Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
- Distribution of Invitations for the Mass Marking the Beginning of the Ministry of the New Parish Priest. The invitation for the official celebration of the beginning of the ministry of Fr. Edward Vella as the Parish Priest of Għasri has been distributed. Everyone is invited, and if someone did 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. It is kindly being requested that everyone who will be attending to RSVP by the 22nd of September 2024. RSVP either by: (1) sending a message on 79082170; or (2) Calling 21553201; or (3) visiting the Għasri Parish Office in person during these opening times: https://www.ghasriparish.org/parishoffice .
- Days and Times of Catechism in Għasri: Starting from next Thursday, 26th September, we will begin the Catechism classes with the following schedule: until the time changes, that is, until Thursday, 24th October, from 6:00 to 6:30 in the evening, so children and parents can stay for Mass afterwards. When winter time starts (that is from Thursday 31st October) Catechism will be held after Mass, from 6:30 to 7:00 in the evening. Every Sunday, we will meet for the 8:30 am Mass, where the children will have a special Liturgy of the Word, followed by 20 minutes of Catechism after Mass.
- Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays: On Thursday 26th September 2024, the Church will be open for silent Eucharistic Adoration from 8am until noon and from 4.30pm until 6.25pm.
- Feast of Our Lady of the Patronage: This will be held on the second weekend of October which falls on Sunday 13th October 2024. The Programme of the Feast of Our Lady of Patronage is as follows: Triduum—From Wednesday, 9th to Friday, 11th October: Rosary at 5:30 pm and Mass at 6:00 pm. Eve of the Feast—Saturday, 12th October: 5:00 pm Pilgrimage with the statue of Our Lady of Patronage from the Parish Church to her Basilica; the Rosary and other Marian prayers will be recited. 6:00 pm Concelebration led by Monsignor Mikiel Mintoff. Afterwards, there will be an evening of food and music on the church parvis. Feast Day—Sunday, 13th October: Morning Masses at 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, and 11:00. In the evening at 5:00 pm, there will be a Solemn Concelebration led by the Cathedral Archpriest, Monsignor Joseph Sultana, followed by another Mass at 6:30 pm.
- Restoration of 'Vintartal': As you may have noticed during the Feast, the 'Vintartal' that adorns the altar table (the one we consecrate upon) has a fabric that is very stained. There is the possibility of removing the gold embroidery from the fabric and reattaching it onto new material. To achieve this, the 'Vintartal' (the embroidery part only) would need to be taken to Italy. The total cost for this restoration work is €2,600. If there is a benefactor or benefactors willing to support the restoration of this antique piece of art, we aim to have it completed by the next feast.
- New Sacristan: An important collaborator for any parish priest is undoubtedly the sacristan. When a parish does not have a sacristan, as in our case, the parish priest would have to do a number of tasks for which he might be less competent than an experienced sacristan (and/or facilities manager) would normally be. Thus, it is being recommended that we should look for one or two people who are willing to take on this role on a professional basis (and who will be paid for it). The importance of this role will become even more important when restoration works start as we would need personnel in the church all day when most of our daily volunteers would be at work. Therefore, if anyone (or several people) would like to apply for this job, please speak to me (Fr. Edward Vella) or contact me on 79082170.
- 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 6.00pm 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).
- Every third Saturday of the month, at 7.30pm, we have a monthly meeting for married couples at the Għasri Parish Centre. (Not held during Summer).
- Legion of Mary: Fridays at 5.00pm (Summer-Time) at the Church Sacristy (Għasri).
- 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.
-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 September 2024 is that "We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climate change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live".
- 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!
