28th August 2004, feast of St Augustine, was a very special day of celebration for the Augustinian community in Paceville. Under the patronage of the Archbishop, Mgr Joseph Mercieca, and of President Emeritus Guido de Marco, WOW (Wishing Others Well) and the social arm of the Millennium Chapel was officially inaugurated in the presence of several hundred parishioners, well-wishers and other guests.
Minister Dolores Cristina and several MPs mingled with a number of personalities as well as members of the Paceville congregation for a special Mass celebrated by Fr Lucian Borg, the Augustinian Provincial.
The Mass and the inauguration were ably managed by Fr Ray Francalanza. The Enkor Choir delighted all present with an excellent programme.
Mass was followed by the official inauguration of WOW as well as the unveiling of a fountain by sculptor Gianni Pace representing the various types of people who frequent the Millennium Chapel.
Typical of the spirit of the Millennium Chapel mission WOW was officially opened by individuals who have been touched by the work of the Millennium Chapel, including a Russian and a Japanese convert to Catholicism, Mr William Charles Camilleri, who composed a special CD of music inspired by the chapel, and a young person who gives service as a welcomer.
The occasion was an inspiring and touching experience which mixed joy with a very definite message of modern day Christianity. Dr John C. Grech, chairman of the Millennium Chapel Foundation, addressed the audience gathered on the spirit of the Millennium Chapel and the meaning of WOW.
Today's Christian response to modern life is not that of retreat into isolation but a thorough involvement in today's world. Christianity is able to adapt its message to every age. Its meaning is simple, direct and relevant to everyday living. The willingness to love, to engage in the support of others and to understand as well as inspire others is related to the fact that we Christians have to experience conversion every day.
A Christian needs to be open and share the happiness of God's love with others. At the same time we need to view man as a whole, not separate the spiritual from the material. The Millennium Chapel, in fulfilling its mission of providing an oasis of peace to all irrespective of belief, has also come to realise that it has a social role in supporting those who require help and in providing material assistance to those who need it.
WOW therefore completes the mission of the Millennium Chapel and makes it possible for Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, Fr Egidio Galea and Fr Ray Francalanza who compose the Augustinian community together with a very large number of welcomers and other individuals who provide the necessary support in counselling, organisation, maintenance, cleaning and a myriad of other requirements to really accomplish this mission.
The messages delivered by Fr Provincial Lucian Borg, Fr Hilary, the Archbishop and Professor de Marco all expressed the need to be relevant to today's world. Gone are the days when the Christian retreats from reality. Gone are the days when we concentrate only on the institutional dimension.
It has become clear for all that substance rather than form is what will bring people together and help provide answers to those in search of truth and in search of God. Christianity is not to be reserved to church functions. Christianity is for living and living is fulfilled through sharing and caring.
The Millennium Chapel experience has gone beyond every expectation. The inauguration of WOW has now equipped the Millennium Chapel with effective means to perform its social function. The doors are open to all. Those who are in need and those who want to help others but perhaps the best way to judge is for all those who care, to come and see!
