M.U.S.E.U.M. Fgura
Beatu Gorg Preca, Triq il-Karmelitani,
Fgura.
Malta

Tel: (+356) 21 89 55 09

Email: fgura@sdcmuseum.org

Catechism lessons in Fgura have started before World War II thanks to the dedication of M.U.S.E.U.M. members from the Cospicua Centre who used to teach in a couple of rooms off Carmel Street. After the war, members from the Tarxien Centre, under the supervision of the ex-superior General, Francis Saliba took over this mission. It was at this time that the first Christmas Demonstration was held in Fgura – a tradition which continues to this very day.

Aid from Zejtun and Tarxien

In 1952, the Zejtun branch was made officially responsible for teaching Catechism in Fgura and so its members took over. In spite of difficulties which included lack of premises, they started teaching and even managed to organise classes for adolescents. On the initiative of the Zejtun ex-Superior, Carmelo Spiteri, a house was rented in the same street as the original rooms where the very first lessons were held. As time went by the first Elects and Preparatory classes were organised

The beginnings of a formal Centre

Superior General Eugenio Borg strongly wished for the opening of a local centre in the Fgura parish. However, time elapsed and the centre was finally opened officially on the 29th September 1960 feast of St. Michael, Protector of the Society. It was denoted by the number forty-six (46).
The first local Superior was Guzeppi Abela from Zejtun, who worked in Fgura for quite some time. At the time, all members were from Zejtun but home-grown sparks were beginning to show that the future would be bright. Indeed, on Christmas Day of that first year, the very first member from Fgura, Nazzareno Farrugia, was incorporated fully within the Society.
           
Abela’s term as Superior in office ended in 1962. His successor, Ganmari Xuereb, hailed from Zabbar. During his term of office, the local population increased sharply and, consequentially, so did the number of children who came for catechism lessons. In fact, the ceremonies for Elects and Candidates were held regularly. Unfortunately, Xuereb could not continue as Superior of the Fgura centre so Superior General Eugenio Borg chose Nazzareno Farrugia, a local member of the centre to replace Xuereb in May 1965, a few months after Fgura was declared a parish and entrusted to the Carmelite Friars.

Problems!

In 1970, the centre was beset by serious accommodation problems as the owner of the building, where lessons were being held, required the house for his own purposes. So the Catechism lessons went on a rambling trip around Fgura and were held in several places including the Carmelite priory and the Parish Centre. Meanwhile, the Assignment (the daily lesson for members and candidates)was still held in the original rooms which housed classes prior to World War II. As the town was still expanding, the number of children and youngsters continued to increase. This was surely one of the more trying times for Centre Forty-Six as it lacked the most basic amenity of all: a suitable venue for the multitude of classes and the ceremonies the members organised.

The M.U.S.E.U.M. Society realised that obtaining appropriate premises was its main concern and in 1979 it bought a new property in the then called Patrice Lumumba Street (nowadays renamed Fr George Preca Street). This property, although not too big, was centrally located. It was here that the centre started to flourish.

The new premises could not be expanded to accommodate the numerous youths attending the Fgura centre. Hence, plans were made to buy land and build adequate premises. The work which started on a plot in Carmelite Street had to stop for a number of years due to the accident of an adjacent house whose foundations collapsed.

Besides the religious lessons which are the Society’s main raison d’ etre, cultural and sports events are also organised throughout the year. The aim of this is to attract youngsters to the centre and make the character formation process more attractive. In fact, this branch caters for a large number of children who are being prepared for the Holy Communion, the Reconciliation and the Confirmation.  An encouraging number of youngsters continue to attend after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.  These receive sound Christian formation in the spirit of our Founder. Numerous activities are organised throughout the year for adults, be they parents or other adult members of  the parish community.

In 2004 Superior Fenech was transferred to the Regional Executive Corps and Joseph Bonnici was chosen to replace him. During the summer of 2006 work on the internal chapel was started and completed making it more fitting for the needs of the Branch.

Conclusion.

In John 4, verse 37, we read: “For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour; others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.” Indeed, this holds true for the Fgura Branch, in the same way that it fits the history of our Society! May the Lord of the harvest send more labourers into his harvest. May He cast his merciful eyes upon the Branch and bless it with generous youths who are ready to serve Him wherever He will lead them!