Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:
1. Lenten Exercises will be delivered by Bishop Msgr. Anton Teuma at Għasri Parish church from Monday 19th February until Friday 23rd February at 6.30pm. These Lenten Talks are for everyone. However, for those who prefer, members of the Catholic Action Movement will organise activities for children up to 12 years old at Għasri Parish Centre (next to the church), allowing parents to attend the talks unaccompanied if they choose.
2. On Thursday 22nd February 2024, the church will be open for Eucharistic Adoration from 7am until 5.55pm (masses as usual at 7.30am and 6pm). We will pray the Rosary in front of the Holy Eucharist at 5.30pm with the prayer intentions for vocations and families.
3. The Via Sacra (a Lenten prayer relating to Christ's crucifixion) is prayed everyday during Lent at Għasri Parish church before the evening Mass from 5.35pm until 5.55pm.
4. 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.
5. 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 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. This month, it will not be held so everyone can attend the Lenten Talks by the Bishop from 19-23 February 2024.
- 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 will be open on Tuesdays (9am-10.30am), Thursdays (9am-10.30am), Sunday (9.15am-10.30am). The person who will be 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.
- The Diocese organises numerous initiatives for youth and young adults such as 10k Bible Sessions which are held both in Malta and Gozo.
- 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.
I wish you all a blessed week!
