“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
Farewell
Blessed Mother Teresa
E
verything must come to an end, but at the same time, every ending is nothing more than a new beginning. Nothing great will last forever. This idiom, which may be used as a term of regret, warning, or resigned acceptance, is a wise reminder that all good things are temporary. We never want or deign to think that what is deemed nice, like life itself, eventually comes to an end;· everything that one is fond off comes to an end. Happiness and sadness are the two sides of the same coin and they keep on making their guest appearances in our lives. So, like every dawn there is a dusk. Every sunset promises a new sunrise. Similarly, all good things must come to an end, and give way to another set of experiences and their effects - good or bad. It is with a heavy heart that on the 6th of February, I forwarded my resignation from my status as Chaplain. It was acknowledged and duly accepted. I write today as the outgoing chaplain of our great MUSC. It has been some years of, hopefully, some good service and above all, I must admit, also some significant learning. There is a saying that you are as good as those you share your work with. I have had some good feedback from some individuals who appreciated my efforts all along. For all that, I feel both grateful and satisfied. All I can honestly say is that all I did or tried to do in my ministry was for the benefit of one and all. However, from an insider perspective, I believe that there’s so much more which can be achieved with more understanding and a united front. I am rather optimistic that the change being brought about by my resignation will help my successor in all that we are and care for as human beings with a material body and a spiritual soul. I cannot talk about the success of my tenure without giving accolades to the members who had faith in my limited ministry, from the beginning till the end of my tenure.
by Fr. Anthony C. Ferrante
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised. Psalm 113:3
My only regret is that I was not allowed the opportunity to do just a little bit more! On my being given permission by my Superior to accept the posting as Chaplain to the Supporters’ Club, I asked the committee at the time to allow for some new items to be introduced in my ministry...just a few. Then, the only religious service rendered had been the annual event relating to the Munich disaster. To my mind, it seemed to amount only to having somebody available for that, year in year out. I was given the go ahead to officiate again close to the 2nd November, and to contribute an article in every issue of our magazine, Echoes, with the proviso that it was not to deal with religion. I had proposed two other small but important items which were rejected on the grounds that MUSC Malta was not “a religious institution”...as if! Beggars cannot be choosers...like Oliver Twist I had asked for more, not for my benefit, but like the poor Oliver I was only hit on the head with the metaphorical ladle. However, I tried to fulfil my duties as best I could. Referring to my contributions to Echoes. I held back my tongue, or rather my writing, to accommodate the obvious demand. Yet, I tried to be subtle but clear enough to the buon intenditor... if anybody just went through my articles by
“reading” them, they might have seemed to be quite ordinary. On the other hand, if one read intently the content, he could have noticed that in between the lines, there were lessons in morality. If only one reader managed that, then I am happy and grateful. The support extended from some quarters helped to shape me even further also as a human being, in the sense that you have no idea how much your compassionate support makes a difference in duties to be fulfilled. I have seen how that support has helped me try to give my best in the execution of my duty as chaplain. Since this is my last contribution, I salute every single one of you. Thank you for your support and for what you did for me, for the respect extended, for appreciating my ministry and my presence. I wish all the best to you in all your endeavours. Be always U N I T E D.... Whilst asking you to remember me in your prayers, I promise my own humble prayers for you and your families. God’s blessings be with you always. Farewell Red Devils brothers and sisters. Thank you all and I wish everyone all the best in all your endeavours.
C/O Attrans, Mdina Road, Żebbuġ. Malta. Email: gymstarsmalta@gmail.com Tel: +356 21461444 +356 77153025 +356 99164245 VOL 48 - ISSUE 2 - MARCH 2021
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