It was a lovely day, bathed in a splendid sun and made all the brighter by the smiles of the hundreds of Ghajnsilmizi that welcomed Can. Frankie Bajada in his new parish.

Carcade and Band March
The long-day of activities started with a carcade from the Munxar square. It was formed by parishioners from both Ghajnsielem and Munxar. Can. Bajada was accompanied by the Chancellor of the Gozo Diocese, Mons. Savior Debrincat in open vehicle. On his way he made a short stop at the St Anthony's Church and the Lourdes Chapel. The noisy carcade arrived at around 9.30am and stopped in Chambrai Street where the St Joseph Band and the Victory Band of Xaghra (his birthplace) welcomed the new Archpriest to Ghajnsielem. Continuous applause and cheers were the order of the moment as hundred of people accompanied the new Archpriest to the main door where the bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech invited him to open the door of the temple.

Rite of Installation and Concelebrated Mass
After a short speech by Mayor Francis Cauchi outside the main doors, Can. Frankie Bajada emotionally addressed the huge crowd and expressly committed himself to the service of the parish community. Can. Bajada said that he was proud at being offered the opportunity of working in such a wonderful village where the local people were always ready to give him the full support.

Can. Frankie Bajada then performed the time-honoured rite of pushing the doors of his parish church open and thereby, amid the cheers of his parishioners, he formally started his pastoral ministry. As he entered the majestic church, impressively decorated for his installation and for the liturgical feast of 'Our Lady of Loreto' which also happened to be on the same day,  the choir and orchestra welcomed him in style. The choir was formed by members of the 'Lauratana Choir', 'St Anthony Choir,' 'Allegro', 'Ilhna Smewwija' of Munxar and 'Voci Angeliche' of Xaghra.

The church was crowded with people. The front seats were reserved for his close relatives, Honorary Members of Parliament, members of the main organizations in Ghajnsielem and Local Council. A huge congregation also packed the aisle and chapels. Over 1100 people were seated while hundreds of others were left standing. Those sitting in the aisles had the luxury of watching the whole ceremony on one of the 9 plasma screens which were installed for the occasion.

After he had taken possession of "the keys" to the parish church by pushing open its doors he was accompanied by the presiding priest to one of the confessionals of the church and sat therein to signify the formal start of his ministry as reconciler with God. Concelebrated Mass followed during which the rites of installation were carried out. The Gospel reading was proclaimed and, thereby, he "took possession" of the pulpit.

At the end of the liturgy, Can Bajada was presented with various gifts from main local organizations and parish groups. It then saw the massive congregation out of the church and into the main square where over 2000 parishioners celebrated with a big party!

This was a day that many Ghajnsilmizi will never forget...

About Can. Frankie Bajada
Can. Bajada was born on February 6, 1966, in Xaghra. He was educated at Xaghra primary school, and Nadur and Victoria secondary schools. After spending a number of years at the Heart of Jesus Seminary in Victoria, he was ordained by Bishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi on June 22, 1991.He was vice-parish priest at the Nativity of Jesus Christ parish in Rome where he studied at the Università Pontificia San Tommaso in Urbe (Angelicum) from where he obtained the Licentiate in Philosophy in 1994.

On his return to Gozo, Fr Bajada began working at the Heart of Jesus Seminary where he taught in the secondary school. In 1994, he was appointed lecturer in philosophy at the Major Seminary as well as diocesan director for vocational priesthood. Fr Bajada forms part of the seminarian pastoral formation team. He is also a member of the Major Seminary board and of the Clerical Commission.
 

Can. Frankie Bajada visits the Xaghra Parish Church and meets with the local clergy.
Time: 8.15am

Can. Frankie Bajada departs from Xaghra to Munxar where
several parishioners from both Ghajnsielem and Munxar are waiting for him.
Time: 8.40am

Can. Frankie Bajada arrived in Munxar where he is greeting by
the newly appointed Archpriest Can. Tonio Galea.
Time: 8.50am

Can. Bajada makes a short speech at the Parish Church.

A noisy Carcade starts from the Munxar square to Ghajnsielem
Can. Bajada was accompanied by the Chancellor of the Gozo Diocese,
Mons. Savior Debrincat in open vehicle.
Time: 9.00am

On his way, Can. Bajada made a short stop at the Sannat's Cemetery where
he laid flowers on his mother's grave. He then stopped at
St Anthony's Church and Lourdes Chapel.
Time: 9.15am

Can. Bajada finally arrives in Ghajnsielem.
Continuous applause and cheers were the order of the moment as hundred of
people accompanied the new Archpriest to the main door  of the Church.
Time: 9.45am

After a short speech by Mayor Francis Cauchi outside the main doors, Can. Frankie Bajada emotionally addressed the huge crowd.
Time: 10.30am

Can. Frankie Bajada then performed the time-honoured rite of pushing the doors of his parish church open and thereby, amid the cheers of his parishioners,
he formally started his pastoral ministry.
Time: 10.45am

The concelebrated mass starts.
Time: 11.00am

Afterwards the parishioners celebrated with a big party in the main square.
Time: 13.45am