Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C
The first reading describes the latter part of the first missionary journey of saints Paul and Barnabas. The missionary journeys of Paul will give us lots of inspiration into his character and his willingness to share the experience he had on his way to Damascus. The usual custom of St. Paul was to preach to the community about the truth of Jesus’ resurrection and then form a community there in the name of Christ. It was also Paul’s usual custom that he used to preach Christ to the Jews first too. But when they rejected him and his message as was nearly always the case, he turned to the pagans and had numerous converts in every town. The towns that were evangelised during his first missionary journey were in Galatia, then a province of the Roman Empire, today part of Turkey.
The first missionary journey of St. Paul was the shortest of all the three missionary journeys which lasted about two and a half years. During it, apart from the sea journey, he travelled on foot about 600 miles over mountainous and difficult terrain. During his missionary journey, he had to earn his bread by the work of his hands. He suffered hunger and cold and was once stoned by the Jews and left for dead. Compared with all his other missionary journeys this was relatively easy.
Though it was a difficult journey, yet he did not give up his missionary zeal for the soul. How was this possible for Paul? I believe that it was his love for the people of God, who needed the affirmation from God that God loves them and does not abandon them. A similar message echoes in the gospel reading: ‘I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.’
My true love for my brothers and sisters is my true Christian identity. Jesus embraced death on a cross because he truly loved us. St. Paul too truly loved Jesus as a result he was willing to undergo many sufferings in his missionary journey. So, let us ask oneself; what makes my true Christian identity?
The weekend bulletins
Click here to download the ebulletins for the Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C
Mother’s Day Morning Tea
On 19th May, there will be a Special Morning Tea in our Parish centre at 10am to honour and to acknowledge their love and sacrifices they have made for us. Please come along for this special event in our parish and kindly bring a plate to share.
Feast Day of St. Eugene de Mazenod
Please join the Oblate Community in Western Australia for a concelebrated Mass on 21st May at 12pm, as we will celebrate the Feast of St. Eugene, our founder. We continue to pray for God’s blessings on our ministries and commitments as Oblates. Also pray for more vocations to the Congregation.
Fr. John Sebastian OMI will be away
Fr. John Sebastian will be away from 22nd May till first week in July for his annual home holiday. Please keep him in your prayers that he has a safe return. In his absence Fr. Leo Mifsud OMI will be the Acting Parish Priest.
June: Parish Morning Tea
Parish Morning Tea for the month of June will be held on Sunday 5th June after the 8am Mass. Please come along and meet friends over a cuppa.
Upcoming Events
Thursday 19 May: Mothers’ Day Morning Tea
Saturday 21 May: Feast of St Eugene De Mazenod Saturday
28 May: CBC Family Mass Sunday
5 June: Parish Morning Tea Monday
30 May to Friday 17 June: CBC Exams in Parish Centre
Sunday 26th June: IONA First Holy Communion Mass at 2.30pm
Wednesday 29th June: Oblates’ First Arrived in Australia 1894
Prayer for Peace and Justice in Ukraine
God of peace and justice,
who change the hardened heart and break the power of violence,
we entrust the people of Ukraine to you.Protect them in this time of peril;
let them know not death but life, not slavery but freedom.You are Father of all;
we are brothers and sisters.Give us the strength to live that truth in love,
choosing peace not war.Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Planned Giving Programme
The planned giving programme is an important part of the Parish as it allows us to maintain all aspects of the Basilica, Presbytery and Parish Administration Centre. To keep the Parish viable, we must maintain a target of 95% and above each week. Last week’s giving was 52%.
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. If you are not already a member, for more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
Safeguarding of our children in the Parish
The Archdiocesan Safeguarding Project was started in 2016 by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB with the aim of providing a safe and secure environment for all its members, leaders and especially children and vulnerable adults. The parish of St Patrick’s Basilica is committed to creating a safe parish. To read more please click here.
God bless!
Fr John Sebastian
Rector and Parish Priest