This short phrase - which means “Create a Smile!” - carries special meaning for Maltese people – not solely because of its simple and yet beautiful message but more so because it is the “slogan” of an annual marathon organised by the Missionary Society of St.Paul (MSSP) – a Maltese Society founded by Mons. Joseph De Piro, himself a Maltese Priest.
There is much to say but very simply this expression is a summary of what the Priests of this Society, along with lay people who help them, are trying to do: Share the Good News and Joy of Christ with others …Create a Smile. ;-)
In Malta they serve the Church as a regular faithful priests do: administering the Sacraments to the people and supporting us (i'm Catholic too! ;-) in our spiritual lives yet the Missonaries of St.Paul also serve in other areas.
These priests - with the help of lay and other professional people, run St.Joseph’s Home – where they care for boys who for various reasons cannot live with their families. They also produce …and continue to produce… professional Catholic programs in Malta shown on local television stations. Through these two works too they accomplish their mission: that of bringing the Good News and Joy of Christ to others. (click HERE to read ther mission statement and more) Needless to say they do serve in other ways locally eg: they organise courses to help people grow in their faith, they train those people who aspire to serve in poorer countries etc etc…
Yet these priests serve God and His people not solely in Malta but in other countries too including the Phillippines, Pakistan and Peru. They help the poor in whatever ways they can: helping them build better lives for themselves, providing meals and shelter for those who are too small or too weak to care for themselves, building schools and teaching children and young people, providing medical assistance, sharing the Good News of Christ and creating communities of solidarity wherever they go.
For the 7th year this Society is asking us (Maltese) to participate in this, their mission and work, primarily through our prayers. They are inviting us to support their work through a donation – each one as he/she is able to.
Malta is very very small and practically invisible on the map BUT we are one of those very few countries who - despite many shortcomings - seem to care about each other and others.
Here in Malta, people - young and old alike - from all walks of life dedicate a lot of time and effort VOLUNTARILY to create events with the aim of supporting these marvellous and blessed works. The general public - Maltese people - on the other hand unite and give genorously.
There is much to say but very simply this expression is a summary of what the Priests of this Society, along with lay people who help them, are trying to do: Share the Good News and Joy of Christ with others …Create a Smile. ;-)
In Malta they serve the Church as a regular faithful priests do: administering the Sacraments to the people and supporting us (i'm Catholic too! ;-) in our spiritual lives yet the Missonaries of St.Paul also serve in other areas.
These priests - with the help of lay and other professional people, run St.Joseph’s Home – where they care for boys who for various reasons cannot live with their families. They also produce …and continue to produce… professional Catholic programs in Malta shown on local television stations. Through these two works too they accomplish their mission: that of bringing the Good News and Joy of Christ to others. (click HERE to read ther mission statement and more) Needless to say they do serve in other ways locally eg: they organise courses to help people grow in their faith, they train those people who aspire to serve in poorer countries etc etc…
Yet these priests serve God and His people not solely in Malta but in other countries too including the Phillippines, Pakistan and Peru. They help the poor in whatever ways they can: helping them build better lives for themselves, providing meals and shelter for those who are too small or too weak to care for themselves, building schools and teaching children and young people, providing medical assistance, sharing the Good News of Christ and creating communities of solidarity wherever they go.
For the 7th year this Society is asking us (Maltese) to participate in this, their mission and work, primarily through our prayers. They are inviting us to support their work through a donation – each one as he/she is able to.
Malta is very very small and practically invisible on the map BUT we are one of those very few countries who - despite many shortcomings - seem to care about each other and others.
Here in Malta, people - young and old alike - from all walks of life dedicate a lot of time and effort VOLUNTARILY to create events with the aim of supporting these marvellous and blessed works. The general public - Maltese people - on the other hand unite and give genorously.
We’re small yet great in that - by God’s Grace - we are capable of uniting to help others …and this in a spirit of solidarity.
…it is a marathon which truly brings a smile – not just to those who receive but also to those who give.
…but perhaps more importantly it is a
marathon which brings a smile to GOD! :-)
