Bulletin - 15th June 2025

Għasri Parish's notices for this week are as follows:

- Thank You and Well Done for a Truly Beautiful Feast: A heartfelt thank you and congratulations to all those who contributed to making our Feast such a success. We truly have every reason to be proud that we still celebrate a Christian feast. Thanks to all who participated in the church functions, which we must continue to make the very heart of the Feast. Without the spiritual aspect, the Feast becomes something pagan. May Jesus in the Eucharist always be the very heart of our hearts, we Għasrin

- The Liturgical Feast of Corpus Christi — Sunday, 22nd June: As you surely know, the Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated worldwide fifteen days after Pentecost. So, following a suggestion from someone, it would be a beautiful thing if we also do something simple but special that day. On Corpus Christi, we will hold a short procession around the village square’s roundabout after the 8.30am Mass. This is to unite ourselves with the whole Church around the world which, on that day, holds the only liturgical procession in honour and glory of Jesus in the Eucharist. After the procession, the statue of Christ the Eucharistic Saviour will be returned to its niche.

- ‘First Saturday of the Month’ Adoration for This Pastoral Year: On Saturday, 14th June, we held the final First Saturday Adoration for this pastoral year (Oct2024-June 2025). Like last year, we will stop during summer. The next meet-up will be the First Saturday of the Month of October 2025 (4th October 2025).

- Ordination of Two Deacons in Our Diocese: Seminarian Samuel Aquilina, whom many of you surely know from his service in our parish, and seminarian Marlon Victor Bajada will be ordained as deacons by Bishop Mons. Anton Teuma on Friday, 20th June at 6.30pm at the Cathedral of the Assumption. It is our duty to pray for them so that, in this final step before being ordained priests, they continue to grow in grace and become ever more instruments in the hands of the Lord for the sanctification of His people.

- End of the Pastoral Year: The Feast also marks the end of the Pastoral Year, which begins in early October and ends with the Feast. This means that catechism classes and parish meetings have now concluded, giving everyone a chance to rest during the summer months. We continue to encourage children and their families to attend the 8.30am Sunday Mass, which will include a Liturgy of the Word for them, though no further catechism sessions will be held. First Saturday Adoration will pause, but the Thursday and First Friday adorations will continue — allowing us to continue being who we truly are: a parish rooted in the Eucharist.

-Better Organisation for Church Opening Times during Silent Eucharistic Adoration: We kindly ask those who attend Adoration — and others too — to help us ensure that Adoration on Thursdays and First Fridays continues throughout the entire day. This is very important so that there is always at least one person present before the Blessed Sacrament; in this way, Jesus is not left exposed alone, and the church is kept safe. For this reason, a schedule has been prepared with 30-minute slots, running from 8.00am to 6.00pm. Those who wish to book an hour may sign up twice. We need a minimum of 10 participants (if booking an hour each) and a maximum of 20 (if booking half-hour slots). To book, kindly visit the Parish Office. Let us be a parish that sets an example for others in this — someone told me that our parish should be like the Beacon of Jordan when it comes to Adoration: a light leading people to Jesus in the Eucharist.

- Summer Club at the Don Bosco Oratory - The Don Bosco Oratory will once again be organising a Summer Club for children and students aged between 4 and 13. Application forms may be collected from the Oratory itself and will be accepted until the end of May. Applications may also be downloaded from the Oratory’s website: donboscogozo.org

- The Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours—A Beautiful Way to Sanctify the Lord’s DayOne way of sanctifying the Lord’s Day is through the Liturgy of the Hours. Those who wish to buy the specially prepared book—which is easy to use—should speak to the parish priest. This is a very useful tool for anyone who wishes to create a home chapel. The book costs just €25.

- During the Marian Wednesdays, please note that the evening Mass on Wednesdays is now being held at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Patronage at 6:30pm.

- More Focus on Wied l-Għasri Basilica: The only evening Sunday mass in Għasri will be held at Għasri's geographical heart in Gozo's first basilica at 5pm. More information on the Basilica: https://www.ghasriparish.org/basilica-ghasri . Recently, TVM (Malta's national broadcasting corporation) produced a short documentary on Gozo's first Basilica in Wied l-Għasri which can be viewed here: https://tvmi.mt/episode/104012 - 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.

- We would also like to remind everyone that it is possible to leave funds with the Parish to cover funeral expenses and Masses after one’s passing. These funds, known as fiduciary donations, ensure that costs are covered, taking into account that expenses will inevitably rise in the future, while also leaving an amount for Masses. A receipt will be issued detailing the agreement with the parish. Those interested should contact the Parish Priest.

 - 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 7pm, 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. The Sunday sermons delivered at Għasri Parish church are accessible in English in this section of our website: https://www.ghasriparish.org/en/prietki 

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 and in case of need, you can contact him on 79208153. 

- 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 earlier this decade, 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. 

- In his message for the Jubilee of Hope in the Diocese of Gozo 2025, Bishop Anton Teuma reminds us that the Plenary Indulgence is another way in which Christians assure themselves of God’s boundless and freely given love, shown in the gift of complete forgiveness through the Church. This powerful sign of love calls for a response of love from us.The Jubilee Churches in the Diocese of Gozo will be the Cathedral Church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary in Victoria, the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu in Għarb, and the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception in Qala. The usual conditions to receive a Plenary Indulgence are true repentance and detachment from sin, a spirit of charity (love), confession, Holy Communion, prayer for the Pope’s intentions, and performing one of the following: a pilgrimage to one of the Jubilee Churches, where one confesses and participates in prayer or a celebration; a visit of worship to a Jubilee site where adoration, meditation, and prayers including the Our Father, the Creed, and a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary are offered; or an act of mercy or penance.To obtain the Indulgence, one may also, in addition to visiting one of the mentioned churches, participate in one of the Jubilee celebrations that will take place for different categories of people throughout the year.

Notes from the global Roman Catholic Church:

- Jubilee 2025 - In 2025, the universal Catholic Church has the Jubilee (held every 25 years). Pope Francis had 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 Leo's prayer intention for June 2025 is "Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world". 

- For synodal 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!