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Message that the Holy Father Francis sent on the occasion of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, which occurs today, Tuesday 3 December, and which this year has as its theme: Better rebuilding: towards a post Covid-19 world inclusive of disability, accessible and sustainable:

Message from the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters!
The celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an opportunity, this year, to express my closeness to all those who are experiencing situations of particular difficulty in this pandemic crisis. We are all in the same boat in the middle of a rough sea that can scare us; but in this boat some struggle more, and among them people with severe disabilities.

This year’s theme is ” Better rebuilding: towards a post-Covid-19 world inclusive of disability, accessible and sustainable “. I am struck by the expression “rebuild better”. It makes us think of the Gospel parable of the house built on rock or sand (cf. Mt 7 : 24-27; Lk 6 : 47-49). Therefore I take this precious opportunity to share some reflections, starting from that parable.

1. The threat of the throwaway culture
In the first place, the “rain, the” rivers “and the” winds “that threaten the home can be identified with the throwaway culture, widespread in our time (cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium [EG] , 53). For it, «certain parts of humanity seem expendable for the benefit of a selection that favors a human sector worthy of living without limits. After all, people are no longer felt as a primary value to be respected and protected, especially if they are poor or disabled “(Enc. Fratelli tutti [FT] , 18).
This culture especially affects the most fragile categories, including people with disabilities. In the last fifty years, important steps have been taken, at the level of both civil institutions and ecclesial realities. Awareness of the dignity of each person has grown, and this has led to courageous choices for the inclusion of those who experience physical or / and psychological limitations. Yet, on a cultural level, there are still too many expressions that in fact contradict this orientation. There are attitudes of rejection that, also due to a narcissistic and utilitarian mentality, lead to marginalization, not considering that, inevitably, fragility belongs to everyone. In reality, there are people with even serious disabilities who, even with difficulty, have found the path to a good and meaningful life, as there are many other “able-bodied” ones, who are nevertheless dissatisfied, or sometimes desperate. “Vulnerability belongs to the essence of man” (cf. Address at the Conference “Catechesis and people with disabilities” , 21 October 2017).
Therefore it is important, especially on this Day, to promote a culture of life which continually affirms the dignity of every person, in particular in defense of men and women with disabilities, of all ages and social conditions.

2. The “rock” of inclusion
The pandemic we are experiencing has further highlighted the disparities and inequalities that characterize our time, particularly to the detriment of the weakest. «The virus, while it makes no exceptions among people, has found, in its devastating path, great inequalities and discrimination. And he increased them! ” ( Catechesis in the General Audience of 19 August 2020).
For this reason, a first “rock” on which to build our house is inclusion . Even if this term is sometimes abused, the Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan ( Luke 10 : 25-37) is always relevant. In fact, on the path of life, we often come across the injured person, who sometimes bears the traits of disability and frailty. “The inclusion or exclusion of those who suffer along the way defines all economic, political, social and religious projects. Every day we are faced with the choice of being good Samaritans or indifferent wayfarers who pass at a distance “( FT , 69).

Inclusion should be the “rock” on which to build the programs and initiatives of civil institutions so that no one, especially those who are most in difficulty, is excluded. The strength of a chain depends on the care given to the weakest links.
As regards ecclesial institutions, I reiterate the need to prepare suitable and accessible tools for the transmission of the faith. I also hope that these will be made available to those who need them as free as possible, including through new technologies, which have proved so important for everyone in this pandemic period. Likewise, I encourage ordinary formation for priests, seminarians, religious, catechists and pastoral workers.the relationship with disability and the use of inclusive pastoral tools. Parish communities are committed to making the faithful grow in the style of welcoming people with disabilities. Creating a fully accessible parish requires not only the removal of architectural barriers, but above all attitudes and actions of solidarity and service, on the part of parishioners, towards people with disabilities and their families. The goal is that we come to speak no longer of “them”, but only of “us”.

3. The “rock” of active participation
To “rebuild” our society better, the inclusion of the most fragile subjects must also include the promotion of their active participation.
First of all, I strongly reaffirm the right of persons with disabilities to receive the sacraments like all other members of the Church. All the liturgical celebrations of the parish should be accessible so that each, together with the brothers and sisters, can deepen, celebrate and live their faith. Special attention is to be given to people with disabilities who have not yet received the sacraments of Christian initiation: they could be accepted and included in the catechetical process in preparation for these sacraments. The grace of which they are bearers cannot be precluded to anyone.

“By virtue of the Baptism received, every member of the People of God has become a missionary disciple. Each baptized person, whatever his function in the Church and the degree of education of his faith, is an active subject of evangelization. “(EG,120). Therefore, also people with disabilities, in society as in the Church, ask to become active subjects pastoral care, and not just recipients. “Many people with disabilities feel they exist without belonging and without participating. There are still many things that prevent them from full citizenship. The goal is not only to assist them, but their active participation in the civil and ecclesial community. It is a demanding and also tiring journey, which will contribute more and more to forming consciences capable of recognizing everyone as a unique and unrepeatable person. ( FT,98). In fact, the active participation in catechesis of people with disabilities constitutes a great wealth for the life of the whole parish. In fact, grafted into Christ in Baptism, they share with him, in their particular condition, the priestly, prophetic and royal ministry, evangelizing through, with and in the Church.

Therefore, even the presence of people with disabilities among catechists, according to their own abilities, represents a resource for the community. In this sense, their formation should be encouraged, so that they can acquire a more advanced preparation also in the theological and catechetical fields. I hope that more and more, in parish communities, people with disabilities will be able to become catechists, to transmit the faith effectively, also with their own testimony (cf. Speech at the Conference “Catechesis and people with disabilities” , 21 October 2017).
“Worse than this crisis, there is only the drama of wasting it” (Homily on the Solemnity of Pentecost, May 31, 2020). For this I encourage those who, every day and often in silence, spend themselves in favour of situations of fragility and disability. May the common will to “rebuild better” trigger synergies between both civil and ecclesial organizations, to build, against all bad weather, a solid “home”, capable of welcoming even people with disabilities, because it is built on the rock of inclusion and active participation.

Rome, San Giovanni in Laterano, 3 December 2020

This New Year’s day ‘Festa ta’ Ġenerożità’ will be held very differently in order to safeguard the safety of its residents and workers but because of the COVID-19 pandemic is the most important one ever organised. In order to be in line with the directives issued by the Health authorities the event will be broadcast from the We studios in Qormi. Only those answering the telephones and invited guests will be allowed in. As in the past, ‘Festa ta’ Ġenerożità’ will be aired on local TV stations between noon and midnight. At 9.30am, TVM2 will broadcast a live Mass from the Home’s chapel which will be celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna.

Details were given on the 25th edition of the Feast of Generosity which is organised primarily to raise funds so that id-Dar tal-Providenza can continue to provide and improve on the services it offers. Mrs Nadine Camilleri Cassano, the Home’s administrator and Mr Jesmond Saliba, Board member gave the details during a press conference held this morning (Tuesday, 1st December 2020).

From a financial aspect since March of this year all planned fund-raising activities were cancelled including the Volleyball Marathon and various concerts. Special family occasions like anniversaries and birthdays used to be organised by way of lunches, dinners or receptions were guests were invited to donate money for Dar tal-Providenza instead of buying gifts. These obviously could not happen and the loss of income from such occasions meant financial loss for the Home. However, a big thank you goes to all those that despite the pandemic situation still made such donations to the Home.

To continue improving the quality of life of its residents as well as the services it offers, Dar tal-Providenza invests every year in human resources, purchasing of new equipment, maintenance work as well as capital projects to continue introducing more homes in the community. Despite the financial limitations, the Home did not put a hold on certain projects and other initiatives.

Dar tal-Providenza had to bear unexpected expenses that amounted to around $90,000 becase of contingency measures that had to be taken to safeguard the health and safety of its residents and workers. Notwithstanding the pandemic restrictions every effort was made to see that the life of residents would be as positive as possible.

On January 1st, the public wishing to make a donation will be able to do so by using the telephone numbers that appear on the TV screens. Those who prefer to make a pledge will also be able to call on a special number and make their pledge for the amount they wish to. Later they can send in their donations online or by mail.

As from today until January 1st, one can make a donation by using the various facilities outlined hereunder. All donations between now and the new year will be included in the final tally at the end of the marathon.

€10 51602012

€15 51702013

€25 51802014

€50 51902085

SMS €7 50618922

BOV Mobile 79324834

Paypal or bank accounts that Dar tal-Providenza has with the main Banks: APS Bank, BOV, HSBC, Lombark Bank, BNF Bank.

One can also make a donation by cheque and sende it to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Lapsi Road, Siġġiewi SGW2822.

Dar tal-Providenza offers residential services to 115 persons with disability in an environment that respects their rights and dignity. They live in three residencies in the Siġġiewi Home and in the community homes: ’Żerniq’ in Siġġiewi, ’Akkwarell’ in Qawra, ‘Dar Pirotta’ in Birkirkara and ‘Shalom’ in Żurrieq.

Dar tal-Providenza bids a final farewell to Fr Lino Cardona SJ who has today joined his precious Lord in Heaven at the age of 76.

Fr Lino has been giving his service at Dar tal-Providenza since the summer of 1975 when Dun Mikiel Azzopardi, the founder of the Home, asked him to replace him so that he can go on a short holiday in August. Since then Fr Lino never missed saying mass at Dar tal-Providenza’s chapel every Wednesday and Sunday and also helped out wherever necessary. In 2011, Dar tal-Providenza awarded him the Premju Dun Mikiel in recognition of his voluntrary work at the Home. He was quite close to Dun Mikiel in the final days of his life and had an active part in his funeral and burial arrangements.

Last September, Fr Lino was interviewed on 103FM on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the founding of the Home and he recounted once again the story of how Dun Mikiel Azzopardi, the founder of the Home, was given the first generous donation that was the beginning of Dar tal-Providenza. He said that Dun Mikiel used to describe this first donation as a miracle that kept repeating itself. Fr Lino said that recalled Dun Mikiel describing the first donation as the “first miracle.” He ended his interview by saying that a lot of people benefitted since the Dar tal-Providenza opened its doors and as far as he was concerned the Home is a treasure of the Church in Malta.

We offer our sincere condolences to his brothers of the Jesuit Community in Malta as well as to his relatives.

Lord, grant him eternal rest.

The pocket diary of Id-Dar tal-Providenza for 2021 is presently being distributed by Maltapost in every household in Malta and Gozo. This diary, with its information that is useful throughout the whole year, provides an opportunity for a show of solidarity with the Home that offers residency with the right environment to one hundred and fifteen persons with disability so that they can foster their personal growth to the fullest. This commitment is being made harder by the COVID-10 pandemic which has taken the world not least Malta.
As in previous years, the diary includes the very useful timetable for daily and Sunday masses in all churches in Malta and Gozo and a detailed calendar. A list highlighting all the parish feasts in these islands for 2021 is also included. The coloured photo of Is-Salib tal-Għolja on the front page is by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Siġġiewi Home.
Those who know that the diary being has been distributed in their street but have not received it are kindly requested to call reception at Id-Dar tal-Providenza on 21462844 or email on info@dartalprovidenza.org.
GasanMamo Insurance and MAPFRE MSV Life sponsored the printing of the diary whilst Maltapost has again agreed to distribute the diaries free of charge.

50 employees at the Archbishop’s Curia have prepared 20,000 diaries for distribution to Maltese households with the aim of raising funds for Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Malta said that the event was in line with its corporate social responsibility. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the activity took place at the employees’ respective offices, rather than at the Dar tal-Providenza. The employees also raised €800 in donations to the Siġġiewi residence for people with disabilities.

The Archdiocese’s human resources manager Rebecca Gatt emphasised that the pandemic would not stop Curia employees from helping those in need.

As has been the case with other charities, Id-Dar tal-Providenza has struggled to raise funds this year, not least through the cancellation of many fundraising activities. The cancellation of this year’s edition of the popular volleyball marathon alone meant the loss of some €500,000 in donations, while precautions related to Covid-19 have increased its costs.