Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
The Ascension of the Lord, Year C
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. I can remember as a child, trying to imagine the physical practicalities of the event. These days as I reflect on the scriptures I am faced on a greater mystery; i.e., the spiritual reality what has taken place in that event.
The Ascension is part of the conclusion of the story. To put it into perspective we need to remember where it all began and more importantly, why.
St John’s Gospel sets the scene in clear theological terms; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, … (Jn 1: 1-3). This is the true nature of Jesus.
When he took on human form he sought out a baptism (baptism is a word which means an immersion) in order that he may fully take part in our humanness. In Philippians we read:
And being found in human form, He humbled Himself and became
obedient to death—even death on a cross.…
Phil 2:8
In Jesus, God descended from the realms of ‘glory’ and took our human condition; In the Hebrew the word ‘glory’ indicates an importance brought about by a connectedness with God. Laying this aside, he walked among us, he taught, healed and forgave and redeemed us. He did impose this from outside of ourselves but rather transformed us from within as one like us. On the Cross as Jesus made his final act of faith in the Father, on behalf of all humanity (past, present and of the future) “Father into your hands I commend my Spirit”. (Lk 23:46). Words were uttered on our behalf while we were still incapable of professing such faith in the Father.
In this act of faith God, the Father is glorified and in turn the Son is glorified and because Jesus has immersed himself in the human condition, we too become part of the Glory (that connection between God and humanity). This glory is revealed as the burst of New Life we call (and celebrate) as Resurrection.
That is why Jesus’ ascension is not a separation from his followers but rather an invitation for us to be taken up into the union (oneness) with the Godhead; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And to help us understand the full meaning of this invitation and to accept it’s implications Jesus promises us an Advocate, a Teacher and a Comforter who will lead in into the complete truth.
There is no sadness here. The pasting gift to his disciples was ‘Joy’!
Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up
to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full
of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God.
Lk:24:53
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Ascension of the Lord Year C.
Fr. John Sebastian OMI will be away
Fr. John Sebastian will be away from 22nd May until the 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.
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.
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.
Regarding Masks
Masks are not mandatory; however, masks are encouraged where physical distancing is not possible if you have cold & flu symptoms, or you wish to safeguard yourself from COVID-19.
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.
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 56%.
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.
Upcoming Events
28 May: CBC Family Mass
5 June: Parish Morning Tea
30 May to Friday 17 June: CBC Exams in Parish Centre
20 June: Senior’s Morning Tea
26 June: IONA First Holy Communion Mass at 2.30pm
29 June: Oblates’ First Arrived in Australia 1894
God bless!
Fr. Leo Mifsud OMI
Acting Parish Priest