St Patrick's Cathedral Parramatta Cathedral Office: 1 Marist Place Parramatta NSW 2150 Telephone 02 8839 8400 Web: http://www.stpatscathedral.com.au Sunday 29 March 2020 Fifth Sunday of Lent Dear friends, With this, the Fiſth Sunday of Lent, we are challenged to consider perhaps the most daunng element of our human existence - that of death, resurrecon and eternal life. The aſterlife, our existence beyond the moment of death, that is, what happens to us when we die have been issues that have fascinated the minds of people for centuries. Much has been wrien and presented in the media concerning the aſterlife with various forms of stories about people ‘living’ beyond death. We hear of various television programs that touch on these quesons: Glitch, The Returned, Resurrecon and the like. As fascinang as these stories are, they remain at the level of ficon and fantasy. Today’s Gospel [John 11:1-45], however presents us with the Chrisan understanding of life aſter death, resurrecon and Jesus Christ as the source of Eternal Life and Resurrecon. It prefigures his own death and his destrucon of the power of death through his Resurrecon on that first Easter morning. In today’s Gospel we hear of Jesus challenging Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus regarding their faith in the Resurrecon and in Jesus as the source of eternal life: ‘I am the resurrecon and the life, if anyone believes in me, even though they die, they will live…do you believe this?’ [John 11:25-26]. This challenge becomes more essenal as Lazarus’ sisters seem a lile upset at the fact that Jesus took four days to answer their request to come and see their brother, who at the me was sll alive, although sick. All of us have experienced death, and in those moments when death takes one who is close and inmate in our lives. We too can challenge Jesus as Martha does in today’s Gospel: ‘Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died... ’ [John 11:22]. The experience of the death of a loved one may leave us also experiencing the absence of God. It is then that our faith in Jesus as the Resurrecon and the Life is deepened and we too, if we place our faith in him, can also exclaim with Martha: ‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.’ [John 11:27]. Jesus offers new life to Lazarus, bringing him forth from the pit of the tomb. In doing this he knows that he is hastening his own death. The authories will agree to kill him in order to save the naon [11:47-53]. Such was their hatred at what Jesus was achieving through his acons and teachings, that they decide to even have Lazarus killed, since people were moving to Jesus because of him [12:10-11]. Emeritus Pope Benedict again captures the importance of this Sunday’s liturgy. He states that “when the resurrecon of Lazarus is proclaimed, we are faced with the ulmate mystery of our existence: “I am the resurrecon and the life… Do you believe this?” (Jn 11: 25-26). For the Chrisan community, it is the moment to place with sincerity – together with Martha – all of our hopes in Jesus of Nazareth: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world” (Jn 11: 27). Communion with Christ in this life prepares us to overcome the barrier of death, so that we may live eternally with him. Faith in the resurrecon of the dead and hope in eternal life opens our eyes to the ulmate meaning of our existence: God created men and women for resurrecon and life, and this truth gives an authenc and definive meaning to human history, to the personal and social lives of men and women, to culture, polics and the economy. Without the light of faith, the enre universe finishes shut within a tomb devoid of any future, any hope. ” As we face this present health crisis we are challenged with our own mortality and fragility. It is an opportune me for us to place our faith and trust in Jesus, the Life and Resurrecon. Do I believe in this? If so, then I need to live out this truth in my life with serenity, confidence, peace and trust. Fr Bob Bossini, Dean & Parish Priest From the Dean’s Desk
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St Patrick's Cathedral Parramatta Cathedral Office: 1 Marist Place Parramatta NSW 2150
Dear friends, With this, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we are challenged to consider perhaps the most daunting
element of our human existence - that of death, resurrection and eternal life. The afterlife, our
existence beyond the moment of death, that is, what happens to us when we die have been
issues that have fascinated the minds of people for centuries. Much has been written and presented in the
media concerning the afterlife with various forms of stories about people ‘living’ beyond death. We hear of
various television programs that touch on these questions: Glitch, The Returned, Resurrection and the like. As
fascinating as these stories are, they remain at the level of fiction and fantasy. Today’s Gospel [John 11:1-45],
however presents us with the Christian understanding of life after death, resurrection and Jesus Christ as the
source of Eternal Life and Resurrection. It prefigures his own death and his destruction of the power of death
through his Resurrection on that first Easter morning.
In today’s Gospel we hear of Jesus challenging Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus regarding their faith in the
Resurrection and in Jesus as the source of eternal life: ‘I am the resurrection and the life, if anyone believes in
me, even though they die, they will live…do you believe this?’ [John 11:25-26]. This challenge becomes more
essential as Lazarus’ sisters seem a little upset at the fact that Jesus took four days to answer their request to
come and see their brother, who at the time was still alive, although sick. All of us have experienced death, and
in those moments when death takes one who is close and intimate in our lives. We too can challenge Jesus as
Martha does in today’s Gospel: ‘Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died...’ [John 11:22].
The experience of the death of a loved one may leave us also experiencing the absence of God. It is then that
our faith in Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life is deepened and we too, if we place our faith in him, can also
exclaim with Martha: ‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.’ [John 11:27]. Jesus offers new life to
Lazarus, bringing him forth from the pit of the tomb. In doing this he knows that he is hastening his own death.
The authorities will agree to kill him in order to save the nation [11:47-53]. Such was their hatred at what Jesus
was achieving through his actions and teachings, that they decide to even have Lazarus killed, since people were
moving to Jesus because of him [12:10-11].
Emeritus Pope Benedict again captures the importance of this Sunday’s liturgy. He states that “when the
resurrection of Lazarus is proclaimed, we are faced with the ultimate mystery of our existence: “I am the
resurrection and the life… Do you believe this?” (Jn 11: 25-26). For the Christian community, it is the moment to
place with sincerity – together with Martha – all of our hopes in Jesus of Nazareth: “Yes, Lord, I believe that
you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world” (Jn 11: 27). Communion with
Christ in this life prepares us to overcome the barrier of death, so that we may live eternally with him. Faith in
the resurrection of the dead and hope in eternal life opens our eyes to the ultimate meaning of our existence:
God created men and women for resurrection and life, and this truth gives an authentic and definitive meaning
to human history, to the personal and social lives of men and women, to culture, politics and the economy.
Without the light of faith, the entire universe finishes shut within a tomb devoid of any future, any hope.”
As we face this present health crisis we are challenged with our own mortality and fragility. It is an opportune
time for us to place our faith and trust in Jesus, the Life and Resurrection. Do I believe in this? If so, then I need
to live out this truth in my life with serenity, confidence, peace and trust.
Fr Bob Bossini, Dean & Parish Priest
From the Dean’s Desk
LITURGICAL CALENDAR March
Sun 29 Fifth Sunday of Lent
Readings: Ezek 37:12-14; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45
Important Message from the Diocese All up to date information re the Coronavirus and how we are impacted as a diocese can be found on the Diocese of Parramatta’s website parracatholic.org Special mention re Sunday Mass obligation below.
• ‘Catholics from the Diocese of Parramatta are from 20 March 2020 dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligation until further notice (Canon 1248 para.2 & Catechism 2181)’.
Great News - Livestreaming at St Pat’s Our first attempt at livestreaming Mass went well last Friday. Fr Chris and Mindy did a great job. Please join us on Facebook to hear our Parish Priest celebrate Mass.
Stay Connected Changes are happening at such a fast rate, we are encouraging parishioners and friends to avail themselves to technology to keep them up to date. While the Bulletin and Liturgy Guide are not available in a hard copy, a soft copy is available through Skoolbag and the website. Instructions to download Skoolbag are below.
For iPhone and iPad users: Click on the “Download on the App Store” button above, or go to the Apple App Store, search for “SkoolBag” and download the free SkoolBag app. After opening the app, add St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish Parramatta and you’re ready to go. For Google Android Users: Click on the “Get it on Google play” button above, or go to the Google Play Store, search for “SkoolBag” and download the free SkoolBag app. After opening the app, add St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish Parramatta and you’re ready to go.
St Patrick’s Gift Shop We stock, Religious Goods and Ethical Products to celebrate Sacraments
and other special moments in your life.
OPEN:Sunday - 9am - 1pm EASTER STOCK NOW IN STORE-CHOCOLATE EASTER PASCHAL
For the sick: Romulo family, Pedro, Shiela, Peachy, Paul Peters,Josip Vretenar, Beverly Horne, Karl Futardo, Marian Campbell, Margaret Smith, Joanne Uccello, Daisy Annalyn
Tuimatafanua, Cora Mercardo, Bernadette Jackson
Special Intentions: Matek family, Fung J Fu, Therese Tan, Jane Bannister, Fr Albert Wasniowski, Patrick Newman, Pedro Romulo, Pedro Sheila, Peachy Romulo, PJ Carson, Nell & Cipriano
Gomes & family, Newman family, George Bitar, Nell & Cipriano Gomes & family, Gertrude Fonseca & family, Freeda & family, Joseph & Jeena, Lin family, Jesus & BVM, Raveen, Naleen
Tian, Bartolome & Clara Cabezas, Stephen Senjak, Anita Ramirez, Nicole Slatter, Tian, Sonja
Recently Deceased: Brett Walkom, Giuseppiina Meli, Daniel Concepcion, Ray Wehbe, Joseph Utson, Kylie Ward, Judith Soso, Patrick Lee
Death Anniversaries: Paul Phuoc, Giuseppe Bina, John The Baptist, B Alex Levonanh, Ceferina Sison, Eric Bokeyar, Marie & Dereck, Miguel Sison, Louis Zouein, Nida De Noronha
Perpetuals: Bokeyar, David & Japour family, Paula Loto’aniu, Peter Van Tilburg, Margaret Angela Roberts, Norm Hector, Sally & Frank Martlew, Sherwood Family, Pat & Jim Hartman,
Royan & Andrews families, Don Andrews, Juliet Noronha, Dr Joseph Malouf, Abel Moses, Jimmy & Anna & Frank Grainda, Frank Agostino, Bernadette Melhen and Sally Boujandy, Jack
Barrett, Ann O’Brien, Ian & Pat Sanders, Bill & Alice Kendall , Allan Kendall, Maria Patterson & Ellen Bancan, Giuseppina & Giovanni Rechichi, Mary Coady, Mary & Jack White, Vincent &
Rebecca Vella, Walter Townsend, Watson Lee, Ferris Grugeon, McInherny, White, McWilliam and McGuckin families, Mary Abela, Robert Andrews, Sylvester Family, Rogan Family, Adcock,
McMillan families, Love family, Hooper family, Gabrielle Baker, Paula Cowling, McDermott & Starr families, Repose of the Souls in Purgatory, Deceased Parishioners of St Patrick’s and St
Monica’s. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
St Pat’s Matters gets the Green Light.
Despite the disruption Coronavirus has caused to our parish’s
communal worship at the Cathedral, Fr Bob has given the OK for
St Pat’s Matters to go ahead. Whether it will be in print form, or
posted online is to be decided.
So when the issue comes out sometime after Easter there will be
much content/reports already submitted pertaining to happenings
pre-coronavirus.
BUT we encourage parishioners to submit their comments /
stories about the Coronavirus Crises:
its impact on your lives physically, emotionally, spiritually;
how has your faith been tested/strengthened;
comments on celebration of Holy Week/Easter in “lockdown”;
what “Good Sam” acts you have witnessed or experienced