Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
Third Sunday of Easter Year C
The Apostles of Jesus continued to live their experience of the Risen Christ through their words and deeds. When the Apostles joyfully lived this great joy in their lives, this small group began to attract so many individuals. The Jewish leaders were well aware that the ordinary people were joining the new religion in great numbers, because they were moved by the Apostles’ words and miracles. As a result, the Apostles were warned: “We gave you a formal warning not to preach in this name”. The language of the leaders reveals to us that still they failed to acknowledge their failures and their unwillingness to accept the fact that Jesus was the Son of God and God raised his Son from death.
The admonishment of the leaders could not prevent the Apostles from being zealous missionaries. The more they were warned the more they came out strongly and said to them: “Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging him on a tree”. What a tremendous amount of courage that is required to say to the authority that has more power than the Apostles.
Yes, the experience of Jesus’ resurrection brought a great transformation in the lives of the Apostles. Peter, who was once afraid to accept his association with Jesus, now comes out boldly without counting the cost of his life. He was once afraid and couldn’t imagine life other than himself. But now he is totally a new person, who wanted to lay down his life for his faith in Jesus Christ.
I am sure every individual has got their own moments of experience of God’s grace and a firm expression of their faith in Christ Jesus, just like Peter had. How wonderful it would be if every baptised member in the church deeply appreciated their faith in Christ Jesus and lived out their faith commitment in life.
Let us ask God for his grace to do our best in living our Christian vocation with great joy and strive to be a little more like St. Peter in his courage to put our faith in word and action.
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Third Sunday of Easter Year C
On Sunday 1 May: Monthly Parish Morning Tea
On Sunday 1 May after the 8am Mass we will have the Parish Morning Tea. Please come along to meet friends and to make friends from our Basilica community.
Our Lady of Fatima Novena
Our Lady of Fatima Novena and Mass will commence on 4th May. It is a beautiful tradition which has been going on for more than 50 years in our Basilica. Please join us in this special Novena to Our Lady of Fatima and Mass and pray for everyone as we still experience the effects of the pandemic. Unlike in previous years we will not have the procession in honour of our Lady of Fatima.
Mother’s Day Morning Tea
On 19th May, there will be a Special Morning Tea in our Parish Centre at 10am to honour and to acknowledge their love and sacrifices they have made for us. Please come along for this special event in our parish and kindly bring a plate to share.
Project Compassion 2022 – Final Call
Please return your Project Compassion donation envelopes and boxes either via the weekend collections or directly to the Parish Office. Thank You!
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.
The Planned Giving Programme
The planned giving programme is an important part of the Parish as it allows 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’s giving was 72%.
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. If you are not already a member, for more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
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.
God bless!
Fr John Sebastian
Rector and Parish Priest