Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
I would like to begin with the following questions: What do we do when we’re depressed? What’s our temptation when our dreams are shattered? Generally, we walk towards human consolation, or towards something which will alleviate the hurt or soothe our wounded hearts.
The Gospel talks about two disciples, who walk away from Jerusalem, after the death of Jesus. They felt that their hopes had been vanished and could not see for themselves any ray of hope in their lives. As a result, with dispirited hearts, they walked away from Jerusalem towards Emmaus on Easter Sunday morning, unaware that Jesus had risen from the dead.
The evangelist Luke says, “on the morning of the Resurrection “two disciples were walking away from Jerusalem toward Emmaus, a village some seven miles away, their faces downcast.” Every word is pregnant with meaning: For Luke, “Jerusalem” is more than a city. For him, it means the church, it means our faith-dream, and it means the place where Jesus was crucified (the place of pain, betrayal, crucified dreams, humiliation, and shame). So, when the disciples walked away from Jerusalem it means they were leaving the church, leaving their faith dream, and walking away from the place where they felt that dream had ended in shame.
The Gospel also says that they were walking towards “Emmaus”. What is “Emmaus”? Scholars tell us that there were several places called Emmaus, but they suspect that the one referred to here was a Roman Spa, a resort of sorts, a place of human consolation. Thus, these disciples were doing what we invariably do when we get hurt, walk away from the hurt towards human consolation, towards something which will take the pain away or at least distract us from it.
Yes, it is human nature to seek for human consolation, nothing wrong in doing it. At the same time let us also learn from Jesus as to what happened to him before his death on the cross. When Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, he tells his disciples: “Watch!” They’re supposed to learn something by watching him. As Jesus went to his Father to seek his presence during his moments of difficulties, let us also learn in our lives that we can go to Jesus and thus ask for his presence and guidance when life throws us various challenges and thus find him in our lives. Amen.
Fr. Mathew Raj OMI
Acting Parish Priest/Rector
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A.
Fr Mathew Raj OMI
We will welcome Fr Mathew Raj OMI who will be acting Parish Priest over the next three months. Please make Fr Mathew feel welcome and please introduce yourself to him.
Parish Morning Tea
The next Parish Morning Tea will be held on Sunday 7th May after the 8am Mass. All welcome to attend.
Our Lady of Fatima
The nine-day Novena in honour of Our Lady of Fatima will commence on Thursday 4th May until Friday 12th May. See noticeboards and leaflets which are available in the side foyer of the Church this weekend. This year Mass will be celebrated on Saturday 13th May at 6pm with candlelight procession through the Basilica and School Grounds followed by Benediction in the Basilica. Please join us as we honour Our Lady.
Project Compassion Donations
Please return your Project Compassion donations either via the Parish Office or via the collection plate at the weekend Masses. Donations need to be in before the end of April.
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 57%.
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.
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.
EVENTS IN THE PARISH
Tuesday 25th April: Anzac Day.
Thursday 4th May to Friday 12th May: Our Lady of Fatima Novena.
Sunday 7th May: Parish Morning Tea.
Saturday 13th May: Our Lady of Fatima Mass, Procession & Benediction.
Sunday 14th May: Mother’s Day.