Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
The kernel of God’s desire to deliver the people of Israel from their slavery in Egypt becomes clear in the call of Moses. God (Yahweh) was very much aware of their present situation, so he wanted his servant Moses to go and be part of his salvific plan. God addressed Moses saying, “The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt” (Exo: 3: 9-10).
As they were on their journey towards the Promised Land, they experienced thirst, which is indeed a human need especially when you are on a long journey and that too in a desert area. When the people of Israel experienced their need to quench their thirst, they immediately complained saying: ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt?’ they said. ‘Was it so that I should die of thirst, my children too, and my cattle?’. This complaint shows how quick they were to forget the marvelous encounter of God they had so far and how quick they were to doubt the presence of God in their journey. All the past favours, all the days of good health and prosperity, are immediately forgotten, because these past benefits were rarely or never attributed to God with any real sincerity. The people of Israel failed to understand the presence of God in their journey toward the Promised Land, and thus they were short of understanding God’s love and his plan.
Now, Moses had to face these present issues with the people, who were together on the journey towards the Promised Land. So, he approaches God saying, “How am I to deal with this people?” he said. ‘A little more and they will stone me!’ I am sure, when you and I face issues in life, we would have raised more questions as Moses did in the desert.
The leadership qualities of Moses give us more motivations and guidelines, as what one should do, during the moments of crisis. Moses turned immediately to God and wanted his assistance and presence to deal with the situations of his life. He did it because he knew God would help him to face situations in life. In other words, he trusted in God, which the people of Israel failed to do. So, when faced with difficulties let us be firm in our faith, hope and trust in God.
Thomas Merton says, “You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope.” Amen.
Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the ebulletins for the Third Sunday of Lent in Ordinary Time, Year A.
Fr Slawek Plonka OMI
On the weekend of the 18th/19th March we will welcome Fr Slawek Plonka OMI, new Parish Priest of Fremantle, who will be visiting prior to taking up his role in July 2023. Fr Slawek will be concelebrating at Masses during that weekend.
Holy Water Bottles
We are seeking some volunteers who can spare some time on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 24 March to help us fill the mini–Holy Water Bottles for Easter. If you can assist, please come to the Parish Centre from 9am to 12noon on either day to help.
Lenten Retreat
The Lenten Retreat continues on the following Mondays 13th, 20th and 27th March at 6pm to 7pm in the Parish Centre. Please register with the Parish Office on 9335 2268 or email parishoffice@fremantlestpatricks.org.au.
St Patrick’s Day Celebration: Thursday 16th March at 7pm
Dear Parishioners,
I would like to invite you all for a concelebrated Vigil Mass to celebrate our Patron Saint Patrick on Thursday 16th at 7pm. This will give us the opportunity to welcome the other 25 Oblates in Australia who will be in Fremantle for a conference.
Fr. Christian Fini will be the principle celebrant and homilist. So kindly mark this date in your diary. Light supper will be served in the Presbytery Carport after Mass.
RSVP is essential to the Parish office, before Monday 13 March.
St. Patrick’s Day Concert
Come and join for a St. Patrick’s Day concert on Friday 17th March at 7.30pm. It will be a great day to honour and celebrate our Patron Saint Patrick. The entry is by donation. Your generous donation will help the music ministry of the Basilica of St. Patrick.
Senior’s Morning Tea
The next Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 20th March at 10am in the Parish Centre. All Senior’s Welcome.
Farewell for Frs John Sebastian & Angelo Wijewickrama
Parishioners and Friends are invited to the Farewell Mass and Light Lunch for Frs John Sebastian and Angelo Wijewickrama on Sunday 2 April. We will commence with a concelebrated Mass at 11am followed by light lunch in the Parish Centre. All welcome to attend but please RSVP before Tuesday 28 March for catering purposes. Phone 9335 2268 or email parishoffice@fremantlestpatricks.org.au.
Catholic Worship Hymn Books
We are looking at upgrading our congregation Catholic Worship Hymn Books (green books) with the new version and are seeking donations to assist the parish with the purchase of 150 new books at a cost of $32 per book plus freight. Direct Deposit donations can be deposited into
- BSB: 086 006
- A/C No: 48794 3085
using your name and hymn book donation as reference. If you would like more information, please contact Angie in the Parish Office. All donations no matter how big or small will assist and be greatly appreciated, so far $1632 has been donated. Thank You!
Stations of the Cross continue every Friday until Good Friday. English Stations after the midday Mass and Stations in Italian at 7pm.
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. Last week giving was 55%.
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: 066 107
A/c No: 0080 0216
Reference: 2nd Collection and your name
Second Collection supports the Parish.
The new 23/24 Planned Giving Envelopes are available in the side foyer this weekend for collection. Please pick up your envelopes!
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 Costello 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.
EVENTS IN THE PARISH
Thursday 16 March: St Patrick’s Day Mass.
Friday 17 March: St Patrick’s Day Concert.
Sunday 19 March: Visiting Organist Concert.
Monday 20 March: Senior’s Morning Tea.
Sunday 2 April: Frs Sebastian & Angelo Farewell.