- WELCOME to all members, sponsors, family and friends of the Sacred Heart Fontana Association. This year we again come together to celebrate the feast of the beloved Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the association’s 9th year running we are extremely pround of what we have achieved over the years, in particular last year’s feast.
2009 was a busy for the association with the arrival of the long awaited Sacred Heart statue arriving home in Australia just in time for our festive celebrations. The feedback and enthusiasim from everyone was overwhelming and we thank you for attending and making the feast a success, it is onlu with your support that we can countinue to host the feast.
Come join us this year and be part pf the Sacred Heard Feast! You will be happy to know the committee has not only been working hard to organize three days of festivities yet we also have made a frame and glass window for the statue’s home in the church.
In addition, the committee are organizing many social events to see you through the year. Including Melbourne Cup Eve family night, members bbq and lunch at the Cuckoo restaurant, we hope ypu can attend.
Also, it is with great pleasure that we introduce new committee member Manuel Grima. Manuel has made a great contribution over the years and we welcome him abroad.
There are many hands involved in making the feast possible and it would be impossible to thank everyone individually. We are grateful that we have the continued support of all who are involved. Your contributions and loyalty make it possible for us to continue to organize a feast we are passionate about, an organization we are proud of and a celebration of love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
We look forward to seeing you.
Emanuel Cassar
(Sacred Heart Fontana Association President)
- A YEAR TO REMEMBER , written by Josefa Pete
As time drew nearer towards the feast, we questioned and wondered if this year the statue would be ready. Would it be part of our feast? The day that phone call came from Malta we coldn’t believe it was true- the statue was ready! Prepare for the feast, were the instructions. So after seven long years, many phone calls to and from Malta and many prayers said and answered the statue was on an Emirates flight on its way to Melbourne.
Friday May 29. 2009 was a cold night. The mist had settled over Melbourne and there was a chill in the air. But you would not have known any different sitting in Blessed Mary MacKillop Church. The pews were full of people all eager to see the unveiling of the statue. Before the Mass began, President Emanuel Cassar stood before the people and gave a very heartfelt speech. It was humbling to see the gratitude he expressed towards the sole benefactors of the statue Charlie and MaryAnne Schembri. As he invited them up onto the altar to unveil the statue, the excitement grew in the air. There perched high up on the altar, convered in a red curtain stood the statue waiting for all to see.
As the curtain slowly drew away, applause rose throughout the church, the statue was absolutely magnificent – there was no question in that. The gold pedestal and hand crafted bradella added the perfect finishing touch. Father Charles Portelli delivered a reverent Mass, one which reflected on the importance of the Sacred Heart in our community as well as its importance to the Sacred Heart Association. The Two Hearts Choirs was exceptional in the music and sining for the night. Their efforts need to be further commended, as their generosity and effort during the time of the feast is extraordinary. As the mass ended the brass band began to play – right there in the Church foyer! The mood for the festa was starting to chanfe – it was time to celebrate!
As the Mass ended it was overwhelming to see the entire people crowd at the foot of the statue. Everyone was eager to catch a closer glimpse of the amazing statue. Mobile phones and camers in hand all trying to capture such a moment. Slowly the crowd made its way to the parish hall where there was an abundance of food for everyone, pastizzi to warm through the cold and many cakes and biscuits for all.
Saturday May 30. 2009 and what a night it was at Luxor Receptions. The mood of the night was electric! There was something essentially different about this dinner dance. Was it because there were more people than usual? Was it the excitement of the new statue? Who knows… and it doesn’t matter. What does matter everyone had an amazing time. As usual the food was outstanding at luxor.
The night really accelerated when the Maltese Brass Band Inc made its way into the hall. For the first time, the band joined the people on the dance floor, making its way slowly around. There were new flags bearing the image of the new Sacred Heart statue. The band members all wore new scarves bearing the image of the heart of the statue. Everyone was up on their feet. The dance floor was crowded with so many people jonining in the madness and chaos. It was fantastic! Finally, a breathe of life had been cast into the dinner dance and a precedence was set for years to come.
Sunday May 30, 2009 and as I looked out my kitchen window that morning and saw the sweeping fog blanketing Melbourne I wondered if the procession would go ahead that day, a though I’m sure I shared with many. But as the day slowly progressed and the sun came through, the day cleared to perfect blue skies, ready for the statue later that afternoon.
Once again, Blessed Mary Mackillop church was full. The pews were lined with people eager to see the statue make its way out for the first time. The Solemn High Mass celebrated by Father Charles Portelli was humbling. The traditions of the Mass befitting the statue masked in its own rich traditions. The Two Hearts Choir was joined by the choir from Holy Eucharist Church and all were led by Charlie Schembri as the organist. Hearing my father perform a solo hymn during the Mass Brought a tear to my eye. The peace and tranquility in his voice resounded throughout the church. It was at that moment that it became clear.
The celebration of the Sacred Heart feast is not about committee’s or presidents or any politics. it is about the gathering of a people who share the same faith – a belief in God. For the Church that day simply because of their aboration for the Sacred Heart. And as it stood there, angelic and graceful, on the altar with its arm open wide, it made me realize the beauty in all that it represented. We are blessed to have such a tradition to bestow respect these traditions, so our children will grow to respect them and keep them as part of the vibrant culture that makes up the Maltese community today. It was only fitting that the feast fell on Pentecost Sunday, for just as the tongues of fire came down upon the Apostles, bearing upon them the gift of the Holy Spirit and the power to communicate the teachings of Christ.
This year the feast bestowed upon us the power that change is possible and we must take what we have learnt and continue in its grace. As the Mass ended, anticipation rose, the fratelli all gathered on the altar, the committee members hovered and very slowly the statue was raised onto the shoulders of men who so proudly bore its weight. Slowly, swaying side to side, the statue came down the aisle and out of the church, into the waiting crowd for the procession to start. The many flag bearers were there, as were two Maltese brass bands. What a moment this was!
The fireworks were exploding in the distance, the women gathered clapping and singing at the foot of the statue. The weather behaved itself for the whole procession and it was quite an experience being part of sush an inaugural event. The entertainment was great – the Dj and Two Maltese bands!
The most amazing feast came to the most amazing end with spectacular fireworks. It truly was a fitting tribute to the hard work of the committee members, the volunteers and of course the Sacred Heard. As I rushes back inside the hall from the cold, after the fire works. I heard the murmurs in the crowd "It felt like we were back home" and I knew then that the feast had been a success.
- JESUS MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART MAKES OUR HEARTS LIKE UNTO THINE, written Rev. Charles Portelli - Parish priest St. Mary of the Assumption Parish – Leilor Downs Kealaba
Before the beginning of time, before creation, God existed all alone. The love of god was the only love there was then. The love of god is the only love there is now. And the love of god is the only love there will ever be. We are not creators; we are only receivers and transmitters of the love of God. And we can transmit only as much as we receive. To tell us of his love, God sent us his only Son. ‘’ The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.’’ Jesus is the greatest expression of the love of God for us and the greatest expression of the human response to that love.
Jesus was divine, the Son of God. He was also human, the son of Mary. He spoke with divine authority but he spoke in human language. He spoke in the simple language of ordinary people of his day about things they were so familiar with; the birds of the air, the lilies of the fields, the sewer and seeds, the vine and branches. When he wanted to tell his apostles how important they were he said that they were ‘’the light of the world’’ and the ‘’salt of the earth.’’ And when he wanted to tell us God’s love, for us he used the heart, the human symbol for love. He told us that we should learn of him that he was meek and humble of heart and we would find rest for our souls.
The contemporaries of Jesus knew this meek and humble heart of Jesus and they knew that it beat with unconditional love for them. Rough, simple fishermen leave their boats and nests to follow him. Learned doctors sit at his feet to hear his wisdom. A tax collector leaves his money table to become his disciple. Multitudes follow him for days, so captivated that they forgot to provide food to eat. The sick fight their way through the crowds just to touch the hem of his garment. And they found peace and rest for their soul.
Never before has the unconditional love of the Sacred Heart been as relevant as it is today. We live in an age where many no longer know or accept the love which god offers us so freely. Let us pray that through the celebrations of the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus many people will come to know more deeply and follow him closely.
I also take this opportunity to thank the organizing committee of the Sacred Heart Fontana and the Missionaries of Love and Peace for all their work in preparing for this great day.
- LET'S TURN UNTO HIM AND HOPE IN HIS MERCIFUL HEART WHO NEVER LET DOWN THOSE WHO SEARCH HIM IN MOMENTS OF DOUBTS AND DARKNESS, written Fr Joseph Bajada - Fontana Parish Priest
While visiting the families of Fontana for Easter blessing at one particular family I saw on a table a beautiful book having on its front cover the image of the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we have in our parish. At first, I thought it was issued by the parish, but then I discovered it was a photo album containg memories of all the work done regarding a copy of the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Fontana, its transfer and welcoming festa in Australia. While looking at the photos, I was impressed by the organisation and the atmosphere created for such special occasion
I could see in your faces the happiness you had and also the love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I hope that the sacred image which is synonymous with the parish of Fontana, not only reminds you of your childhood and other Fontana’s traditions, but most of all reminds you how great Jesus’ love for all of you. Now that the statue is in its worship place, do not be satisfied only with this. Sacred images can help us in our journey of faith but are not enough. I hope that you agree with me, that it is easier to make and transfer a statue from Gozo to Australia than to pass over faith from one generation to another.
In Australia, as well as in Gozo, people need to rediscover God’s love shown in his son Jesus Christ. Only he can give back what we’ve lost in our society, in our lives and sometimes even in our Church. Let’s turn unto him and hope in his merciful heart who never let down those who search him in moments of doubts and darkness.
Finally, I’m trying to do my best to update the parish website www.qalbtagesu.com with photos of what is going on here. I know that many of you already have visited the site and gave us suggestions and appreciations. Please do remember me in your prayers and I promise you mine. Even though distances are separating us, but the Heart of Jesus Christ holds us close, because wherever we are, we remain part of his flock.
Tkunu mberkin.
Muzika adattata min Sunny Galea ,versi ta’Joe Xerri.
Titkanta fuq il-kanzunetti "Congratulation"
Fir-rahal taghna – jismu Fontana
Hawn festa prima, ma tixraqlux rahal miz-zghar!
Ilkoll maghuda - dejem qalb wahda,
Unjoni shiha u naghmlu dejem bhall- kbar
Jekk tridu tafu kif naghmlu ahna il festi,
Ejjew arawna, biss oqoghdu dejem lesti.
Ghax f ‘dan ir rahal in-nar tiela’ bla ma jaqta,’
U dan min jaghmlu nghidulkom ahna ….
Fontana Brothers – ghall murtaletti
Kaxxa infernali, l-ispanjola u tal kulur,
Fontana Brothers – ghan nirien l’ aqwa,
Fl-ebda festa ma tara bhalhom tmur fejn tmur!
Ahna l-izghar fost l irhula t’ghawdex kollu,
Xejn ma jimporta, rahal rahal intom tmorru,
Imbaghad ghidulna min nar jaghmel aktar minna,
Ejjew sibuna Ghidulna min..
Fontana Brothers – ghal- murtaletti
Flok fetha wahda,erba’w humsa u bereq pront!
Fontana Brothers - ghall-ispanjola ,
Bin-nar li naghmlu raskom indawwru dawra tond!
Fontana brothers - ghal- ispanjola
Bin-nar li naghmlu raskom indawwru dawra tond,
Bin-nar li naghmlu raskom indawwru dawra tond!