The first Christmastide religious function of Archbishop Joseph Mercieca will be solemn Vespers on Christmas Eve, at St John’s co-Cathedral, at 4.45pm. Also on Christmas Eve, at 11.30pm at Mdina Cathedral, Mgr Mercieca will preside over the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word, followed by the concelebration of Midnight Mass. On Christmas Day, Mgr Mercieca will lead a solemn concelebration at St John’s co-Cathedral at 9.15am.

On Sunday, 31 December, from 9am to 11.30am, His Grace will be at the Archbishop’s Palace, Valletta, to receive those members of the public who wish to convey their season’s greetings to him personally. The Archbishop will be accompanied by Archbishop-elect Paul Cremona OP, and Bishop Auxiliary Annetto Depasquale.

On 31 December, at 5.30pm, Mgr Mercieca will preside over the concelebration of the Mass for Peace to commemorate Peace Day 2007. A Te Deum will be sung.

On Saturday, 20 January, His Grace will celebrate Mass at St John’s co-Cathedral in Valletta at 6.30pm, for those who were married in 2006.