Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today is our liturgical celebration of the Ascension of the Lord, when Jesus was taken to heaven on the fortieth day after Easter. In Cycle B, our Gospel is taken from the conclusion of the Gospel of Mark. Scholars have long noted some irregularities about the ending of Mark’s Gospel. There is a natural break in the story line at verse 8, when Mark’s report of the discovery of the empty tomb comes to an abrupt conclusion. This verse reports that the women were so frightened by what they had seen at the tomb that they told no one. This may be the original ending of Mark’s Gospel, but it is also possible that the more complete ending has been lost.
Some manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel, written between the fourth and ninth centuries, include what scholars have termed the Shorter Ending. This is often printed in our Bibles for reference. This ending indicates that the women told their story to Peter’s companions. Scholars believe that this ending is not original to Mark. They theorize that this ending was added by copyists who sought to resolve the original abrupt ending at verse 8.
Other early manuscripts include a Longer Ending that scholars also believe was written by someone other than the Evangelist. Nonetheless, quotations from this Longer Ending are found in the writings of the early Church Fathers, and it was accepted at the Council of Trent as part of the canonical Gospel of Mark. Our Gospel for today’s celebration of the Feast of the Ascension is taken from this Longer Ending.
There are similarities in the reports of Jesus’ Ascension found in the Synoptic Gospels—Mark, Matthew, and Luke. In each case, Jesus assigns his disciples the task of proclaiming the gospel message to the entire world. There are also notable distinctions. In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, the disciples are sent by Jesus to baptize and to preach. In Luke’s Gospel, however, the commission to baptize is absent. Instead, Jesus directs the disciples to return to Jerusalem to await the fulfilment of his promise to send them the Holy Spirit. Curiously, only the Gospels of Mark and Luke actually report Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Matthew’s Gospel concludes with Jesus’ promise to remain with his disciples forever. Only the Gospel of Mark notes that Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of God. In noting this, Mark teaches that Jesus’ ascension affirms the glory Jesus received from God after his death and Resurrection.
Even if this ending to Mark’s Gospel was written by someone other than the Evangelist, in the commission that Jesus gives to his disciples, there are elements that are quite typical of Mark’s Gospel. The signs that will accompany belief in Jesus are as vivid as the action performed by Jesus during his ministry. Those who believe in Jesus will be empowered to do what Jesus himself has done. During his ministry, Jesus sent his disciples to preach, to heal, and to drive out unclean spirits. Now they are sent again to do these things and more. From his place with God in heaven, Jesus helped his disciples, and he continues to help us as we try to live as his followers. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for The Ascension of the Lord, Year B.
Our Lady of Fatima Novena and Feast Day Mass
Novena in honour of Our Lady of Fatima will commence on Saturday 4th May until Sunday 12th May. See poster on noticeboards or pick up a flyer which are available in the foyers of the Church.
Feast Day Mass in Honour of Our Lady will be celebrated on Monday 13th May at 6pm followed by candlelight procession in parish and school grounds and Benediction. All Welcome.
Parish Morning Tea
The next Parish Morning Tea will be held on Sunday 12th May 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 May 2024 at 10am in the parish hall. All senior’s welcome.
Eucharistic Ministers
We are looking at recommencing the Eucharistic Ministers Roster and are seeking all Eucharistic Ministers who are willing to assist. Once we have the list of available Eucharistic Ministers we will then go through the process of some training and updating all WWCC and ensuring that everyone has had WWCC induction session. We are hoping to have the roster up and running by mid-May. If you would like to join the roster, please contact the Parish Office asap with your details and Masses you would like to roster for.
Tap and Go Facility for Collections- UP AND RUNNING!
The parish has now secured three Tap and Go Terminals (Thank You to the Fishing Fleet Festival for their generous donation towards the terminals). So, you are now able to tap and go for the 1st and 2nd Collections and any general donations you wish to make to the parish. We will still operate the collection baskets but the tap and go is another option for those who don’t carry cash.
The terminals are now set up and located near St Patrick’s Statue in the side foyer, also near the Piety Stall in the front foyer and near the Cross behind the Baptismal Font.
LAUDATO SI’ WEEK 19th – 26th May
This is a global celebration where we remember Pope Francis urging us in his encyclical Laudato Si’ to hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor and to humbly place ourselves in communion with our common home. Significantly, Pope Francis promulgated Laudato si’ in 2015 on the Feast of Pentecost. As a Catholic Earthcare Parish we celebrate our part in the great progress the whole Church is making on its journey towards the seven Laudato Si’ Goals set before us by Pope Francis to achieve ecological conversion.
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 60%.
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.
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, visit http://fremantlestpatricks.org.au/parish-safeguarding-project/.
Coming Events
Sunday 12 May
Parish Morning Tea
Mother’s Day
Monday 13 May
Our Lady of Fatima Mass & Procession