Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
- First Sunday of the Month—Collection for Church Restoration. Once again, the first Sunday of the month has arrived (Sunday 1st September 2024), and we continue our efforts so that, God willing, we can restore our parish church's roof. Think of our ancestors, of how many sacrifices they made so that we could find such a beautiful church equipped with everything necessary to worship God. Let’s do our utmost and not lose hope with this important project, which needs to be completed as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Let’s be generous and give from the heart; with everyone’s support, we can raise our share of the costs. The Parish has already applied for funding from the European Union, but we still need to raise about 45% ourselves. Let’s contribute as best we can. Those who are not in Għasri during this weekend and would still like to contribute, feel free to contact me (Fr. Edward Vella) on: 79082170.
- Catechists in our parish: One of the most important duties of a parish is to pass on the gift of faith to children and young people, and therefore the role of a catechist is a very important one. While we wholeheartedly thank those who offer this service, we would like to appeal for more catechists, both for children who are preparing to receive the sacraments and for the youth category. Due to recently introduced policies, each class will have two catechists/support staff, and no class will be held when only one catechist is present. Therefore, those who can and wish to offer this service are kindly asked to speak to one of the priests in our parish. In addition to catechists, we would need Catechism Support Educators ("CSEs") whose function would be to assist the main catechist. The CSEs won't be doing any talking/preparation/lesson plans, they will simply stay during the duration of the class with the main catechist and provide any logistical support to the main catechist as may be required. So, there are various way to contribute to our parish's catechism endeavours and your help is greatly appreciated. Catechism classes in Għasri will open again in October (with the scholastic year) and are held at the upper floor of Għasri Parish Centre which has been renovated with interactive whiteboards and other minor infrastructural embellishment to make it suitable for this fundamental pastoral work.
- Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays: On Thursday 5th September 2024, the Church will not be open for Eucharistic Adoration because it will be open on Friday 6th September instead.
- First Friday of the Month - Friday, 6th September 2024. It encouraged to attend Mass, confession, and adoration. Masses: 7:30 am & 6:30 pm. Adoration: 7:00 am till noon and 5.30pm- 6:25 pm. Confession: 6:00—7:30 pm by Fr. Michael Mifsud. After the evening Mass, we will have half an hour of silent adoration, during which there will also be confession. Communion for the Sick: This will be administered by Mons. Mikiel Mintoff between 9:00 am and 11:00 am.
- Distribution of Invitations for the Mass Marking the Beginning of the Ministry of the New Parish Priest: During the coming week, the invitation for the official celebration of the beginning of the ministry of Fr. Edward Vella as the Parish Priest of Għasri will be distributed. Everyone is invited, and if someone does not receive the invitation, this would be due to an error. There will also be some invitations on the table at the back of the Church so that if you have any relatives or friends from Għasri who live in other villages, please feel free to invite them.
- 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:
- 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 -- please see the financials relating to Festa 2024 in the bulletin.
-. 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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!