Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2008 » 12 0CT 08 SYDNEY FAREWELL DAY FOR CAN JOSEPH SULTANA
Time was now running out fast for Canon Joseph Sultana to leave Sydney and Australia and return to Xaghra. Sunday 12th October was programmed as Farewell Day. It started at 11.00 a.m. with a picnic for families at the Park in Nurragingy Reserve, a passive recreation and bushland area covering ninety hectares in the heart of the city of Blacktown and Western Sydney. It was a bright and sunny day with lots of food and drink. When it was dessert time, Canon Sultana was called to cut a œBon Voyage" cake which he willingly did and those present willingly helped themselves to it. At 5.00 p.m. a more solemn ceremony awaited him at St John the Evangelist Church in Riverstone. There he celebrated Mass and had time to say goodbye to those present who afterwards approached him to bid him farewell. As expected, most of the Congregation was of Xaghrin Australians. No time to lose as at 6.30 p.m. another appointment with more Xaghrin at the Hamrun Social Club was awaiting him. There he had the occasion of meeting more Xaghrin who went there to wish him bon voyage. In photos E8 and E9 he is seen on stage receiving a farewell message and him replying, thanking everybody for the hospitality shown to him. The Hamrun Club Committee showed their appreciation for his visit with a streamer welcoming him to the Club. The Club has strong ties with Xaghrin in Sydney and Canon Sultana`s visit must have strengthened that good relationship. Canon Joseph Sultana will be leaving Australia sentimentally overweight with memories of so many happy moments which he will carry with him for a very, very long time. He may be also returning physically overweight after so many days of breakfasting, lunching and dining and we augur that he will shed that in a very short time. Photos are courtesy of Mrs Michelle Said to whom we are grateful.
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