Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Today’s Gospel is taken from the conclusion of the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel quickly moves from the disciples’ discovery of Jesus’ empty tomb, to Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, to the commission that Jesus gives his disciples in today’s Gospel.
The Final Commission, as this Gospel is sometimes called, is given on the mountaintop. Throughout Scripture, the most important events happen on the mountaintop, and Matthew has used this motif throughout his Gospel. Earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, Peter, James, and John had seen Jesus transfigured on the mountaintop (Matthew 17:1-8). Also, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus taught the crowds from the mountaintop in what we now call the Sermon on the Mount.
Here we are told that the eleven disciples go the mountaintop in Galilee, as Jesus had instructed through Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (cf. Matthew 28:9-10). They see Jesus, and both worship and doubt at the same time. Jesus approaches them and commissions them to baptize and teach, “to make disciples of all nations.” It is a task which Jesus had previously prepared his disciples for; recall that Jesus had sent the twelve apostles to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal (cf. Matthew 10:1-15). However, earlier the Twelve were sent only to the House of Israel; in this Final Commission, the eleven are told to go to “all nations.” The mission of Jesus is now to be taken to all people; the task now is to baptize and to teach.
Jesus commissions his disciples to baptize in the name of the Trinity, one of the clearest attestations found in Scripture for baptism in the name of the Trinity. In the Acts of the Apostles and in the Letters of Paul, baptism is more frequently offered “in the name of Jesus.”
The ending of Matthew’s Gospel can be understood as the beginning of the Church. Jesus commissions his disciples to continue to teach in his name and to bring others into the community of disciples through baptism. The Gospel ends, as it had begun, with the promise that Jesus will continue to be Emmanuel, “God with us” (cf. Matthew 1:23), for all eternity. (Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Ascension of the Lord, Year A.
National Mass Count
This 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.
Anointing of the Sick Mass
The next Anointing of the Sick will be held during the midday Mass on Tuesday 2nd June. All Welcome.
An Evening of Faith & Fellowship for Young Adults
Saturday 31st May | St Patrick’s Hall
Join us for a special evening beginning with Mass at 5pm, followed by dinner at 6pm and a talk at 7pm by our guest speaker, Paul Kelly.
Paul will be reflecting on what it means to live out Catholic values in modern life — a timely and practical topic for any young adult navigating faith in today’s world.
All young adults are warmly welcome. To reserve your place, please RSVP via the link https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/faith-food-real-talk-youth-event-tickets-1988763403877
Please Note: The parish carpark is open 7am to 7.30pm Monday to Sunday.
The carpark is for Church, Parish Office and Parish Centre attendees only.
It is not an all-day free public parking area.
If there are no events in the Church, Parish Office or Parish Centre the car park will be closed earlier.
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
Weekend 16th /17th May
National Mass Count
Monday 18th May
Seniors Morning Tea
Saturday 30th May
CBC Family Mass
Monday 1st June
Western Australia Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 2nd June
Anointing of the Sick