After a period of two months in Malta, I am about to return to Cuba in order to continue the missionary work I have been doing there for the last years.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who supported me and helped me in this ministry. Many were those who showed a great interest and were eager to learn more about Cuba, the pastoral work being done by the Church there, and the desired improvement in the relationship between Church and State. This interest has filled my heart with joy and encouragement.

Special thanks go to all those who financially supported the planned future projects, including the building of a new church in the parish of Santa Ana with a capacity of 600 persons with an adjacent pastoral centre, a project which is estimated to cost e200,000. Other projects include the distribution of food, clothes and medicine to the poor and needy, and the development of a tailoring shop which will help many young women in their future life.

Many thanks also go to the Maltese Franciscan Capuchin Province, especially the Missions Office, who is always ready to help. A word of thanks goes also to the Franciscan Married Couples who meet at Floriana and who organize fund raising for our mission in Cuba during the year; to the Parish of Marsascala who is in a twinning with my parish at Cuba, both parishes dedicated to St Anna; the Archbishop’s Curia in Malta and that of Gozo; the Prayer Group O Christ the King at Balzan, and many others who personally contributed towards our mission. Thanks also to the various local TV and radio stations for giving me the opportunity to show and explain the good work which is being done in Cuba.

I am really impressed by the missionary spirit which is still alive on our islands. May the Lord give you peace.

Fr Philip Cutajar OFM Cap

Missionary in Cuba