CF Homes enhances facilities at Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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CF Homes, one of Malta’s leading real estate companies, has recently undertaken the refurbishment and other maintenance works of a section within Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi, demonstrating their commitment to community welfare. Works on a number of rooms at Id-Dar tal-Providenza started at the beginning of this summer and consisted of stripping the rooms to their shell state before making them fully weatherproof and refurbishing them to a high standard.

Mr Clifton Cassar, Director at CF Homes, expressed the company’s pride in supporting such a meaningful project, stating, “We are honoured to contribute to this remarkable initiative. Malta owes a great debt to Fr. Martin and his team at Dar tal-Providenza for the invaluable work they do behind the scenes every day.” He also encouraged other companies to follow suit in supporting similar causes.

Fr. Martin Micallef, the director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza extended his gratitude to CF Homes for their generous donation.

Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona in Marian pilgrimage for the sick in Lourdes

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Archbisop Emeritus, Mgr Paul Cremona O.P. took part in the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes organized by the Assoċjazzjoni Volontarji Lourdes. This year this pilgrimage, that took place between Thursday 29th August and Sunday September 2024, was attended by 175 pilgrims from Malta and Gozo.

He concelebrated in a mass that took place at the Grotto of Massabielle. It was led by  Fr Martin Micallef, Episcopal Vicar for Diaconi and Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and assisted by Fr Dijonisju Mintoff OFM, Director of the Laboratory for Peace, Fr Josè Debono OCD, Provincial of the Teresians and Fr Mario Sant OFM Conv. One of the friars that works with the sick in London.

On Sunday 1st September, Archbishop Cremona also concelebrated during the international mass that is celebrated in the Sanctuary of Notre Dame de Lourdes  that was led by Cardinal Enrico Feroci. He also took part in the  procession with the Blessed Sacrament that took place Friday 31st August and also in one of the Aux Flambeaux processions that take place every evening in the main square in front of the Lourdes Sanctuary.

 

Dun Anġ Seychell, founder of Fondazzjoni Nazareth passes away

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Id-Dar tal-Providenza bids farewell to the dearest memory of Dun Anġ Seychell, founder of Fondazzjoni Nazareth. In 1955, Dun Anġ, inspired by Jean Vanier, the founder of Arche International, chose to offer his own home in Żejtun to host persons with intellectual disability.

On September 8th, 1995 he founded Fondazzjoni Nazareth to administer this home. Today, the Foundation has four residential homes in Żejtun.

All Malta today bids farewell to this priest who like Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi, dedicated his life towards others especially towards persons with disability whom he equally respected and admired.

Grant him, O Lord, eternal rest.

€6,700 collected during annual BBQ for Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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A record €6,700 was raised during an annual summer barbecue in aid of Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza organised by Pierre Vella Petroni and Anne Marie Xuereb for  more than a decade.

During the event, Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, thanked the organisers, helpers, sponsors and the more than 100 friends and relatives who attended the fundraising activity and donated towards this noble cause.

The sum collected will help the Home that offers care to persons with disability and requires €13,000 a day to cover running  costs.

The main sponsors for the event were Prime Ltd., C. Camilleri & Sons, Ron Axisa, Welbees Naxxar, The General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd., Farsons Direct, Heir & Loom, Bristow Potteries, VCT Lighting, Provita, Rausi & Co. and Gordon Portelli of Pitkali Malta.

The event would not have been possible without the invaluable help of family and friends who helped with the logistics and the cooking.

Gastronomic dinner by Xara Collection raises €54,000 in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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€54,000 were raised during a special evening of art, gourmet food, fine wines and music at the Xara Lodge organised by the Zammit Tabona family together with the management of the Xara Collection on Wednesday, July 10th 2024. The gastronomic dinner in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza took place under the distinguished patronage of the Auxiliary Bishop, Joseph Galea-Curmi.

Since 2017, with the exception of 2021 because of COVID-19, a total of €251,380 was raised.

Commenting on the evening, Xara Collection Director, Nicola Paris thanked Fr Martin, Nadine Camilleri Cassano and all the team at Id-Dar tal-Providenza for their unwavering dedication. She also thanked the companies that have very generously donated the prizes for the evening, and those that have offered their support for logistics, and of course the main sponsors as well as all the team from the Xara Collection, together with everyone who attended on the night, making this event a success.

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed delicious food paired with fine wines, while donating to such a worthy cause. For the third successive year, there was an art exhibition sponsored by Wibke Seifert and Seifert Systems with works of art donated by 17 Maltese artists. Those present could appreciate these works of art from the sales of which 25% and even 100% went to Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Art pieces not sold are now exhibited at the Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux in Mdina and are for sale for the next few weeks.

The main sponsors were The Mimici Foundation, APS Bank, Seifert Systems, Malta International Airport, The Point Shopping Mall, EY,  Halmann Vella, KPMG, VJ Salomone, Camilleri Paris Mode, The Concept Stadium, General Soft Drinks, Raico, MUMN, Mavenry and Wearworks. Other sponsors included Albert Camilleri (The Creatives) for photography, the Louise Ellul Bonici quintet, Zaffarese, JoinwellFXB, Charles Grech, Alistair Floral Design, Somm Escape, JUGS, Jimmy Vella, Master Cellar, Kontrada Wines, Stephen Cordina, MacBake, Alf Mizzi & Sons, Farsons, Mvintage Jewellery, il-Lokal, Phoenicia Malta and Iniala Hotel Valletta.

Volleyball Marathon raises €466,688 in aid of id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The BOV Volleyball Marathon ended at midnight Sunday but not before raising the sum of €466,688.

Forty players went through fifty-three hours of volleyball in searing hot weather. It officially started at six in the evening on Friday in the presence of the President of Malta, Dr Myriam Spiteri Debono and continued non-stop since then.

Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, thanked the people of Malta and Gozo, that once again responded with so much generosity to the call for fundraising for the Home through the Volleyball Marathon. He also thanked the players, the volunteers, members of the organising committee, all the sponsors, the main TV stations that relayed the marathon, singers and bands, the members of the police force and all those that in one way or another helped towards the success of this Marathon.

Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna celebrated mass at the Home’s chapel assisted by Fr Martin and emphasised on solidarity with Dar tal-Providenza during the fundraising BOV Volleyball Marathon. Archbishop Scicluna thanked God that Id-Dar tal-Providenza always had good leaders who had a great sense of caring leadership. He urged that leaders in all strata of society and the Church are also good leaders for the good of our community.

Mgr. Scicluna also had the opportunity to meet up with the players taking part in the marathon as well as the volunteers who were helping out throughout the 3 days of the marathon.

Besides the forty players that were the main protagonists of the Marathon, there were around two hundred volunteers. Every evening there was musical entertainment on the main stage, food and drinks and children’s games. The marathon was relayed live on the main local TV stations whilst Vibe Fm was the official radio station.

Photo: Bernard Cachia

Archbishop Charles Scicluna celebrates mass at Dar tal-Providenza chapel

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Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna this morning celebrated mass at the Dar tal-Providenza chapel assisted by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home. He appealed that during the day we do an act of solidarity with the Home by making a donation. He spoke about the rest mentioned in today’s gospel and needed in our daily lives and said that it would be good if we rest a bit from the continuous use of the social media especially when we are together in a room or socialising around a table. This way we can give a rest to our mobile and ourselves.

Archbishop Scicluna thanked God that Id-Dar tal-Providenza always had good leaders who had a great sense of caring leadership. He urged that leaders in all strata of society and the Church are also good leaders for the good of our community.

The BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of id-Dar tal-Providenza gets underway

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On Friday 19 July 2024, H.E. Dr Myriam Spiteri Debono, officially inaugurated the 14th edition of the BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

Forty players, selected from a total of seventy applicants, started the challenge of fifty-three hours of non-stop volleyball not for a noble cause.

In his welcome speech, Fr Martin Micallef while greeting the President of Malta, on her first visit to Dar tal-Providenza, said that the commitment of the players and volunteers sends a positive message to Maltese society that it is rewarding to give.  He added that it is wonderful to see young people filled with a great sense of generosity and altruism, who are ready to commit themselves in favour of initiatives in favour of people who need some kind of support, solidarity, or help. He reminded that Dar tal-Providenza, which this year is on the threshold of its 60th anniversary, needs a lot of funds to continue offering the residential services it offers to people with disabilities. “The help that the Maltese and Gozitan people will be giving through this marathon will continue to fill us with the courage to continue this work in the years to come.”

In her brief address at the opening of the marathon, the President of Malta H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono mentioned that “by opening the Dar tal-Providenza nearly sixty years ago, Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi filled a significant gap, that existed at the time, in society by providing care and support for people with disabilities and their families.”

She said that this started to raise public awareness about the importance of providing the necessary help to these people so that they have an opportunity to reach their full potential. Above all, so that they avoid unnecessary suffering.

President Myriam Spiteri Debono explained that the costs are substantial and constantly increasing and appealed to the generosity of the people of Malta and Gozo.

Present for the inauguration ceremony were the Hon. Julia Farrugia Portelli, Minister for  Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, the Hon. Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, the Hon. David Agius, Deputy Speaker and Shadow Minister for Sports, the Hon. Graziella Galea, spokeswoman of the Opposition for the Inclusion of the Voluntary sector, Mr Kenneth Farrugia, the CEO of the Bank of Valletta the main sponsor of the marathon, and Siġġiewi Mayor Julian Borg.

In the evening during the three days of the marathon there will be live music on the main stage. On Friday evening from 9:00 pm to midnight, the band Zone 5 will be invited, on Saturday the band Kantera and on Sunday the Spiteri Lucas Band.

The marathon will be broadcast on the local TV channels.

The public can help by calling the numbers below, using BOV Mobile Banking or PayPal and Revolut or donating online to Dar’s bank accounts. For more information about this activity you can visit the site: www.sabihlitaghti.org or call one of the numbers below:

€10         5160 2011

€15         5170 2012

€25         5180 2013

€50         5190 2070

€100       5130 2044

Pledge Line: 2146 3686

BOV Mobile  7932 4834

Fr Martin Micallef appointed new Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia

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Archbishop Charles Scicluna has appointed Fr Martin Micallef as the new Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia to assist the Archbishop in the Church’s work with persons in need. Fr Micallef is currently the Director of Dar tal-Providenza and he will be retaining this role.

The Archbishop thanked Mgr Charles Cordina for his long term of service as Pastoral Secretary, as well as for his nine years of work with the most needy members of society as the Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia.

Fr Martin Micallef as born on the 10th November 1967. He received his priestly formation at the Archbishop’s Seminary in Tal-Virtù and the Faculty of Theology at the University of Malta from where he graduated with a Licentiate in Pastoral Theology. He was ordained a priest on 5th July 1996. He served as vice parish priest in the parish of Tal-Ibraġ (1996-2000), parish priest in the parish of Ħal Għaxaq (2000-2005) and parish priest of the parish of Marsascala (2005-2008). In 2008, Fr Martin Micallef was appointed as the Director of Dar tal-Providenza.

He is also a member of the council of the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) wherein he represents the residential services’ sector for persons with disability.

Pope Francis insists that we cannot turn our face away from anyone poor because reaching out to and working with the poor, and with those on the periphery, is a key factor for the Chistian and for the Christian faith. He encourages solidarity, respect for human dignity and concrete action that addresses poverty and social injustice.

In her mission to be a Church that serves, the local Church also needs to continue responding to the new realities of poverty in our country by being inspired by the values of the Gospel, being of help, support and a voice for the voiceless.

Photo: Ian Noel Pace

The BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza is back!

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This year’s edition of the BOV volleyball marathon in aid of Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza, was officially launched on Wednesday afternoon by Fr Martin Micallef, the home’s director, and Charles Azzopardi, head CSR at Bank of Valletta, during a press conference held at Pembroke Secondary School within St Clare’s College, where the training and preparation of the players taking part in the marathon is under way.  Every year this volleyball marathon takes place helping to raise the much needed funds for the home.

Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza was founded in 1965, to offer residential services for persons with disabilities.  Today the home hosts 115 persons at its residences in Siġġiewi, Qawra Żurrieq and Birkirkara. More than 7 million euro are needed annually to operate. Since its inception, Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza has relied heavily on the generosity of the community and this is why the Volleyball Marathon is more than just a sporting event.

At the beginning of June approximately 70 athletes started training sessions. This includes athletes from 14 years and above, some first timers and others who have done tens of marathons over the years! A team of coaches assesses each player and grades their overall performance through a point system. 12 hour and 24 hour trials are part of training plan along with training sessions in the scorching summer heat.

The athletes’ performance throughout the training programme will  determine who of them will make the cut for the final 40, who will eventually take part in the 53 hour volleyball marathon. These athletes will be joined by over 100 volunteers who are key to making the marathon happen.

This year’s edition will take place at Id-Dar tal‑Providenza between Friday 19th and Sunday 21st July. The general public is invited to attend, support the players, enjoy the entertainment but most importantly encouraged to donate and help make this year’s edition another success!

The event will be inaugurated by Her Excellency the President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono on Friday 19 July at 6.30pm in the car park of Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza in Siggiewi.

“The BOV Volleyball Marathon is one of our primary annual fundraising events that support our mission to provide and enhance a variety of essential services,” stated Fr. Martin during the press conference.  “This event also promotes volunteering and emphasizes its importance in Maltese society. Additionally, the marathon aims to encourage sports participation and foster a healthier lifestyle. Finally, Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza urges society to always respect individuals with disabilities, treat them with the dignity they deserve, and offer them the same choices and opportunities available to everyone.”

Mr Charles Azzopardi said “Our work with id‑Dar tal‑Providenza goes back years, and this year as part of our Bank’s 50th we are proud to continue building on this relationship. Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza provides a vital service to our community and as BOV we want to continue expanding our work with the community to help all our citizens achieve a better quality of life.”

The 53-hour Volleyball Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal‑Providenza is supported by Bank of Valletta as its main sponsor together with Pif Paf, PwC, CareMalta, Eurosport, Vibe and PaviPama.

Those who wish to support this event can send a donation on www.sabihlitaghti.org or call one of the numbers below:

€10 ‑ 5160 2011

€15 ‑ 5170 2012

€25 ‑ 5180 2013

€50 ‑ 5190 2070

€100 ‑ 5130 2044

Photo:  danielstudiomalta.com