Bulletin - 29th June 2025

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

- This Saturday, 28th June — Discussion on the Book of Ruth. At the previous First Saturday Adoration, we reflected on the Book of Ruth. A discussion on this book will take place this Saturday, 28th June at 7.30pm. We will meet at the Parish Centre. The animated Eucharistic Adoration of the First Saturday of the month stops during summer and recommences in October 2025 as per the attached document.

- Peter’s Pence Collection — Sunday, 29th June. Once a year, we join the entire Church worldwide in this special collection. The funds collected are given to the Pope, who distributes them in charitable works wherever there is need. Let us help as much as we can, keeping in mind that when our hour comes, we take with us only what we have given to those in need. If we cannot help the poor directly, let us support those who can. 

- Thanks to Mr. Anthony (Toni) Calleja for another excellent edition of ‘Il-Korpus': For many years, our parish has benefitted from the contribution of Toni Calleja, the Għasri historian who, with great dedication, publishes the festa magazine Il-Korpus each year. We offer heartfelt thanks for this service which we, and future generations, truly treasure.  

- Note to Parents of Children attending Catechism: As from next Sunday, 29th June, children are kindly requested to participate with their parents during the 8:30am Mass. This will be a valuable opportunity for them to experience the full celebration of the Mass with their family and the wider community. Sincere thanks to the catechists who, with such dedication and commitment, took care of both the catechism sessions and the Liturgy of the Word during the past pastoral year.

- 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.

- Wednesday, 9th July — Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption: In this special year marking the 50th Anniversary of the Coronation of the titular painting of the Assumption of Our Lady at the Cathedral, every parish has been invited to lead one of the Wednesday liturgies in preparation for the feast of Our Lady. Our parish of Għasri will participate on Wednesday, 9th July. The Mass will begin at 7.00pm and our parish choir Lauda Sion will also be taking part. We hope many of you will respond to this invitation. Those who wish to attend and require transport are kindly asked to register at the Parish Office during opening hours. On that day, no Mass will be held at the Church of the Patronage.

- Note to those who read the Epistle: First of all, a heartfelt thank you for the service you give to our community. I kindly ask that if you are scheduled to read but are unable to attend, please try to find someone to replace you. If this proves impossible, kindly inform Mr. Joe Mifsud (Ta' Sumar). Thank you.

- 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 . 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 from October until June: 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 (from October until June), 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 "For formation in discernment: Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life, and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.". 

- 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!