Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year B
The religious leaders: Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees, every time when they approached Jesus they came with constant questions, criticisms and tried to make Him look foolish; but in all those moments Jesus responded with a wisdom and authority, which left the opponents with great amazement.
But in today’s gospel reading a Scribe comes with a genuine question, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Because this question was a constant subject of discussion and debate among the rabbis of that time; thus, they were looking for the one general statement or overriding principle that would summarise and ground them all. So, it is clear from the context that this Scribe tries his best to get an honest and true answer. Jesus, knowing that his question was sincere, gave him a frank answer, telling him that the two primary and essential commandments were to love the one true God and to love one’s neighbour as one loved oneself. Jesus quoted from the books of Deuteronomy (6:4-5) and Leviticus (19:18); ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’
Hearing the response from Jesus the Scribe who was a genuine seeker went away happy recognising Jesus as a sound teacher. He also further makes a beautiful comment that the love of God and neighbour is “worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices,” If my offering to God does not bring me closer to God and to my brothers and sisters then they do not have any value in it.
All the major religions of the world emphasise its teachings on “love”. It is very easy to love God, but my question is: is it also easy for me to love my brothers and sisters? If yes how? And if not why not? When Jesus talked about love of neighbour, he meant everyone who was in need (e.g., the parable of the Good Samaritan), but the Jews of Jesus’ time thought that only a fellow-Jew, obeying the Mosaic Law, was to be considered their neighbour.
Jesus always challenges his sons and daughters to walk on the path he has shown us through his life. He loved everyone; friends and enemies whom he met during his public ministry and obeyed his Father ‘s will till his death on his cross. Are we ready to take this difficult message of Jesus on board with us today and beyond? Amen.
Readings and Hymns
Please click here to download the readings and hymns for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.
Family Mass
The Family Mass music is different from the other Masses so kindly click here to download the readings and hymns for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.
Important Celebrations in November 2021
All Saints Day
Monday 1st November All Saints Day. We will have the usual Midday Mass to celebrate this Day. (Oblates recall the day in 1818 when the Missionaries of Provence first pronounced their vows).
All Soul’s Day Masses and Offering Envelopes
We shall continue to remember and pray for all our loved ones during this month of November that they may enjoy eternal life and thus they also pray for us and help us to walk in the light of faith they have shown to us.
All Souls’ Day Mass offering envelopes are available in the side foyers of the Church and the Parish Office. These Envelopes can be placed on the collection plate or handed in to the parish office. May they rest in Peace.
There will be Three Masses on the 2nd of November: 9am, 12pm and 7pm.
All Souls Day Mass at the Mausoleum, Fremantle Cemetery
A Mass to commemorate All Souls Day will be held at Fremantle Cemetery in the Mausoleum on Tuesday 2nd November at 6pm. The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board welcomes all parishioners to this spiritual occasion. All visitors are asked to park in the Carrington Street car park. For further details, please contact Fremantle Cemetery on 1300 793 109.
Parish Morning Tea
On Sunday 7th November after the 8am Mass, we will have our Parish Morning Tea. Please join us and meet and make friends from the Basilica Community.
Archbishop’s LifeLink Appeal
The Archbishop’s Christmas Appeal for LifeLink will be held on the weekend of 13/14 November 2021.
Please collect your copy of Archbishop Costelloe’s personal letter at Masses on 6th and 7th November. Please read his message during the week and give generously to support the valuable work of our Archdiocesan social service agencies.
You can mail your donation directly in the reply-paid envelope provided or return your envelope and donation for a Special Collection which will be held at Masses next weekend.
You may also donate (securely) online by credit card at www.lifelink.com.au.
Sunday 14th November: Remembrance Day Mass
Sunday 14th November at 11am Mass, we will hold a special Mass for members of the Armed Forces who have given their lives defending our country.
Please join us and pray for everyone who defended our country and gave us the freedom we enjoy today. May they all rest in Peace.
Expressions of Interest Prison Biscuit Baking
The Parish has been approached by the Prison Co-ordinator of Melaleuca Prison to provide home baked biscuits for the prisoners at Christmas Time. In previous years this was an initiative by Fr David Shelton OMI, however since Fr Shelton’s passing and COVID we have not provided this service. If you would like to participate in this important ministry in the true spirit of Christmas in 2021 please leave your details with the Parish Office and we can then send you the baking information sheet and delivery date for the biscuits to the Parish Office.
Thank you for supporting Project Compassion 2021
This year the Australian Catholic community donated $10.08 million nation-wide, and the Archdiocese of Perth contributed $1.06 million toward that figure.
The Basilica of St. Patrick contributed $2,017.70 toward Project Compassion for 2021. Thank you very much for your generous support.
Safeguarding of our children in the Parish
The Archdiocese Safeguarding Project was started in 2016 by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe 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 please click here.
Mass Intentions
Please click here for the Mass Intentions of the week (from 31st October to 6th November 2021).
To book your Mass Intentions please contact the Parish office on 9335 2268 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm).
The Planned Giving Programme
The planned giving programme is an important part of the Parish as it allows us to maintain all aspects of the Basilica, Presbytery and Parish Administration Centre. To keep the Parish viable, we must maintain a target of 95% and above each week. Last week’s giving was 80%
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. If you are not already a member, for more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
Have a wonderful weekend. God bless!
Fr John Sebastian
Rector and Parish Priest