Saturday 4 May 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today’s Gospel follows immediately after the Gospel proclaimed last week, in which Jesus taught that he was the vine and that his disciples were the branches. In the example of the vine and the branches, we learned that our union with Jesus will lead to fruitful service. Today’s reading extends this teaching to describe the kind of service that Christians are called upon to offer to others.

When John wrote this Gospel, his community was influenced by a set of religious beliefs called Gnosticism. It appears that one of John’s intentions was to distinguish Christian belief from the beliefs held by the Gnostics. Evidence of this can be found in today’s Gospel.

One of the tenets of Gnostic teaching was the importance of knowledge, or gnosis, as the determining aspect of faith. We read today’s Gospel as a response to this teaching. In John’s Gospel, we hear Jesus affirm that he is known by the Father and that his disciples will know the Father by knowing Jesus. In this passage, however, Jesus reminds his disciples that this knowledge is to be expressed in love. Those who know Jesus well—and Jesus says that his disciples do know him—will love one another. Knowledge leads to love, which leads to action. John reminds his community that Jesus taught that love is the sign of a true disciple and, thus, a true Christian. Even more, a true disciple shows a particular kind of love, sacrificial love.

In the Greek, there are two words for love that are used in this passage. The first is agape. The second is philia. The first word is most often used to describe love for other persons and for God. It is understood as the highest and most perfect kind of love. The second word is used to describe the affection of friendship. In this context, John appears to use these words as synonyms. The root of the Greek word for friend comes from this second term for love, philia. By using this word, Jesus transforms the terms of his relationship with his disciples and redefines for them their relationship with God. In the Hebrew Scriptures, faith in God made one a servant of God.

Here Jesus teaches that his relationship to his disciples is based on friendship, not servitude. Another aspect of Gnostic belief taught that a believer was an elect person, chosen and set apart from the world. John reminds his community that Jesus also taught that a disciple is one who had been chosen—one who had been chosen by Jesus. To be chosen by Jesus, however, is not to be set apart from the world. Instead, to be chosen by Jesus is to be sent to serve the world as he did. The disciples of Jesus were chosen and were sent into the world to bear fruit by serving others, by sacrificing for others, in love.

This reading, like last week’s, is part of Jesus’ Last Supper discourse. In the context of John’s Gospel, these words are spoken before Jesus’ Crucifixion. We read his instruction to the disciples in light of his death and Resurrection. We know that Jesus himself gives us the greatest example of the kind of love and service that he teaches to his disciples. He has, in fact, laid down his life for his friends, for his disciples, and for us. Through His death and Resurrection, we have received the grace to love others as Jesus has commanded. (Source Loyola Press)

The Weekend eBulletin

Click here to download the eBulletins for 6th Sunday of Easter, Year B.

Our Lady of Fatima Novena and Feast Day Mass

Novena in honour of Our Lady of Fatima will commence on Saturday 4^th May until Sunday 12th May.

Feast Day Mass in Honour of Our Lady will be celebrated on Monday 13th May at 6pm followed by candlelight procession in parish and school grounds and Benediction. All Welcome.

Senior’s Morning Tea

The next Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 20th May 2024 at 10am in the parish hall. All senior’s welcome.

Notre Dame University

The Chaplaincy for Notre Dame University has been entrusted to the Oblates in Fremantle. Fr Giancarlo has been appointed as Chaplain to the University. He will attend to Masses and the Spiritual needs of the University on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays. He will continue his work in the parish and with the Italian Community.

Tap and Go Facility for Collections- COMING SOON!

The parish has now secured three Tap and Go Terminals (Thank You to the Fishing Fleet Festival for their generous donation towards the terminals). So, you will be able to tap and go for the 1st and 2nd Collections and any general donations you wish to make to the Parish. We will still operate the collection baskets but the tap and go is another option for those who don’t carry cash. Once the terminals are set up, they will be located in the front and side foyers of the Church, and also under the Cross near the Baptismal Font.

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 65%. 

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

Saturday 4 May to Sunday 12 May

Novena to Our Lady of Fatima

Sunday 12 May

Parish Morning Tea

Mother’s Day

Monday 13 May

Our Lady of Fatima Mass & Procession