Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
- Saturday, 2 November - All Souls’ Day: All Souls' Day Masses will take place as follows: 7:30 am, a cemetery Mass at 4:00 pm, and an evening Mass at 6:00 pm. Evening Masses will focus on All Souls' intentions and not for the Sunday obligation.
- Saturday, 2 November - Eucharistic Adoration on the First Saturday of the Month: Every First Saturday of the month, there will be an Adoration and Bible Walk. Many of us may have had the desire to read the Bible and may have even started but eventually lost heart. Some might have found it challenging to understand or been discouraged by the length of the text. Others may never have started yet still wish to understand this mysterious and wondrous Book. The Bible is the living Word of God: it is alive because it does not simply recount past events but serves as God’s way of speaking to us today. From Saturday, 2nd November, we will embark on a shared spiritual journey. Each First Saturday of the Month, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, we will gather for adoration. During this adoration, we will begin exploring the Bible book by book. As the Bible is a collection of books, we will start with the Book of Genesis, providing an introduction and engaging in lectio divina on a selected passage. Following this, we will be encouraged to read the entire book over the course of the month. On the last Saturday of each month, we will meet to discuss what we have read. On the following First Saturday, the Book of Exodus will be introduced during adoration, and so we will proceed through the Bible. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own Bible.
- Sunday, 3 November - Collection for Roof Restoration: This Sunday is the First Sunday of the Month, and we are invited to contribute to the collection for the restoration of our beloved Church as generously as possible. Please also note that on Sunday evenings, Mass will be held only at the Church of Patroċinju at 5:00 pm.
- More Focus on Wied l-Għasri Basilica: As from 27th October 2024, the only evening Sunday mass in Għasri will be held at Għasri's geographical heart in Gozo's first basilica. More information on the Basilica: https://www.ghasriparish.org/basilica-ghasri
- November Calendar: There are several important dates and gatherings in November. Catechism classes for children aged 1 to 7 years will be held every Thursday at 6:30 pm, and parents and children are encouraged to attend the 6:00 pm Mass. On Sundays, there will be Mass at 8:30 am followed immediately by catechism. Youth gatherings are scheduled every Friday at 7:00 pm. Other events include Adoration and Bible Walk sessions on 2nd November at 7:00–8:00 pm, English-language Adoration on 14th November from 3:30–4:30 pm, a Couples’ Meeting on 16th November from 7:00–8:00 pm, a Parish Council Meeting on 20th November from 6:45–7:45 pm, the Christ the King Celebration at St Francis Square on 24th November at 4:00 pm, and a discussion on the Book of Genesis on 30th November from 7:00–8:00 pm.
- Għasri Local Council's Public Notice on ID Cards: The Għasri Local Council is pleased to inform residents that the ID Card Renewal service (which is normally only available in Victoria's office for the entire Gozitan Community) will be available on Monday, 11th November, and Tuesday, 12th November 2024, from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm at the Għasri Local Council Office. Residents are kindly reminded to bring their current identity card with them.
- 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.
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 November 2024 is that "We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit."
- 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!
