Lidl Malta donates two kitchens to Dar tal-Providenza

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Lidl Malta has installed two kitchens in community homes forming part of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. The installation of two brand new kitchens was made one in Dar Pirotta in Birkirkara, which hosts a group of nine persons with disabilities whose age ranges between 22 and 40 years, and the second in a new residence which is about to open in Balluta.

The supermarket chain said that every year, it develops a broad year-long plan to work with various charities and non-profit organizations; one of which was Id-Dar tal-Providenza in 2019.

Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza thanked Lidl for its assistance, amounting to over €7,000.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing and Persons with Disability, Silvio Parnis at Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing and Persons with Disability, the Hon. Silvio Parnis paid his first visit at Id-Dar tal-Providenza since his appointment to the post in January. He was welcomed by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home.

Mr Parnis had talks with Fr Martin, Ms Nadine Camilleri Cassano, Administrator, Ms Remona Cuschieri, Services Coordinator and Ms Margaret Vella, Senior Physiotherapist.

During his visit he also had the opportunity to get to know more about the work done at Id-Dar tal-Providenza and met some of the residents as well as workers. He also saw the photographic exhibition at the museum dedicated to Dun Mikiel Azzopardi, the founder of the Home, and was then shown round the chapel, the therapeutic pool, kitchen, laundry and the maintenance workshop.

The Malta Catholic Action celebrates its 90th Anniversary

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Id-Dar tal-Providenza congratulates the Malta Catholic Action on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of its founding and wishes them well for more work in the future. During all these years, the Malta Catholic Action gave an invaluable contribution especially in the spiritual and human formation of its members from all walks of society, in social commitment and evangelization.
The Catholic Action has direct and inseparable ties with Id-Dar tal-Providenza as it was Dun Mikiel Azzopardi, its Ecclesiastical Assistant, that with its approval founded the Siġġiewi Home on the site that the Catholic Action had acquired on emphytuesis from the Admiralty way back in 1962.
Id-Dar tal-Providenza augurs that this anniversary becomes a beautuful moment of appreciation by the Maltese society for all the work done by the Malta Catholic Action during the years as well as an occasion for the same organisation to continue strengthyening its commitment amongst youths and adults that they become the salt that gives the taste and the light that lightens up today’s society with its Christian life and commitment.
We encourage all those who can to join the Malta Catholic Action for a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by H.E. Mgr. Joseph Galea-Curmi at the St Sebastian Church in Qormi on Sunday, 16th February at 4.00pm.

New Chief Executive of Aġenzija Sapport pays visit to Dar Shalom in Żurrieq

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Mrs Ruth Sciberras, the new Chief Executive of Aġenzija Sapport paid a courtesy visit to the residents of one of our community homes, ‘Shalom’ in Żurrieq. Mrs Sciberras was met by the residents, the Director, Fr Martin Micallef, the Administrator, Ms Nadine Camilleri Cassano, the Services Coordinator, Ms Remona Cuschieri and two employees of the Home.

Mrs Sciberras has a long experience in the social sector and has been a professional social worker for the past 22 years. During her tenure at Aġenzija Appoġġ, she was involved with various sections of the agency working with children, adolescents and their families. Mrs Sciberras is also Chairperson of the Committee for Positive Upbringing.

‘Shalom’ was inaugurated on April 8th 2016 by the then Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, Dr Justyne Caruana. Five persons with intellectual disability reside in this Żurrirq home.

Id-Dar tal-Providenza celebrates the life of Cardinal Prospero Grech OSA

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Id-Dar tal-Providenza commemorated the memory of Cardinal Prospero Grech, a month from his death with a Mass in the chapel of the Home in Siġġiewi that was attended by his relatives together with the residents. The Mass was concelebrated by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and Fr Lino Cardona SJ.

Archbishop Alfred Xuereb, Apostolic Nuncio for Korea and Mongolia and a close associate of the Cardinal whilst at the Vatican, was asked to send a short eulogy to be read during the Mass. This is what Mgr. Xuereb said: “This provides me with a good occasion so that, nothwithstanding the distance between us, I join with you spiritually to offer prayers of sacrifice for his soul and at the same time to give a last farewell to a special person that honouored the Church of Christ and our country.”

“I will treasure forever my knowing him as a joyful religious priest, who chose to leave everything behind and follow Christ. His refined humour was a clear evidence of his unity with God and his faithful adherance to the promises he made when he joined the Augustinian Order.”

“Thousands of students benefitted from his teaching together with those who studied his writings full of wisdom that he published duing his academic office. His religious friends, with whom he lived in their community in Rome, also benefitted from his wise advice and gentle manner. The parishioners of St. Anne’s also benfitted from his beautiful meditations that he used to offer during Lent. The Holy See greatly benefitted from his valid collaboration as consultant to the Congregation of Faith. Other beneficiaries were the Augustinian Institute and the Pontifical Biblical Commission of which he was an active member. The College of Cardinals, of which he was part of when Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Cardinal in February 2012 and particularly when he was asked to offer the meditation on the opening of the last conclave in March 2013, also was a beneficary. And the last but not least who benefitted from Cardinal Prospero Grech were all those who had the good fortune to get to know him and who will continue to foster his presence.”

“When the Lord called hin to give him the merited prize, we were deeply saddened because we lost a friend who had enriched us with his great qualities. I kind of see him looking down from heaven on the people of Malta and Gozo and exhorting all of us to take courage because now we can also benefit from his intercessions to God so that we keep strong in our faith and remain a nation united in brotherly love.”

Cardinal Prospero Grech died on 30th December, soon after he celebrated his 94th birthday on Christmas Eve. Like his mother Amelia and his father Vincent, both benefactors of the Home, he was also a benefactor and friend of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. He had paid two visits since he had become Cardinal.

A new Collective Agreement for Id-Dar tal-Providenza employees

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A new collective agreement has been signed between Id-Dar tal-Providenza and the General Workers’ Union (GWU). The agreement, covering the period 2020-2023, provides for better working conditions for all employees including family friendly measures as well as a new structure for grades and progressions for all grades. There is also an improvement in salaries as well as various other conditions.

The agreement was signed by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and Mrs Riccarda Darmanin, Secretary of the Professionals, Finance and Services section of the Union. It was also signed by Ms Nadine Camilleri Cassano, Administrator of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Mr Paul Micallef, Assistant Secretary of the Section and Mr Frans Micallef, Shop Steward. Present for the signing was Mr Michael Pace Ross, Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta.

The agreement was explained to and approved by the workers of Id-Dar tal-Providenza during a meeting that was held a few days earlier. The agreement was also approved by the Diocesan Finance Committee chaired by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna.

After the signing of the Collective Agreement, Fr Martin thanked all those involved in the negotiations leading up to the signing of the third Collective Agreement for the workers which were carried out in an atmosphere of mutual respect and a desire to continue improving on the working conditions of Id-Dar tal-Providenza employees. He said that the will to increase employees’ wages does not only reflect a sense of justice but also an appreciation for the commitment and great dedication of the Home’s workers.

Mrs Darmanin, on behalf of the Professionals, Finance and Services section of the GWU, expressed her satisfaction at the way the negotiations took place where good will was shown by all parties concerned which led to a satisfactory conclusion for all.

Pilgrimage to Fatima

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Next May there is going to be a pilgrimage to Fatima in Portugal which will be led by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, on the occasion of the first apparition of Our Lady. We are highlighting a detailed programme for those of you who might be interested to go on the trip which will be in aid of the Home.

Fatima Pilgrimage details

A big THANK YOU from id-Dar tal-Providenza for yesterday’s Feast of Generosity

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A record sum of €1,365,556 was raised during the New Year’s day Feast of Generosity organised by Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Helped by the nice weather a huge number of people made it to Siġġiewi to make donations under the big tent erected in the parking lot. Many others phoned in to make their donation. As has now been the custom, various parishes in Malta and Gozo made special collections during church celebrations that were donated to the Home on behalf of the community.

The Director, Fr Martin Micallef, said that this year’s edition of the Feast of Generosity has once again shown the solidarity with and generosity of the Maltese people towards Id-Dar tal-Providenza. He said these funds will enable the Home to continue to provide a better quality of life for its residents at the Siġġiewi Home as well as at the homes in the community.

The first official visitor was Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna who also celebrated Mass in the Home’s chapel which was attended by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, Anthony Agius Decelis. In his homily the Archbishop said: “Let us let God look at us because that way our own way of looking at each other will be God’s look coming from the heart. How nice it is that Maltese and Gozitans alike start the new year helping each other with acts of solidarity even in their own circles. There are various forms of poverty besides financial and one of them is solitude where a person feels lonely and abandoned by society.” Archbishop Scicluna appealed to the Maltese public to support the growing number of homes that Id-Dar tal-Providenza has in various localities so that persons with special needs can still be able to live in the heart of the community.

Other visits during the day were made by the President of Malta, Dr George Vella and Mrs Vella, the Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat and Mrs Muscat and Auxiliary Bishop Mgr Joseph Galea-Curmi. Also attending were Ministers and Members of Parliament from both sides of the House, delegations representing the main poplitical parties and representatives of constituted bodies and they also took time to answer the phones.

On the occasion of the year when the Church will be commemorating the hundred anniversary of the birth of St. John Paul II on May 18th 1920, during the day in the chapel there was a relic for the veneration by the public with a piece of gauze with the Saint’s blood of when he was shot in St Peter’s Square by Mehmet Ali Ağca on May 13th, 1981. This relic was donated to the Home by Sr Maria Bambina Bugeja, a Maltese nun that assisted the Pope when he was recovering at the Policlinico Gemelli.

There was also a huge number of visitors to see view the hundred or so works of arts kindly donated by Maltese and foreign artists and exhibited in the St. Paul Hall. The auction of these works of art will this yeaer be taking place in April at a date still to be announced. Last year’s auction raised a total of €29,487.

The live television broadcast started at 9.00am with Holy Mass and continued till just after midnight when the total sum collected during the day was announced. TVM2, ONE TV and NET TV took part for long stretches of the 15-hour televised marathon. This included entertainment provided by the top singers and musicians on the island that managed to create a festive family atmosphere under the big tent.

Id-Dar tal-Providenza mourns the death of Cardinal Prospero Grech

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Id-Dar tal-Providenza is mourning the death of Cardinal Prospero Grech that was announcded yesterday. Like his mother Amelia and his father Vincent, both benefactors of the Home, he was also a benefactor a friend of the Siġġiewi Home. He paid two visits since he became Cardinal, the first one in August 2012. On Christmas Eve, ardinal Grech celebrated his 94th birthday.
Fr Prospero Grech, an Augustinian Friar, was appointed Cardinal by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in February of 2012.
Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi offered their condolences to the relatives of Cardinal Prospero Grech and to the Augustinian community. They alsio encouraged the faithful to keep him in their prayers.
May the Lord give him eternal rest.

Concert by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra for the residents of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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On Friday 20 December, the Central Bank of Malta in collaboration with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra organised a Christmas Concert for the residents of Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi.  Among those present for the Concert were Dr Mario Vella, Central Bank Governor and Mrs Victoria Vella, Mro. Sigmund Mifsud, Executive Chairman of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

During this special event, Fr Martin Micallef on behalf of the residents thanked the Governor for choosing to organise this concert at Id-Dar tal-Providenza as part of the Bank’s CSR initiatives.  The Bank has been one of the Orchestra’s corporate sponsors since 2017, and the concert was held as one of its outreach events.

He noted that the Central Bank of Malta has always supported Id-Dar tal-Providenza throughout the years through various initiatives for which it is very greatful.  At the end of his address Fr Martin presented a memento to the Governor.

Photo Credits : Melvin Bugeja