Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The fourth Sunday of Lent is sometimes called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” Traditionally, Sundays are named after the first word of the liturgy’s opening antiphon. On this Sunday, the antiphon is taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 66:10-11). Even as we observe our Lenten sacrifices, we rejoice in anticipation of the joy that will be ours at Easter.
Today’s Gospel reading is taken from John’s Gospel. It consists of two parts. The first part is the final sentence of Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus, the Pharisee who approached Jesus at night. Nicodemus acknowledged Jesus as someone who had come from God and seemed to want to be a follower of Jesus. Jesus greeted Nicodemus with the observation that one must be born from above to see the Kingdom of God. The dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus that followed was about the meaning of this phrase. Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus at every point, but there was no animosity in the questions he posed to Jesus.
In the part of the conversation with Nicodemus in today’s Gospel, Jesus referred to an incident reported in the Old Testament. When the Israelites grumbled against the Lord during their sojourn in the desert, God sent venomous serpents to punish them for their complaints. The Israelites repented and asked Moses to pray for them. The Lord heard Moses’ prayer and instructed him to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. All who had been bitten by a serpent and then looked upon the bronze serpent were cured. By recalling this story, Jesus alludes to the salvation that would be accomplished through his death and Resurrection.
The second part of today’s Gospel is a theological reflection on Jesus’ words to Nicodemus. The Gospel of John is known for this kind of reflection offered within the narrative. The words of the Evangelist are in continuity with the words of the prologue to John’s Gospel. In these reflections, John elaborates on a number of themes that are found in his Gospel: light and darkness, belief and unbelief, good and evil, salvation and condemnation.
In John’s reflection, we find an observation about human sinfulness. Jesus is the light that has come into the world, but people preferred the darkness. We wish to keep our sins hidden, even from God. Jesus has come into the world to reveal our sins so that they may be forgiven. This is the Good News; it is the reason for our rejoicing in this season of Lent and throughout our lives. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Four Sunday of Lent, Year B.
Parish Office New Opening Hours
Parish Office will operate Tuesday to Friday 9am to 3pm only. The office can be contacted via email: parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au or a message can be left on 9335 2268.
Planned Giving 2024/2025
If you haven’t already collected your Planned Giving Envelopes, please pick them up from the side foyer. If you are not a member of the Planned Giving and would like to become a member, please contact the Parish Office.
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross continue every Friday until Good Friday. Stations in English after the Midday Mass and Stations in Italian at 6.30pm.
Parish Morning Tea
The next Parish Morning Tea will be held on Sunday 10th March after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport.
St Patrick’s Day Concert
The Basilica invites all Parishioners to a St Patrick’s Day Concert on Friday 15th March at 7.30pm. Enjoy an evening of Choir, Strings & Organ.
Senior’s Morning Tea
The next Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 18th March at 10am in the Parish Centre. All Senior’s Welcome.
Palm Sunday – 23rd March 2024
Unfortunately, we will only have limited number of palms and olive branches available at Masses. Please bring your own palms or olive branches for blessing.
Annual Archdiocesan Chrism Mass
Most Reverend Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth, wishes to invite all parishioners to attend the Annual Archdiocesan Chrism Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth on Tuesday 26th March at 7pm.
Holy Thursday – Mass of the Last Supper
We are seeking volunteers for the Washing of the Feet during the Mass of the Last Supper on Thursday 28th March at 7pm. If you can assist, please contact the Parish Office.
ATCO Upgrade to Gas Network in Fremantle
Please Note that there will be gas works on Elder Place, Point, Adelaide, Parry, and Quarry Streets from 6th March to 1st May 2024 between 7am to 4pm. These works will cause some issues with traffic and detours maybe in place. Please be guided by traffic controllers during this time and perhaps allow some extra time to get to Church.
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.
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, visit http://fremantlestpatricks.org.au/parish-safeguarding-project/.
Coming Events
Sunday 10 March
Parish Morning Tea
Friday 15 March
St Patrick’s Day Concert
Monday 18 March
Senior’s Morning Tea
Sunday 23 March
Palm Sunday
Tuesday 26 March
Archdiocesan Chrism Mass