The virus that prevailed over the past few months and which created so much tension and restrictions on our lifestyle, these last few days hit also a member of our Community of Augustinian Friars at Rabat. As a consequence, St. Mark’s Conventual Church is presently closed and the friars comprising the community are in quarantine. Although certainly this is not a pleasant experience, these days also served to make us appreciate the nearness of so many persons close to the Community. Hereunder is what the Prior of the Community wrote:-

“On Friday afternoon, as soon as we became aware that one of the religious at our Convent was Covid-19 positive, without waiting for us to be advised by the authorities to go into mandatory quarantine, respecting all those who enter our convent and to whoever frequents our Church, we quickly took the decision to close everywhere with immediate effect so that this virus will not spread any further. Thus, we Augustinian Friars at Rabat, together with our Provincial Fr. Leslie Gatt, with due respect to everybody, closed everywhere for the coming days until we reopen again the convent and St. Mark’s Church for the usual services to all.

We cannot thank sufficiently the many persons who, throughout the day yesterday did not cease phoning and writing to us offering their help during this time that we Augustinian Friars are obliged to remain indoors. Your solidarity gave us friars serenity during these times of such uncertainty and even fear. Many others like us experienced , or are going through, a similar experience in which we friars find ourselves. We do not wish anybody to experience such uncertainty and fear that this virus brings with it. However, at the same time, we pray to God that whoever has to face up to the situation created by this pandemic, finds someone ready to communicate, to offer solace, offers whatever help may be necessary. Throughout the day yesterday we Augustinian Friars truly experienced how many persons there are who have us very much in their mind and love us. Thank you from the bottom of our heart for your great heart.”

Whilst we augur a quick recovery, we promise to keep you in our prayers.

Greetings from Kenya. It is our hope that God has protected you all from the ravages of covid 19 pandemic. We are glad to report that from the donations given by the Maltese people which we received recently we have been able to feed and support poor people in three of our parishes:

Mbwiru: About 35 families received food portions

Ishiara: More than 40 households benefitted from food portions

Eldoret: More than 30 households benefitted from food portions

You have been God send to our poor people through the help you have been giving especially during these difficult times. May God bless and protect you. Happy new year 2021.

Fr.Bob osa from Kenya.

-------

YOU CAN HELP by sending your donation:-

• on Revolut: 356 7925 5936
• or Cheque to Fr. Mario Abela osa, Secretariat Augustinian Missions, J Zammit Tabona Str, Pieta’ PTA 1331
• or by deposit to Bank of Valletta a/c no. 400-1018-8817

“The one who made you without your help will not save you without your help”. (St. Augustine – Commentary on Psalm 169,13). Therefore, we Augustinian religious always feel the need to renew ourselves. One of the ways how this can come about is by way of continuous formation. This Formation makes sense because as religious friars have the need to sustain and to give a new life to the vocation with which we have been graced.

As St. Augustine reminds us: “If you say ‘This is enough’, you die. Always walk forward, don’t stop don’t look back don’t take the wrong road. Whoever does not walk forward, comes to a stop, whoever does not move forward, goes backwards’” (St. Augustine, Sermon 169,15.18).

For this reason, on Wednesday 13 January 2021 we started a series of formation  meetings entitled: Let us be a cradle of an Evangelical Community. The meetings are being led by Fr. Philip Cutajar OFM Cap.

The first meeting was held in the Church dedicated to St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Ħal Tarxien. We decided to hold the meeting in the church so as to be able to maintain the physical distances required during this time. The meeting commenced with the Evening Prayers and was followed by Fr. Philip’s talk.

We ask you to pray for us Augustinian religious in Malta and Gozo so that these meetings will bear spiritual fruit in us, so that we will always improve our community spirit, and reflect the Gospel amongst God’s People in these islands.

These Christmas days, St Augustine Square in Victoria Gozo, and the façade of the Augustinian Priory in the same square offered a wonderful setting to host the virtual Christmas concert by the Schola Cantorum Jubilate which this year is celebrating its 20th Anniversary

The links of this professional Choir with the Priory date back several years and were synonymous with the organization of the annual Carols by Candlelight event. In this year’s particular cicumstances and with the commitment to celebrate the 20th anniversary in style, an innovative way of hosting a Virtual Concert in one of the most beautiful sqaures in Victoria has been considered.

This time, rather than the architectural beauty of the Priory and Church from the inside, the attention is focused on the majestic façade. So the square was transformed into an open air theater and people could enjoy the Song Reborn Concert from the comfort of their car by tuning up with the radio frequency given upon arrival at the venue, and admire the spectacular projections using the latest 3D mapping technology on the artistic facade of the Prior and the Church.

The show was under the artistic direction of Stefan Attard and brought together all the Choirs of the Schola Cantorum Jubilate under the direction of Marushka Attard. They were also joined by the String quartet and the pianists of the same Choir Schola Cantorum Jubilate. The concert was performed twelve times between the 22nd and the 30th December 2020.

.