Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
- On Saturday, 22nd January, at 7:00 pm, those who are taking part in our Biblical journey are invited to a discussion on the Book of Numbers. This will follow the Eucharistic Adoration Lection Divina on the First Saturday of the Month.
- On the last Sunday of the month, 23rd February, at 6:00 pm, we extend a special invitation to all those who live alone and to widows and widowers. We will meet at the Parish Centre hall and share a meal together. Even if you do not feel the need yourself, come along to offer companionship to others.
- This weekend, a letter from the H.L. The Bishop of Gozo is being read regarding the Jubilee Pilgrimage, which will take place on the First Sunday of Lent, 9th March, from the Church of St. Anthony to the Parish Church of Għajnsielem. The Crucifix will arrive in Gozo on Friday, 7th March, and will remain exposed until Sunday, 9th March. A minibus will be organised for the Pilgrimage on Sunday, and all those wishing to attend must travel by minibus and not with their own cars. The elderly and those with mobility issues will be taken directly to the main square. Due to this Diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage, the 5:00 pm Mass at the Church of the Patronage will not be celebrated on Sunday, 9th March.
- 1st March is the First Saturday on the Month— Adoration from 7 pm to 8 pm. The session will introduce us to the Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Bible. We hope more people will hear the Lord’s call to adore Him and listen to His Word.
- Next Sunday, 2nd March, being the First Sunday of the month, a special collection will be held during all Masses for the restoration of the Church. A heartfelt thank you to all those who are generous towards our beloved Parish. Let us not forget that on every first Sunday of the month, during all Masses, Confessions will be available from visiting confessors. Let us take this sacrament seriously, as nothing brings us closer to God’s love and mercy than this. We extend our heartfelt thanks to a person who donated a gold chain to the Parish to be sold, with the proceeds going towards the Church restoration. From the sale of this chain, the Parish received €1,700. Thank you sincerely.
- During Lent last year, some families in our diocese were visited by members of the Franciscan Fraternity of Jesus and Mary. This is a group of laypeople deeply committed to the Church, who take prayer and Christian life very seriously. It is a great blessing that they have accepted to help us bring the Lord Jesus into our parish during the upcoming Lent. We kindly ask those who would like a visit from members of this Fraternity to inform us as soon as possible, either by sending a message or speaking with us personally. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to visit everyone. If you encourage someone else to receive a visit, you will be doing a valuable missionary service within our parish. Let us work together to ensure that the Lord Jesus remains at the centre of our lives.
- A Lenten Spiritual Exercises will be led by Fr. Marcello Ghirlando from Monday, 17th March, to Friday, 21st March, at our Church at 6:30 pm. No Christian who takes their spiritual life seriously should let Lent pass without attending a retreat. What will you do? Prove to yourself that you want to take your relationship with God seriously by deciding now to take part in this moment of grace.
- The Admission Process for Church Schools in Gozo for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open. Applications for entry into Church schools in Malta and Gozo will be accepted online from the 4th to the 27th of February. For more information, please check the notice board or visit the website www.knisja.mt.
- 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 - 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.
- We would also like to remind everyone that it is possible to leave funds with the Parish to cover funeral expenses and Masses after one’s passing. These funds, known as fiduciary donations, ensure that costs are covered, taking into account that expenses will inevitably rise in the future, while also leaving an amount for Masses. A receipt will be issued detailing the agreement with the parish. Those interested should contact the Parish Priest.
- 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 7pm, 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. The Sunday sermons delivered at Għasri Parish church are accessible in English in this section of our website: https://www.ghasriparish.org/en/prietki
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 and in case of need, you can contact him on 79208153.
- 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 has 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 February 2025 is "For vocations to the priesthood and religious life Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ's mission in the priesthood and religious life."
- 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!