Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
1. Couples' Meeting - We remind all couples that this Saturday, 15th June, will be the last Couples' Meeting for this Pastoral Year (i.e., the pastoral year in the Church worldwide starts in October and ends in June). Our meeting begins at 7.30 pm and will be held at the Għasri Parish Centre. Afterwards, we will dine together. Preferably, those who will join us for dinner (pizza) after the meeting should kindly contact me (Fr Eddie Vella on the number 79082170) so I can prepare beforehand. I believe that those who attended these meetings during this pastoral year can say they were beautiful moments of reflection and prayer, as well as moments of community. Therefore, come and encourage others to join as well.
2. Decency Everywhere, Especially in Our Churches - Now that the heat is starting to be felt, we remind everyone to be honest in our attire everywhere, but especially in our churches. This applies to Sunday and weekday masses, as well as special occasions such as weddings: respect for decency does not disappear on special occasions.
3. Collection for Dar Arka next Sunday, 23rd June - In our diocese, the collection for Dar Arka was held on the Sunday when we had our Feast, and therefore we will hold it on the upcoming Sunday, 23rd June. As you surely know, Dar Arka takes care of people with special needs and is thus one of the charitable works carried out by our diocese; therefore, it is very fitting that we help as much as we can.
4. Save the Date—Saturday, 5th October - This is the official start date of my ministry as the Parish Priest of Għasri. It is my wish that only something simple yet dignified and without pomp be held. Therefore, I ask you to save this date so that, God willing, it will be a beautiful moment for us as a community, as well as the beginning of a New Pastoral Year together as a family in Faith.
5. Parish Council Meeting postponed to Thursday, 4th July - Due to various circumstances, the next Parish Council meeting has been postponed to the first Thursday in July. This will be a concluding meeting for this pastoral year, during which we will evaluate the Feast and also discuss the Parish Priest’s inauguration. Therefore, I ask all members of the parish council not to miss it and anyone who has any suggestions should pass them on to me or one of the members.
6. Marian Wednesdays: Through a visit to the Madonna of Ta’ Pinu or to the Patronage Madonna, Mass is celebrated every Wednesday evening at 6.30 pm at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Patronage, preceded by the rosary and hymns at 6.00 pm. During these Marian Wednesdays, there is no Wednesday evening Mass at the parish church as per the times in this link: https://www.ghasriparish.org/en/mass-times-ghasri.
7. Feast of the Call of Our Lady of Ta' Pinu to Karmni Grima - On Saturday, 22nd June 2024. I believe that for many of us, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta' Pinu is a special place. Certainly, we have received many graces from it, and therefore, on the anniversary of the Call of Our Mother Mary to Karmni Grima and Franġisk Portelli, it is fitting that we visit this holy place. The masses at the Sanctuary on this day will be as follows: 6:00 am, 7:30 am, and at 9:00 am a Pontifical Mass by Bishop H.E. Msgr. Anton Teuma, followed by the supplication to Our Lady of Ta'Pinu. There will be another mass at 11:00 am. In the evening, there will be mass at 6:00 pm and at 7:30 pm a Pontifical Mass led by H.E. Msgr. Charles Jude Scicluna, Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta. I encourage everyone, but especially all families, to not miss visiting this sanctuary on this day and to pray for themselves and their loved ones for God's blessing and grace.
8. 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.
9. Communion for the sick (Viaticum) is given every Sunday after 8.30am's Mass.
Updates from various pastoral groups in Għasri Parish:
- Weekly spiritual meetings for students from Form 2 until Form 5 every Friday evening at 7.30pm at Għasri Parish Centre (Will stop during Summer).
- Sunday School: There are two catechism sessions every week: Saturday at 5.00pm 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). The necessary form is required to be filled prior to enrolling in Sunday School. Please send an email or contact Fr. Edward Vella. (Will stop during Summer).
- Every third Saturday of the month, at 7.30pm, we have a monthly meeting for married couples at the Għasri Parish Centre. (Will stop during Summer).
- Legion of Mary: Fridays at 5.00pm (Summer-Time) at the Church Sacristy (Għasri). (Will not stop during Summer).
- 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 -- no updates.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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!
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