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AKM Seminar: 95 Years of Catholic Action in Malta On Saturday 22nd February, a half-day seminar was organised for individuals holding various leadership positions in the different branches and groups of the Maltese Catholic Action. Nearly 50 people participated in this seminar, ranging in age from 20 to over 70 years old. Organised moments like these help participants not only to get to know each other better, but also to continue expressing the positives, discussing the challenges they face in their mission, and providing mutual support. This seminar was specifically organised in February because, during this week, Catholic Action celebrated the 95th anniversary of its establishment in Malta. The theme chosen for this year’s seminar was “The Past, the Present, and the Future”.The members and volunteers gathered early in the morning at Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi, where, while enjoying tea and coffee together, they had the opportunity to readmore about the history of Maltese Catholic Action, which was exhibited around them, ensuring that the past milestones are celebrated. The prepared programme began with a presentation by Marija Cahia, the President of Maltese Catholic Action, who provided statistical data on the current number of members and groups within the organisation. Thisallowed participants to gain a clear understanding of the organisation’s present state. To start working on a future plan for the organisation, the members were presented with three different scenarios to envision where the Maltese Catholic Action might be in five years time. The first scenario helped people imagine the organisations 100th anniversary celebration. The second scenario depicted a status quo situation, where no progress or change occurred within the organisation. The final scenario involved the announcement of the organization’s closure and death. In smaller groups, members discussed these three scenarios and decided in which direction they wanted to take the Maltese Catholic Action over the next five years. As the organisation is also in the process of selecting a new Presidium and other variousleadership roles for the next 3-year term, there is a need to build a vision and action plan for the coming years. During the workshops, members had the opportunity to generate new ideas, outline a list of priorities for the organization to focus on, and suggest necessary actions to achieve these essential goals. The workshops concluded with a mass, through which the members continued reflecting on their purpose, mission, and scope, as well as what motivates them to be a part of Catholic Action and why they do what they do. After the programme, there was time for members to socialise and share a meal together.

ŻAK Żurrieq Youth Centre Officially Inaugurated On Saturday 25th January 2025, the newly renovated premises of ŻAK Żurrieq were officially inaugurated. The center will serve as a vibrant hub for young people from Żurrieq and surrounding areas, fostering community, personal growth, and spiritual development. Operated by Żgħażagħ Azzjoni Kattolika (ŻAK) and Azzjoni Kattolika Maltija (AKM), the center proudly continues the legacy of Dun Guzepp Falzon Zammit, who for decades nurtured the youth of this community. During this visit, the Minister for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing Julia Farrugia, together with the Chief Executive of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector Mauro Pace Parascandolo, saw the work carried out at this centre. The event culminated in a thanksgiving mass, celebrated by Mons. Carmel Camilleri, who served as spiritual director of the centre for around 15 years during the late 1970s to the early 1990s. In her opening remarks, AKM President Marija Cachia expressed her gratitude towards Dun Ġużepp Zammit Falzon, who nurtured the Catholic Action group in Żurrieq to the extent of donating his house for the use of the Maltese Catholic Action in Żurrieq. Fr Żammit Falzon’s actions paid testament to his belief in the role of lay people within the church and, therefore, oftheir formation. Ms Cachia extended her gratitude towards leaders of the AKM and ŻAK, who across decades, volunteered their time and skills towards developing a community of individuals committed to social justice. The refurbishment of the ŻAK Centre in Żurrieq, made possible through local and EU funding made available to voluntary organisations such as AKM, enables the continuation of this mission. ŻAK President, Michela Baldacchino, explained that ŻAK is a branch of the Maltese Catholic Action and its purpose is to provide programs for spiritual, social and personal development. The aim of this process is to affirm an individual in his or her proper identity and involve him or her in a relationship with God and others. The structures of ŻAK assist youth leaders and other young people in the administration of youth work activities and support them to organize group meetings of young people as well as other activities like summer camps. ŻAK Żurrieq welcomes young people, aged 16 years and over, on Fridays between 7pm and 9:30pm. Mario Calleja, Vice-Chairman of the GAL Xlokk Foundation, underscored the importance of volunteering within the community and of nurturing young people, claiming that the Foundation prioritised youth when allocating European funds. Mr Calleja highlighted the positive impact of youth work, such as that carried out by Żgħażagħ Azzjoni Kattolika. Hon. Minister Julia Farrugia claimed that this inauguration was meaningful because it evidenced the love, solace and solidarity that are nurtured within the premises. Through these actions, young people develop strong values, which enable them to leave a positive impact in their personal lives, at their workplace and in the community. Organisations such as ŻAK and AKM are the beating heart of our society, with volunteers who give their time, energy and passion to improve the quality of life of those most in need and others in general. Minister Farrugia stated that this project was one of 168 projects supported by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector over the past few years. Chief Executive Mauro Pace Parascandolo said that this project demonstrates the collaboration not only between organisations and entities, but also between different funds and schemes which all help to carry out projects from all areas of the voluntary sector in the community. The refurbishment of the ŻAK Centre in Żurrieq was made possible through receiving €30,000 in EU funds from the LEADER Programme 2014-2020, Measure 2: Strengthening a Healthy Cultural Identity, administered by the GAL Xlokk Foundation; €7,500 from the Co-Financing Fund, managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector; and funds through the Planning Authority’s Irrestawra Darek Scheme. Azzjoni Kattolika Maltija (AKM), a longstanding pillar of the Catholic community in Malta, has been instrumental in fostering youth engagement and adult formation for decades. Through its youth section, AKM continues to provide young people with opportunities to develop leadership skills, deepen their faith and build meaningful connections. The ŻAK Żurrieq Centre invites young individuals from Żurrieq and its surrounding areas to join its vibrant community and participate in its diverse programs, which include workshops, social events, and spiritual activities. For more information on how to get involved contact AKM on info@akmalta.org ormessage us on Facebook or Instagram.

18+ Seminar Żgħażagħ jingħaqdu għal għan komuni Matul il-weekend li għadda, il-membri taż-ŻAK li huma 18+ iltaqgħu għal-weekend Seminar bl-isem ta’ ‘Ferħ f’kull Pass – Ritorn b’Għan u Passjoni’, fejn żgħażagħ miċ-ċentri taż-ŻAK minn madwar Malta kollha ġew flimkien biex iiġbru l-ideat u l-ħsibijiet tagħhom flimkien, jieħdu d-deċiżjonijiet meħtieġa, u jaħdmu għal għan komuni kemm għall-membri kurrenti tal-organizzazzjoni, kif ukoll għal dawk tal-futur. Saru bosta sessjonijiet dwar il-bżonnijiet kurrenti tal-organizzazzjoni—dawk li jistgħu ma jkunux l-aktar ovvji, iżda li huma fil-qalba tal-organizzazzjoni. Eżempju ċar li ħareġ kien l-importanza tal-formazzjoni kontinwa u li jkun hemm youth leaders b‘taħriġ ta’ kwalità għolja. Ħejjejna wkoll ruħna għas-sena li ġejja u mlejna l-kalendarji tagħna b’attivitajiet u avvenimenti li lkoll ħerqana li naħdmu għalihom. Dorna wkoll l-istatut tal-organizzazzjoni tagħna. Din is-sessjoni serviet ta’ tfakkira tal-kontenut tiegħu u l-importanza li nżommu miegħu billi r-regolamenti tiegħu jirriflettu wkoll il-valuri u l-prinċipji li fuqhom inbniet l-organizzazzjoni. Dan kien mument biex nifhmu d-deċiżjonijiet li ħadu ż-żgħażagħ ta’ qabilna u kien spazju għaż-żgħażagħ preżenti biex jidħlu aktar fil-fond u joħolqu viżjoni għaż-żgħażagħ li ġejjin. Il-ħtieġa għall-għajnuna u sapport amministrattiv ġiet ukoll enfasizzata. Ir-realtà ta’ organizzazzjoni mmexxija u mibnija fuq il-voluntiera tfisser li kulħadd jagħti kemm jista’ b’mod volontarju, u f’ħajja daqshekk impenjattiva, m’hemmx lok għal ħsibijiet idealistiċi ta’ nies li jiddedikaw disponibbiltà infinita. Madankollu, ir-rekwiżiti amministrattivi li qed jiżdiedu jridu jiġu kkunsidrati u ma jistgħux jiġu minsija. Sessjonijiet mqanqla fuq ħsibijiet bħal dawn kellhom l-għan li jimmotivaw iktar rieda, ħidma u impenn. B’mod ġenerali, dan il-weekend dejjem iservi bħala nifs ġdid tal-organizzazzjoni u tfakkira għalxiex niġu flimkien għal ġid komuni, u eċitament kollettiv għall-futur li jinsab quddiemna. Miktub minn Marta Zammit, Viċi President taż-ŻAK