Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As we did last week, we are reading today from the Gospel of John. In today’s Gospel, the healing of the man born blind invites us to focus on the physical and spiritual aspects of sight and light. In the first part of today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus’ response to a prevalent belief of his time: that misfortune and disability were the result of sin. That belief is why Jesus is asked the question of whose sin caused the man’s blindness—his own or his parents’. Jesus does not answer directly but instead gives the question an entirely different dimension—through this man’s disability, God’s power will be made manifest. Jesus then heals the man.
The healing is controversial because Jesus heals on the Sabbath. The Pharisees, the religious authorities of Jesus’ time, understood that the law of Moses forbade work (including healing) on the Sabbath. They also have trouble believing that Jesus performed a miracle. To determine whether the man was really born blind, the Pharisees question him and his parents. The man challenges the leaders of the synagogue about their assessment of the good that Jesus has done. In turn, they expel the man for questioning their judgment.
The final revelation and moment of enlightenment comes when the man born blind encounters Jesus again. Having heard the news of his expulsion, Jesus seeks out the man born blind and reveals himself to him as the Son of Man. In this moment, the man born blind shows himself to be a man of faith and worships Jesus. Jesus replies by identifying the irony of the experience of many who encounter Jesus: Those who are blind will now see, and those who think they now see will be found to be blind.
As in last week’s Gospel about Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, today’s reading has many allusions to Baptism. The washing of the man in the pool of Siloam is a prototype for Christian Baptism. Through the man’s encounter with Jesus, the man born blind is healed, his sight is restored, and his conversion to discipleship begins. The man born blind gradually comes to a greater understanding about who Jesus is and what it means to be his disciple, while the Pharisees (those who should see) are the ones who remain blind. (source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Fourth Sunday of Lent Year A.
We welcome Fr Luan Ha OMI this weekend to the Fremantle Parish who joins us as the Assistant Priest and Hospital Chaplain. Please make him feel welcomed.
Fr Patrick’s Farewell Mass
A farewell Mass for Fr Patrick will be held on Sunday 22nd March at 11am, this will be followed by a cuppa in the parish centre. A third collection will be taken up during that Mass for Fr Patrick. All Welcome.
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.
Urgently required Wednesday Weekday Reader
We are urgently seeking a reader who can commit to Wednesday Midday Masses. We are also seeking a reader who can be used as relief any day of the week. If you can assist with either of these positions, please advise the parish office.
Reader required 8am Sunday Mass
We require a permanent reader for the Second and Fourth Sundays of each month at 8am Mass. If you can assist, please contact the parish office.
Oblate Superior General Visits Fremantle
We will be honoured with a visit from the Oblate Superior General, Fr Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso OMI from Italy in March and he will be celebrating the midday Mass on Tuesday 17th March (St Patrick’s Day) with us in Fremantle. I invite all parishioners to join us on this very special day not only to celebrate our Patron Saint but also to warmly welcome Father Superior to Fremantle.
Palm Sunday
Sunday 29th March is Palm Sunday. Please bring your own palms to be blessed at all Masses.
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.
Please Note: The Parish Office will be closed on Wednesday 18th March. Any queries please email parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au. Thank You.
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.
Upcoming Events
Saturday 14th /15th March
MAMI Appeal
Monday 16th/Tuesday 17th March
Oblate Superior General’s Visit to Fremantle
Friday 20th March
Stations of the Cross
Sunday 22nd March
Farewell Mass for Fr Patrick