Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
Welcome to the Holy Week liturgy. Today we begin with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday or Passion of the Lord). This week’s liturgy will help us to journey with Jesus especially in his final moments: Passion, Death, and Resurrection. As Jesus’ final days of his earthly life come to an end, the liturgy of the Word will help us to deepen our love for Christ. Also, we will be able to appreciate and understand his love, sacrifice, commitment, and his willingness to suffer for our sake and thus assuring us with eternal life by his death on a cross.
The first reading today comes from the Second book of the Prophet Isiah. He describes; how the suffering servant will undergo the suffering his father has designated to his Son Jesus. He says, “I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle.”
One year I celebrated the Palm Sunday Mass with the prisoners. After the gospel narration, I just asked them how you feel about the suffering that Jesus underwent for our sake. There were many answers, but I do not remember them all now. But I still remember the answer of a prisoner who told boldly in front of the other prisoners that I know why I suffer here because I have done something wrong, but I cannot understand why Jesus should be punished for something that he did not do.
Yes, in the person of Jesus, we are dealing with a victim who not only had committed no crime but was incapable of even a venial fault. He had come to save the whole human race to make us all his sons and daughters and to be the co-heirs of an eternal life. To do this he has taken human nature to become our brother. It was because of the sins of the world he had to die this excruciating pain and death to save mankind from the effect of their sins.
This pure act of God’s love for humankind, is well captured by St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians. He says, “His state was divine, yet Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.”
May this week be an intense spiritual preparation for us all. Let us make every effort to recall the love of God we have experienced either personally or as a family. The more we appreciate his personal love and his sacrifice for us, the more we will all be his witnesses in the world.
Wishing you all a fruitful holy week observance. Amen
Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year A.
Easter Offerings
Usually twice a year you are invited, as a community, to make a special effort to financially support the Priests of the Basilica. As the special season of Easter is fast approaching, you are encouraged to support the Priests during this special season of Easter. The envelopes are in the pews, so kindly use them and support your priests generously.
Chrism Mass
The Chrism Mass will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral on Tuesday 4th April at 7 pm. All welcome to attend.
Holy Thursday Mass 7pm
We are urgently seeking volunteers for the Washing of the Feet during the Holy Thursday Mass at 7pm. If you can assist, please contact the Parish Office on 9335 2268.
Parish Senior’s Morning Tea
The next Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 17 April at 10am in the Parish Centre. All Senior’s Welcome.
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 57%.
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.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER CEREMONIES 2023
MONDAY 3 APRIL AND TUESDAY 4 APRIL
Adoration at 11am
Mass at Midday
WEDNESDAY 5 APRIL
Adoration at 11am
Mass at Midday
2nd Rite of Reconciliation at 7pm
HOLY THURSDAY 6 APRIL
No Adoration and No midday Mass
7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
8pm to 9pm Reconciliation in English and Italian
8pm to 10pm Adoration
GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
No Adoration and No midday Mass
11am Stations of the Cross at the Basilica of St Patrick
12noon to 1pm Reconciliation in English and Italian
3pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
4.30pm-5.30pm Reconciliation English and Italian
HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
No Adoration and No midday Mass
9.30am and 4.30pm Reconciliation in English
11am Reconciliation in English and Italian
4pm Polish Blessing of Food
7pm Easter Vigil Mass
EASTER SUNDAY 9 APRIL
Masses: 8am, 9.30am (Italian), 11am and 5pm
8.15am St Anne’s, North Fremantle
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
Sunday 2 April: Palm Sunday, Frs Sebastian & Angelo Farewell.
Wednesday 5 April: 2nd Rite of Reconciliation.
Thursday 6 April: Holy Thursday.
Friday 7 April: Good Friday.
Saturday 8 April: Holy Saturday.
Sunday 9 April: Easter Sunday.