Malta Day at Westminster Cathedral - Saturday 14th September
Post date: Sep 16, 2013 5:57:41 PM
Malta Day at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 14th September was as usual very well attended. Not a sunny Maltese sky but the rain kept away so the parade and fireworks could go ahead after the service.
St Joseph’s Choir of Kalkara filled the Cathedral with their voices and music giving us all great joy listening to them, especially their very moving “Ave Maria”.
The recently appointed Malta High Commissioner Mr Norman Hamilton gave a warm welcome address taking the theme of the “Faith and Heritage of Malta” he has yet to present his credentials to H M The Queen. Charmingly he said he saw many old faces and he was looking forward to seeing many new ones, it was all rather déjà vu for him as a 1960 migrant from Malta to England.
South East member Jack McNulty took part in the Bidding Prayers some of which encouraged young Maltese children to take heed of the good advice from their parents!
Alex Saint, also a South East member and her daughter and granddaughter (I hope she becomes one of our younger members!) eagerly waited with us all for the parade of Our Lady of Victories (IL BAMBINA) and the loud firework display that followed.
Norman Hamilton introduced himself to Lindsay Thacker and I, earlier he had had a lengthy chat with “our” Jack, the H.C. was very much the “man of the moment” with the Maltese congregation congratulating him on his new appointment.
After the service Lindsay and I found time to do some “retail therapy” also in the store we met Miss Chirelle Sciberras Consul and First Secretary, Malta High Commission who had read from the Old Testament in the Cathedral.
The celebrations continued into the evening with a dinner dance, which sadly we were unable to attend this year.
Janet Barkway
S/East Branch.