Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Today’s Gospel is a continuation of last week’s Gospel: Jesus is speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper. In today’s reading Jesus offers encouragement to his disciples, who will soon see him crucified. He reassures them that even though he will leave them, he will not abandon them. Instead, he will send them the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, through whom the disciples will continue to live in union with Jesus.
Jesus uses the term Advocate to describe the Holy Spirit, whom the disciples will receive. Another word used to describe the Holy Spirit is Paraclete, a legal term meaning “one who offers defence for another. ” Note that Jesus says that he will send “another Advocate. ” Jesus himself is the first advocate, interceding for his disciples with the Father.
In today’s reading Jesus contrasts his impending departure with the permanence of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus will leave to return to the Father, but the Holy Spirit will remain with the disciples.
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the disciples will come to know and appreciate the unity of the Son and the Father. They will also understand that they too participate in the communion between the Father and the Son: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you” (John 14:20).
Today’s reading is one example of the contrast that John’s Gospel presents between the community of disciples, to whom God will reveal himself, and the unbelieving world, which will remain in darkness. The unbelieving world cannot accept the “Spirit of truth,” whom the disciples will receive. Only through the Spirit will God’s revelation and love be known.
Wishing all our mothers a very happy Mother’s Day
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A.
The second weekend of the National Mass Count will take place this weekend during all the Masses. Please refrain from moving around during the Homily so that the volunteers can get an accurate count. Thank You.
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 evening in honour of Our Lady. All Welcome.
Parish Morning Tea
Join on Sunday 10th May for our Parish Morning Tea after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All Welcome.
National Mass Count
Next weekend 16th /17th May will require your assistance and cooperation during all Masses. After the second collection has been taken up the announcer will ask for all male parishioners (all ages including babies) to stand so that the count can be taken. Then the announcer will then ask all females parishioners to stand (all ages including babies). Your assistance during this time would be very much appreciated.
Week Four 23rd /24th May will require your assistance and cooperation during all Masses. After the second collection has been taken up the announcer will ask for different age groups to stand up and be counted. Please listen carefully for the different groups and stand accordingly. This includes babies and children. Your assistance during this time would be greatly appreciated.
Once all this information is submitted to the National Count Office, we will then publish our results.
Senior’s Morning Tea
A morning tea for all Senior’s will be held on Monday 18th May at 10am in the Parish Centre. All seniors are invited, please rsvp parish office. Great opportunity for a chat and cuppa.
Name Tag Weekend
Thank you to everyone who participated in the first weekend of the Name Tag Weekend. This is a parish initiative to better know our fellow parishioners and visitors to our parish. This Name Tag Weekend will be held on the first weekend of each month, so watch this space for the next date. Thank You!
We have a few free items of furniture on the back verandah of the Presbytery. Please see either the parish office or one of the priests.
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
Monday 4th May to Tuesday 12th May
Our Lady of Fatima Rosary
Weekend 9th/10th May
Mother’s Day
National Mass Count
Parish Morning Tea
Wednesday 13th May
Feast of Our Lady of Fatima