who used to come specifically for me at the Home. Dun Mikiel also bought a tricycle for me so that I could start exercising my legs. I don’t recollect exactly for how long I was neither walking nor talking, but I do remember that at thirteen years of age (six years after she became a resident of the Home) I used to attend the Guardian Angel school and a year later I used to go to the Siġġiewi Primary school. I do remember myself walking and talking at the school.”
Carmen Giudice died at Id-Dar tal-Providenza on March 29th 1969 whilst Mary Hayman died on the 21st of December 2006. Carmen Farrugia eventually went back to her family home.

Messa da Requiem

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The project
The Medina Foundation for Music is proud to present the latest work by Mro Mark Agius , the Messa da Reqiuem (2017) which will be premiered on the 16th March 2018, at St John’s Co Cathedral by the St Paul Chamber Ensemble, one of Malta’s finest orchestras.

The Messa Da Requiem is a work in eight movements, these being the Introit, Kyrie, Sequence (Dies Irae, which is itself divided into a further eight movements), Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Pie Jesu, Libera Me and In Paradisium, and is scored for orchestra, four soloists, and SATB choir and will feature soloists Karen Gatt Darmenia (Soprano), May Caruana (Controalto), Charles Vincenti (Tenor) and Ivan Vella (Baritone) together with the Rotondo choir of Poznan, Poland.

Background of the Production

Established in 2015, the Medina Foundation for Music is a registered, independent and non-profit organisation in Malta established with the aims of encouraging and facilitating professional musical development and cultural awareness and promoting Malta’s vision as a hub of cultural and educational activity for all regions of the world and in particular for the Euro-Mediterranean region. Above all it believes in cultivating a culture of creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, excellence and flexibility sustained by the values of commitment, dedication and integrity. The Foundation’s Performance Programme is attained through the St Paul Chamber Ensemble.
For more information visit our website: www.medinafoundationformusic.com

What’s so special about this production?

This cultural event is a unique opportunity for the audience to be part of a musical experience in one of the most prestigious historical sites in Malta, St John’s Co-Cathedral whilst supporting a philanthropic cause.

This production is suitable for the general public, particularly those who appreciate classical sacred music and the complexity of a live performance by a large chamber ensemble which will be accompanied by four soloists and a choir from Poznan, Poland, with the participation of Maltese guest singers.

This will also be the first time this work, which is the latest composition by Mro Mark Agius, will be performed.

What is the aim behind this project?

The aim behind the project is twofold. Primarily it is to promote Maltese talent whilst creating a cross-cultural experience through collaboration with one of Poznan’s finest choirs and offering this cultural experience to the general public. Secondly, the event is being held in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza which relies to a very large extent on the generosity of its benefactors and the public donations it receives to carry out its mission. Entrance tickets will be sold at the reasonable price of whereby all proceeds will be donated towards Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

Why are we crowdfunding?

The St Paul Chamber Ensemble strives to maintain its standards of musical excellence; however, undertaking such initiatives necessitates covering the necessary costs of venues for the performance and rehearsals, and the expense of a small financial remuneration for its performers. We believe that crowdfunding is an effective method through which individuals and groups who invest confident belief in the principles of the Medina Foundation as well as the ongoing works within and by the St. Paul’s Chamber Ensemble can be directly and personally involved in all of its educational, cultural and philanthropic platforms.

Your support in helping us to fund this philanthropic initiative through sponsorships and donations will be greatly appreciated. Kindly visit our crowdfunding website http://www.zaar.com.mt/projects/messadarequiem/ to view the promotional video, purchase your tickets or offer your donation.

Companies interested in offering their services in kind, such as printing and advertising are welcome to contact the foundation on orchestra@medinafoundationformusic.com.