Dear Parishioners and Friends
Greetings to you all!
The Evangelist John captures the pure intention of God saying, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16). This pure act of God’s love started when God called Abram to leave his country and go to a place which he gave them, with a promise: ‘Leave your country, your family and your father’s house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing.”
The call of Abram is a powerful reminder about God’s tender love and mercy to all his sons and daughters. Abram was a pagan when God called him. At the time of his call, he was living in Haran in northern Mesopotamia; his father Thare had come there from ‘Ur of the Chaldees.” God convinced him that he alone was the true God, and that he alone should be served.
So, the call of Abraham shows how God sets in motion the future for his chosen people Israel. As we know from the knowledge of our Scripture that the chosen people did not remain committed to the plan of God. They did whatever pleased them, but God remained committed to his plan. So, we need to thank the Lord for his infinite love.
As you can imagine it would not have been an easy task for Abraham to leave his familiar shores and set up a home among ‘strangers.’ But Abraham did it because he truly believed in the promise God made to him.
So, the 40 days of our Lenten journey should be a powerful reminder to all of us about the love, mercy, and compassion of God in everyone’s personal life. If I do not have the courage and trust like Abraham had, we cannot enjoy the blessings of God as Abraham enjoyed in his life. Every walk of life brings with it, various challenges but when it is done with trust in God’s love and his promises, then it will be a remarkable journey for each one of us.
Let us spend these days of our Lenten journey reflecting on God’s personal love for each one of us. No one can bring real change in the world unless I truly love my brothers and sisters. “Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” Says Thomas Merton. Amen.
Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Second Sunday of Lent in Ordinary Time, Year A.
Stations of the Cross
Every Friday until Good Friday there will be Stations of the Cross in English after the midday Mass, and Stations in Italian at 7pm. Please Note: there will be no Stations of the Cross in Italian on Friday 16 March.
Turkey-Syria Earthquake Disaster Leaving Collection
A leaving collection for those who have been affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria, will be taken up this weekend 4th and 5th March. Your generous donation means that Caritas partners in Turkey and Syria can respond swiftly to support the survivors of this unimaginable tragedy.
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 5th March after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery carport. All Welcome.
Senior’s Morning Tea
The next Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 20th March at 10am in the Parish Centre. All Senior’s Welcome.
Lenten Retreat
Once again John Auer will host a Lenten Retreat commencing on Monday 6th March to Monday 27th March commencing at 6pm in the Parish Centre. The Retreat will journey with Jesus Christ through his life to his death and resurrection. Please register with the Parish Office on 9335 2268 or email parishoffice2@iinet.net.au.
Save the date for St Patrick’s Day Celebration: Thursday 16th March at 7pm
Dear Parishioners,
I would like to invite you all for a concelebrated Vigil Mass to celebrate our Patron Saint Patrick on Thursday 16th at 7pm.
This will give us the opportunity to welcome the other 25 Oblates in Australia who will be in Fremantle for a conference.
Fr. Christian Fini will be the principle celebrant and homilist. So kindly mark this date in your diary.
Light supper will be served in the Presbytery Carport after Mass.
RSVP is essential to the Parish office, before Monday 13 March.
St. Patrick’s Day Concert
Dear Parishioners, you are all welcome to the St. Patrick’s Day concert on Friday 17th March at 7.30pm. It will be a great day to honour and celebrate our Patron Saint Patrick. The entry is by donation. Your generous donation will help the music ministry of the Basilica of St. Patrick.
Catholic Worship Hymn Books
We are looking at upgrading our congregation Catholic Worship Hymn Books (green books) with the new version and are seeking donations to assist the parish with the purchase of 150 new books at a cost of $32 per book plus freight. Direct Deposit donations can be deposited into BSB: 086 006 A/C No: 48794 3085 using your name and hymn book donation as reference. If you would like more information, please contact Angie in the Parish Office. All donations no matter how big or small will assist and be greatly appreciated. So far $1400 has been donated. Thank You!
Farewell for Frs John Sebastian & Angelo Wijewickrama
Parishioners and Friends are invited to the Farewell Mass and Light Lunch for Frs John Sebastian and Angelo Wijewickrama on Sunday 2 April. We will commence with a concelebrated Mass at 11am followed by light lunch in the Parish Centre. All welcome to attend but please RSVP before Tuesday 28 March for catering purposes. Phone 9335 2268 or email parishoffice@fremantlestpatricks.org.au.
Fr Christian Fini OMI, Provincial
Fr Fini wishes to announce that Fr Matthew Raj OMI will join the Fremantle Parish from 18th April as interim Parish Priest. He will be in residence until Fr Slawek Plonka OMI arrives in July. Let us all make Fr Matthew welcomed when he arrives.
Liturgical Formation and Renewal
The Archbishop launched a very promising program for liturgical formation and renewal for the archdiocese churches in Perth. The aim is to awaken in us a renewed love for and awareness of the extraordinary gift we have in the Eucharist in the Mass. Four videos will be released over the next four weeks of lent. Please click here to access the program.
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 62%.
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.
The new 23/24 Planned Giving Envelopes are available in the side foyer this weekend for collection. Please pick up your envelopes!
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 the COVID-19 virus.
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 please click here.
EVENTS IN THE PARISH
Weekend 4/5 March: A Leaving Collection at all Masses for Earthquake victims in Turkey & Syria; Parish Morning Tea.
Monday 6 March: Lenten Retreat Commences.
Thursday 16 March: St Patrick’s Day Mass.
Friday 17 March: St Patrick’s Day Concert.
Sunday 19 March: Visiting Organist Concert.
Monday 20 March: Senior’s Morning Tea.