How are you? We have now reached the fifth and final magazine for this scholastic year. During these four summer months, we celebrate many feasts in the towns and villages of Malta and Gozo. These bring with them a lot of enjoyment. There are lively band marches, fireworks, Catherine wheels and processions with the statue of the patron saint of each parish.
We encourage you to find some free time during the long summer holidays to read the interesting articles we have prepared for you in this magazine. We would be very happy if you wrote us a letter and sent it to us by post or by email. We also invite you to try the craft and the traditional recipe, and above all to take part in the competitions, as we have some lovely gifts for you. Finally, I would like to remind you never to forget your missionary brothers and sisters, and to pray for them so that they too may come to know Jesus. It would be a beautiful gesture if you set aside something from your pocket money for these children, so that they may have food to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over their heads and a proper education. Without doubt, this would be the most beautiful gift they could ever receive!
Your friend, Claudia
Cover image: God the Father, free our hearts from hatred, resentment, and indifference, so that we may become instruments of reconciliation. Help us to understand that true security does not come from fear, but from trust, justice, and solidarity among peoples. Amen. Pope Leo XIV
TFAL MISSJUNARJI: A MAGAZINE FOR CHILDREN PUBLISHED BETWEEN OCTOBER AND MAY
Missio No. 150, Lorenzo Gafà Street, Mosta MST 4128
How are you, children? Last April, MissioTfal took part in a conference for missionary children in Europe, which was held in Slovakia. This conference included talks by professional speakers and also gave those who work with children the opportunity to gain new ideas and useful resources for their work.
Among the speakers were:
● Andrea Draganova, an AI teacher, explained some important applications that can help us share our message during meetings with
children or during lessons. She also gave new ideas for games that can be used both during meetings and simply for enjoyment.
● Miro Jiro, a TikTok creator who is an expert in sharing the Gospel with children through TikTok, uses everyday objects such as coloured handkerchiefs and paper plates for dancing and music. After all, everyone can play music with these plates! He explained how, with a little imagination and just a few simple things, we can communicate with children, especially those who are withdrawn or who have a special condition.
We were very happy to meet the Slovak children who took part during Mass, performed a dance, and presented the work they had prepared during the Missionary Children’s meetings.
Afterwards, we coordinators who were present had the opportunity to explain what we do in our respective
schools. Meetings like these are very important because they help us learn and gain new ideas.
Our Maltese activity, World Diversity Days, which we organise in our schools, was very well received. The culture sessions that we organise in classrooms were also appreciated, together with the Bee Positive Campaign which we launched last March.
Rafiki, our mascot, was also an inspiration, because Missio Scotland now have their own mascot, Missy Moo, a cow.
This conference filled me with great joy and with many ideas that I would like to share with you children during the coming year. So, during this summer, I will be preparing and adapting some of these ideas so that they will be suitable for us. I am already looking forward to school starting again, so that together we can see these new activities becoming a reality!
Fr Victor Agius
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP IS CREATED BY GOD
Dear children, did you know that before Pope Leo became Pope, he was an Augustinian friar? When the Pope speaks, he often refers to the teachings of Saint Augustine, who was once a very modern and lively young man. His mother, Saint Monica, prayed a great deal for him, and in the end Augustine began to discover the beauty of the Gospel. Through this, he also discovered how beautiful human life is, because it was created by God. And because God is beautiful, He cannot create anything that is not beautiful.
Augustine discovered that God is the Trinity, which means one God
in three Persons. These three Persons love one another with such perfect love that, when we look at them, we see only one love, even though we still recognise them as three. Although they are different from one another, each Person does not look to Himself or to what benefits Him, but looks only to the Other whom He loves, giving Him everything, all that He is.
The three Persons of the Trinity are the most perfect friends, truly perfect friends. Augustine understood that the human person is created in this image. This means that true friendship should also be like this: instead of bringing quarrels, division and wars, it should bring love, peace and unity.
The Pope believes deeply in this and wishes all of us to live in this way, so that we may always be joyful because we think of one another, help one another, and truly love one another.
So, children, let us make these summer holidays beautiful by making many friends, and by helping to make the world more beautiful and full of good children and good people.
MISSIOTFAL GOZO
Fr Renato Borg
WE THANK GOD FOR THE FOOD HE PROVIDES FOR US
Dear Children,
Perhaps some of you may be asking why today I am writing to you about food. This is because Pope Leo XIV would like us to pray for all those who do not have enough to eat. In mission countries, sadly, missionaries meet many whole families who have no food. Therefore, it is good that, first and foremost, we thank the Lord for providing us with our daily food: “Give us this day our daily bread.”
We must also thank our parents, who through their work earn money so that they can feed us. Perhaps until now it has never crossed our minds that someone might not have anything to eat. For us, it is normal to find food prepared on the table, and sometimes
we even have a choice of what we would like to eat.
Above all, the Pope would like us not to waste or throw away food. I sometimes visit schools and other places, and I see bread and other food thrown into the bin. This is not only wasteful, but when we throw away food, we offend those children and other people who do not have anything to eat.
We should appreciate more the food that is given to us. While we thank God for providing for us, we should also pray for those who do not have enough. It is good to say a simple prayer before and after meals, and to remember and pray for those who are not fortunate enough to have food to eat.
“Jesus, awaken in us a new awareness, so that we may learn to thank You for all food, consume it with simplicity, share it with joy, and protect the fruits of the earth as Your gift intended for everyone, and not only for a few.”
May you be blessed.
Maleba
A true story adapted by Claudia Cini
Imagine a world without sound. You cannot hear birds singing, a dog barking, someone calling out to you, the sound of hands clapping, or even music! If you watch a film, you hear nothing, even though the actors are speaking, there is music in the background, and many other sounds.
For many deaf people, this is their everyday reality.
Maleba is a girl from Ethiopia who is deaf. Because of this, she finds it difficult to make friends and spends much of her time alone. She tries to communicate by making many signs with her hands, but very few people understand what she is trying to say.
Maleba lives in a very poor community. This does not help at all with the condition this sweet young girl has.
But there is a place where Maleba and other deaf children are listened to and understood. This is a school attended by children who have this condition. Maleba and the other children are learning sign language, so that they can communicate with one another and make friends.
The Co-Action Deaf School is giving Maleba, and all the children who attend this school every day, hope for a better future.
When she grows up, Maleba would like to become a teacher. Since she first started attending this school, she has made great progress in sign language. In fact, she has already begun teaching sign language to children younger than herself.
School has shown me that, although I cannot hear, I am still able to do important things.
The Co-Action School in Ethiopia has been operating for the past 40 years. Over the years, it has developed a safe environment, welcoming deaf children and giving them the opportunity to receive an education and live as normal a life as possible.
Despite all the efforts of the school leaders, the school is struggling to keep going. The building needs maintenance, and new equipment and resources are required.
Let us join together and help more deaf children, both girls and boys, from all around the world, so that they too may have hope for a brighter future. A small donation is enough, because every drop counts, and many drops together can fill a large jar!
Thanks to your donations, more children will receive the same wonderful opportunity that I have been given.
As Pope Francis told us, we are encouraged to be missionaries of hope for all peoples. With your small contribution, MissioTfal can support the work of many missionaries, including Maltese missionaries, as they continue to help their brothers and sisters in communities all around the world.
Encourage your family and friends to help you save money so that you can help a boy or girl your own age who lives in the missions!
If you would like a money box where you can save your money, ask us and we will give you one!
When you fill your money box, take the money to the MissioTfal office in Mosta, Valletta or Rabat, Gozo. Apart from being given a receipt, you can also choose what you would like your saved money to be used for.
These are some examples of what can be done with your money:
€3 A pair of shoes for a poor boy or girl
€7 A hen for a family in need
€20 A plate of rice and beans for 60 hungry children
€25 A nutritious daily meal for 25 children
€30 A school uniform and school materials for 6 children
€55 A dairy goat for a disadvantaged family
€50 Protective clothing for a doctor treating people with infectious diseases
€104 Braille slates for visually impaired children
WHO ARE THE MISSIONARY CHILDREN?
If you think that “missionary children” are children who have a membership card, or who belong to a particular group, or if you think that this description does not apply to you, then you are mistaken. Everyone who is baptised is a missionary boy or girl!
Pope Francis often used to say that a missionary is someone who lives as Jesus wants. This means everyone.
On 6 January, Pope Leo greeted and thanked all the children who pray for the children of the whole world who are suffering and disadvantaged. These children also pray for missionaries who work in faraway countries. The Pope called all these children missionary
children and thanked them from his heart.
So, “missionary children” are those children who pray and love reading the Gospel so that they may come to know Jesus more and more. They are also those who are always ready to help other children in need.
This is the identity kit that missionary boys and girls should have:
In their minds, a desire to share messages of peace, joy and solidarity.
· On their lips, words of courage that come from someone who loves the Gospel.
· They are ready to offer their hands to help those in need.
· Their ears are always ready to listen to those who need help.
· Their eyes are always attentive to those who want to learn about children who live in other countries.
· Their feet are always ready to walk along the path that Jesus taught us.
· In their hearts, many prayers for a better world.
RAFIKI’S
A Craft from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is home to 247 species of butterflies. Of these, 32 are endemic, which means they are found in only one region and nowhere else in the world. The Birdwing butterfly, or Ceylon Birdwing, is one of them. It is considered the national butterfly of the country and is also the largest. Its wingspan is more than 100 mm and usually measures between 150 and 180 mm.
What you need:
• A piece of white cardboard
• Colours or markers
• Scissors
• Pencil
What to do:
• Draw the butterfly on the cardboard as shown in the picture.
• Cut it out with scissors, but first fold the cardboard in half so that the two sides of the butterfly are equal.
• Colour it in.
After making this bookmark, try to read a book or two this summer. Remember that there are many children in the world who cannot read, including some in Sri Lanka. Appreciate the fact that you go to school and that you have teachers who teach you and care for you.
It would be good to say a prayer before going to sleep for children who do not have enough money to go to school, so that they too may receive this grace and, when they grow up, no longer have to live in poverty.
We would be very happy if you send us photos of this craft at nancy@missio. org.mt , with the chance of winning a lovely gift.
Make sure that children are supervised when doing crafts.
HANDS ON
TRADITIONAL RECIPE
Claudia Cini
ALMOND BISCUITS
From Hong Kong
What you need:
• 454 grams pure ground almonds
• 340 grams caster sugar
• 3 egg whites
• Zest of two lemons
• Half a teaspoon vanilla essence
• A few whole almonds
• Wafer paper
Method:
1. Mix the egg whites well, then gradually add all the other ingredients.
2. Leave the dough to rest for about half an hour.
3. Shape the dough into small balls, about one inch in size.
4. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more ground almonds or almond flour.
5. Place one almond in the centre of each biscuit.
6. Place the biscuits on a baking tray lined with wafer paper.
7. Bake in a moderate oven for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Enjoy your meal!
Did you know?
Hong Kong has been part of China since 1 July 1997. It is made up of 263 islands. The main city is Tamar and the largest city is Sha Tin. Most people speak Cantonese. Between May and November, it is typhoon season. The international airport is as large as 20 football grounds. The bronze Big Buddha statue on Lantau Island is 34 metres high and is one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world. The Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, which is 55 kilometres long, is the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world. It is considered lucky if the first child is a girl and the second child is a boy!
Important Note: Before you begin, make sure you wash your hands well, remove any jewelry, tie back your hair and wear suitable clothing. Ask an adult to help you, especially if you are going to use sharp objects, fire and/or electricity.
COMPETITIONS WITH PRIZES
JUNE - JULY - AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2026
Ibgħat is-soluzzjoni t-tajba flimkien ma’ ismek, kunjomok, l-età u l-indirizz, hekk:
Tfal Missjunarji – Kompetizzjonijiet, Nru.150, Missio, Triq Lorenzo Gafà, il‑Mosta MST 4128
1. MATCH THE SHADOWS
Match the pictures on the left with their correct shadows on the right. You may also colour in the pictures.
Both competitions may be sent in the same envelope.
Both competitions may be sent in the same envelope. You may also send a photo or scan of the competitions by email to: info@missio.org.mt
2. WRITING AND DRAWING COMPETITION
We encourage you to write to us and/or draw something about how you spent your summer holidays. Did you go to the seaside? Did you travel abroad? Did you do something new? We leave it all up to your imagination. The first letter drawn will win a €10 voucher to be used at the Faith, Hope & Charity shop in Valletta.
COMPETITIONS WITH PRIZES
JUNE - JULY - AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2026
NAME AND SURNAME: AGE: ________
ADDRESS:
POST CODE:
SCHOOL:
EMAIL:
Solutions to the February ‑ March 2026 Competitions: Issue No. 111
1. FIND 5 DIFFERENCES
2. WRITING AND DRAWING
Thank you to everyone who sent us their answers. Well done to the winners! They will receive a letter from us by post so that they can collect their prize. Amy Tonna
The winners of the competitions are Amy Tonna from Hamrun, Anita Allampalli from Attard and Luke Muscat from Mgarr, Malta.
