Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
- Mass Marking the Beginning of the Ministry of the New Parish Priest: Saturday 5th October 2024 at 6pm. Next Saturday, let us come together as a parish to pray for our new Parish Priest, Fr. Edward Vella, and for our parish. Mass will be followed by a reception. As stated in the invitation, the Parish Priest will not be accepting any personal gifts, but if you would like to contribute, we kindly ask you to make a donation towards the much-needed restoration of our parish church roof. This can be done during the collection that will take place during the evening Mass on that same day. Thank you.
- Sacred Music Concert in our Church on Friday, 18th October at 7:30 pm by the Schola Cantorum Jubilate. Save this date so you can enjoy this beautiful moment that will uplift the mind, heart, and soul. The event is sponsored by various sponsors, thus, it is free of charge. If one were to attend a concert of this calibre abroad, one would need to pay hundreds of euro in entry tickets. We are grateful that Schola Cantorum Jubilate chose our parish church for their concert as it makes it easier for us to attend and compliments our community's contribution to culture.
- First Friday of the Month (4th October 2024): Adoration will be held from 7:00 am until noon. For this First Friday only, from noon until 6:00 pm there will be no adoration as some preparations will be taking place in the church. After the evening Mass, we will have a prayer vigil lasting just one hour, that is, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This will be led by Fr. Nazju Borg. We hope that everyone will make an effort to be present so that we can pray together as a parish. From 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, confessions will be heard by Fr. Jimmy Xerri. In the morning, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, the new Parish Priest will be administering Holy Communion to the sick.
- Restoration of 'Vintartal': Thank you to those benefactors who have volunteered for this project. 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. The project requires the removing of the gold embroidery from the fabric and reattaching it onto new material. To achieve this, the 'Vintartal' (the embroidery part only) will be taken to Italy, thanks to our benefactors.
- Church upkeep: Next Monday, 30th September 2024 at 3:30 pm, church cleaning will continue. Let us show our love for the house of God through actions by helping out. Thanks to those who help in this important task. May the Lord reward you a thousand times over for doing this hidden but much-needed work.
- Days and Times of Catechism in Għasri: Catechism classes in Għasri are being held according to 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.
- 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.
- 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 October 2024 is that "We pray that the Church continues to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people."
- 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!
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