Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On the third Sunday of Easter, we continue to hear Gospel accounts of Jesus’ appearances to his disciples following his Resurrection. Today’s reading, taken from the Gospel of Luke, follows immediately after the report of Jesus’ appearance to his disciples on the road to Emmaus. This is the event being recounted by the disciples in the opening verse of today’s Gospel.
Consistently in the reports of Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances, Jesus greets his disciples with the words, “Peace be with you.” This is a most appropriate greeting. The disciples have witnessed the death of someone they loved, and they now fear for their own lives as well. Peace is what they need more than anything else. Jesus often connects this greeting of peace with another gift—forgiveness. In today’s Gospel, this connection is made in the final verses.
Even as they hear Jesus’ greeting of peace, the disciples are startled and terrified. They are uncertain about what to make of the figure before them and, quite understandably, they mistake Jesus for a ghost. Yet the figure before them is not a ghost; Jesus invites them to experience his resurrected body with their senses, to look and to touch. The figure before them is flesh and bone, still bearing the marks of crucifixion. Although the disciples cannot forget his suffering and death, peace begins to take root in their hearts, as their fears turn to joy and amazement.
As further proof of his identity and of his resurrected body, Jesus eats with his disciples. The disciples have known Jesus’ best through the meals that he has shared with them. Descriptions of these meals are a defining element of Luke’s Gospel. By eating with his disciples after his Resurrection, Jesus recalls all these meals, and most importantly, he recalls the Last Supper.
Luke’s report of the Last Supper and the meals that Jesus shared after his Resurrection unveil for us the significance of the Eucharist. Having shared a meal with his disciples, Jesus now uncovers for them the significance of what was written about him in the Scriptures. So, too, our celebration of the Mass is an encounter with Jesus, through the Word and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. As Jesus commissions his disciples to be witnesses to what Scriptures foretold, our celebration of the Eucharist commissions us. Like the disciples, we are sent to announce the good news of Jesus’ forgiveness of sins. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend Bulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year B.
URGENT Notice for All Parishioners
Due to some upgrading to the front and rear gates of the Basilica grounds, the Church and Car Park will be closed on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th April. Therefore, there will be no Adoration or Mass on those two days and the car park will not be open to cars or foot traffic.We apologise for any inconvenience and hopefully the Church and grounds will reopen on Wednesday 17th April.
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 14th April 2024 after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport.
Senior’s Morning Tea
Due to the carpark and Church being closed on Monday 15th April, the Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 22nd April 2024 at 10am in the parish hall. All senior’s welcome.
St Vincent de Paul Volunteer Drive
A representative from St Vincent de Paul will speak at the 8am and 11am Masses on Sunday 14th April in the hope that they can get some volunteers to assist them. If you are interested, please speak to the coordinator on theday.
Caritas (Project Compassion) 2024
LAST CALL! If you have any donations for this year’s Project Compassion, please return them to the office asap or on the weekend collection plate so that we cansend the money over to Caritas as soon as possible.
URGENT Weekday Readers Required
We are URGENTLY seeking readers to read at the Midday Masses. If you can assist on a regular basis and would like to go onto the readers roster for weekdays, please contact the Parish Office with your details.
Eucharistic Ministers
We are looking at recommencing the Eucharistic Ministers Roster and are seeking all Eucharistic Ministers who are willing to assist. Once we have the list of available Eucharistic Ministers we will then go through the process of some training and updating all WWCC and ensuring that everyone has had WWCC induction sessions. We are hoping to have the roster up and running by mid-May. If you would like to join the roster, please contact the Parish Office asap with your details and availability at Masses.
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 51%.
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 14th April
Parish Morning Tea
St Vincent de Paul Talks
Monday 15th & Tuesday 16th April
Church & Grounds Closed
Monday 22nd April
Senior’s Morning Tea
Thursday 25th April
Anzac Day