Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Today we begin the Easter Season, our 50-day meditation on the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection. Our Gospel today tells us about the disciples’ discovery of the empty tomb. It concludes by telling us that they did not yet understand that Jesus had risen from the dead. Thus, the details provided are not necessarily meant to offer proof of the Resurrection. The details invite us to reflect upon a most amazing gift, that is faith in Jesus and his Resurrection.
Each of the four Gospels tells us that Jesus’ empty tomb was first discovered by women. This is notable because in first-century Jewish society women could not serve as legal witnesses. In the case of John’s Gospel, the only woman attending the tomb is Mary of Magdala. Unlike the Synoptic accounts, John’s Gospel does not describe an appearance of angels at the tomb. Instead, Mary is simply said to have observed that the stone that had sealed the tomb had been moved, and she runs to alert Simon Peter and the beloved disciple. Her statement to them is telling. She assumes that Jesus’ body has been removed, perhaps stolen. She does not consider that Jesus has been raised from the dead.
Simon Peter and the beloved disciple race to the tomb, presumably to verify Mary’s report. The beloved disciple arrives first but does not enter the tomb until after Simon Peter. This detail paints a vivid picture, as does the detail provided about the burial cloths. Some scholars believe that the presence of the burial cloths in the tomb offers evidence to the listener that Jesus’ body had not been stolen (it is understood that grave robbers would have taken the burial cloths together with the body).
The Gospel passage concludes, however, that even having seen the empty tomb and the burial cloths, the disciples do not yet understand about the Resurrection. In the passage that follows, Mary of Magdala meets Jesus but mistakes him for the gardener. In the weeks ahead, the Gospel readings from our liturgy will show us how the disciples came to believe in Jesus’ Resurrection through his appearances to them. Our Easter faith is based on their witness to both the empty tomb and their continuing relationship with Jesus—in his appearances and in his gift of the Holy Spirit. (source Loyola Press)
The Oblates and Staff wish all parishioners and their families a Happy Easter.
The Weekend eBulletin
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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!
Anointing of the Sick Mass
The next Anointing of the Sick will be held on Tuesday 7th April during the midday Mass. All Welcome.
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
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
Tuesday 7 April
Anointing of the Sick during the Midday Mass
Sunday 12 April
Parish Morning Tea
Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 April
Oblate Retreat/Congress in Melbourne
Saturday 25 April
Migrant Jubilee Cross
Anzac Day