Malta’s Parliament hosts Arts Exhibition in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The Parliament of Malta was again the venue of an Arts Exhibition that included 109 works of art – paintings, sculptures and ceramics – donated by various Maltese and foreign artists. These works of art will be auctioned off online in aid if Id-Dar tal-Providenza on January 1st, 2023 part of the Festa ta’ Ġenerożità that is back under the big tent in the Home’s Siġġiewi car park.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Anġlu Farrugia, officially opened the exhibition on Thursday 15th December 2022. In his address, he said Id-Dar tal-Providenza is a living example of christian solidarity. He highlighted that the Home was founded in 1965 on the initiative of Mgr. Mikiel Azzopardi with the continuing support of the Maltese and Gozitans alike.

The Director of the Home, Fr Martin Micallef, thanked the Speaker for once again agreeing to host the exhibition in the Parliament’s entrance, a truly central and accessible location for the public in Valletta. With the full support of Dr Farrugia it can be said that the exhibition has become an annual event. He appealed to all Maltese and Gozitans to join in the Festa ta’ Ġenerożità that is back at the Home’s car park in Siġġiewi on new year’s day and evryone is welcome to attend.

The exhibition, that will remain open till December 26th, is open to the public between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday and between 9.00am and 12.30pm on the weekend. One can view the exhibits by presenting his/her Identity Card. The catalogue of all the works of art as well as more information on the auction may be accessed online on www.dtpauction.com or www.belgraviaauctions.com.

On new year’s day, Festa ta’ Ġenerożità in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza will again be televised on all local stations between 10.30am and midnight. The telethon will be broadcast from under the big tent and a number of guests will be there manning the phones and taking donations. As in every year, Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna will celebrate mass that is broadcast live on TVM at 9.30am from the Home’s chapel.

 

30-hour marathon on 103 Malta’s Heart collects €14,180

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At the end of a 30-hour marathon, 103 Malta’s Heart ended up collecting €14,180 in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. During the marathon, that went on air at noon of Friday, 10th December and ended at 6.00pm on Sunday, 11th December, all the station’s presenters took part and were joined by a number of Maltese singers and bands.

During the broadcast, a number of live interventions were made by presenters who were going around in a van in various villages around Malta receiving donations from the public.

At the end of the marathon, Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, thanked 103 Malta’s Heart, all those who took part as well as the Maltese and Gozitans who made their donation. He said the Maltese public had an appointment with the Festa ta’ Ġenerożità on January 1st which is now back under the big tent at the Siġġiewi parking lot.

Photo: Newsbook.com.mt

Festa ta’ Ġenerożità back under the big tent at Dar tal-Providenza’s parking lot in Siġġiewi

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Festa ta’ Ġenerożità will be back under the specially erected big tent at Dar tal-Providenza’s parking lot come Sunday January 1st after an absence of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was announced by Fr Martin Micallef, Director and Mrs Nadine Camilleri Cassano, Administrator of the Home during a press conference held this morning, Friday 9th December 2022.

As in the past, Festa ta’ Ġenerożità will be broadcast live on all the main TV stations between 10.00am and midnight. At 9.30am TVM2 will broadcast the Sunday mass celebrated by H.G. Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna from the Home’s chapel.

Fr Martin said that the residential services that the Home offers are personalised services that respond to the needs and aspirations of the residents. The Home is committed to continue improving the quality of life of its residents as well as to their inclusion and participation in community activities. In order for this to happen yearly investments in human resources are necessary together with purchases of new equipment, maintenance work and other capital projects to enable the opening of more homes in the community.

Works done this year include refurbishment of Dar Pirotta in Birkara that included the installation of a new lift; maintenance work wherever needed; human investment especially in professionals; an English professor, Tony Osgood, an expert in the sector of persons with disability, was invited to give intensive training to all the support workers at the Home. This training was meant to improve on the services the Home offers. Mr Osgood and other Maltese experts in the disability sector provided much needed advice to help the Home in devising a long-term strategy for the next 15 years.

Plans for next year include the opening of a new home in Balluta; more staff training; investment in more professionals; commencement on a new project of renovation of four flats in Villa Papa Giovanni that should help in improving the environment in which some of the residents live and, finally, the finalisation of the planned long-term strategy for the Home.

As of today until New Year’s day donations, that will be included in the final tally at end of the TV marathon, can be made as follows.

  • €10                  5160 2012
  • €15                  5170 2013
  • €25                  5180 2014
  • €50                  5190 2085
  • €100               5130 2022
  • SMS €7           50618922
  • BOV Mobile   79324834

Paypal and Dar tal-Providenza accounts with the main banks: APS Bank, BOV, HSBC, Lombard Bank, BNF Bank.

Donations can also be made by cheque and sent to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Triq Lapsi, Siġġiewi SGW2822. However this does not apply to donations less than €20 because of a Central Bank directive that does not allow banks to cash such cheques.

Other donations may be made at the Dar tal-Providenza office in St Paul Street, Valletta (behind the market) Tuesday to Saturday between 9.00am and 12.00pm, from the Paola Catholic Bookshop as well as at the Rabat Malta square on the days leading to Christmas till the 1st of January 2023.

Mrs Camilleri Cassano said that tied to the Festa ta’ Ġenerożità there will again be an exhibition and online auction of works of art donated by Maltese and foreign artists. Those interested may scan all the works of art as well as information on the online auction that will take place on Sunday January 1st on www.dtpauction.com or www.belgraviaauctions.com.

All the works of art will be part of an exhibition that will be set up at the Parliament of Malta courtesy of the Hon. Mr Speaker, Dr Anġlu Farrugia. It will be open to the public between December 15th and 26th. Opening times are between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday and between 9.00am and 12.30pm on weekends. Visitors are asked to present their Identification Card.

Mr Kevin Papagiorcopulo, Editor-in-Chief of Newsbook, spoke about the 30-hour music marathon broadcast on 103FM Malta’s Heart between Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December 2022. 25 station presenters will be taking part in the music marathon and will also find time to visit various parishes to accept donations.

Other fundraising events during the rest of December include:

  • Solo Art Exhibition by Kenneth Zammit Tabona at the Xara Palace Hotel in Mdina. Part of the revenue generated from the sale of these works of art will go to the Home.
  • Train Ride in the Siġġiewi main square between 10:00am and 5:000pm of the 13th of December organised by the Friends of Dar tal-Providenza.
  • Festival of lights and songs entitled “Carols under the Stars” organised by Lorraine Buttigieg will be held in various localities.
  • Bicycle ride by a group of students, teachers and parents on Wednesday, 14th December 2022 leaving from St Benedict’s College in Kirkop and ending up at Dar tal-Providenza.
  • Christmas Village in aid of the Home at the St Thomas Moore Secondary School in Żejtun on Friday 16th December 2022.
  • Blessing of animals at the Home’s carpark in Siġġiewi on Sunday December 18, 2022.
  • Christmas on Campus – a fund raising campaign at the University of Malta for various entities including Dar tal-Providenza and the Community Chest Fund.
  • Fund raising on the radio station of the Għaqda Mużikali Santa Marija in Qrendi.
  • Concert on the 30th December 2022 organised by the Augustinian Community at St Mark’s church in Rabat, Malta.
  • Collections in parishes in Malta and Gozo on New Year’s Eve and on New Year’s Day.

Fondazzjoni Nazareth and the Deaf People Association Malta are the winners of the Mons. Mikiel Azzopardi Awards for 2021 and 2022

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Fondazzjoni Nazareth and the Deaf People Association Malta are the winners of the Mons. Mikiel Azzopardi Awards for 2021 and 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the presentation ceremony did not take place.

 

The winners were announced by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, during a Vocal and Instrumental Concert by the Band of the Armed Forces of Malta with the distinct patronage of H.G. The Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna and under the direction of its musical director, Captain Jonathan Borg and presented by Pio Dalli. The well attended concert took place on Friday, 2nd December 2022 at the St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Mdina in aid of the Siġġiewi Home on the occasion of the International Day for Persons with Disability that is celebrated December 3rd. The concert, that took place courtesy of the Metropolitan Chapter and with the cooperation of the Archpriest and the administration of the Cathedral, was attended by the Commanding Officer of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Clinton O’Neill and officers of the Armed Forces together with other distinguished guests.

 

Fr Martin said that the commitment for the realisation of the rights of persons with disability are not just a question of justice but also an investment in the common future. Because of the pandemic, the last two years were particular years for everyone and no less Id-Dar tal-Providenza. But notwithstanding, the Home remained committed to continue improving further on the quality of life of its residents and the services it offers. This year Prof. Tony Osgood, an expert in the disability sector, gave intensive training to all the Home’s support workers. Fr Martin said:”this training had the sole aim of improving on the quality of the services offered. With Prof. Osgood and other Maltese experts in the disability sector we were given advice that can help us in the strategy that we are planning for the next 15 years.”

 

Fondazzjoni Nazareth was the brain child of Fr Anġ Seychell set up officially on the 8th September 1995, when together with his siblings they donated their home which was to be the predecessor of other small community homes. At that time the home, where Dun Anġ lived and still does, welcomed the first four residents. The idea behind the Foundation was well received so much so that the residents of Dar Nazareth swelled to ten and another two homes were added that now house thirty persons with different intellectual and physical needs.

The Mons Mikiel Azzopardi Award was presented to the President Emeritus, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Chairman of the board of Fonazzjoni Nazareth by H.G. the Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna.

The Deaf People Association Malta was set up in 1972 and this year it is commemorating the 50th anniversary of its foundation. This was the first voluntary organisation for the deaf in Malta. Ten years later, in 1982, a club for deaf people was also set up and served so that these individuals could be part of a community.

Since the opening of the club the deaf community continued growing because it had a secure place where they could meet informally, take part in organised activities and make more use of the Maltese Sign Language. The Organisation was instrumental in having the Maltese Sign Language recognised by the Maltese Parliament as an official language as well in improving the interpretation services.

The Archbishop presented the Mons Mikiel Azzopardi Award 2022 to the President of the Deaf People Association Malta, Ms Annabelle Xerri.

In his closing speech, the Archbishop spoke about the prayer of the National Anthem penned by our national poet Dun Karm Psaila with music by Robert Samut. He said that in the first two verses, Dun Karm in his genius, expressed the significance of our country’s name and made a prayer out of them and dubbed our country as our Motherland so dear and whose name we bear.

The Archbishop said that Dun Karm’s prayer is also his wish that whilst celebrating the International Day for Persons with Disability, the Maltese society remains a society that shows compassion towards and provides security to these brothers and sisters, that our country continues to embrace life with all its diversities and appreciates all lives from the moment of conception till end are a gift.

Archbishop Scicluna said that like Dun Karm in his prayer we too will pray to God to provide wisdom to those with the tremendous responsibility to take the necessary decisions that need taking and ended by wishing to all that this Christmas will really have something to celebrate.

The well attended concert included musical works by Beethoven, Elgar, Pietro Yon, Alan Silvestri as well as Maltese composers Ray Sciberras, Antoine Mercieca and Lawrence Scicluna. Solosts were Staff Sergeant Dominic Scerri on the clarinet, Bdr. Joseph Grech on the tubular bells and tenor Bdr. Georg Zammit.

The Mons Mikiel Azzopradi Award, that was launched in 1955, is given every year in  recognition  of the voluntary contribution by persons in the disability sector in Malta and Gozo as well as persons and entities that help Id-Dar tal-Providenza in its work.

Armed Forces of Malta concert in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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On the occasion of the International Day for Persons with Disability, this year’s annual Armed Forces of Malta Concert will be held in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Paul in Mdina on Friday, 2nd December at 7.30pm. The concert will be under the patronage of H.E. The President of Malta, Dr George Vella and the H.G. The Archbishop, Mgr Charles J. Scicluna.

The Band of the Armed Forces of Malta will be under the direction of Mro Captain Jonathan Borg.

During the evening, the Mons Mikiel Azzopardi Award 2022 will also be announced. Id-Dar tal-Providenza gives out the Award every year in recognition and appreciation of voluntary work done with persons with disability in Malta and Gozo.

Entrance for the concert is free. Attendees are kindly requested to be seated by 7.15pm.

Bazaar in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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Id-Dar tal-Providenza is organizing a bazaar in aid of the Home from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd October between 8.30am and 4.30pm. The bazaar is being held at Dar tal-Providenza, Triq Lapsi in Siġġiewi. On sale will be both new and second hand items like books, clothing, plants, kitchen untensils, decorations, antiques and other useful objects.

See you at our bazaar!

Visit by H.E. Mgr. Andrias Rahmat, Bishop of Faisalabad in Pakistan

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Mgr. Andrias Rahmat, Bishop of the Diocese of Faisalabad in Pakistan paid a visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza where he had the opportunity to meet up with two relatives of his who work as support workers at the Siġġiewi Home. He also met with Fr Martin Micallef, Director, and Fr Trevor Fairclough, Spiritual Director of the Home and they spoke about the work that the Home has been doing with persons with disability for the last 57 years.

In a short comment he made, the Bishop said he was impressed with the cordial acceptance he received and the hardwork that Id-Dar tal-Providenza is doing for God’s people.

Bishop Rahmat was born on July 1st, 1966 in the village of Chak in the Okara district of Failsalabad. When sixteen years old he entered the minor seminary and was ordained priest ten years later on the 25th of September, 1992.

Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Faisalabad on June 29th,  2019.

Mgr. Joseph Alessandro, Bishop Emeritus of Garissa in Kenya pays visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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Mgr. Joseph Alessandro, Bishop Emeritus of Garissa in Kenya paid a visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza Monday 19th September 2022, on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the founding of the Home as well as the beatification of Pope John Paul I, whose surname Villa Papa Luciani bears. Bishop Alessandro, assisted by Fr Martin Micallef, Director, and Fr Trevor Fairclough, Spiritual Director of the Home,  concelebrated mass for residents and employees in the chapel.

In his homily, the Bishop Emeritus said that this Home is a clear example of how God in his providence uses ordinary people to whom he gives many opportunities so that they can help others. He recalled that fifty-seven years ago a small donation by a woman has given birth to Id-Dar tal-Providenza with the hard work of Mgr. Mikiel Azzopardi. With the many small donations that the Maltese make, the work that started fifty-seven years ago is still ongoing today so that the Home can still offer the best quality of life to its residents as they so deserve.

After the mass, Bishop Emeritus Alessandro visited the museum dedicated to the founder of the Home, Mgr. Mikiel Azzopardi, followed by a tour of the SPRED Centre, the therapeutic pool, the multisensorial room and the gym where he saw for himself the various services on offer for the Home’s residents.

Today marks the 57th anniversary of the foundation of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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Monsignor Michael Azzopardi, Ecclesiastical Assistant General of The Malta Catholic Action had, for some time, nursed a ‘dream’ that would help improve the quality of life of people with disabilities who for one reason or another could not stay any longer with their parents.

On the 12th September 1965 he aired his idea during a radio programme – that of opening the first residential home in Malta for persons with disability. A young lady who heard the programme was so moved by his idea that she sought him out and gave him a cheque for Lm100 (around €230) – money she had saved for a holiday abroad!  Monsignor Azzopardi always considered this important date as the foundation date of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.  On that day he felt that this woman’s gesture was a sign from God to realise his dream.

In two years he managed to build the first residence in Siġġiewi which he named Villa Mons. Gonzi and on the 11th of February 1968, the first three residents were welcomed at the home.

Fr Martin honoured with the Premju Ġieħ Ħal Luqa

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The Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Fr Martin Micallef, was given the Premju Ġieħ Ħal Luqa during a ceremony held on Friday 9th September, 2002 in St Andrew’s Square in front of the Luqa Parish Church.

Fr Martin thanked the Luqa Mayor, Mr John Schembri, the Vice Mayor and all the Councillors for honouring him with the Ġieħ Ħal Luqa Award in the presence of the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, the Hon. Alison Zerafa Civelli.

Fr Martin said he wanted to dedicate this Award to all the Luqa residents who have, in their own ways, shaped him in the values that he cherishes as well as for ingraining in him a special love towards Luqa, his native village. He also thanked all those who congratulated him personally and on social media.