Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Today’s Gospel reading recounts the miracle of the raising of Lazarus. With our catechumens, who move closer to the celebration of their Baptisms at Easter, we are invited to reflect upon what it means to call Jesus the Resurrection and the life.
The Jewish leaders were growing more hostile toward Jesus, and the people were pressing him to declare plainly that he is the Messiah. Jesus tells them to look to his works, which testify to his coming from God.
In this scene Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, send word to Jesus that his friend is ill. Jesus is said to love Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, but he delays his journey for two days. The delay heightens the drama and shows Jesus’ obedience to God, who is to be glorified through Lazarus’s resurrection. When Jesus finally declares that he will journey to Bethany, his disciples go with him fearfully.
The scene described at Bethany is a sad one. Martha meets Jesus and questions his delay. Yet she remains confident that God will do whatever Jesus asks and affirms her belief that there will be a resurrection of the dead in the last days. Martha’s sister, Mary, comes with the same confidence, believing that Jesus could have cured Lazarus. Jesus asks to be brought to Lazarus’s tomb where he prays and calls Lazarus out from the tomb. At this sign, many come to believe in Jesus, but others take word of the miracle to the Jewish authorities, who begin planning Jesus’ death.
Set against the backdrop of Jesus’ impending death, many elements of the raising of Lazarus foreshadow the good news of Jesus’ own Resurrection. Jesus, facing the conflict with the Jewish authorities, acts in complete obedience to God. In raising Lazarus, Jesus shows his power over death so that when Jesus dies, those who believe in him might remember that and take hope. Just as Jesus calls for the stone to be rolled away from Lazarus’s tomb, so too will the disciples find the stone rolled away from Jesus’ tomb.
With our catechumens we are called to reflect on Baptism as a dying and rising with Jesus. In Baptism we die to sin’s power over us, rising as children of God, join ourselves with Christ, who conquered death once and for all so that we who believe in him may have eternal life. With Martha and Mary, we profess our belief that Jesus is indeed the Resurrection and the life. (Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A.
Stations of the Cross during Lent
Stations of the Cross in English/Italian during Lent are held every Friday at 6.30pm in the Basilica. All Welcome.
Palm Sunday
Sunday 29th March is Palm Sunday. Please bring your own palms to be blessed at all Masses.
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 12th April after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery carport. All Welcome.
Anointing of the Sick Mass
The next Anointing of the Sick will be held on Tuesday 7th April during the midday Mass. All Welcome.
Easter Offering Envelopes
Twice a year you are asked to give generously to support the Priests in the parish. Easter Offering envelopes are now available on the pews. Place your offering inside and place it on the collection plate. Thank You!
Holy Week Services
Timetables with services for Holy Week are now available in the side foyers of the Church. Please pick up a copy and give one to your family and friends.
Financial Assistance
If you wish to assist financially for insurance or repair works you can deposit funds into the account below with the reference of either insurance, repair works church or repair works presbytery.
Account Name: Basilica Working Account
BSB: 086 006
Account No: 48794 3085
Your assistance no matter how big or small is very much appreciated. Thank you to those who have already assisted so generously it is very much appreciated. Thank You and God Bless!
Basilica Carpark
The Basilica grounds are open at 7am to 7.30pm Mon to Sunday. Any cars that are parked in the grounds after lockup will need to be collected the following morning. Parking in the Basilica grounds is at your own risk.
Safeguarding Requirements in the Parish
The Church Sacristy: Reminder that the Church Sacristy is only to be used by the Priests, Acolytes and Church Staff. Parishioners are not to enter the Sacristy. The toilet located in the Sacristy is for the use of the Priests only it is not a public toilet.
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 https://fremantlestpatricks.org.au/parish-safeguarding-project/.
Weekly Giving
The collections are an important part of a Parish life. Your weekly 1st collection donations support the Priests in the parish to minister to the needs of the parish community and the Fremantle boarders.
Your weekly 2nd collection donations help us to maintain all aspects of the Basilica, Presbytery and Administration Centre. Without your assistance we would not be able to provide and maintain the Parish and its community. Thank You!
Please continue to give generously via the collection plate, tap and go tablets or direct deposits into the accounts below.
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.
Coming Events
Friday 27th March
Final Stations of the Cross
Sunday 29th March
Palm Sunday
Thursday 2 April
Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Friday 3 April
Stations of the Cross
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
Saturday 4 April
Polish Food Blessing
Easter Vigil Mass