The Catenian Association Annual Conference Friday 13th to Sunday 15th May 2016

The Catenian Association is grateful to the Tourism Authority for sponsoring the printing of this brochure. PRoGRAMME

Friday 13th May, 2016

WelcoMe event radisson Blu hotel, St Julian’s dreSS: Lounge suit

20.00hrs Welcome to first time attendees and their wives 20.30hrs Informal gathering for all 20.30hrs Welcome and entertainment 21.00hrs Informal social gathering 22.30hrs Return transport to hotels

Please note that food will not be provided at this event.

Saturday 14th May, 2016

9.30hrs-12.30hrs annual conFerence radisson Blu hotel, St Julian’s dreSS: Jacket and tie Tea and coffee will be served during the interval

ladieS’ tourS (Please see details elsewhere in this brochure)

18.30hrs-19.30hrs Grand Banquet radisson Blu hotel, St Julian's Hosted by Grand President David and Eileen Rowley in the presence of Her Excellency the . dreSS: Formal Cost £36/€50, to include drink on arrival, 1/2 bottle of wine p.p., glass of port, soft drink.

18.30hrs-19.30hrs carnival Ball corinthia hotel, San anton Hosted by Grand-Vice President dreSS: Formal Cost £36/€50, to include drink on arrival, 1/2 bottle of wine p.p., glass of port, soft drink.

Sunday 15th May, 2016

12.00hrs-12.30hrs SoleMn hiGh MaSS cathedral Principal celebrant: Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna dreSS: Jacket and tie

14.30hrs (approx) FareWell lunch Mediterranean conference centre,

2 THE CATEnIAn ASSoCIATIon AnnuAL ConFEREnCE 2016 MESSAGES David Rowley grand vice-president I would like to extend a warm invitation to the Malta An- nual Conference in 2016. In many ways this is “more than a confer- ence”. There is a great opportunity to take that May holiday in Malta and, at the same time, attend the Annual Conference and social events. I am also very keen to encourage younger members of the Association who are working to come for a long weekend. I am very grateful to the Brothers of the Malta Circles who are working H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca extremely hard with the Malta president of malta Tourism Authority to make the whole experience a truly memorable one. I extend my heartfelt greetings to all members of the Please join Eileen and me – hope- Catenian Association, here in Malta and throughout fully in the sun! the world. In a world full of wars and persecution, injustice and intolerance, that bring so much suffering, it is indeed a blessing to know that there are men and women who uphold values, social justice and respect Tony Godden for human dignity. I particularly extend a warm welcome to all chair, malta Catenians and their families on the occasion of the conference planning Annual International Conference being held here in committee Malta. To all of you attending the conference, I wish and past grand you a most pleasant stay in our beautiful country, and a most successful and fruitful conference. I hope that president your visit here will inspire you further to continue to It has been my privilege to make your voice heard in favour of peace, to spread work with the Maltese Cateni- love instead of hatred and to bring unity among all ans for the past 10 years and people. Kelly and I cordially invite you to attend the Annual Confer- ence in Malta in May 2016. H.G. Mgr Charles J. Scicluna Malta in May is a good time to visit the Maltese Islands and the Conference archbishop of malta Planning Team, consisting of able and enthusiastic Brothers from all five Maltese Circles, is working hard to ensure the success of the Conference May I extend a warm welcome to the island of St Paul and to make sure you have a wonderful visit. to all Brothers of the Catenian Association and their Put “Malta in May” in your diaries now and remember to book your spouses who will be attending the 2016 annual flights early. You will receive a great Maltese welcome and a Conference to conference. As a Catholic men’s organisation you will remember. certainly find yourselves in congenial surroundings here: Malta and Gozo have a long Catholic tradition, evidenced by the large number of churches and the important role which the faith has played, and to a Joe Caruana certain extent still does, in the history and life of the malta and gozo area people of these islands. In this age of secularism and materialism, though, vice-president the Church needs to on behalf of all the Brothers be fuelled with of the Malta and Gozo Area, Christian witness of my wife Avril and I are very the kind which pleased, indeed privileged, to the Catenian Asso - extend a truly warm Maltese ciation has always welcome to all our Catenian fostered by pro - Brothers, wives, widows and moting the spirit of friends, visiting our tiny islands for this historic Conference being held for brotherhood and the first time ever outside the uK and Ireland. upholding family Most of you will be spending ‘more than the Conference’ in our midst, values. May your having arrived a few days before and leaving a few days after the end of annual conference the Conference itself. The Maltese archipelago has a lot to offer, from vari- here succeed in ous neolithic temples scattered around the two main islands, all predating achieving its aims Stonehenge by a thousand years, to an extravaganza of 365 beautiful and may your stay baroque churches. among us be a Do enjoy your time here with us, and as you cannot possibly see and pleasant and experience all that our islands have to offer this time round, do come back fruitful one. another year to see more.

THE CATEnIAn ASSoCIATIon AnnuAL ConFEREnCE 2016 3 ACCoMMoDATIon radisson Blu hotel St Julian’s-St George’s Bay W. www.radissonblu.com/stjuliansresort-malta t. (00) 356 2137 4894 e. info@[email protected] The nominated Conference Hotel. overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, this five-star hotel has 252 stylish rooms and suites with relaxing terraces and balconies that provide unforgettable sea views. Additional services include an upscale spa, outdoor pool, indoor heated pool, two tennis courts and a fitness radisson Blu hotel centre. During the Conference, the hotel will host the Welcome Reception, Conference and Banquet. le Meridien St Julian’s hotel, Balluta Bay W. www.Iemeridienmalta.com t. (00) 356 2311 0000 e. [email protected] The five-star Le Meridien St Julian’s Hotel & Spa combines the charm of a boutique hotel and the relaxing feel of a spa resort. The hotel has 276 bedrooms and le Meridien suites and is of contemporary design, integrated in the stunning architecture of Balluta Bay. The hotel has a spa and tropical indoor pool. cavalieri art hotel, St Julian’s Bay W. www.cavalierihotelmalta t. (00) 356 2318 0000 e. [email protected] A four-star hotel set in a quiet and unique location directly overlooking the popular and picturesque St cavalieri art hotel Julian’s Bay. The property is also located on the doorstep of the Portomaso Yacht Marina within easy walking distance to the most important points of interest. The Cavalieri Art Hotel faces south and is located on the water's edge. The style is contemporary, with comfortable furnishings and attractive decor and consists of well-appointed hotel rooms with full sea views of St Julian’s Bay or the Portomaso yacht marina. corinthia Palace hotel & Spa,

San anton corinthia Palace hotel & Spa W. www.corinthia.com/Palace-Hotel-Spa t. (00) 356 2144 0301 e. [email protected] A five-star hotel which is the venue for the Carnival My hotelS Malta Dinner Dance. Surrounded by the Three Villages of W. www.myhotelsmalta.com Attard, Balzan and Lija and situated opposite the The following three-star smaller, comfortable hotels are President's Palace and adjacent San Anton Gardens. owned by the family of a local Brother and offer budget Located just minutes from the medieval ‘Silent City’ of accommodation. All hotels are located in the St Mdina and the cultural ambience of Valletta, the Julian’s/Balluta Bay area on the sea front. Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa is the gateway to the heart of historic Malta. An ideal location if you choose to hire a 1. Marina hotel car to explore the island with ample free parking available. 2. carlton hotel 3. St Julian’s Bay hotel

Please consult the Hotel Booking Form for room rates, booking procedures and terms and conditions.

4 THE CATEnIAn ASSoCIATIon AnnuAL ConFEREnCE 2016 FLIGHT InFoRMATIon

Flights and Airport Transfers Photo: InsectWorld / Shutterstock.com Photo:

U.K. Limited block bookings have been negotiated on scheduled Air Malta flights from the following taxes quoted are at uK airports: London Heathrow and Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, newcastle, Birmingham, today’s rates and can norwich, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter, securing the following group fares: change at any time. However, once a ticket is London Heathrow (Daily) £160 plus £65 taxes pp issued following full London Gatwick (Daily) £140 plus £49 taxes pp settlement, no increase Manchester (Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays) £140 plus £51 taxes pp can be effected; the price Glasgow, newcastle and Birmingham (Tuesdays only) £160 plus £49 taxes pp and seat thus being norwich, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter (Tuesdays only) £160 plus £57 taxes pp guaranteed and secured. other airlines that operate at the time of the Conference are Easyjet and Ryanair from regional airport transfers to and airports and British Airways from Gatwick. Please visit their website for availability and fares. from the official Conference Hotels for Similar arrangements have been negotiated with Emirates for flights from Australia, India those Brothers using the and Africa. Indicative prices quoted to us for return flights are as follows: above flights are £8 per person return. Australia important: For further Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to Malta return from Malta or any airport in Europe information please contact €1,250 inclusive of taxes (approx. Au$1,826) Bro. Gordon Ransley on Conditions: [email protected] 1. Minimum 10 persons per airport from Australia. This condition does not apply on the return flights to Australia 2. Flights to Malta are via Dubai.

India Mumbai to Malta return from Malta or any airport in Europe €940 inclusive of taxes (approx. InR 72,300) Conditions: 1. Minimum 10 persons per airport from India. This condition does not apply on the return flights to India. 2. Flights to Malta are via Dubai.

Africa 1. harare to Malta return from Malta or any airport in Europe €1,250 inclusive of taxes (approx. uS$ 1,550) 2. Johannesburg to Malta return from Malta or any airport in Europe €770 inclusive of taxes (approx. uS$ 955) 3. Flights to Malta are via Dubai.

THE CATEnIAn ASSoCIATIon AnnuAL ConFEREnCE 2016 5 LADIES’ TouRS Ladies’ Saturday Morning Tours

TOUR 1 Palazzo Parisio This stately home is a place of wonder. It showcases the intricate nuances of Malta’s historic nobility and their enchanting way of life from the Grand Ballroom, the detailed Family Chapel and the fabulous Gardens and orangery.

TOUR 2 TOUR 3 San anton Palazzo Falson Gardens The former home of Capt olof Frederick Gollcher, oBE (1889-1962), the son of a This garden has been prosperous shipping merchant of open to the public Swedish descent. Gollcher was an artist, since 1882 and it was scholar and philanthropist, but also a built by Grand Master discerning collector of objets d’art and Antoine de Paule to historical objects. Palazzo Falson in complement his Mdina was not only his home, but also a summer residence, setting for his works of art and antiques. , Here he spent many happy years which today is the constantly adding to it and rearranging it. residence of the President of Malta. Several walkways take you through the gardens where you will discover ponds, fountains, monuments, as well as trees from all over the world, some of them over three centuries old.

Garden of repose This early burial ground, used from 1806 to 1857, and well developed garden contains important neo- classical monuments that are rare examples of British funerary art seldom found in the Mediterranean. It is located in the heart of the 17th century fortifications between Valletta and Floriana which were built by the Knights of St John as outer defences of Valletta.

GettinG around the public bus service on Malta and Gozo is a good way to get around as buses serve the major tourist areas, go practically everywhere and are inexpensive and efficient.

renting a car is a good option if you want to get to the farther reaches of the island. All the road signs are in English and driving is on the left. Major international brands and local car hiring firms are located on Malta and Gozo with daily rates of €16-€28. International and national driving licences are accepted. A number of internationally based car hiring firms as well as local garages also offer the services of chauffeur-driven cars.

the white taxi service can pick up passengers from anywhere, except bus stops. Taxi services from Malta International Airport and the seaport terminal to all localities in Malta are based on a fixed tariff.

6 THE CATEnIAn ASSoCIATIon AnnuAL ConFEREnCE 2016 FuLL-DAY TouRS Tours during non-Conference days FuLL-DAY TouRS (EIGHT HouRS)

TOUR 3 MoSta, Mdina, cliFFS 1. The Mosta Church of the Assumption of our Lady, commonly known as the Rotunda, has the fourth largest unsupported TOUR 1 dome in the world and the third largest in Europe. It miraculously survived a direct hit during the war: a replica of Gozo: the sister island of Malta, also known as the Island of the the 400-lb bomb which pierced the dome but failed to explode Three Hills. Gozo is the legendary abode of Calypso, daughter of can be seen in the sacristy. Atlas. After the ferry crossing to Gozo we will visit the Ġgantija 2. Mdina, Città Vecchia, or Città notabile, is a fortified city in the temples, the Citadel, Ta’ Pinu Basilica and Dwejra. northern Region of Malta. It served as the island’s capital from Included in the tour: ferry tickets, Ġgantija entrance fees and antiquity until 1530, when the capital was moved to , and lunch. later to the new city of Valletta. It houses fine belonging to the nobility and a magnificent cathedral rebuilt after a 1693 earthquake in nearby Sicily destroyed a good part of the city. 3. Dingli Cliffs offer a majestic sight, particularly if viewed from a boat while cruising, but also from the top – the views are breathtaking, overlooking the small terraced fields below, the open sea, and Filfla, a small uninhabited island. The cliffs can be seen as natural forts, since no attacker can approach the island from the west, given their impressive height. The tour includes entrance TOUR 2 tickets to the three citieS Mdina 1. The tour will drive through Cospicua, a doubly-fortified Cathedral and harbour and the largest of the Three Cities in Grand Harbour, lunch. facing Valletta. 2. We will then visit Vittoriosa, also known as Birgu, for a walking TOUR 4 tour through the narrow streets and will also visit the Inquisitor’s Palace, a museum situated in the heart of ĦaĠar qiM Vittoriosa. The palace was erected as the civil law courts of the The 5,000-year-old Ħaġar order of St John between the 1530s and 1571 then became Qim temple is the best- the Inquisitor’s residence from 1574 until 1798. preserved of several ancient 3. Senglea, known as L-Isla in Maltese, is a fortified city which, temples in Malta. Ħaġar Qim like Vittoriosa, bore the brunt of the Turkish attacks during the is located about 2 km from Great Siege of 1565 and heavy aerial bombing in World War II. the village of Qrendi in southern Malta and just a short walk from the Mnajdra temples.

MarSaxloKK MarKet The idyllic fishing village with its colourful luzzi (fishing boats) has a unique character. The MarSaxloKK MarKet market is interesting and attractive as many different items are The idyllic fishing village with its colourful luzzi (large fishing boats) sold such as honey, fruit jams, embroidery and souvenirs. has a unique character. The market is interesting and attractive as many different items are verdala Palace sold such as honey, Verdala Palace is the official summer residence of the President jams, local sweets, of Malta. It was built by Grand Master de Verdalle in 1586 on a site handicrafts, embroidery surrounding the woodland of Buskett, which was used by the and souvenirs. Knights for game hunting. Verdala Palace is surrounded by a The tour includes stone ditch, and was embellished by several Grand Masters over entrance tickets to the the years. The building is spread over two floors and at each Inquisitor’s Palace and corner there are towers five storeys high. lunch. The tour includes entrance to Ħaġar Qim and lunch.

THE CATEnIAn ASSoCIATIon AnnuAL ConFEREnCE 2016 7 HaLF -day touRS Tours during non-Conference days HaLF-day touRS (FouR HouRS)

TOUR 1 TOUR 3 and foreign artists mainly representing the major European artistic styles. the UPPER the small the tour includes entrance fees. BARRAKKA museum of the GARDENS are a DOMUS public garden in ROMANA just TOUR 5 Valletta, full of monuments to various outside the walls of Mdina, is built around personalities, including Winston the remains of an aristocratic family’s Valletta’s MANOEL Churchill. It is twinned with the Lower Roman townhouse which was THEATRE , built in Barrakka Gardens, next to which is the accidentally discovered in 1881. although 1732, is one of Siege Bell Memorial. Both offer very little remains of the house itself, the Europe’s oldest panoramic views of the Grand Harbour. intricate mosaics which have survived as theatres and well as the artefacts found within the houses performances of opera, concerts, the magnificent remains are testimony enough of the recitals, plays and ballet. It is named after ST JOHN’S CO- building’s original richness. the Portuguese Grand Master antonio CATHEDRAL , Manoel de Vilhena, who commissioned it. located in the ST PAUL’S heart of Valletta, CATACOMBS are THE MALTA was built by the a typical EXPERIENCE is an Knights of Malta between 1573 and 1578, complex of audio-visual show as the order’s conventual church. Its interconnected, that tells the barrel vault is decorated with paintings underground dramatic story of by Mattia Preti. Caravaggio’s masterpiece, Roman cemeteries that were in use up to the islands’ 7,000- The Beheading of St John the Baptist, the fourth century ad. they are located year history. Educational, informative and hangs in the oratory while his St Jerome on the outskirts of the old Roman capital entertaining, the show runs through the can be seen in the Chapel of Italy. (today’s Mdina), since Roman law turbulent history of a small island nation the tour includes entrance fees. prohibited burials within the city. St that has overcome almost unimaginable Paul’s Catacombs represent the earliest odds to survive and prosper. and largest archaeological evidence of the tour includes entrance fees and show TOUR 2 Christianity in Malta. tickets. the tour includes entrance tickets. the GRAND MASTER’S PALACE TOUR 6 has been the TOUR 4 administrative the tour includes a centre of Malta for CASA ROCCA ‘CAPTAIN almost three and a PICCOLA in MORGAN’ Grand half centuries. the Valletta is an Harbour cruise original palace, interesting with majestic sea built in 1571, later, during the British attraction, often described as a ‘living views of the colonial period, served as the Governor’s museum’. this beautiful palace is owned fortifications of palace. today it is the office of the by the Marquis de Piro, and is the only Valletta and the three Cities. President of Malta. the palace houses the private palazzo open to the public in tour includes cruise tickets. armoury of the Knights. Valletta. on your visit you will be able to walk through twelve palatial rooms the NATIONAL including the two dining rooms, a four MUSEUM OF poster bedroom and a private family ST JULIAN’S CIRCLE ARCHAEOLOGY chapel. 100TH MEETING in Republic St Julian’s Circle 346 is holding its Street, Valletta, the NATIONAL 100th meeting celebration on houses unique MUSEUM OF Wednesday, 11th May, at 19.30hrs at prehistoric artefacts and temporary FINE ARTS in the Radisson Blu Hotel St Julian’s. exhibitions. Valletta houses a DRESS : Lounge suit the tour includes entrance fees. collection of works by Maltese

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