Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
1. On Saturday 4th May 2024 (First Saturday of the month), we will have the animated Eucharistic Adoration on the First Saturday of the month from 7.30pm until 8.30pm which will be led by Fr. Marcelino Ghirlando and animated by the community.
2. Diocesan celebration of Pentecost: Saturday, 18th May, at 8.00 pm. Every year, on the eve of the fiftieth day of Easter, we gather as a Diocese to celebrate the Vigil of Pentecost. This will take place on Saturday, 18th May, at 8.00 pm, at the footsteps of the Sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu. It will be a beautiful occasion, and members of our parish are encouraged to attend this moment of grace. Those in need of transportation should contact one of our priests or inquire at the parish office.
3. On Friday, 10th May, we commemorate the consecration anniversary of the Church of Our Lady of the Patronage. Therefore, the evening Mass will be held in this beloved basilica for us, and prior to 6 pm, we will recite the rosary and sing hymns to Our Lady. The parish choir will animate the singing.
4. This Sunday is the First Sunday of the Month—a special Collection for the Church Restoration. Let's be as generous as we can in our donation for the church restoration fund—the jewel that our forefathers have entrusted to us for passing on to our children and grandchildren in its dignified state. Thank you.
5. Collection for the Holy Land which took place on the 20th and 21st of April; Heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed to the collection for the Holy Land which took place on the 20th and 21st of April in support of the Franciscan Friars Minor's work in the Holy Land. The total sum collected was €311.48.
6. May is dedicated to Our Lady. Every day in our church, we recite the rosary twice: before the 7.30 am Mass and in the evening at 6.00 pm. Join us at least every Thursday evening at 6.00 pm as we offer the rosary for the sanctification of Priests, Religious, and Missionaries, for more Vocations, and above all for our families. The family that prays together stays together.
7. Marian Wednesdays: Through a visit to the Madonna of Ta’ Pinu or to the Patronage Madonna, Mass is celebrated every Wednesday evening at 6.30 pm, preceded by the rosary and hymns at 6.00 pm.
8. Church Cleaning for the Feast: This Sunday, 5th May, at 2.00 pm, and on Monday, 6th May, at 3.00 pm. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
9. Adoration in English - Thursday, 9th May at 3.30 pm Do you feel the need for meditation and tranquility in your life? Have you ever tried prayer and adoration? Do come and join us for this special moment we share every second Thursday of the month in our Għasri Parish Church. Coming Thursday we meet for adoration at 3.30 pm and to share some refreshments and a chat after in the parish house.
10. On the occasion of the Feast of Saint George Preca, a Diocesan Pilgrimage will be organised to the saint's tomb at the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal (Blata l-Bajda), on Tuesday, 7 May 2024, with a Mass led by Bishop Anton Teuma at 6.00 pm. We will depart from Mġarr on the 4.45 pm fast ferry and return on the 7.45 pm journey. Transport in Malta will be provided and costs €3. Tickets can be obtained until 27 April from the Bishop's Curia (tel: 21556661) or from the Museums or parishes in Gozo. Those from Għasri who are interested in participating are requested to register at the parish office so that we can arrange tickets for everyone and organise transport to and from Għasri and the Mġarr Terminal.
11. Communion for the sick (Viaticum) is given every Sunday after 8.30am's Mass.
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 5.30pm 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). 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: 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.
- 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.
- Our Seminary is organizing a Pasta Night on Saturday 11th May at 7.30 pm, where one can also buy some lovely gifts on the occasion of Mother's Day while at the same time helping the Seminary. For details, see the posters on the notice board or call on 21556479.
- 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
- 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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