Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
First Sunday of Easter Year C
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the nucleus of our faith. If Christ is not raised from the dead, then our faith is in vain (1 Cor 15:14). For all those who believe in Jesus Christ, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ reassures them once again his Peace, joy, hope, and encouragement in life.
God so loved the world that he sent his only son, so that through him the whole world will be saved. Jesus in obedience to his Father’s command carried out the will of his father with great perfection, as a result the father raised him from the dead. Thus, God has assured us through his son’s resurrection that we too will be raised to life with him.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ played a vital role in the courageous proclamation of Jesus’ message to the ends of the earth. On Good Friday, the disciples would have felt that everything is over and their trust in Jesus was a waste of time; but it was not so, because he rose from his death. When the disciples experienced it personally in their lives, then they became a new creation (2 Cor 5: 17).
In the first reading we read that when Peter made his first discourse to Cornelius, who was a man in a position of authority, he makes the resurrection the basic doctrine and the crowning proof of the truth of the Christian faith. Though Jesus talked about his Passion, Death, and Resurrection previously, they had completely forgotten about it and thought that the tomb near Calvary was the end of all their hopes. As a result, they had locked themselves into the Room of the Last Supper for the fear of the Jews, even two of them left Jerusalem on Sunday morning downhearted and others were waiting for an opportunity to slip out of the city quietly. But the Resurrection of Jesus Christ changed all this. The unexpected, the unhoped for happened. Even the most sceptical of them all, doubting Thomas was eventually convinced of its reality.
So, let us live as a people of resurrection. When difficulties come let us not lose hope in Christ rather let us remember the experience of the first disciples, who became totally different after encountering the Risen Christ in their lives.
Let the Resurrection of Jesus bring us new hope and encouragement in our lives. On behalf of the Oblates in the Fremantle community and the Basilica Staff, I wish you all Happy Easter.
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the First Sunday of Easter Year C
The Planned Giving Programme
The planned giving programme is an important part of the Parish as it allows 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’s giving was 52%.
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. If you are not already a member, for more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
Safeguarding of our children in the Parish
The Archdiocesan Safeguarding Project was started in 2016 by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe 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.
God bless.
Fr John Sebastian
Rector and Parish Priest