Letters to the editor - March 8, 2021
First Holy Communion and Confirmation I attended the former St Anthony School, in Sliema between 1949 and 1951. In June 1950, we, the six-year-olds, received our first Holy Communion in the morning and Holy Confirmation in the afternoon by then archbishop Michael Gonzi at Stella Maris church, in Sliema. This celebration was followed by a second one that was held at the chapel of St Patrick’s a few days after. The list of boys included Anthony Galea, Tonio Magri, John Saliba (who, years later, emigrated to South Africa), John Gatt, J. Leone Ganado, Charles Mamo and myself. One of the girls who received the sacraments was Gloria Farrugia, daughter of the head of school. I am afraid I do not recall every pupil’s name. Maybe some kind reader of this newspaper could remember a few more. Seventy years is a long time to remember. My teacher was a certain Ms Doris, who used to wear thick frame glasses and, the following year, Ms Gerada (later Mrs Camilleri) who I last met at the University of the Third Age during the scholastic year 2004/5. It was a very happy occasion, which takes place only once in a lifetime, and one which, I hope, would be remembered for many years to come. Alfred...