Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This week we return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. This Sunday and next, however, are designated as solemnities—special days that call our attention to central mysteries of our faith. Today on Trinity Sunday we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity, one God in three persons.
Today’s Gospel is from the beginning of John’s Gospel. The passage we read follows Jesus’ conversation with a Pharisee, Nicodemus, about what it means to be born of both water and the spirit. Nicodemus approaches Jesus at night and acknowledges Jesus as a teacher from God. Jesus tells him that only those who are born from above will see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus misunderstands and questions how a person can be born more than once. Jesus tells Nicodemus that no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. Jesus is essentially explaining Baptism, which we celebrate as a sacrament today. Yet Nicodemus, we are told, still does not understand what Jesus is saying. Jesus continues by testifying to the need to be born from above so that one might have eternal life. After the dialogue with Nicodemus, the author of the Gospel offers his own explanation of Jesus’ words. This is what we read in today’s Gospel, John 3:16-18.
In the context of today’s focus on the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the reading calls our attention to the action of God, who reveals himself in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God the Father, out of love for the world, sent his Son into the world in order to save it. Through the death and resurrection of the Son, we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. As three persons, God acts always as a God of love; he does not condemn the world but acts to save it.
The Gospel also calls attention to the response that is required of us. God’s love for us calls us to respond in faith by professing our belief in God’s son, Jesus, and the salvation that he has won for us. This profession of faith is a sign of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The Trinitarian family is the greatest gift to the world. The Holy Bible says that God, Son and Spirit have come into the earth at various times and people have witnessed their works and presence. Their presence was evident for the world at the baptism of Jesus. Many verses in the bible quote their relationship and uniqueness. we are formed for God’s family. They remind us to make our families happy homes. (Source: Loyola Press)
God Bless
Fr. Mathew Raj OMI
Interim Parish Priest/Rector
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, 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.
Senior’s Morning Tea
The next Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 19th June at 10am in the Parish Centre. All Senior’s Welcome.
The Sacrament of Confirmation
The Parish will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on this Sunday 4th June at 2.30pm Mass which will be led this year by Very Rev Peter Whitely, Vicar General of Perth. 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, 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 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 the Basilica, followed by a shared lunch in the Presbytery Carport. Please bring a plate to share.
Fr Giancarlo Iollo OMI
Fr Giancarlo will be going home to Italy to visit family from Saturday 10th June to Friday 7th July. During his absence Fr Oscar and Mons. Keating will assist with the Italian Masses. We wish him a safe journey.
Fr Sholto Douglas OMI
On the weekend of the 9th and 10 June we will welcome Fr Sholto Douglas OMI who will be visiting from Zimbabwe. Fr Sholto will speak at Saturday 6pm Vigil, 8am and 11am Masses over the weekend. Please make him feel welcomed.
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. To read more please click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
4th June: Parish Morning Tea; Confirmation Mass.
19th June: Senior’s Morning Tea.