Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
1. Blessing of the Families and Houses (Maltese: Tberik tad-Djar) was done as usual during the week following Easter. I thank everyone for their warm welcome! Those who were not available and would like to schedule a meeting to do this rite at their residence in Għasri, please text me [Fr. Edward Vella] on (+356) 79082170.
2. On Sunday 7th April 2024, the Catholic Church celebrates the "Divine Mercy". At our parish we have a statue of the Divine Mercy which is currently being exhibited in the parish church near the Altar (on the side of the Johannus Organ).
3. On Sunday 7th April 2024 at 9.15am, there will be a meeting at the Għasri Parish Centre for the parents of children who are attending Sunday School (i.e. catechism) organised by Għasri Parish.
4. On Monday 8th April 2024, the Catholic Church will celebrate the Annunciation of Our Lady (Maltese: Lunzjata). Normally this feast is done 9 months before Christmas (i.e. 25 March) but due to the fact that the date fell during Holy Week, for 2024 only, it was postponed to Monday 8th April 2024. The historic niche in Għasri (google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VZVbwJwYDb7V7SR6A ) at the crossroads between Triq il-Knisja and Triq Salvu Gambin is dedicated to the Annunciation of Our Lady. Besides adding aesthetically pleasing stonework character to our beautiful village, this niche serves as a spiritual reminder to say a Holy Mary (or a short Marian prayer) on this day.
5. On Thursday 11th April 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.
6. The Eucharistic Adoration held by the English-Speaking Community every 2nd Thursday of the month will take place on coming Thursday 11th April at 3.30 pm and will be followed by Tea at 4.30pm at the Parish Rectory. Everyone is welcome (i.e. Catholics, Anglicans, no denomination, other denominations). More info in the other attachment.
7. A confessor who is not resident in Għasri is available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation at Għasri Parish church on Saturdays between 6pm and 7pm. On Sundays, Confession is available: during 8.30am Mass; from 10.15am until 10.45am; and from 5.55pm until 6.30pm.
8. 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: 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.
- 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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