Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, we are celebrating the solemnity of Pentecost Sunday, the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and the church was founded. The Spirit Came upon the timid disciples in the form of tongues of fire and transformed them into true messengers of Jesus. Once they received the Spirit, they went out boldly and preached to all in Jerusalem and elsewhere. It empowered them to stand in front of the multitudes and speak to them in a way that only the Holy Spirit can enable them. Pentecost is the launching pad for the Church, the starting point of proclamation of redemption for the whole of humanity. The Spirit will soon become the distinguishing mark of true faith. On this day Jesus wants us to know the freedom of living in his Spirit.
The disciples had experienced Jesus during his lifetime, seen him, touched him and ate with him after his resurrection. They knew, not just believed, that he was God. But it was not enough. It is the Spirit that puts this knowledge and faith into action. It is the Spirit that gives the disciples’ faith a community focus. It drove them out of their hiding into the public, empowering them to speak about what they had experienced, and how it had transformed their own life.
This feast indicates that the Holy Spirit is an on-going reality, who will be with the church forever and who will touch our lives every single day. Those who have experienced an outpouring of the Spirit cannot be confined to their own worries, their own lives and their own privacy. Spirit will drive them out to a suffering people, to a world of uncertainties and to new ways of announcing the Good News. All the three readings make a reference to the arrival of the Holy Spirit, being baptized in the Spirit and being sent forth to proclaim the word of God so others may convert to the living faith. I am deeply convinced that the power of the Church and of a community is not in numbers. It is in the restlessness provided by the Spirit. May this Pentecost unsettle us from our comfort zones and secure rooms and throw us into the middle of the suffering people. It is there we belong in the first place. Let us not forget that we are people of the Spirit. May the Spirit of the living God, open the right doors at the right time to lead us where we are meant to go.
God Bless
Fr. Mathew Raj OMI
Interim Parish Priest/Rector
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for Pentecost Sunday, Year A.
Parish Morning Tea
The next Parish Morning Tea will be held on Sunday 4th June after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All welcome.
The Sacrament of Confirmation
The Parish will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday 4th June at 2.30pm Mass which will be led this year by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe. Please keep the Candidates, their families, teachers and catechists in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Holy Spirit.
Ignatian Spirituality for Busy People
Fr Tony Lusvardi, a Jesuit Priest from the United States will be with us for 6 weeks from 13th May to 23rd June. Fr Tony will be offering a First Spiritual Exercises Retreat In Daily Life and One off Ignatian Prayer Experience. Both events will be held at John XXIII College, Mount Claremont and further information including details of dates and times may be found at: Ignatian Spirituality of Western Australia (ignatianspiritualitywa.com.au), see also noticeboard in foyers of church.
Up and coming Concerts in the Basilica
See the noticeboard in the foyers of the Church for Organ Concerts which will be coming to the Basilica during May, June and July.
Sacred Heart Sodality Members and Friends
To celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart, Mass will be celebrated on Friday 16 June at Midday in St Patrick’s Basilica. Followed by a shared lunch in the Presbytery Carport. Please bring a plate to share.
Caritas Australia
The Parish raised $3,065.75 for Project Compassion this year. Thank You for your generous donations.
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 48%.
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.
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.
COMING EVENTS
28th May: Organ Concert Sunday.
4th June: Parish Morning Tea; Confirmation Mass.