Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This Sunday, with the Palm or Passion Sunday, we enter into the Holy Week. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday are called the Triduum, three days that are the highlight of the Church year. There are two Gospels proclaimed at today’s Mass. The first Gospel, proclaimed before the procession with palms, tells of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.
Luke’s Gospel is the only one to report the exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees as Jesus enters Jerusalem. Jesus’ response shows that this event, and those yet to come, are part of a divine plan. At the Liturgy of the Word on this Sunday, the events of Jesus’ passion are proclaimed in their entirety. This year (Year C), we read the passion of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. Throughout Luke’s Gospel we see that Jesus’ words and actions proclaim the Kingdom of God. This motif continues throughout Luke’s passion narrative. Jesus appears to be in total command of events at the Passover meal as he hands over the kingdom to his disciples. He welcomes them to the Passover meal announcing that this will be his last until the Kingdom of God is fulfilled.
As throughout Luke’s Gospel, however, the disciples show little understanding of this kingdom that Jesus often announces. Following the meal, the disciples argue about who is the greatest. Jesus takes the opportunity to distinguish the meaning of leadership in the Kingdom of God from the forms of leadership seen in the world.
Jesus initiates a conversation with Simon and predicts his denial. Jesus then instructs his disciples to prepare themselves for the events that will follow. His words reveal an awareness of the challenges that all of them will face in the days ahead. As the disciples and Jesus enters the Mount of Olives; Jesus indicates the importance of the disciples’ time in prayer, telling them that through prayer they will be able to face the challenges ahead.
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is portrayed as active and vocal throughout his passion. When one of the disciples strike the high priest’s servant, Jesus heals the man, an event reported only in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus stops the disciples’ protest against his arrest by noting that this is the “time for the power of darkness.” Jesus engages and responds when brought before the Sanhedrin; his words speak about the “power of God” that will bring about the reign of the Son of Man.
When Luke describes the Way of the Cross and Jesus’ crucifixion, he calls to our attention many events that are not reported in the other Gospels. Throughout his Gospel, Luke has paid heed to the women who accompanied Jesus. Now, on the road to Calvary, Jesus speaks to the women who walk with him. Only Luke reports Jesus’ words of forgiveness spoken from the cross. And only Luke reports the dialogue between Jesus and the good thief.
Finally, in contrast with the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Luke reports no words of abandonment spoken by Jesus on the cross. Instead, Jesus, in full command until his death, commends his spirit to his Father and takes his final breath.
Throughout Holy Week, we will continue to reflect on the events of Jesus’ passion and death. As we meditate on the cross, we ask again and anew what it means to make the statement of faith that Jesus, in his obedient suffering and dying, revealed himself to us as God’s Son and brought to fulfillment the Kingdom of God. (Source Loyola Press).
The Weekend Bulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for Palm Sunday, Year C.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER CEREMONIES
At St Patrick’s Basilica
MONDAY 14, TUESDAY 15 AND WEDNESDAY 16 APRIL
Adoration at 11am
Mass at Midday
HOLY THURSDAY 17 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 18 APRIL
No Adoration and No midday Mass
11am Stations of the Cross at the Basilica of St Patrick
12noon to 1pm Reconciliation
3pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
4.30pm-5.30pm Reconciliation
HOLY SATURDAY 19 APRIL
No Adoration and No midday Mass
9.30am, 11am and 4.30pm Reconciliation
4pm Polish Blessing of Food
7pm Easter Vigil Mass
EASTER SUNDAY 20 APRIL
Masses: 8am, 9.30am (Italian), 11am and 5pm
8.15am St Anne’s, North Fremantle
Holy Week Readers
Thank you to everyone who has put their hands up to assist with reading and the washing of the Feet during Holy Week. Please check the roster on the noticeboards in the foyers of the Church. Thank You!
Sincere Thanks to Sonia La Macchia and the students from Emmanuel College who filled the Holy Water bottles so that they can be blessed at the Easter Saturday Vigil Mass. Thank You.
Sincere Thanks to Joseph for his handyman services this week. Joseph has repaired and varnished the wooden doors to the office courtyard and also gave some loving care to our chairs and table in the courtyard. Thank You.
Thanks also to Natasha, Anna, Rosa and Daniel for all the preparations of the Church for Palm Sunday. The Church is beautifully decorated. Thank You
Easter Parish Office Opening Hours
The parish office will be closed Thursday 17th April until Monday 28th April. The office will reopen Tuesday 29th April at 9am.
Anzac Day Service
Please join us on Friday 25th April at the Midday Mass as we commemorate Anzac Day. Jack Sirett, will be performing the Last Post, Reveille, and Australian National Anthem on the bugle. All Welcome.
Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
The indulgence, a priceless gift of divine mercy, is one of the special signs of the Jubilee Year. The conditions for obtaining a Jubilee Indulgence are:
- Pilgrimage to any of the designated Churches and Shrines
- St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth
- The Basilica of St Patrick, Fremantle
- St John Paul II Church, Banksia Grove
- Schoenstatt Shrine, Mount Richon
- Carmelite Monastery, Dalkeith
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Celebration of the Eucharist
- Profession of Faith
- Prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father
Those unable to make a pilgrimage due to age, health, caregiving you can obtain an indulgence, under the usual conditions by reciting the Our father, making a profession of faith and offering prayers from their homes, hospitals and nursing homes while offering up their own suffering.
Basilica Carpark
The Basilica grounds are open at 7am to 7.30pm Mon to Sunday. Any cars that are parked in the grounds after lockup will need to be collected the following morning. Parking in the Basilica grounds is at your own risk.
Safeguarding Requirements in the Parish
The Church Sacristy: Reminder that the Church Sacristy is only to be used by the Priests, Acolytes and Church Staff. Parishioners are not to enter the Sacristy. The toilet located in the Sacristy is for the use of the Priests only it is not a public toilet.
St Patrick’s Community Support Centre
Are desperately needing help in the kitchen, the Community Store and Op Shop. See noticeboard in the side foyers of the Church for more information.
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/.
Weekly Giving
The collections are an important part of a Parish life. Your weekly 1st collection donations support the Priests in the parish to minister to the needs of the parish community and the Fremantle boarders.
Your weekly 2nd collection donations help us to maintain all aspects of the Basilica, Presbytery and Administration Centre. Without your assistance we would not be able to provide and maintain the Parish and its community. Thank You!
Please continue to give generously via the collection plate, tap and go tablets or direct deposits into the accounts below.
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.
Coming Events
Sunday 13th April
Palm Sunday
Thursday 17th April – Holy Thursday
Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Friday 18th April – Good Friday
Stations of the Cross
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
Saturday 19th April – Easter Saturday
Saturday Vigil Mass
Sunday 20th April – Easter Sunday