Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
1. On Thursday 30th November 2023, we will pray the Rosary in front of the Holy Eucharist at 5.30pm with the prayer intentions for vocations and families.
2. On Friday, 1st December 2023, the first Friday of the Month, the Church will be open for silent Eucharistic Adoration from 7am until 5.55pm. Masses at 7.30am and 6pm. After the 6pm mass, there will be more silent Eucharistic Adoration until 8pm and Fr. Ignatius Borg will be available for confession from 6.30pm until 8pm.
3. On Saturday 2nd December 2023 (First Saturday of the month), we will have the animated Eucharistic Adoration on the First Saturday of the month from 7pm until 8.30pm which will be led by Fr. Marcellino Ghirlando and animated live by Mario Caruana.
4. Next weekend (Saturday 2nd December/Sunday 3rd December) is the beginning of advent and a new liturgical year.
4. A confessor who is not resident in Għasri is available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation at Għasri Parish church on Saturdays between 5.30pm and 6.15pm. On Sundays, Confession is available: during 8.30am Mass; from 10.15am until 11am; and from 6pm until 6.30pm.
5. Communion for the sick (Viaticum) is given every Sunday after 8.30am's Mass. On Friday 1st December 2023 (first Friday of the month), there will also be Communion of the sick at 9am.
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.
- Weekly spiritual meetings for students from Form 6 upwards every Saturday evening at 7.30pm at Għasri Parish Centre.
- Sunday School: There are two catechism sessions every week: Saturday at 5pm 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.
- Every third Saturday of the Month, at 7.30pm, we have a monthly meeting for married couples at the Għasri Parish Centre.
- English-Speaking Group: Prayer meeting in English every second Thursday of the month at Għasri Parish Church at 3.30pm followed by the Tea at the rectory opposite the church.
Updates from the Għasri Parish Council:
- Finance update from the Parish Council -- A new 'Financial Committee' has been set up within the Parish Council to handle financial supervisory matters.
- 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.
- 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.
- During the last meeting of the Parish Council it was resolved:
(i) To start holding the monthly parish council meetings on the third Thursday of the month for the timebeing;
(ii) That on major Marian liturgical feasts, the evening Mass is held at the Wied l-Għasri Basilica only;
(iii) That the 2023 Christmas Novena in school days will be held at 8.15am with the collaboration of Laura Vicuna School;
(iv) That morning lauds and evening vespers will be publicly recited after the Masses during Advent 2023.
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 Diocese will distribute the prayer booklet "Ejjew Nitolbu" during Advent 2023.
- The Diocese of Gozo is offering Marriage preparation meetings in English for those whose first language is not the Maltese language and would like to have a Catholic marriage. These meetings will start in January 2024. Those interested are kindly requested to contact the local parish priest or send an e-mail on mtzgozodiocese@gmail.com
- For updates on the Synod on Synodality, once 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!