Watch: Mġarr residents who would have dined alone get together for New Year's lunch

Twenty people joined Mġarr parish priest Kalċidon Vassallo on Monday at his New Year’s lunch.
With helpers from the Diakonia Commission, elderly people who had no family to celebrate the New Year with turned to the parish community for refuge.
Five years ago Mgr Vassallo opened the doors of his home at his former parish of Balzan to welcome those who would have dined alone. The tradition moved to Mġarr when he became parish priest in the village, where it has been held for the past three years.
Mgr Vassallo said that the community comes together every year to celebrate this special occasion.“People enjoy meeting up once a year to rekindle friendships,” he said.
One of the helpers, Giovanna Bugeja, said last year the commission also visited more than 50 former Mġarr parishioners in different homes for the elderly.

John Meli Bezzina, 70, would have spent his New Year’s Day whiling the time away at the shops. “I always recognise the community’s generosity,” he said.“I come here every year, and it’s a chance to meet friends.”“This initiative is important for me in particular, because the Church needs to be close to those in need,” he added.
Mgr Vassallo said that there were...