Sunday, April 30, 2006

TV Appearence

Tomorrow (Sunday) I will be performing two of my songs on Net TV. The programme 'ChatRoom' will be aired in the afternoon at 14:05 (CET + 1). You can watch it online by clicking on the Net TV pic on the left. There will also be a discussion on Dan Brown's The Davinci Code.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Any Suggestions?

Tomorrow morning I have to leave the seminary at 5:30 am to take Padre Giovanni and 2 other priests to the airport. I am TIRED, but I guess I can try and rest tomorrow afternoon!!

Today I began a course on public speaking (fun, fun, fun!!), and as homework I have to prepare a short speech to give next Friday on ANY subject I choose... What do you suggest I speak about?

Friday, April 28, 2006

Acclamation Song!

Some time ago I had roughly recorded an Acclamation for the Mass (Christ has died, Christ is risen and Christ will come again) which I had written. This recording is both in Maltese and is continued in English. It still needs more editing, though you can download it here ...

Please leave me your feedback ;)

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Pentecost & Songwriting!

I spent the most of this afternoon with singer/songwriter Andrew Cauchi. Earlier this month I was asked to write and compose the theme song for the local Church's national Pentecost celebration, but as it is to be in Maltese I sought help (seeing that I am not too good when it comes to composing in Maltese). So this afternoon I met up with Andrew and we co-wrote most of the song. The rest of my day was spent studying ;)

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Back to the books!

Before I begin studying "once again", I thought I should post something here! This morning I prepared a study plan which will take me through the next 30 days or so - till my exams begin. On Wednesday my 'mentor' Pardre Giovanni is coming (with another 2 Sicilian priests), to spend a few days here at the seminary.

Monday, April 24, 2006

Prophet Queries!

Yesterdays crowd was fantastic. I finally presented the 'teaching' tiltled You are a Prophet... Give me your feedback or questions guys!!

Today I head back to the seminary. We have prayers at 9:00 pm and tomorrow back to lectures. I had a great week at home.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Enjoying the Sun

It's such a joy to watch my two dogs Seb (a weimaraner) and Loco (a simple-minded German-Pointer) enjoy the sun. Dogs truly know how to relax and enjoy the simple things in life! I took these 2 photos of them today!

Friday, April 21, 2006

Computer Stress!

There are those days where your computer is the cause of much tension... Today was one of those days - though it was not all that bad. Yesterday I was very generously given an G4 Apple Powerbook which I will use exclusively for audio recording (to record music demos of my new songs). I spent the day updating the hardware and software I need for the job. I hope to spend most of tomorrow studying:)

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Tending the flock!

So... Over the last two days I went up to Gozo with a few friends and went for a hike with 81 youth! Both were absolutely enjoyable, but believe me... I can now sleep for a whole 2 days:) ... but it's not possible... too much to study!

<- hiking with most of the group

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

You are a Prophet!

This Saturday I will be sharing some thoughts with some great teens on what being a prophet is all about!... Please pray for me;)

Blinding Love

During my radio interview this morning I was met by a 'fan'. Karl is a 7 year old kid. At the age of 4 he was blinded by a cold that went to his eyes. He came to meet me at the radio station and played the song 'More of You' on his guitar for me. Such a moving experience.

I am just off to a hike... I will update my blog again soon!

Monday, April 17, 2006

Home for Easter

Easter Sunday!! Today I arrived home and will be staying here till next Sunday. I hope to be spending tomorrow in Gozo with a few friends of mine. Tuesday morning (at about 9:00am, if i'm not mistaken) I have a radio interview on the Maltese 'Radju Marija' and right after that I will be going on a hike with the youth at Y4J.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

A Truly 'Good Friday'!

Today was a very good day. I started off my day (after Seminary prayers and a small breakfast) by going to visit (or rather re-visit) some prison inmates after organising a short time of prayer for them with another 4 seminarians. It is so wonderful to see their hunger for God.

After that I had a long 3:00pm service at the Mdina Cathedral (picture above), following which I headed off to the Were You There Passion Musical, where I played/sang the part of Jesus. It was an amazing experience; I, [along with many others], was moved to tears during many parts of it. Well done guys and girls at Y4J!

Friday, April 14, 2006

Back to Schedule!

Retreat went really well. Sometimes we need to cut ourselves from the world for a while to regain strength and reflect on why we do the things we do! I am now in the middle of alot of liturgical services at St. John's Cathedral in Valletta.

I am also preparing for a musical with Y4J (excuse the spelling mistake on this ad - it is meant to be 'were' not 'where';) which will take place tomorrow evening; though I am quite nervous about it, it should be fun. Check out this pic of Jesus here... kinda refreshing to think of God like this!

Monday, April 10, 2006

Away to Silence!

As of this evening (Sunday), I will be on silent retreat with the rest of the seminarians. This will go on until Thursday - so I will not be able to post anything until then!! I am looking forward to this time of rest and silence, after which I will have to dig very deep into my studies.

Most of my songs are a fruit of these times of reflection ;)

Friday, April 07, 2006

Must Read!

In between study-time I have began reading a book with I truly recommend. Elie Wiesel's record of childhood in death camps of Auschwitz and Buchenwald. The book 'Night' is a truly disturbing book... but one that you will not want to put down.

To order it Click Here...

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

My closest of friends Mark and Maria DeMicoli (who live in Virginia USA), have just (at 7:17pm CET+1 to be precise) given birth to their beautiful baby daughter Clara Maria DeMicoli. I am so overjoyed!

Here is a picture of baby Clara soon after birth->

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

A Typical Day

Finally back to the typical seminary routine, and I thought it might be of interest to some of what a normal day at the seminary is like. So...
  • 6:20 am: Mass and Morning Praise
  • 7:00 am: Breakfast
  • 7:25 am: Seminarians with 8:00 lecture leave for university (my earliest lecture is at 9:00, so I would pray from 7:30-8:30)
  • 5ish: we have meetings, e.g. to prepare for some liturgy, etc.
  • 6ish: Study time
  • 8:30 Dinner
  • 9:15 pm: Recreation time together in our common-room (snooker, playstation, tv, table-tennis, coffee, etc).

There you go... a typical, uninterrupted seminary day;)

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Weekend Home

I am spending this weekend at home (as opposed to the seminary that is)! It is a great opportunity to catch up with some things here and meet some friends. This 'home-visit' comes about 3 times a year.

On Monday morning (after a Hebrew test) I am to animate an adoration for MCAST Business School staff and students.