Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1482987
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 OCTOBER 2022 NEWS t: +356 2292 6148 e: arpa.mafa@gov.mt w: www.arpa.gov.mt Manager (Paying Agency) Interested candidates are invited to apply for the position of Manager (Paying Agency) with the Agriculture and Rural Payments Agency (ARPA), within the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights (MAFA). Prospective managers shall be requested to fulfil positions and assigned tasks in areas within the Paying Agency`s organisational structure. Further information concerning the Agency's remit in the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy, particularly in the control and payment of the relevant EU funds, may be viewed at www.arpa.gov.mt This position offers an attractive remuneration package. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, then you are to submit applications through the Online Government Recruitment Portal https://recruitment.gov.mt by the closing time and date of this call for applications 17:15 CET on Friday the 4 th of November 2022. Prospective candidates, especially with knowledge in accounts are encouraged to apply. Only candidates who are eligible under the details which can be viewed in the call will be considered. Further details may be obtained by calling us on 22924512 or by sending an email on humanresources.mafa@gov.mt. HALLOWEEN it may now be, and Black Friday is sure- ly around the corner, together with the first pre-Christmas of- fers at your local supermarket. But Maltese schools are al- so on an early start, this time to pluck out the consumerism from the world's (probably) fa- vourite feasts – Christmas – by plugging a hero who seldom gets a mention: Saint Nicholas. That's the real 'Santa Claus' – not the plump, bearded, jolly Father Christmas in a red jacket 'invented' in 1931 by Coca-Cola. But according to the education ministry's National Literary Agency, it is time for schools to start marking the feast of St Nicholas, on 6 December, "in order to restore values" that are associated with "the secular image o f F a t h e r Christ- mas". "In the last two c e n t u - ries, the secular im- age of Father Christmas that has come to be associated with St Nicholas has grown in the United States," wrote National Literary Agency CEO David Muscat in a cir- cular to all heads of college and pri- mary schools. "This char- acter, who we hear so much about from the me- dia, has unfor- tunately become synonymous with materialism and consum- erism." The antidote will be promot- ing the Catholic saint Nicholas, patron saint of children: "In or- der to restore values as well as build children's cultural capital, the Symbol Literacy Project, in collaboration with the National Literacy Agency and the Uni- versity of Malta, is promoting a set of activities towards the cel- ebration of St Nicholas Day in primary schools." The NLA is asking schools to promote the "discovery of the true identity of Father Christ- mas" as well as the true value of gifts and solidarity. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. As Bishop of Myra he became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. Under the Roman Emper- or Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. After his release, Nicholas at- tended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th. Teach kids about the real Father Christmas, heads of school told church.mt EXPRESSION OF INTEREST INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MUSEUM AT THE MOSTA BASILICA The Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta will receive proposals for the development of a museum of sacred art and objects at the Mosta Basilica, in line with permit PA/05874/19. Interested parties may submit requests for further information by sending an email to parrocca.mosta@ maltadiocese.org by not later than 16th December 2022 at 12:00pm. Submissions should be made in person at the Archbishop's Curia, St Calcedonius Square, Floriana FRN 1535, Malta, Mondays to Fridays between 9:00am and 5:00pm, in a sealed envelope clearly marked 'Mosta Basilica Museum Proposal', by not later than Tuesday, 31st January 2023 at 12:00pm. An appropriate box will be provided for this purpose. Only offers received through this box will be considered. The bidders will be informed in writing in due course whether their bid was selected or not. The right is reserved to refuse any proposal, even the most financially advantageous one. LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Paintings and icons of St. Nicholas of Myra traditionally depict him wearing bishop's robes—a far cry from the image of Santa Claus in a bright red suit popularized by The Night Before Christmas and advertisements for Coca-Cola