As we all know many people like the church feasts because they unite families together, but unfortunately nowadays because of the exaggerated noise from fireworks many people prefer to go abroad or keep away and go somewhere else until the feast of their locality is over!

Alternatively, to modernise and organise a feast, in my opinion every parish should have four permanent loudspeakers attached with the four corners of the church to be used in every occasion, Christmas, Easter and all the summer feasts.

In every parish (not the kazin) there should be a team of two or three persons in charge of the loudspeakers and CDs to be used in these times, with responsibility and prudence!

There are some churches that have their hymns beautifully played on the church bells. I think it would be a good idea if these hymns or carols are recorded and given to the churches that have no such facilities. Because bells are beautiful when they are well rung!

Through the loudspeakers the feast in the church can join the feast outside the church.

The march bands in the morning should be stopped and marches should instead be played on the loudspeakers. Like that we can avoid the carnival, and the disorder young people create during the march band in a very hot climate – and we will also give less hard time to the police!

The evening march bands can still take part at the outskirts (streets) of the parish because of the loudspeakers that might be in use!

One has to be careful when using the loudspeakers so as not to exaggerate. Between each hymn or march there must be an interval of about 10 minutes and these should not be played during Holy Mass.

I would say that if the feast is well organised it will please us and the tourists too!

I think it would be nice if we start playing Christmas carols during the Christmas season! Why do we have to wait for the shops to play the Christmas carols? After all this is the birthday of Baby Jesus! I am sure that later on the feasts will please everyone!

Maria C. Vella

Sliema