Archive for category: News

The St. Paul Chamber Ensemble presented a donation of €1,000 to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, after its successful rendition of ‘Messa da Requiem’ held last March, and the concerts held by the Hässelby Motet Choir from Sweden in May.

When presented with the cheque, Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, thanked the organisers, committee and sponsors who organised these concerts.

The companies that donated for these two events were: Garden of Eden Garage, GasanMamo Insurance, Pillow Spaceframe, Gozo Concrete Products Ltd., Dallas Furniture, Lighting & Interiors, Resin & Membrane Centre and Jade Sofas.

A group of Dar tal-Providenza residents took part in the “Festa Għeneb” organised by the Siġġiewi Local Council in the main square of the village on Sunday, 26th August 2018. They set up a stand where they could exhibit and sell food products that they themselves prepare at the St Isidore Agriculture Centre. Friends of Id-Dar tal-Providenza also set up another stand selling drinks with the profits going towards the Home.

‘Festa Għeneb’ is a cultural activity to foster awareness of grapes and its ties with the village. Siġġiewi is the locality with the largest concentration of vineyards with hundreds of families involved in the processing of grapes.

‘Festa Għeneb’, which is in its seventh year, is held with the collaboration of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and VitiMalta with the participation of various organisations based in Siġġiewi. The activity is in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and the funds raised will be presented on New Year’s Day during the Feast of Generosity that is broadcast live on Malta’s main TV stations.

Throughout my whole life and to this very day, the Lord gave me the grace to meet and also work with a lot of people who were and still are a great inspiration to me. One of these persons is John L. Peel whom the Lord has recently called to His side.

John was an exemplary man who, in his own simplicity, lived his life of faith. Surely he was not perfect but saints are also those who live the Gospel in the simplicity of their daily lives.

John was also a family man. He dedicated all his time and energy to his family and lived his marriage call with a great love. John loved unconditionally. He lived for his family. He dearly loved his wife Antoinette, loved his daughter Christine and dedicated his life to her 24 hours a day whilst at the same time giving the same love and attention to his son John, his wife Angela and his grandchildren Stephanie Anne and John Mark. We can safely say his life was a hymn of love. But this hymn of love was not only dedicated to his family but also to a lot of other persons with whom he met. John was a man who was prepared to forget about himself so that he could think of others. His generosity and dedication were limitless and this was manifested in his wide network of voluntary work done in quiet. You could always find him ready to help.

We can also safely say that he was one of the veterans who worked incessantly in the sector for persons with disability in Malta. His work in this field started with the birth of his dear daughter Christine. From that day onwards he never looked back and remained active and interested till the end in everything that was related to this sector. For a whole eighteen years he was the Chairman of the Down Syndrome Association during which time he was also its representative on the Maltese Federation of Organisations for Persons with Disability (MFOPD). For some time he was also the President of the same Federation. John represented the Down Syndrome Association various times in International Fora and represented the Federation on committees within the National Commission for Persons with Disabilty (now known as the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability). John was the Honorary President of the Down Syndrome Association. For various years, John was also a committee member of the National Organisation for Parents with Disability. Apart from all this, until a few days ago John was a volunteer at id-Dar tal-Providenza. And as if this was not enough we cannot not mention his voluntary involvement in the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) where he helped in a special way, families of ex-servicemen to get the pensions and other monies owed to them.

Pope Francis says that love is not just talk, but deeds and service; humble service done in quiet and without publicity, as Jesus himself said: “your left hand must not know what your right is doing” (Mt 6:3). That’s what John was like and that’s why he remains an inspiration to me.

Fr Martin Micallef
Director, Dar tal-Providenza

€27,300 were raised during Gastronomic Dinner in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza organised by Infinitely Xara Co. Ltd owned by the Zammit Tabona family. This fine dining experience took place for the second year running in the historical setting of the Misraħ il-Kunsill located near the Mdina Local Council office with the gorgeous backdrop of The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux facade. The guests were treated to a delicious five course meal accompanied by different wines throughout the night.

This gastronomic dinner was under the patronage of His Lordship, Mgr Joe Galea Curmi, Bishop-Elect Auxiliary Bishop of Malta. Also present were Archbishop Emeritus,Mgr Paul Cremona O.P., and Fr Martin Micallef, the Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Over €55,000 were raised in the past two years.

The dinner was also attended by various established companies, who generously donated money to support Dar tal-Providenza. The principal partners for the night were Diamonds International, EY, Francis J. Vassallo & Associates Group, GSD Marketing Ltd, Halmann Vella Ltd, KRS Releasing Ltd, Malta International Airport, PWC, Raico, Seifert Systems Ltd, The Point Shopping Mall, VJ Salomone Marketing Ltd and the Mdina Local Council.

Special thanks go to all the kind people who have generously donated to the fundraising, all the wonderful volunteers, sponsors and all the incredibly generous donors of art.

During an annual fundraising dinner held at Dar il-Kaptan, Mtarfa, Rotarian Bryan Sullivan, President 2017-2018 of Rotary Club La Valette Malta, presented Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, with the Paul Harris Recognition Award in appreciation for the work done by the Home.

Rotarian Sullivan said that “it is our pleasure in recognizing the role Id-Dar tal-Providenza has played in making the difference in the community.”