Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
- More Focus on Wied l-Għasri Basilica: The only evening Sunday mass in Għasri will be held at Għasri's geographical heart in Gozo's first basilica at 5pm. More information on the Basilica: https://www.ghasriparish.org/basilica-ghasri . Recently, TVM (Malta's national broadcasting corporation) produced a short documentary on Gozo's first Basilica in Wied l-Għasri which can be viewed here: https://tvmi.mt/episode/104012
- Adoration in English: coming Thursday, 14th of October 2024 at 3.30 pm. As per every second Thursday of the month, next Thursday we are having a moment of prayer and adoration in Għasri Parish Church which is animated in the English language. After the prayer meeting, we will have tea at Għasri Parish House (opposite the church). All are very welcome.
- Couples' Meeting, Saturday 16th November at 7.00 pm: Saturday 16/11/24 is the third Saturday of November, and we invite all couples to join us once again at the Għasri Parish Centre at 7.00 pm. The meeting lasts about an hour, and afterwards, for those who wish, we will share pizza with the whole family. Surely, those who attended the last meeting realised how beneficial these gatherings can be for them, so we urge all couples to make every effort to attend. During the 1-hour meeting, there will be organised childcare too for those parents who prefer it.
- Għasri Local Council's Public Notice on ID Cards: The Għasri Local Council is pleased to inform residents that the ID Card Renewal service (which is normally only available in Victoria's office for the entire Gozitan Community) will be available on Monday, 11th November, and Tuesday, 12th November 2024, from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm at the Għasri Local Council Office. Residents are kindly reminded to bring their current identity card with them.
- November Calendar: There are several important dates and gatherings in November. Catechism classes for children aged 1 to 7 years will be held every Thursday at 6:30 pm, and parents and children are encouraged to attend the 6:00 pm Mass. On Sundays, there will be Mass at 8:30 am followed immediately by catechism. Youth gatherings are scheduled every Friday at 7:00 pm. Other events include Adoration and Bible Walk sessions on 2nd November at 7:00–8:00 pm, English-language Adoration on 14th November from 3:30–4:30 pm, a Couples’ Meeting on 16th November from 7:00–8:00 pm, a Parish Council Meeting on 20th November from 6:45–7:45 pm, the Christ the King Celebration at St Francis Square on 24th November at 4:00 pm, and a discussion on the Book of Genesis on 30th November from 7:00–8:00 pm.
- Every Thursday (except during the week that includes the first Friday of the month) and on the first Friday of the month, we hold adoration from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Let us not be a parish of the Eucharist in name only but also in action. Every Thursday at 5:30 pm, we pray the Rosary before Jesus in the Eucharist, offering it for the sanctification of priests, religious, and missionaries, for more vocations, and for our families. You are warmly invited to join us in this cherished prayer.
- We kindly remind everyone to switch off their mobile phones before entering the church. It is never appropriate to answer calls inside the church or to rush outside to respond. Additionally, we urge everyone to refrain from talking, especially during Mass or other prayers being recited. Such behaviour not only distracts others but also causes us to lose focus on the sacred atmosphere.
- If you have any candlle-wax scraps for disposal, you are welcome to bring them to the church and leave them near the side altars. These will be repurposed into the candles we use in the church. This is a sustainability initiative which our parish is currently running.
- Confession Times: On Saturday, a visiting confessor will be available from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm. On Sunday, confession times are from 8.30 am to 9.00 am, 10.15 am to 10.45 am, and 5.55 pm to 6.15 pm. On the First Friday of the month, a visiting confessor will be available from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm. Additionally, every First Sunday of the month, a visiting confessor will be available throughout all Masses.
- Communion for the sick (Viaticum) is given every Sunday after 8.30am's Mass.
Updates from various pastoral groups in Għasri Parish:
- Catechism in Għasri: There are two catechism sessions every week: Thursdays at 6.30pm and Sunday at 9.15am. Both are currently held at the Għasri Parish Centre and are available for all kids until Form 2 (Year eight).
- Every third Saturday of the month, at 7.15pm, we have a monthly meeting for married couples at the Għasri Parish Centre. (Not held during Summer).
- Legion of Mary: Meetings of the Legion of Mary are currently on hold. However, any individuals interested in joining this prayer and formation group under the mantle of Mary are encouraged to speak with the parish priest.
- English-Speaking Group: Prayer meeting in English every second Thursday of the month at Għasri Parish Church at 3.30pm followed by an Afternoon Tea at the rectory opposite the church.
Updates from the Għasri Parish Council:
- The parish office is open on Tuesdays (9am-10.30am), Thursdays (9am-10.30am), Sunday (9.15am-10.30am). The person who is available during these office hours is Ms. Grace Calleja from the Għasri Parish Council. Thus, one can speak directly to a parish representative on logistical/administrative matters relating to the parish during these hours.
- The updates on the two infrastructural projects which are currently ongoing at our parish are as follows > (a) Updates on the Church's roof restoration: collections during the first weekend of each month will go directly to this infrastructure project. The architect noted that it's not just the membrane which needs changing but also some stones around the windows. > (b) There are no new updates on the cemetery works. However, those who would like to reserve a new grave are kindly requested to contact the parish.
- Finance updates from the Financial Committee within the Għasri Parish Council -- Income Report for October: During the first Sunday of November, €611.23 was collected during Mass for the church restoration, while €876.50 was raised on Missionary Day. Contributions for the Feast of the Patronage, including donations, amounted to €537.30. Collections during October Masses at the Parish Church and the Patronage Church totalled €456.18 and €55.46, respectively. Additional donations included €350 for chairs for the Centre and €80 in gratitude for a favour received. Proceeds from the bingo on 1st November brought in €51.01, and the monthly lottery generated €86.60. .
- DSO: Our Parish's Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) is Lino Xerri. Each parish will have a person in the role of DSO (Designated Safeguarding Officer). The DSO of our parish is Lino Xerri, and in case of need, you can contact him on 79208153. The DSOs are a point of reference between the parish and the Safeguarding Commission (SGC), and their role is to ensure that the best safeguarding practices are being observed, to collect the list for POMA certification purposes, to receive complaints and communicate them with the parish priest and/or the SGC, and to attend meetings specifically for them.
- Those who would like to make a literary contribution to the next edition of Il-Korpus (i.e. the annual publication exclusively on Għasri's spiritual and secular history) are kindly requested to contact the editor as usual. Alternatively, one can contact the parish and we will provide the contact details of the editor.
Notes from the Gozo Diocese:
- The Diocese's pastoral theme for this year is "Stay with us, Lord" (Luke 24:29). More information on the social media of Gozo Diocese.
- The 5 Spiritual Sessions led by the Bishop of Gozo, Msgr. Anton Teuma, which were held at the parish church of Għasri in February 2024, where the theme was Repentance, are now available online on the YouTube playlist of the Diocese of Gozo at this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJsSpKY689vl7VB-Mn0g6LXOMt9cbzj_c
- Those who would like to subscribe to the print-version of Gozo Diocese's monthly publication "Il-Ħajja f'Għawdex" can send a separate email which would be forwarded to the publishers. The printed publication is in Maltese only and the fee is paid annually.
Notes from the global Roman Catholic Church:
- Jubilee 2025 - In 2025, the universal Catholic Church will have the Jubilee (held every 25 years). Pope Francis has prepared the following prayer: "Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom. May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally. May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen". More information: https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html
- Pope Francis' prayer intention for November 2024 is that "We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit."
- For updates on the Synod on Synodality, one can follow the official media of either the Gozo Diocese, the Archdiocese of Malta or the Vatican News.
I wish you all a blessed week!
