On the 20th January 2011, an evening was dedicated to the memory of the late Fr John Abela. The evening focused on the expertise and talent that marked Fr John’s many experiences. These were mainly the theatre, his work in the Holy Land, together with IT where he excelled in computer knowledge.
The evening began with the celebration of the Eucharist which was led by the main celebrant: Fr George Dalli, and various Franciscan Fathers. Soon afterwards the programme that was set for the occasion took place. This consisted of a series of input by people who were close to him and to whom the late Fr John left an impact.
These included:
• A reflection on the philosophical thinking and his contribution to Maltese Literature by Karistu Abela, brother of Fr John
• Manuel Cassar read a selection of extracts from the works of Fr John
• Joe Quattromani shared the contribution that Fr John gave to the Maltese theatre
• The Theatrical group – SKENE – presented the personality of Fr John; mainly his relationships with youth
• Fr George Aquilina combined his reflections on Fr John and the span of history
• Tonio Farrugia shared his experiences of Fr John and his work in Archaeology and NEBO
• Fr Twanny Chircop spoke about his impression of Fr John and his work in the Holy Land
The evening was animated by members of the SKENE group.
Note: The Provincial Minister Fr. Sandro Overend OFM who happened to be abroad sent a message for this occasion:
Għeziez Familjari ta’ P. Ġwann,
Huti Patrijiet u l-komunita’ nisranija,
Ħuti u ħbieb tal-iSkene
Qed nikteb dan il-messaġġ mill-bogħod, imma qed inħossni qrib taghkom.
Il-lejla hemm xi ħaga li qed tgħaqqadna. Hemm tifkira qawwija li tolqot lil dawk kollha li kienu jafu lil ħuna P. Ġwann. Donnu t-tbissma t’Alla qed tixgħel lil qlubna biex nkomplu napprezzaw
dak li P. Ġwann għamel magħna u fl-istess ħin nitrawmu biex nimxu
fis-sbuħija u fl-isfidi tal-ħajja.
Jiena u P. Richard, li bħalissa ninsabu l-Awstralja mal-aħwa tagħna l-patrijiet u l-komunitajjiet nsara li huma qed janimaw, ningħaqdu magħkom il-lejla, u minn qalbi nistqarr li nħossuna soddisfatti u kuntenti
li l-familja tagħna fanġiskana kibret b’tant ħbieb, specjalment żgħażagħ li kienu ħbieb tal-PUTRI.
Tinsewx, aħna qrib tagħkom. Ma’ P. Ġwann li qed jitlob għalina mis-sema, għandkom ħafna ħbieb PUTRIJIET oħra.
P. Ġwann meta kellimtu l-aħħar, tbissem u ċċajta magħna l-patrijiet li konna preżenti. U dan nawgura lilkom lkoll preżenti ilejla: lit- tbissima t’Alla tkun magħkom u li fil-għaqda u fil-fiduċja nkunu ta’ għajnuna għal xulxin.
Grazzi u l-Mulej jimliekom bis-Sliem Tiegħu.
P. Sandro u P. Richard
