Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
- Invitation to Those Living Alone and Widows/Widowers Sunday, 26th January at 6:00 pm in the Parish Centre Following the warm and heartfelt gathering held during Christmas for those living alone and widows/widowers, we are pleased to announce that we will now meet on the last Sunday of every month. Our next gathering will take place on Sunday, 26th January at 6:00 pm in the parish centre hall. This is a wonderful opportunity to share moments of companionship, understanding, and mutual support. Come along and feel free to invite others who may also benefit from this time together. We look forward to welcoming you in a warm and caring atmosphere.
- The Importance of Reaching Out to the Elderly in Our Community: We live in a world of communication, but at the same time, the danger of isolation and loneliness has never been stronger. As a parish community, we would like to encourage everyone to reach out to elderly neighbours. It is enough to dedicate 10 or 15 minutes every so often to keep them company and bring them joy. This simple act can make a big difference in their lives, helping them feel less alone, and fostering a strong community where everyone cares for each other. Let us come together to spread joy and kindness among each other. Let us remember that if God grants us a long life, we too will one day be elderly.
- Discussion on the Book of Leviticus: This Saturday, 25th January, at 7:00 pm. For those interested will meet in the Centre Hall. This is in connection with the adoration on the first Saturday held earlier in January.
- 1st February is the First Saturday on the Month— Adoration from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm by Fr Marcello Ghirlando, who will introduce us to the Book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Bible.
We hope more people will hear the Lord’s call to adore Him and listen to His Word. After Mass and before adoration, there will be some refreshments in the room next to the sacristy, so that those attending Mass can grab something and stay for adoration. Afterwards at 8pm there will be a dinner organised by the Feast Committee and Local Council (tickets Eur20 from the Council).
- Notice for those wishing to reserve a burial plot: Those who have not yet registered for a burial plot at Għasri Cemetery are encouraged to do so at the Parish Office.
- Note on our parish: Dear Għasri parishioners, as you know, our parish is a small one. Therefore, from the heart, I appeal to you to choose our parish to participate in Mass and encourage you to take part in activities, especially those organised in the church, as well as other parish meetings. This not only helps you but also encourages others through mutual support. In a large parish, the absence of a few people may not make a significant difference. However, in a small parish like ours, if we scatter here and there, we risk losing our sense of community. I encourage you to regard our church and parish as your mother’s home and the altar as her table. In life, you may find better or more abundant food than your mother’s, but your mother’s table remains her table. Let us gather around the altar as a family of faith and siblings to strengthen our community together.
- Diocesan Seminar for Those Involved in Festival Decorations: This seminar will be held from Wednesday, 29th January, to Friday, 31st January, in the hall beneath the Sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu (under the forecourt) from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm.
- Subscribe to the Magazine Il-Ħajja f’Għawdex: Those who usually subscribe to the diocesan magazine Il-Ħajja f’Għawdex can renew their subscription at the parish office. Anyone wishing to subscribe for the first time simply needs to provide their name and address, along with payment, at the Parish Office, or visit the Facebook page "Il-Ħajja f’Għawdex" to subscribe online. The subscription fee is €21 per year.
- 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.
- 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. 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 January 2025 is that "For the right to an education - Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected."
- 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!