Bishop Mario Grech on a pastoral visit to Canada and the USA

Between April 22nd and May 5th 2008 Bishop Mario Grech will be visiting Gozitan and Maltese priests and emigrants in Toronto, Canada and Detroit (Michingan), USA. During his pastoral visit Bishop Grech, who is accompanied by his personal assistant, Fr Eddie Zammit and his secretary, Fr Charles Sultana, will take part in the 40th anniversary celebrations to the priesthood of two Gozitan priests working in Canada, Fr Alfred Grima (form Xewkija) and Fr Joseph Sultana (from Xagħra). Both were ordained on the same day, 11th May 1968.
Four Gozitan diocesan priests are working in Canada.

Highlights of Bishop Grech’s pastoral visit:
 
Tuesday, April 22
Departure from Malta and arrival at Lester B. Pearson Airport, Toronto.

Wednesday, April 23
9:00 a.m Mass at St John Fisher Church (Fr Alfred Grima), Brampton, Toronto and departure for Detroit.
(Evening) Arrival in Detroit and dinner with Maltese priests and those of Maltese descent working in the Detroit Archdiocese.
 
Thursday, April 24
8.30a.m. Mass at St Francis Cabrini Parish Church. The congregation will include primary school children of the same parish and members of the Maltese community.
11.00a.m. Courtesy meeting with Cardinal Adam Maida, Archbishop of Detroit.
12.00a.m. Visit to Sacred Heart Seminary.
3.00p.m. Brief tour of the area where the Maltese immigrants first settled in Detroit.
 
Friday, April 25
9.00a.m. Visit to landmarks in Detroit.
6.00p.m. Mass for the Maltese Community at the Maltese American Club in Dearbon followed by a fund-raising dinner for the Diocese of Gozo.
 
Saturday, April 26
(Morning) Return to Toronto.
6:30 p.m. Fund-raising dinner dance for the Maltese community at Rizzo Banquet Hall. (Proceeds will go to the Diocese of Gozo).

Sunday, April 27
8:00 a.m. Departure for St Paul The Apostle Church to meet Maltese parishioners.
10:30 a.m. Con-celebration mass with the Maltese and Gozitan Priests.
12:00 p.m. Lunch with the priests.
3:00 p.m. Visit to the three Maltese Clubs: Maltese Canadian Society, Maltese Soccer Club and the Maltese Band Club.
Return to Brampton.

Monday, April 28
Mass at St Aidan Church (Fr. Joseph Sultana).
4:00 p.m. Visit to St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church (Fr Joseph Grima).

Tuesday, April 29
Mass and visit at St Michael’s Cathedral (Fr Christopher Cauchi).

Wednesday, April 30
10:00 a.m. Departure for The Chancery for meeting with Archbishop Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto. Tour of  Downtown.
6:00 p.m. Return to Brampton.
7:00 p.m. Confirmation for St. John Fisher & Georges Vanier Schools.

Thursday, May 1
Breakfast and departure for Niagara Falls.
3:00 p.m. Return to Brampton.
7:00 p.m. Confirmation at Cardinal Newman School and Adults.

Friday, May 2
10:30 a.m. Mass and meeting with all the Gozitan Priests in Canada.
3:00 p.m. Visit to Martyr Shrine in Midland.

Saturday, May 3
7:00 p.m. Gala Dinner at the Mississauga Convention Centre.

Sunday, May 4
12:00 p.m. Con-celebration Mass, presided by Archbishop Collins.

Monday, May 5
(Afternoon) Departure from Toronto Airport and arrival in Malta on Tuesday, May 6th 2008