Sr Mimoza Paluca received her primary and secondary education in Shkoder, Albania. In 2006, she completed high school in Naples, Italy and started her vocational journey towards consecrated life as an aspirant with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Her formation towards consecrated life started in Casa della Giovane in Turin, Italy and continued in Castel Gandolfo in Rome, Italy. This journey culminated on 5th August 2009, when she made her First Profession.

Shortly after this, she returned to Albania to pursue her Master of Science in Social Philosophy at the Faculty of Social Sciences within the University of Tirana. Mgr George Frendo, who was then Bishop of Tirana, entrusted her with pastoral work involving young people within the diocese. She devoted several years to this pastoral role, providing her with valuable experience in engaging with young people and enhancing her ability to accompany them. From 2013 to 2014, she served as a member and secretary of the Pastoral Youth Commission at Archdiocese of Tiranë-Durrës.

She then moved to Shkoder, Albania where she took on the role of a teacher in a high school administered by Salesian Sisters. During her time in Shkoder she also taught ethics and metaphysics at the local interdiocesan seminary for three years. While in Shkoder she had the opportunity to experience the ’10 commandamenti’ program, a formative journey created by Rev. Fabio Rosini with the aim to assist young people discern God’s by focusing on their best qualities. She was the first Albanian sister to undergo this formative journey, an experience that helped her integrate faith and reason.

In 2018, she pursued her theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. She specialized in Anthropology and Theology of the Fathers of the Church. In the same year, she engaged in a formative journey created by Rev. Fabio Rosini, which served follow-up to ’10 commandamenti’ program. During her studies in Rome she translated two Italian books into the Albanian language. These books, titled L’arte di Purificare il Cuore and Noi nella Trinita by Cardinal Tomáš Špidlík S.J, where subsequently published in collaboration with the Seminary of Shkoder.

In 2019, she relocated to Malta as part of a founding community tasked with establishing the presence of the Salesian Sisters in Sliema, Malta. This mission is under the province of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel in Naples, Italy. She initiated her mission in Malta at St Patrick’s residence within the same locality. During this period, she was approached by the RCIA team of the Archdiocese of Malta to provide catechesis for an Albanian lady. This role eventually expanded, with Sr Mimoza being entrusted by Mgr Charles J. Scicluna to provide catechesis for candidates preparing for sacrament of Baptism, a role she still occupies. Additionally, Mgr Charles J. Scicluna appointed her as chaplain of G.F Abela Junior College, a role she occupied for two years.

Dr Luke J. Buhagiar is a lecturer at the Department of Public Policy within the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy at the University of Malta. He lectures on the intersection between ideas, society and policy; on political behaviour; and on research methods, among other areas. Dr Luke J. Buhagiar holds a PhD in social psychology from the same institution, with his doctoral research concentrating on Arab-Maltese relations. His thesis introduced an action-oriented approach to the examination of intergroup relations, which fosters meaningful interaction between diverse communities while upholding the respect of minority groups by the majority in society.

Prior to his role as a lecturer at the University of Malta, Dr. Luke J. Buhagiar held various research positions. Notably, he served as the Chief Research Officer for the research institute Discern. During his tenure, he led research projects that delved into the representations of Catholicism in Malta, youth engagement, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on parishes across Malta.

Dr Luke J. Buhagiar presents his work regularly at international conferences, and publishes regularly in various peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, on matters related to social psychology, societal phenomena, theory and social representations.

Rev. Gilbert Scicluna was ordained priest in 2016. In 2017, he finished his Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the University of Malta with a dissertation titled “Von Balthasar’s Godforsakenness of Christ and Reaching Out to the Peripheries”. Currently, he serves in the Parish of Christ the King in Paola, and forms part of the Vicariate for Evangelisation as co-editor of the website behold.mt. He is a poet and fosters an interest in Maltese language and literature. Apart from a number of articles, he also authored “Dik il-Qalb tal-Laħam ta’ Alla” and “Għadha Tħabbat fil-Qalb tad-Dinja.”

Mr Mark Cachia studied philosophy in Padova, Italy and theology in Paris, France and Madrid, Spain where he specialised in Moral Theology. He worked for a number of years at Jesuit Refugee Service Malta and was involved in various social initiatives in Malta and abroad. He joined the Justice and Peace Commission as Executive Officer in August 2021.

Rev. Mark Scicluna OFMCap joined the Maltese Capuchin Province in 2012 and was ordained a priest in May 2021. He studied theology and philosophy at undergraduate level and then pursued a Master in Theology at the University of Malta, with a thesis by the title of ‘Saint Francis’ Way of Beauty – Revisiting an experience for a renewed prophetic presence in the world’. To further his mission of safeguarding vulnerable individuals in the Church, he went on to earn a Licentiate in Safeguarding from Institute of Anthropology (IADC) within Gregorian University in Rome.

During his time in Rome, Rev. Mark Scicluna had the privilege of working with Dr Angela Rinaldi and wrote a thesis with the title of ‘Pastoral Supervision: Its Contribution to a Safer Church – A Maltese Perspective’. Upon returning to Malta, he was appointed as the Superior of the Capuchin Fraternity in Gozo. He continued to share his safeguarding knowledge at the University of Malta, within the Dioceses of Malta and Gozo, and among the Capuchin Order.

Mr Emmanuel Said currently holds a managerial position within the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Associations. In 2009, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Theology from University of Malta, Msida. Mr Said then completed a Master of Arts in Spiritual Accompaniment in 2016. Residing in Iklin, he actively dedicates his time and expertise to the Holy Family Parish of Iklin, contributing as a volunteer. Within the parish, he takes the lead in the Liturgy and Adult Formation Commission, and he also conducts educational courses for the betterment of the Iklin community.

Rev. Brendan M. Gatt received his primary and secondary education at De La Salle College, Cottonera. In September 1997, he embarked on a journey of discernment for the priesthood at the Archbishop’s Seminary in Rabat. This journey culminated in his ordination as a priest on the 29th of June 2004.

In September of the same year, he relocated to Rome to further his studies in Canon Law at the Pontificia Università Gregoriana, all while residing at the Venerable English College. In June 2007, he attained a Licentiate in Canon Law (JCL). During the 2008-2009 academic year, he pursued Diploma course in Canonical Jurisprudence at the Gregorian University.

Rev. Brendan M. Gatt serves as the Judicial Vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal and provides pastoral assistance in the parish of Saint Joseph, Msida. He also holds the role of Principal Chaplain of the Maltese Association of the Order of Malta (MASMOM). In addition, he serves as a spiritual director of the Youth Fellowship/Cenacolo Community and holds the position of a canon within the Collegiate Chapter of Saint Lawrence in Birgu.

His contributions extend beyond his pastoral roles. Rev. Brendan M. Gatt actively participates in various radio and television programs in Malta and regularly contributes a column to the Sunday Times of Malta. Furthermore, he shares his expertise by lecturing in the University of Malta’s MA in Matrimonial Canon Law and Jurisprudence course.