Archive for category: News

Residents of Id-Dar tal-Providenza now have a specialised Music Room where they can have music sessions on an individual basis as well as in groups. Sessions that are of great benefit to them.

The Music Room could only materialise with the financial assistance of Rotary Club la Valette, Rotary Club Malta and Rotary International District 2110 that sponsored the Project as well as with the Alf. Mizzi Foundation that sponsored the lift that provides access to the room.

Speakers were Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, who found time in his welcome address to thank all those without whom this project would not have been possible; Mrs Margaret Vella, Senior Physiotherapist of the Home, that spoke about the need of the Music Room; Architect, Prof Vincent Buhagiar, coordinator of the Project, who gave a technical overview of what went into its development and Mr Albert Petrococchino, from the Alf. Mizzi Foundation that kindly sponsored the lift to the room. Mrs Jane Mizzi, Trustee of the Foundation, presented the sponsorship cheque to Fr Martin.

On behalf of Rotary, the speakers were Mr Bryan Sullivan of Rotary Club La Valette and Mr John de Giorgio, Governor of Rotary International for Malta and Sicily. They dwelt on the commitment of Rotarians to help sections of the community they form part of.

In his closing address, Mgr. Charles Cordina, Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia, focused on a twitter from Pope Francis that every person, including persons with disability, is unique and unrepeatable. He said it is a Grace from God that in order for projects like the Music Room to materialise, that improve the quality of life of residents, there is a structure of employees and volunteers to see that the work is done and the services given.

The Music Room was inaugurated by Mr John de Giorgio and blessed by Mgr Cordina.

A group of residents had the opportunity to show off their abilities with the help of their Ability Promoters by singing three songs.

“The inclusion of persons with disabilities, at all levels of society, is part and parcel of our commitment to uphold our democratic values, and safeguard universal human rights.” This was one of the messages relayed by the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca when she delivered the opening address at the “Every Life Matters” Conference at the Grand Hotel Excelsior. The aim of the conference was to raise awareness on inclusion and the threats faced by persons with disabilities, whose lives are at risk of annihilation in the womb.

The President said that it is essential for us to always promote, prioritise, and protect the intrinsic dignity of the human person. This is especially necessary at a time when our country is undergoing historical changes, in the spheres of legislation and policy, which deal with sensitive areas of reproductive care. She said that she believes that it is necessary for all of our professionals, civil society activists, national authorities, and also members of affected communities, to participate in respectful dialogue, around these issues of such ethical importance.
She made a reference to the individuals and families who have first hand experiences of living with disabilites and who had the opportunity to share their narratives during the conference and said: “You are the experts on your own lives, and it is our responsibility to listen to your needs and aspirations.”
In his welcome speech, Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, said that in these last fifty years, thanks to pioneers in the sector of persons with disability, persons with disability have made huge strides where rights, social inclusion and services are concerned, and for this we have every reason to be proud although there is still a lot more to be done. This is all a result of increased awareness of the dignity that persons with disability should enjoy as equal citizens.
Fr Martin said that this conference, entitled “Every Life Matters” has the aim to challenge us to work together as a society to desist from looking at the difference not as a threat but as something that enriches us. “We need to stop looking at how much a human being can produce and how capable he or she is to climb the ladders of success. We need to look at every person as unique, unrepeatable and precious – rich in humanity and spiritualilty; we need to look at each person not in the light of how much he has value but as someone who enjoys immeasurable dignity. A true society is gauged only by the respect with which it looks at every person.”
“We who believe that Every Life Matters are aggrieved when we meet expectant parents who, perhaps, might face some risks because of age or other reasons, that relate to us their experiences of advice they are given by gynaecologists, professionals or others to undergo the necessary tests so that if anything comes up in the results, ‘they use their head’.”
He concluded by saying: “We who believe that Every Life Matters wish to continue living in a society that enjoys legislation that always guarantees the right to life in all its stages without choosing who has to live or die.”
There were two keynote speeches. The first one by Prof Carmen Martinez Cue of the One of Us Federation who focused on the ‘New Advances and Research in the treatment of people with Down Syndrome’. Prof Martinez Cue is Associate Professor of Pharmacology in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cantabria. It was followed by an intervention by Dr Domenico Coviello on ‘Embryo selection and prenatal testing, medical and ethical aspects’. Dr Coviello is currently Director of the Laboratory of Human Genetics at Galliera Hospital in Genoa where he has been since March 2010.

There were three testimonies by Joeanne Xerri and Vanessa Portanier, two mothers raising a child with disability followed by Amy Camilleri Zahra who lives with a disability.
The closing address was made by Mgr Charles Cordina, Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia of the Archdiocese of Malta.
The “Every Life Matters” conference was organised by the Life Network Foundation Malta and Id-Dar tal-Providenza in collaboration with the One of Us Federation and LeJeune Foundation.

The Holy Week liturgical celebrations were held at Id-Dar tal-Providenza for the residents, workers and the general public.

The celebrations started with two masses in the Home’s chapel on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows followed by the blessing of a Holy Week representation in St Paul Hall. They continued with the solemn remembrance of Palm Sunday, a mass on Maundy Thursday that included the washing of the feet, the solemn celebration of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday and finally on Easter Sunday joyfully celebrating the Risen Christ.

For workers there were two sets of Spiritual Exercises. One in Maltese by Fr Karm Mercieca and another one in English by Fr Conrad Grech, Jesuit.

The peace of the Risen Christ be with you all.

The Malta Police Band under the direction of Senior Superintendent, Mro, Anthony Cassar, will be presenting ‘La Passione di Cristo’, a concert of sacred music. The concert will be taking place at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Paul in Mdina on Saturday 24th March 2018 at 8.00pm. The concert, which will include reflections connected with Holy Week, will be under the distinct patronage of the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

Participating will be the Amadeus Chamber Choir, the Malta Police Pipe Band, guest musicians together with soprano Ruth Sammut Casingena, tenor Brian Cefai, organist Chris Rolè and harpist Esmeralda Galea Camilleri.

The concert will be taking place with the collaboration of the Office of the President, the Metropolitan Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Mdina Local Council, Id-Dar tal-Providenza and the Malta Police Corps.

The tickets on a donation of €10 in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza may be found at Media Centre/RTK in Blata l-Bajda, the Dar tal-Providenza office in Valletta right behind the new market, Reception Desk at St James Cavalier or from the Reception Desk at Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi.