Bulletin - 27th April 2025

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

- Last Monday morning, the Lord called our Holy Father Pope Francis to Eternal Life. A great Pope who served the Lord’s flock throughout his entire life, offering great sacrifices and enduring suffering beyond what we can imagine. We pray for his soul and ask especially that the Lord may send us a Pope after His own heart.

- The Pastoral Visit in our Parish: Everyone should have received the detailed programme of the Pastoral Visit from our Bishop (but it's being reproduced in text further below in this email for ease of reference). We will open this special time with Adoration on the First Saturday of the Month, this coming Saturday, 3 May, from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. The first hour will be led by Fr Marcello Ghirlando, and we will then continue in silent prayer. I hope that everyone will take part in this moment of great importance for our Parish. Those who wish to speak with the Bishop personally must make an appointment through the Parish Office.

- Divine Mercy Sunday – this Sunday, 27 April: On the initiative of some of those who attend the English Adoration held every second Thursday of the month, a Divine Mercy Hour in English will be held on the same day as the Feast of Divine Mercy, that is, on the Second Sunday of Easter. This will take place at 3.30 pm. Although the prayers will be in English, everyone is warmly encouraged to attend. This devotion is inspired by the mystical revelations that Jesus Himself made to Saint Faustina.

- Feast of Saint Joseph – Thursday, 1 May: Perhaps not everyone knows that the second Patronal Feast of our Parish is that of Saint Joseph. Therefore, we will celebrate a Mass at 6.30 pm, followed by a procession with the statue to mark the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. As it is a public holiday, we hope many will be able to attend.

- Reflection on the Easter Triduum: As parish priest, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all who took part in the beautiful celebrations of the Easter Triduum. Your attendance has been a great encouragement and has strengthened us as a community of faith. Truly, these were moments that nourished our faith and united us further as the flock the Lord has called together in our little parish. My sincere thanks also go to all who contributed towards the preparations and the clearing up afterwards: I believe those who are not present during the setting up and dismantling cannot imagine the amount of hidden work involved, and often those who do it see little recognition for their efforts. May the Lord bless all that you do and grant you ever greater strength and generosity of heart. Thank you.

- Next Friday, 2 May, the First Friday of the Month: Let us not forget that what truly builds us as a Christian community is not the grand occasions, but the daily rhythm of our lives. Therefore, let us remember Mass and Holy Communion on the First Friday of the Month, as well as Adoration and Confession. From 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm, Fr Jimmy Xerri will be available for Confessions.

- There will be a church cleaning session on Thursday, 1 May at 9.00 am. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

- Reunion for former Minor Seminary students: On 16 May at 7.00 pm, a reunion will be held at the Minor Seminary for those who studied there and were born before 1972. There will be a Mass followed by a friendly dinner. For more information and tickets, please call 2155 3770 or visit the school’s office.

- The Blessing of Homes and Families: Those who wish and are able to have the blessing in the morning are asked to fill in the form that came with the Easter Card, and place it either in the parish priest’s mailbox or in the box on the table in church. This is so that as much as possible we can leave the evening for those who work and cannot do it in the morning. Thank you for your cooperation. It is my wish to meet EVERYONE: in the March meeting of the Parish Council it was decided that the Parish Priest will go out alone for the blessing (there will be no altar boys with him) so that whoever wishes may speak to him with more freedom.

- 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.

+ Pastoral Visit of Bishop Mons. Anton Teuma to our Parish +

Saturday 3 May: Eucharistic Adoration and Vigil so that the Pastoral Visit may be a special grace for our Parish. 7.30pm to 9.30pmSunday 4 May: 8.30am. Opening mass of the Pastoral Visit by Bishop Anton Teuma.Afterwards, the Bishop meets the parents of the catechism children. At 10.00am, he meets the altar boys.Monday 5 May: 5.00pm. The Bishop visits the Għasri Local Council and meets the members.Tuesday 6 May: 5.00pm. The Bishop meets the members of the Finance Committee.Wednesday 7 May: 7.30pm. The Bishop meets the members of the Parish Council.Thursday 8 May: 3.30pm. English Adoration that normally takes place every second Thursday of the month.4.30pm. The Bishop meets foreign residents in the parish house.6.00pm. He meets the catechism children.7.00pm. The Bishop meets the group of widows and those who live alone, and we dine together.Friday 9 May: In the morning, from 9.00am, the Bishop together with the parish priest visits the Sick.5.00pm. Conversations with the Bishop: whoever wishes to speak to the Bishop should make an appointment at the Parish Office.7.00pm. The Bishop meets the Adolescents and the Youth.8.00pm. He meets the Feast Committee.

Saturday 10 May: 10.30am. A mass for the elderly and the sick during which those who wish may receive the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Afterwards we share something to eat together in the centre hall. 6.30pm. Concelebrated mass that closes the Pastoral Visit. Afterwards, he meets the Couples’ Group.

Sunday 11 May: 6.00pm. Mass led by Bishop Anton Teuma at the Patroċinju Church.

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 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 

- 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 has 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 Francis' prayer intention for April 2025 is "Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times."

- 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!