This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad! CONGRATULATIONS!

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1 Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord 15 th / 16 th April 2017 Vol. 35 No. 19 Fire, light, water and oil, bread and wine, a common table these are the elemental symbols which thrill our hearts on this night of nights, the Easter Vigil. This is the night, when Christ broke the prison-bars of death and rose victorious from the underworld. This is the night of life, of light, of love. This is the night on which light blazes in the darkness, the night on which we wait and watch and listen, the night we bathe in the waters of life, the night we break bread at table with the risen Lord. Six weeks ago we set out as a community together the already baptised and the wouldbe baptised. Tonight our companionship comes to completion: we are one in Christ Jesus. In joy and peace we exclaim, This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad! CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to the RCIA candidates who were received into full Communion within the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. We warmly welcome Brittany Koh, Linda Maddaford, Christine Stevenson and Samantha Xanthis into our faith community. Father Peter and Kaye wish to thank the RCIA team, Sr Imelda, Shirley Fernandez, Michael Gillooly and Gerard Overman for their contribution to the team. We would also like to thank Barry Johnston for his many years of commitment to the RCIA team. Kaye Shervington RCIA Coordinator

2 The Easter Bunny It s not what you think! The Easter Bunny is a symbol of Easter that is popular in western culture, especially with children. According to folklore, the Easter Bunny hides Easter eggs for children to find on Easter morning. However, the association between a rabbit and the resurrection of Jesus Christ appears tenuous at best, and the Easter Bunny has been accused of having pagan origins. But what is the truth? Rabbits are common and found on every continent except Antarctica. Rabbits are also prolific breeders, especially in the spring when they are most commonly seen interacting with one another. As a result of their fertility, rabbits have long been associated with spring and with new life. Even the Greeks pointed out this connection. However, the Christian tradition of the Easter Bunny has distinctly Christian origins. The ancient Greeks thought rabbits could reproduce as virgins. Such a belief persisted until early medieval times when the rabbit became associated with the Virgin Mary, who we know became pregnant without knowing man. During the medieval period, rabbits began appearing in illuminated manuscripts and paintings where the Virgin Mary was depicted, serving as an allegorical illustration of her virginity. The Easter Bunny was first popularized as a symbol of the season by the German Protestants. It is likely they were the ones to invent the myth of the Easter Bunny for their children. Even in earliest folklore, the Easter Bunny came as a judge, hiding decorated eggs for well-behaved children. The notion that the Easter Bunny is a pagan symbol developed in the 19th century. In 1835, Jacob Grimm, the popular collector of fairy tales, suggested that the Easter Bunny came from primitive German pagan traditions. Once Grimm started the rumor, it began to spread, refined to suggest the Easter Bunny comes from the Saxon Goddess Eostre. However, there is no direct evidence of a pagan correlation. The first intimation of a connection arose from Jacob Grimm, and although he was a folklorist, he had no hard evidence other than his own speculation. Conversely, there is considerable documentation that the rabbit was once associated with virginity, the Virgin Mary, and with the season itself, in a Christian context. As a result, we must conclude, the Easter Bunny is a distinctly Christian symbol, and does not have pagan origins as occasionally claimed by those who despise the popular children's myth. ( Archbishop Costelloe s Easter Messsage When Jesus was executed in the most brutal fashion on the first Good Friday his followers, and especially his closest disciples, must have experienced a sense of shocking disillusionment, despair and shame. The man in whom they had placed all their hopes, and who had promised so much, seemed to have failed miserably. As they gathered together, if they did, on that terrible Friday evening, they must have been numb with horror. In spite of all that Jesus had said to them about rising from the dead, how could that incomprehensible promise overcome their sorrow and sense of betrayal? For many of the disciples, the crucifixion of Jesus may well have been in a sense the death not only of their hope but also of their faith. Jesus had spoken of a God of such unbelievable tenderness, compassion, forgiveness and love that with the death of Jesus, and the dawning suspicion that he must have been wrong all along, their faith in the God of Jesus must have been shaken to its core. Perhaps it is only when we reflect on the depths of this despair that we can begin to understand the incredible effect the resurrection of Jesus had on them, transforming them from timid and terrified men into bold and courageous witnesses to the Lord. Against all reason and every possible human expectation, they now knew that Jesus was alive. Death had lost its power, cruelty and evil had not after all had the last word, and the teachings of Jesus had been confirmed: God really was as Jesus had proclaimed him to be. This was a message they knew they had to share with others. After his resurrection Jesus promised to be with us to the end of time. His victory over death is not a past event but a present reality. If we do not experience it in our own lives, or see it reflected and realised in the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters, perhaps it is because we ourselves have forgotten that the Lord seeks to be present and active in the world through us. I wish you all a very happy and holy Easter season. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB Archbishop of Perth [go to to read the full message or watch the video] Subscribe to the erecord Local news from across our parishes, agencies, schools and organisations can be delivered weekly directly to your inbox via The erecord. It contains the latest news, events and photos from the Archdiocese. Subscribe to the e-newsletter by sending details to communications@perthcatholic.org.au. For further information phone: Jamie O Brien

3 2017 Sacramental Program Confirmation: Parent/Student Meeting in the library: Wednesday 24 th May at 5.00pm or 6.30pm Commitment Masses: Saturday 27 th May at 6.pm or Sunday 28 th May at10 am Reflection Day at the school: Friday 2 nd June at 8.30am Confirmation Masses: Saturday 10 th June at 6 p.m. or Sunday 11 th June at 10a.m. First Eucharist: Commitment Masses: Saturday 19 th August at 6 pm or Sunday 20 th August at 10 am Parent/Student Workshop (in the library) Wednesday 23 rd August at 5 pm or 6.30pm Reflection Day (at the school): Friday 1 st September at 8.30am Eucharist Masses: Saturday 9 th September at 6.00pm or Sunday 10 th September at 10 am For further information contact Kaye Shervington on Preserving Our Church Efforts to establish a long-term trust fund to help maintain the magnificent parish church took a step forward recently. The directors of the Our Lady of the Rosary Foundation held a series of information sessions to outline how people can support the cause. The foundation s role will be to try to meet future maintenance needs and scope for improvements in the 44-year old building. The main source of monies for the trust is bequests. With an extensive legal background, director Peter Whyte has offered to assist people to include a provision in their wills. Significant donations are also welcomed. The foundation directors have drawn up a list of long-term needs around the preservation and enhancement of the church building. All funds will go to actual works with no fees or administration costs incurred. The timing of the information sessions coincided with a decision by the City of Stirling to recognise the heritage status of the church and its environs. A plaque will be installed on Angelico Street to denote the heritage status of our buildings. ROSARIANS: Our annual Mothers' Day Mass and afternoon tea will take place on Tuesday, 9th May, at St. Catherine's Convent, 1.00pm for a 1.15 start. Please don't arrive much before then. We look forward to seeing you all again. For enquiries or lifts please contact Angela or Miriam All welcome. Don t forget to return your Project Compassion boxes and envelopes next week. Rosary Care Short Term Assistance (Brochure available on notice board) Phone: Doris or Catherine For full colour images & other news go to the Parish website:

4 \ Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Entrance Antiphon I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia. You have laid your hand upon me, alleluia. Too wonderful for me, this knowledge, alleluia, alleluia. First reading: Acts 10:34, (We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead.) Responsorial Psalm: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 (Look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.) Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has become our paschal sacrifice; let us feast with joy in the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia! Prayers for the sick Barbara Antonetti, Aiden Blechynden, Justin & Roslyn Boylan, Kerry Capelli, Pat Cullinane, Kit Doran, Karel Ganadhi, Megan Garner, Ron Harland, Barbara Hickey, Barry Johnston, David Kenny, Evonne Le Broy, Ray Marinko, Sophie Martin, Joan Meade, Norm Macaulay, Fr Aquinas McComb OP, Fr. Bernie Maxwell OP, Kathleen O Reilly, Henry Porter, Alice Ralph, Anthony Samy, Anne Tan, Julie-Anne Taylor, Di Watts, Jenny Zorich To Be Remembered Robert Bryne, Terry Fernando, Jo Frazier, Judith Frost, Br Patrick Hynes OP, Millie Kerrigan, Fr Bob Mutlow OP, Cecilia Street May they rest in peace. Gospel: John 20:1-9 (The teaching of scripture is that he must rise from the dead.) Next Week Acts 2: Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31 What s on May 5 Parklands Villas Mass 3 pm 9 Mothers Day Mass 1.15 pm ROSTERS: Readers: Acolytes: EMHCs: Power Point: Music: Easter Sunday 15 th / 16 th April Vigil Mass: separate roster Miriam Peachy & Laraine Penberthy Terese Johnston & Anne-Laure Gunson-Bouillet (7:00pm) Brian Gotts & Kevin Susai Gordon Kendall & John Mordini Pat Kirwan & Kevin Susai (7:00pm) Michael Gillooly, Tony Wong, Kaye S Anne Taylor & Lina Vinci Claudette de Silva, John Hayes & Elizabeth Susai (7:00pm) Sr Imelda Margaret Lobo Terry Lark (7:00pm) Julie Prior Giuliano Vinci Lexi Wilkinson Second Sunday of Easter 22 nd / 23 rd April Sonia & Grace Thomas Miranda Hickey & Dorothy Johnston Peter & Susanne Whyte Kevin Susai Gordon Kendall Brian Gotts Libby Dimmer, Sue Walker, Tony Wong, Ann Bucat & Lina Vinci Glenda Gotts & John Hayes Sr Imelda Doris Zambonetti Simon Wong Andy Sambuaga Lexi Wilkinson Julie Prior Counters: [4] Les Norrish, Br Noel Hickey, John Astone [5] Dan Byrne, Eddie Fernandez, John Hartigan Altar Society: Doris & Lucy Zambonetti (21 st April) Trish Burns, Pat Cullinane, Helen Murray, Julie Prior (28 th April) Pilgrim Statue: Mary & Jim Kenny Geraldine Drew Children s Liturgy: No children s Liturgy No children s Liturgy

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