The members of the Youth Commission of St Joseph’s Musical Society of Hamrun are to be congratulated for giving a surprise to residents of St Vincent de Paule when they organized a band march around the premises on 28 October.
The initiative was taken with the idea of pleasing both the Home’s Hamrun residents as well as residents in general. The band entered several halls and a number of residents, some of them former bandsmen, accompanied the band through the corridors of the residence.
The band made it a point of going to the hall to play for Joseph Matrenza, an ex-teacher who taught for many years in Hamrun, an age-old member of the St Joseph BandClub and an Honorary President of the same band club.
In a moving moment Mr Matrenza came out of the room and when he saw the band club’s standard went to embrace and kiss it amidst the applause of all around. He was given a memento of the occasion and he himself addressed the gathering. He thanked the band club for this gesture and the administration of St Vincent de Paule and appealed to the public in general to dedicate more time for the elderly, both for those who live in the community and those who live in residential homes.
The Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Care in the Community, Mario Galea who accompanied the Central Committee of the band club and the band during the march, said that this activity was one which showed how the residents could feel appreciated by the community in which they had lived before entering this residence.
He said that similar activities should serve as a practical example on how we can show our gratitude and give honour to the elderly and thank them for the part they played in the community they had lived in.
This activity was part of a whole week’s program which the Youth Commission of St Joseph’s band club organized to celebrate the 25th anniversary since its founding. These week long celebrations which included an exhibition, concerts, receptions, dinners, a band march, a Mass of thanksgiving and the uncovering of a commemorative plaque by President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami, were also a great success.
It was a week where the talents, zeal, work and enthusiasm of these youths really stood out.
Joe C.Cordina
Hamrun