Tuesday, 6th September 2011
Download the 2011 Feast
Magazine
The 2011 Feast Magazine
which was distributed to all
Ghajnsielem households
during the last few days is
now also available for
download for the benefits of
all our emigrants.
This year's
publication offers a record
of 90 articles spread over 190 pages.
To download the
publication, right click on the link below and select
'Save target as'
Monday, 29th August 2011
The newly refurbished main
hall
The
unexpected news received
last June that the musical
archive will not be finished
in time for inauguration
during the feast did not
dampen the enthusiasm or
derail the preparations for
this year. Instead, the
executive committee decided
to focus all its energy on
finishing the main hall. And
in just a few weeks, the
hall was impressively
completed down to the last
detail in time for Tuesday's
inauguration. The fully
equipped hall is now
expected to be used for all
major functions and social
events held in Ghajnsielem.
Sunday, 28th August 2011
Feast of Our Lady of Loreto
As Ghajnsielem celebrated
the Feast in honour of Our
Lady of Loreto, the St
Joseph Band proudly
accompanied the statue
around the main streets. The
procession marked the end
of two weeks of
celebrations where our band
gave an impeccable service.
A big thank you goes to all
our bandsmen, committee
members, volunteers and
supporters. Viva x-Xemx!
Viva l-Madonna ta' Loreto!
Tuesday,
23rd August 2011
Spectacular performance
by St Joseph Band
New hall inaugurated
Under the
patronage of Acting President Dr. Anton Tabone, the St Joseph Band
gave a magnificent performance with a selection of works from A.
Lloyd Webber, G. Verdi and Giacomo Puccini among the others. But the
highlight of the evening was Mro Sunny Galea's Overture, 'Melita'
which was accompanied by synchronized fireworks displayed from the
roof of the band club's premises.
The annual concert took place in front
of the band club's premises which was also illuminated with several
light effects. This year the St Joseph Band also featured three
sopranos, Pamela Agius, Marisa Galea and Rita Dimech.
After the
end of the concert,Acting
President Dr. Anton Tabone together with the Society's President
Gino Cauchi inaugurated the newly refurbished main hall of the
club's premises. The luxuriously finished hall designed by Paul A.
Stellini features an imposing niche for the old statue of Our Lady
of Loreto, an imposing ceiling, marble walls and a new lighting
system. The hall is also equipped with an audio-visual system.
Thursday,
11th August 2011
St Joseph Band welcomes the bells in
Ghajnsielem
The new
bells which are set to dominate the
towering belfry of the Ghajnsielem
Parish Church arrived today after a
long trip from Cornille-Havard bell
foundry in Normandy, France. The set
of eight bells were
transported on a trailer aboard the
M.V. Malita ferry and departed from
Cirkewwa at 6.00pm. The
trailer, accompanied by a carcade
and hundreds of revellers, arrived
slowly to Chambray Street where the
St Joseph Band welcomed the bells
playing the 'Viva x-Xemx' with the
Ghajnslemizi celebrating and singing
together. The
bells were then carried to the main
square where slowly, one by one,
they were placed on pillars
purposely prepared for their
arrival. The St Joseph Band will
once again be in service for the
blessing of the new bells on Sunday
14th August.
Sunday,
5th June 2011
St Joseph Band takes
part in Feast of St Anthony
The nice weather and sizable crowd
ensured an enjoyable evening as the
Franciscan community celebrated the
feast of St Anthony. On Saturday
evening, the St Joseph Band kept its
tradition by accompanying the statue
of St Anthony along St Anthony
Street. The band march started in
front of the Grand Hotel ending in
front of the church parvis where the
statue was elevated on a platform
among the enthusiasm of the present
crowd. The world cup did not affect
the celebrations and the band march
was well attended.
On Feast
day, the Mnarja Band of Nadur and
Qala's Ite ad Joseph played marched
on the church's parvis as the St
Joseph Band Club then accompanied
the statue of St Anthony around the
main streets of 'Tal-Gudja' area
including Gudja Street, Hamri Street
and St Anthony Street. The beautiful
fireworks displays, the encouraging
crowd participation and the
magnificent street decorations
wrapped up a highly successful week
of activities.
Sunday,
22nd May 2011
Feast of St Joseph
celebrated
On Sunday afternoon, the Ghajnsielem parish celebrated the
feast of St. Joseph the Worker, better known in Maltese as
'San Guzepp Haddiem'. A mass was held at 5.00pm with several bandsmen and committee members
taking an active part in this celebration. Afterwards, the
band accompanied the statue its patron saint
around the main streets of Ghajnsielem. The day before,
members from the St Joseph Band also held a mass at the Gozo
cemetery led by the society's spiritual director Fr. Joe Cardona.
Wednesday,
04th May 2011
Mikiel Ciangura, 93,
passes away
It was the end
of an era for St. Joseph Band as Mikiel Ciangura,
the last member of
the first band
that Mons Joseph De Piro
formed back in 1928, passed away early this morning at
the age of 93.
Mikieli joined
the St Joseph Institute in 1926, just a few months after it
opened in Gozo. It was here that he took his education
under the direction of Mons De Piro who was also the
first director. During this period, Mikiel also spend
some time in another institute in Malta where he
continued to develop his formation. Mons De
Piro wanted him to continue to further his education and he
decided to join the Birkirkara Oratory as an aspirant. But
he later changed his mind and returned to the St Joseph
Institute in Hamrun where he started to learn how to sew.
During the period he spend in Hamrun, he had the opportunity
to learn music. When Mons De
Piro opened the Gozo institute, Mikiel Ciangura returned to
Gozo. Meanwhile, Mons De Piro
was seen arriving from Malta with a big parcel in his hands.
This parcel contained the first musical instruments, which were
going to be used by the yet unborn St. Joseph Band. Among the
first students one finds Mikiel Ciangura from Ghajnsielem, Pinu
Gatt from Sannat and Kristinu Gatt from Nadur. These were all
young boys residing at the Orphanage during that time. The first
instrument that Mikiel Ciangura played was the cornet. He later
learned the clarinet and then the basso. On Tuesday, 26th August 2008,
Mikiel Ciangura was presented with a commemorative gift to on
the 80th Anniversary of the St Joseph Band. The gift was handed
under the presence of the President of Malta, Dr. Edward Fenech
Adami. On the 18th December 2008,
Mikiel Ciangura, 90, was awarded the 14th edition of the 'Premju
Gieh Ghajnsielem' for his contribution and involvement in the
Ghajnsielem community particularly the St Joseph Band
and his voluntary work at the Ghajnsielem parish. In
that occasion, Mikiel Ciangura gave a short emotional
speech where he thanked God for giving
him spirit to live at such age and also thanked all those around
him for all the support that they always give him.
The St Joseph Band will
play funebral marches during his funeral which will be held on
Monday 9th May, marking the end of an era for the original
founders of this club. May he rest in peace.
Friday,
21st April 2011
St Joseph Band in Good
Friday procession
The St.
Joseph Band kept its annual
appointment of participating in the Good Friday
procession which is held around the main streets of Nadur. The band, directed by Mro. Sunny Galea
and assisted by Mro Frankie Debono, played over three
hours of funeral marches around the main streets of the
village.
Wednesday,
19th April 2011
Sacred Music concert
at St Anthony's Church
This evening, St. Joseph Band held its annual concert
of religious music which included a mixture of funeral marches and
other works related to the Holy week. The event was held at St
Anthony's church which was impeccably decorated for the occasion.
The event was well attended by the locals especially from the Gudja community. The band
was conducted by Director Mro Sunny
Galea A.L.C.M. and assisted by Mro.
Frankie Debono. Throughout the
concert, P. Joseph Magro OFM shared
some spiritual thoughts for
religious reflections. Joanne
Debrincatwas
compère for the
evening. The
pieces were played at an astonishing
level of virtuosity which rightly
brought those present to their feet
to acknowledge with applause.
The St Joseph Band is
holdings
its annual concert of religious music which included a
mixture of funeral marches and other works related to
the Holy week on Wednesday, 20th April 2011 at 7.15pm at
St. Anthony's Church. Everyone is invited to attend.
Entrance is free.
Thursday,
31st March 2011
Holy Week activities
announced
The St Joseph Band Club is
organizing a series of activities related with the
lantern and holy week. The activities are being
organized by the executive committee in collaboration
with the club's spiritual director Fr Joe Cardona.
Everyone is urged to attend.
Wednesday, 23rd February 2011
Join the St. Joseph Band Club
for a weekend break
The St Joseph Band is organizing a weekend
break between the 18th and 20th of March at The Park Hotel
in Sliema. The weekend will include a visit to the
feast of St. Joseph in Rabat, shopping time in Sliema, a
visit to Birgu Waterfront, Paceville and the opportunity to watch the St.
Joseph Band joining the Socjeta' Muzikali Tal-Karmnu,
Balluta in a musical program. The two bands will also sign a
twinning agreement between each other.
Wednesday, 23rd February 2011
Joint musical
program with the Socjeta' Muzikali Tal-Karmnu, Balluta
The St Joseph Band is joining the Socjeta' Muzikali Tal-Karmnu,
Balluta for a joint musical program on Sunday 20th March
2011 at the Salesian Theatre in Sliema at 6.30pm. During the
show, the two bands will sign a
twinning agreement between each other. Transport will
be provided from Cirkewwa. Contact a member of the committee
for further details and reservation.
Thursday, 20th January 2011
St Joseph Band
Club committee re-elected
The 2011 Annual General Meeting started with
a prayer and a short speech by Spiritual Director Fr. Joe
Cardona. A minute of silence was then observed in
remembrance of Archpriest Mons G. Zerafa, an former member
of committee and spiritual director who passed away a few
days ago.
In his speech, Club President Gino Cauchi
emphasized that 2011 was a crucial year for the St. Joseph
Band as the executive committee was preparing to inaugurate
the Musical Archive and finish the work on the Main Hall and
the Snooker Hall.
Club Secretary Kevin Cauchi
presented a detailed administrative report covering all
the
projects and activities of the last 12 months and gave and
gave an analyses of the projects planned for the upcoming
year. Treasurer Elvin Tabone explained all the revenues and
expenditures of the society, covering during the last
financial year. Present for the AGM was Dr Raymond Xerri,
representative of the 'Għaqda Kazini
tal-Baned' who praised the hard-work and
the initiatives of present committee adding that he was
impressed by what was achieved during the last few
years. Dr. Xerri augured every success for the
upcoming year ahead.
Joe Galea was then appointed to monitor the
re-election of the new committee for 2011/12. None of the
present members were contested while Loreto Zerafa was added
as a new member. The total number of members of the
executive committee is now 11.
Tuesday, 18th January 2011
St. Joseph Band
salutes Mgr G. Zerafa
The St Joseph Band today joined the rest of
Ghajnsielem to salute Monsignor Joseph (Ġużeppi)
Zerafa, the second Archpriest and tenth parish-priest of the
Ghajnsielem Parish.
Archpriest Emeritus Mgr. G. Zerafa, 72, passed away on Wednesday
12th January after a short illness. Beside being an
Honourable Member of this Band,
Mgr. G. Zerafa was also an
former member of committee and spiritual director.
His funeral was held in a day-long event
which started early in the morning when Mgr G. Zerafa's body
was taken to his family’s residence where he lay in state as
the Ghajnslemizi including representatives from the St
Joseph Band slowly paid their last respects. The band was
represented by Club President Gino Cauchi, Secretary Kevin
Cauchi, Treasurer Elvin Tabone and Band Delegate Loreto
Galea. At noon, was laid at the Old Parish Church where
his remains continued to receive the public’s homage and
prayers. Later in the afternoon, Can. Joe Cardona presided
the recitation of Vespers for the Dead. At 3.00pm the
coffin was solemnly carried from the Old Parish church to
the Ghajnsielem Parish church accompanied by the St. Joseph
Band which played funeral marches for this sad occasion. The cortege
than entered the church already packed with
mourners as Gozo Bishop Mgr. Mario Grech presided the solemn
Mass. As the coffin of Mgr G. Zerafa was taken in front of
the niche of the titular statue, the congregation an
emotional crowd made a huge applause while the
'Cappella Diacono' Orchestra played the antiphon (antifna)
'Beata Mater', normally performed on the Feast of
Our Lady of Loreto in August.
It was dark, when at 5.50 p.m. the Chapter
and Clergy accompanied the coffin out of the church among
the dim light of the candles lit by the Ghajnslemizi as
petards were being let off in his honour. Before the coffin was than taken to the
Ghajnsielem Cemetery, the hearse stopped in front of the St.
Joseph Band Club premises were the executive committee and
members made a final salute to this person who always kept
the St. Joseph Band
close to his heart.
Saturday, 8th January 2011
2011 Annual
General Meeting
The 2011
AGM will be held on Thursday 20th January at 7.00pm. The meeting
will start with an introductory speech by President Gino Cauchi. Club Secretary Kevin Cauchi will present a detailed
administrative report covering all projects, activities and
other related analysis while Treasurer Elvin Tabone will
explain all the revenues and expenditures of the society,
covering during the last 12 months. Election for the new
executive committee will be held afterwards. Members
interested in joining the new committee or propose changes
to the statute must submit an application which was sent by
post by not later than Tuesday 18th January 2011. All members are urged to
attend.
