Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The Gospels tell us that Jesus appeared to the disciples on several occasions after they discovered that his tomb was empty. Part of the mystery of Jesus’ Resurrection is that he appeared to his disciples not as a spirit but in bodily form. The bodily form was not one that the disciples recognized though. In John’s Gospel, Mary of Magdala does not recognize that the figure standing before her is Jesus until he speaks to her. In Luke’s Gospel the disciples who meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus do not recognize him until he breaks bread with them. The resurrected Jesus had a physical presence, but the disciples couldn’t recognize Jesus unless he allowed them to. His resurrected body, nonetheless, showed the marks of his crucifixion.
From readings such as today’s Gospel, we also see that in his resurrected body, Jesus seems to be free of physical constraints. He appears to the disciples despite the fact that the doors were locked.
Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. In doing so, Jesus commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” During the meeting, Jesus also shows the integral connection between forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The story of Thomas illustrates our Christian experience today: We are called to believe without seeing. In fact, all Christians after the first witnesses have been called to believe without seeing. Thomas’s doubt is hardly surprising; the news of Jesus’ appearance was incredible to the disciples who had seen him crucified and buried. Thomas’s human nature compelled him to want hard evidence that the Jesus who appeared to the disciples after his death was indeed the same Jesus who had been crucified. Thomas is given the opportunity to act on that desire. He is our witness that Jesus is really risen.
Our faith is based on the witness of the Church that has preceded us, beginning with Thomas and the first disciples. Through Baptism we receive the same Holy Spirit that Jesus brought to the first disciples. We are among those who are “blessed” because we believe without having seen. (source loyola press).
The Weekend eBulletin
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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.
Oblate Retreat/Congress in Melbourne
The Fremantle Oblate Community will be attending their annual Retreat/Congress in Melbourne from Sunday 12th April to Sunday 19th April 2026. During this time, we have had to make some changes so that we can accommodate supply Priests.
Please make note of the following: –
Sunday 12th April: Masses as per normal with Fr Navis and Fr Bianchini assisting.
Monday 13th April: No Adoration and No Midday Mass
Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th April: No Adoration but Midday Masses as per normal with Fr Navis assisting.
Sunday 19th April: Masses as per normal with Fr Navis, Fr Pierluigi and Fr Nick assisting.
From Monday 20th onwards Oblates return and Masses continue as per usual.
Thank you for your assistance during this time and let us keep the Oblates in our prayers.
All to Pilgrimage and Celebration: The Migrant Jubilee Cross
This Easter, we are welcoming the Pilgrimage of the Migrant Jubilee Cross to Australia. This is a deeply symbolic and sacred Migrant Jubilee Cross which is a gift from migrant communities to the Church. It also contains sacred relics of the Holy Family and a relic from the 1914 cedar coffin of St Mary of the Cross MacKilloр.
The Fremantle Parish has been asked to host the Migrant Jubilee Cross, so you are invited to join us on:
Saturday 25th April 2026
10am welcome the Migrant Cross to the parish followed by Veneration, rosary, quiet prayer and reconciliation
11am Adoration
Midday Concelebrated Mass for the Migrant Cross and Anzac Day
1pm Veneration, rosary and quiet prayer
2.30pm Farewell Migrant Cross
National Mass Count of Attendance
The National Count of Attendance will be taking place in the Parish over the first four weeks of May. The first weekend of the count taking place is on 2/3 May 2026.
Novena in honour of Our Lady of Fatima
The nine day Novena in honour of Our Lady of Fatima will commence on Monday 4th May at 11.30am followed by Mass at Midday and continue until Tuesday 12th May. See flyers in side foyer. All Welcome.
Pilgrimage to Schoenstatt Shrine
Parishioners are warmly invited to join a pilgrimage to the Schoenstatt Shrine in Mt Richon on Sunday 17 May 2026.
12 noon arrival and picnic BYO lunch
1pm Reflection by Sr Lisette.
2pm Rosary organised by Sr Lisette
3pm guided visit of Chapel and reflection on how Schoenstatt was founded.
Afternoon tea and coffee
Transport: Please arrange your own transport. Please let Margherita know if you need a lift.
For more information please contact Margherita – 0401 028 608
Angelica – 0491 191 833
Italian Pastoral Group & Ursuline Prayer Group.
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
Sunday 12 April
Parish Morning Tea
Sunday 12 April to Sunday 19 April
Oblate Retreat/Congress in Melbourne
Saturday 25 April
Migrant Jubilee Cross
Anzac Day
Sunday 3 May
National Mass Count Commences
Monday 4 to Tuesday 12 May
Our Lady of Fatima Rosary
Sunday 10 May
Mother’s Day