1 THE MALTESE PRESENCE IN NORTH AMERICA E-NEWSLETTER Issue 3 MAY/JUNE 2019 SETTE GIUGNO MONUMENT, ST. GEORGE (PALACE) SQUARE, VALLETTA by the late artist sculptor Anton Agius (Photo by Dan Brock) (see article by Dr. Aaron Attard-Hili in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Sette Giugno, pages 15-22) 2 EDITORIAL COMMENT to Maltese immigration to Canada You will note that the articles in 1948. relating to Sette Giugno, those who Nor could I ignore the death of our came to Canada in May and June of beloved Maltese Canadian priest 1948 and that on the ancestry of Fr. Henry Cassano of the London Joseph Doublet all point the way as Diocese. (pages 23-24) to how you, too, can learn more I happened upon Joseph Calleja about your Maltese roots. being honoured in Naples, Florida It is planned, in future issues, to and thought it should be shared. direct the reader to institutions, web (page 4) sites and individuals who can be of The short article relating to the assistance in this regard. Charlie Dan Brock ancestry of Joseph Doublet is a Vella and his Maltese Immigration Welcome to the third issue of The direct result of international coop- to the San Francisco Bay Area Maltese Presence in North Ameri- eration in the field of Maltese family Project, noted on page 20 of the ca. research. (page 22) January/February 2019 issue, is but I’ve decided to refer to this While the United States received a one of many such features envi- publication as a journal, rather than new ambassador of Malta last sioned. as a newsletter, as many of the September (page 4), Canada is to articles therein tend be other than receive a new consul general of CONTENTS current. This issue, however, tends Malta in July. (page 25) to be the exception! In fact, there You are encouraged to pass this 2. Editorial Comment was so much material which could journal along to others to whom it 3. Pastor’s Thoughts… be considered time sensitive, that might be of interest. Since the last 4. H.E. Keith Azzopardi: Ambas- an extra four pages were added to issue, several more have gotten in sador of Malta to the United this issue. touch with me to be put on the States June 7th marks the 100th anni- mailing list. 4. Joseph Calleja Honoured in versary of what has become known You are also urged to use this Naples, Florida as Sette Giugno. This has a Cana- journal to promote the various 5. The Beginnings of a New dian connection and through Mark Maltese organizations and asso- Wave of Maltese Immigration Caruana of Sydney, Australia, I ciations throughout North America to Canada have been introduced to Dr. Aaron and their activities. Some of you 9. First Maltese in Windsor Attard-Hili of Xagħra, Gozo, who have been gracious enough to send 9. First Maltese in Windsor: A was gracious enough to write a me information about events in your Supplement ground-breaking article on the area (pages 25-26) and I would like 10. Tony Perici (1920-2010): First Canadian connection for this jour- to particularly single out Brian Full-Time Mayor of Twinsburg, nal. (pages 1, 15-21) Muscat of Windsor, Ontario and Ohio As I worked on a photostory of last Susan Schembri of Coquitliam, 11. New Musical Star of Strait year’s visit to North America by British Columbia for their contribu- Street Shines in San Francisco Malta’s then President Marie- tions. 13. Star of Strait Street: Some Louise Coleiro Preca and her dele- My wish is that this publication will, Background gation, (pages 27-28) Mona Vella with each issue, become more and 15. Giuseppe Bajada: A Maltese Nicholas of the Bay Area, Cali- more your journal. Again, as well as Emigrant Whose Dream of fornia, introduced me to Peter informing the reader of past and Settling in Canada Was Fatally Abela. His Facebook page alerted coming events in your area, you are Shot Down me to the performance of Star of invited to use this journal to tell the 22. Joseph Edward Doublet Indeed Strait Street – On Tour, which was story of an individual or group of a Direct Descendant of the held in Millbrae, CA. The result has Maltese who came to North Amer- Secretary of the Grand masters been the articles appearing on ica or, as in the case of Giuseppe De Rohan and von Hompesch pages 4 and 11-14. Bajada and Sette Giugno, have a 23. Fr. Henry Cassano (1929- I couldn’t let this time of the year North American connection. 2019): 63 Years a Priest go by without noting the 71st With the performance of the 25. Malta’s New Consul General of anniversary of the beginnings of musical play Star of Strait Street, in Malta to Canada post-World War II settlement of the Millbrae, California, written up by 25. Activities within the Maltese Maltese in Canada, (pages 5-8). Stefanie V. Nimick, I thought it Communities The articles on the first Maltese in necessary to give some back- 26. Opinion Windsor, Ontario (page 9) and the ground on the true-life individuals, 27. The Former President of Malta first full-time mayor of Twinsburg, Christina Radcliffe and Adrian War- and Her Delegation in North Ohio (page 10) have a connection burdon, even though they never set America: April-May 2018 foot in North America! 3 GLEANINGS FROM THE SUNDAY BULLETIN The Woman Caught in the Very Act of Adultery PASTOR’S THOUGHTS… In the life of that woman there is the life of each and every one of us. We are aware of our sinfulness. Sometimes we feel guilt crushing us, its finger pointed to us like that of each of those who were accusing the woman in the Gospel. And yet, Jesus tells us that all is not lost. With Him, there is always hope. Stay the Course …Jesus’ glory was not of this world, he had told that crowd over and over again. This is not what he came for. Things change, and the same crowd that sings Hosanna yells “crucify him” a mere four days later. Our Fr. Mario Micallef, MSSP, is pastor of St. Paul the Apostle, challenge is to stay with him, to continue with the Toronto, the only Maltese national parish in North America. These “Pastor’s thoughts…” are extracts from his journey. His disciples fled. Those whom he had commentaries on the Sunday readings which are published personally chosen, through whom he had planned to in the Parish’s Sunday Bulletin. expand his mission, were too confused and too scared to witness what was happening. They just could not The Transfiguration handle it. “It is good for us to be here”. This was Peter’s Good Is Stronger than Evil spontaneous expression on Mount Tabor as he witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus. Peter, the most It is not easy to believe in the resurrection, that good spontaneous of them all. Peter, the one who always is stronger than evil. Perhaps, unfortunately, we are too spoke what came out of his heart, before processing it accustomed to bad things happening around us. through his mind. It is good, it is beautiful, it is Whether it’s in the news or in our family, it seems that wonderful. He could not help express his desire to keep bad things constantly happen everywhere. The enjoying the experience, as Jesus reveals himself for message of Easter does not deny this. His death was who he really is. real, and the power of evil was really at work. But what This is faith. This is faith, at least, as it is supposed to Easter tells us is that the story does not end there. “Why be. How often have we thought that faith is a matter of do you seek him amongst the dead? He is not here. He do’s and don’ts? How often have we been made to is risen!”. Indeed, there is life after death, there is hope believe that faith is a burden, rather than joy? In Jesus’ after disillusion. presence, Peter discovers that it is good, it is beautiful. The Need of Being Together in Community Our Journey It’s true, Jesus returns for the sake of Thomas. This As we move on in our own journey, God may show us reminds us of how important each and every one of us that we, too, have our own areas of darkness, our little is for Jesus. Do you remember that one lost sheep of masters that enslave us. With the help of prayer, and the parable? But then again, one could argue that strengthened by the practices of fasting and almsgiving, Jesus could have gone to meet Thomas wherever he Lent is the ideal time when we can experience our own happened to be on that Sunday evening. But no, exodus. With God’s help, we too can experience the Thomas had to experience the risen Christ when he movement towards a freer, happier, more fulfilled life. was with his community. It is there, while the disciples are gathered again the following week, that Jesus The Prodigal Son comes to meet Thomas. It’s as if Jesus wanted to remind Thomas – and, indeed, each one of us – that It would be a good idea if we tried to apply this story one can meet the risen, living Jesus only when one is to ourselves. Perhaps sometimes I am a bit like one of in communion with the rest of the community.