Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
1. On Saturday 2nd March 2024 (First Saturday of the month), we will have the animated Eucharistic Adoration on the First Saturday of the month from 7pm until 8pm.
2. The Lenten Exercises 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
3. On Thursday 7th March 2024 we will pray the Rosary in front of the Holy Eucharist at 5.30pm with the prayer intentions for vocations and families. The church will only be open during Mass Times because it will be open all day on Friday.
4. On Sunday 24th March 2024 (Palm Sunday) there will be a sacred music concert at Għasri Parish Church at 7.30pm conducted by Jean Pierre Cassar.
5. 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.
6. Communion for the sick (Viaticum) is given every Sunday after 8.30am's Mass.
7. Note on the use of hypoallergenic incense during liturgy at Għasri's church: In the Bible, there are several references to incense: we will mention just two, one from the Old Testament and another from the New Testament. In Psalm 141, verses 1 and 2 we find, 'I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense;...' And in the book of Revelation Chapter 8 verses 3 and 4 we find, 'Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.' Due to the strong significance of incense in the Bible and also in church tradition, while at the same time being aware that the incense we had until now might have created problems for those suffering from allergies, we have now ordered a new incense that is completely natural and hypoallergenic. We hope this will alleviate the problem for those who were affected by the previous incense. We will inform you when we start using the new incense.
8. Note on First Aid Kit at Għasri's church: A new 'First Aid Working Kit' has been purchased so that in the event of an emergency, one can find what is needed without delay. It is located in the sacristy, in the bookcase, in a bright red box which is clearly visible behind the glass. It would be appreciated if those who are nurses or who have some first aid experience go in the sacristy and see where it is placed so that if there is a need, one will know where it is.
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.
- 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.
- Legion of Mary: every Friday at 4.30pm at the St. Edward's Hall in Għasri Parish's sacristy. The Legion of Mary is an Irish-founded institution with international presence. Send us an email if you would like more details on membership and we will forward your query to one of their representatives.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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