Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
The Eucharist is what Jesus does for us, through us and on our behalf. It is not an object that we worship, like some amulet. The name Eucharist means ‘thanksgiving’ or ‘gratitude’ and is part of a liturgy (in Greek, leitourgia) the literal translation of the two words “litos ergos” meaning the work of the people or public service.
In many other Christian traditions, the celebration of the Eucharist is a way of re-enacting the Last Supper or simply remembering. There is no denying the reverence or sincerity of this sacred action. However, for the Catholic it is greater than any human action no matter how well meaning. The Institution Narrative (words of Jesus from the Last Supper) hold a greater reality.
In every mainstream Christian service you will hear the words, ‘Take this all of you, this is my body… this is my blood’. That seems clear enough. The problem lays in the understanding of the use of the words in remembrance of, or as a memorial of me, which suggest that the action or the physical body of Christ relate to a past event that we now remember.
Meaning from Jesus’ cultural context.
If the New Testament was written in Roman or from western cultural context, we would have to agree with this definition, namely that our liturgy is only to maintain the memory of that night. However, in the culture of Jesus, the Seder Meal (which we call Passover) is much more than a remembrance of past events. The Hebrew translation for memorial, is zikkaron. It means, a way of bringing the past into the present. The past is intertwined with the present and draws the participant to commit to the future.
Jesus, faithful to the Jewish traditions would have celebrated many Seder Meals with his disciples. With each celebration, Jesus would lead prayers not only recalling the past events of Israel’s liberation from Egypt and slavery, but through this ritual would have understood, as all Jews did, that the Exodus was made present to them and that they were summonsed to make a faith response of thanksgiving (Eucharist). Moreover, through this thanksgiving, they make their resolve to live by the Covenant.
Transforming Passover into Eucharist.
On the night of the Last Supper, however Jesus does something very different. Whereas at other Seder meals Jesus would have offered the bread and the cup of blessing, as a memorial (zikkaron) of the Exodus and the Covenant established by God, this night, at the Last Supper, He said “do this in memorial of me”. By this action Jesus makes clear that He is the New Exodus and the New (eternal) Covenant established by the Father.
We note also, that this happens before the Sacrifice of the Cross (and Resurrection). And yet, through this memorial (zakkaron), the work of salvation is already fulfilled, i.e., the past, present and future are inherently linked in Christ. As we celebrate the Eucharist (Mass) we are aware that we too are now linked with the Sacrifice of Christ. We also inherit the New Covenant established in his blood. There is only one thing still to be realized, and that is, our response of thanksgiving and faith.
We are called to be active participants in the Eucharist. I do not only mean participation in the liturgy but in the living Eucharist happening around us, namely the Mission of the Church i.e., the ongoing action of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
In his encyclical letter, ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA , St. Pope John Paul II wrote of the Eucharist:
“This sacrifice is so crucial for the salvation of the human race that Jesus Christ offered it and returned to the Father only after he had left us a means of sharing in it as if we had been present there.”
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for The Body and Blood of Christ, Year C.
Monthly Senior’s Morning Tea
Monthly Senior’s Morning Tea is a special parish initiative to bring our wise people from our community for a special morning tea every third Monday of the Month from 10 am to 11am, to enjoy a cuppa with them and to listen to their wisdom and acknowledge their contribution to our community. It will be a regular event in the Parish each month, kindly place this event in your diary. Please do come and enjoy this social event. Our first morning tea with the seniors will be held on Monday 20th June at 10am in the Parish Hall. All Welcome.
Basilica Guardians
We are looking to have the Church open more to the public after weekday Masses commencing in July 2022. We would like to keep the Church open until 3pm each weekday and would require two or three volunteers for each day.
If you were part of the Basilica Guardian team prior to COVID and would like to return to the team, please contact the parish office so that we can recommence the roster. If you are a new volunteer and would like to join the team, then please contact the parish office, and leave your details and availability.
The Feast of the Sacred Heart
You are all welcome to join us on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Friday 24 June for Mass in the Basilica at midday followed by light lunch in the Parish Centre, please bring a plate to share.
De Mazenod Family Gathering
The aim of these gatherings is to provide an opportunity to connect parishes, schools and ministries in each state and to make the De Mazenod Family and the Charism of St Eugene known. Through various prayer, reflection and discussion sessions throughout the day we will break open this year’s theme: Pilgrims of Hope in Communion.
The De Mazenod Family Gathering for Western Australia will be held on Saturday 30th July and will be hosted at St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle. It will begin at 11:30 am and conclude with Mass at 6pm. Lunch and snacks will be provided throughout the day.
For more information you can visit our website or email us at demaznodfamily@gmail.com.
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 3 July after the 8am Mass. All welcome to attend.
Catholic Missions Appeal
The Parish will have the annual appeal for Catholic Missions on the weekend of the 9th and 10th July, 2022. More information to come.
Pilgrimage to the Holyland this November 25th to December 9, 2022
Have you always wanted to see the Promised Land? Join Mgr. Michael Keating on his Holy Land Pilgrimage, November 24th to December 9th to Jordan and Israel.
Information evening about the Pilgrimage on Wednesday 13 July 6pm to 8pm at St Mary’s Cathedral Parish Centre, parking available at Cathedral.
Please text 0433 771 979 or email info@anawimjourneys.com or call 6118 7313 to register your interest.
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.
Planned Giving
The Planned Giving Programme is an important part of the Parish and assists 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.
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. For more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
EFT First Collection Details
BSB: 086 006
A/c No: 56187 5405
Reference: 1st Collection and your name
First Collection supports the Priests.
EFT Second Collection Details
BSB: 086 006
A/c No: 48797 3085
Reference: 2nd Collection and your name
Second Collection supports the Parish.
Regarding Masks
Masks are not mandatory; however, masks are encouraged where physical distancing is not possible if you have cold & flu symptoms, or you wish to safeguard yourself from the COVID-19 virus.
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.
Upcoming Events
Sunday 19 June: Parish Sacramental Commitment Mass at 5pm
Monday 20 June: Senior’s Morning Tea
Sunday 26th June: IONA First Holy Communion Mass at 2.30pm
Wednesday 29th June: Oblates’ First Arrived in Australia 1894
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th July: Catholic Missions Appeal in the Parish
Saturday 30 July: De Mazenod Family Gathering
God bless!
Fr. Leo Mifsud OMI
Acting Parish Priest