Dear Parishioners and Friends,
On most Sundays during the Easter season in Cycle A, our Gospel is taken from the Gospel of John. This week’s Gospel, however, is taken from the Gospel of Luke. As in last week’s Gospel, today’s Gospel shows us how the first community of disciples came to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. In these stories we gain insight into how the community of the Church came to be formed.
When we read today’s Gospel, we may be surprised to learn that these friends of Jesus could walk and converse with him at some length yet not recognize him. Again, we discover that the risen Jesus is not always easily recognized. Cleopas and the other disciple walk with a person whom they believe to be a stranger; only later do they discover that the stranger is Jesus. We learn that the first community met and recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, just as we meet Jesus in the Eucharist.
We can imagine the feelings of the two disciples in today’s reading. They are leaving their community in Jerusalem. Their friend Jesus has been crucified. Their hope is gone. They are trying to make sense of what has occurred, so that they can put the experience behind them.
Jesus himself approaches the two men, but they take him for a stranger. Jesus asks them what they are discussing. He invites them to share their experience and interpretation of the events surrounding his crucifixion and death. When the two disciples have done so, Jesus offers his own interpretation of his crucifixion and resurrection, citing Jewish Scripture. In that encounter we find the model for our Liturgy of the Word—what we do each time we gather as a community for the Eucharist. We reflect upon our life experiences and interpret them in light of Scripture. We gather together to break open the Word of God.
In the next part of the story, we find a model for our Liturgy of the Eucharist. The disciples invite the stranger (Jesus) to stay with them. During the meal in which they share in the breaking of the bread, the disciples’ eyes are opened; they recognize the stranger as Jesus. In the Eucharist too we share in the breaking of the bread and discover Jesus in our midst. Just as the disciples returned to Jerusalem to recount their experience to the other disciples, we too are sent from our Eucharistic gathering. Our experience of Jesus in the Eucharist compels us to share the story with others. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend Bulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year A.
The Aquinas Schola Choir will return to Saturday 6pm Vigil Masses from Saturday 25th April. We look forward to hearing their Angelic voices once again.
Oblate Retreat/Congress in Melbourne
The Fremantle Oblate Community will return from Retreat late Sunday 19th April 2026. We would like to sincerely thank Frs Navis, Bebin, Bianchini, Pierluigi and Nick who have attended to the Masses during their absence.
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 weekends of May. The first weekend of the Count taking place 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 inside foyer. All Welcome.
Our Lady of Fatima Feast Day Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 13th May at 6.30pm in the Basilica, this will be followed by a procession through the Church and School grounds and Benediction. Please join us on this beautiful day in honour of Our Lady. 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.
Name Tag Sunday – Getting to Know each other one name at a time!
We’re excited to introduce a new parish initiative, Name Tag Sunday – to help us get to know each other together as a community at St. Patrick’s and St Anne’s.
Beginning Sunday, May 3rd, and continuing on the first Sunday of every month, we encourage everyone to wear a name tag at Mass. It’s a simple and fun way to help us put names to faces and strengthen the sense of belonging in our parish family.
If you already have a name tag, we encourage you to bring it along and wear it to mass. If you forget, we’ll have stick-on name tags available in the foyers for you!
So please join us – on the first Sunday of the month, pop on your name tag for Name Tag Sunday, getting to know familiar and new faces one name at a time!
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
Saturday 25th April
Migrant Jubilee Cross
Anzac Day
Sunday 3rd May
National Mass Count Commences
Name Tag Sunday
Monday 4th May to Tuesday 12th May
Our Lady of Fatima Rosary
Sunday 10th May
Mother’s Day
Parish Morning Tea
Wednesday 13th May
Feast of Our Lady of Fatima