Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
Sixth Sunday of Easter Year C
When we study the history of the Church, one could clearly understand how the Church of God responded to its various struggles and challenges of its time. Those moments were the clear indications of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of the Church.
The first reading today tells us about the first general council ever held by the Church. It is called the Council of Jerusalem as it was held in that city. It had to decide what was then a very important question as regards the future of the Church. Many Jews of Jerusalem and of the whole of Palestine had become Christians. Gentiles were now flocking to the Church, outside of Palestine. The Jews were God’s Chosen People of the old dispensation, and the rite of initiation into their religion was circumcision as God had prescribed for Abraham their father’ (Gen. 17:9-19).
Now some of the converted Jews thought that as the Christians were the new Chosen People, circumcision should be obligatory on them also. St. Paul, Barnabas, and others denied this. The question was acute outside of Palestine only, as Gentiles did not practise circumcision. It was brought to Jerusalem to be solved by a meeting of the Apostles and elders including Paul and Barnabas. The answer of the Council was that circumcision was not necessary for salvation and should not be imposed on the Gentile converts nor should any other precepts of the Mosaic Law be binding on them except the Ten Commandments which are the universal moral law. It was a unanimous decision, which broke the non-essentials of their ancient religious traditions. How was it all possible? Because this decision was born out of the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit of God is still active and alive in the life and ministry of the Church. The Church in Australia also has taken a serious look into its life too. As a result, we are in the journey of discerning what the Holy Spirit of God is asking us to do now in its life and ministry. It is indeed a courageous journey we all go through, which is a clear indication to all of us that the Spirit of God is active and alive as it was before in its major moments of decision. We shall continue to keep all the members in the Plenary Council in our prayers that we also become ready to accept and implement what the Spirit of God is asking us to in the life and ministry of the Church in Australia. Amen.
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the sixth Sunday of Easter Year C.
Fr. John Sebastian OMI will be away
Fr. John Sebastian will be away from 22nd May till first week in July for his annual home holiday. Please keep him in your prayers that he has a safe return. In his absence Fr. Leo Mifsud OMI will be the Acting Parish Priest.
June: Parish Morning Tea
Parish Morning Tea for the month of June will be held on Sunday 5th June after the 8am Mass. Please come along and meet friends over a cuppa.
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 on 20th June at 10am in the Parish Hall.
CBC Family Mass
On Saturday 28th May we will welcome all the staff, students, and their families from CBC Fremantle for a special Family Mass. The college is committed to celebrate one Mass a term with the Basilica community. We warmly welcome them to our Basilica Community.
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.
Caritas Australia (Project Compassion) 2022
This year’s Parish Donation to Caritas Australia was $2985. We sincerely thank you all for your generous donations.
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. Last week giving was 61%.
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, they 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
21 May: Feast of St Eugene De Mazenod Saturday.
28 May: CBC Family Mass Sunday.
5 June: Parish Morning Tea Monday.
30 May to Friday 17 June: CBC Exams in Parish Centre.
26 June: IONA First Holy Communion Mass at 2.30pm.
29 June: Oblates’ First Arrived in Australia 1894.
God bless!
Fr John Sebastian
Rector and Parish Priest