Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year C
All those who were reborn in the waters of baptism are called to do something in building up God’s kingdom on earth. To achieve this, God calls those whom he desires at any moment of his or her life. Sometime the call of God comes to us like a sudden thunder and lightning in the sky.
There are numerous men and women in the history of salvation, who have generously responded to the call of God. When God looked for someone to be his messenger to speak to his chosen people (but they continued to remain unfaithful), Isaiah volunteered and accepted the vocation of prophet. For nearly 50 years (742-700) he tried to wean the people of Judah from their sinful ways. He constantly spoke to them about the infinite holiness of God as contrasted with their utter selfishness and sinful way of life. The life of the prophet Isaiah reveals to us his faithfulness and commitment to his vocation.
The gospel also narrates the call of the first four Apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They were all fishermen. Will anyone hire or appoint someone for a CEO position of his or her company, who is unknown, or unlettered and inexperienced? No. But Jesus chose his apostles, who were insignificant and perhaps not known to many in his time. If Jesus were to look for the intelligent and persons with great eloquence; he would have chosen many highly educated priests and scribes in Jerusalem, Roman officers in Palestine and Greek philosophers whose very name would add prestige to the Gospel message had they been Apostles. But Jesus did not entrust the task of spreading the good news and the keys of the kingdom to the above-mentioned groups of people. He gave this great task to those whom society considered as insignificant. When Jesus called them, he looked at their hearts and their will, not who they were in the eyes of society.
No one can fathom the wisdom of God. We are called just like anyone in the scriptures to carry out the will of God. God calls us every day to be his witnesses in the world. So, let us be proud sons and daughters of God and be active members giving our best to the community and live witnessing lives for Christ and his messages; love, hope and charity.
This weekend’s bulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year C.
On Sunday 6th February: Monthly Parish Morning Tea
On 6th February after the 8am Mass we will have the Parish Morning Tea. This is the First Morning Tea for the year 2022. Please come along to meet friends and to make friends from our Basilica community.
Children’s Liturgy
This weekend we resume Children’s Liturgy. During the school terms, Children’s Liturgy will be celebrated at 5pm Mass on Sunday. If you have your children attending the Mass with you kindly send them to the Children’s chapel, (located on the left-hand side of your entrance to the Church) where the Children’s Liturgy coordinators will guide your children in the liturgy. Thanks for your co-operation.
Papal Approval of OMI Congregation
On February 17, 1826, Pope Leo XII approved the Congregation and its Constitutions and Rules. On February 18, 1826, Father de Mazenod wrote to the Oblates: “Heart and soul we should cling to our Rules and practice with exactitude everything they prescribe… They are no longer mere regulations, nor simply pious directives; they are Rules which the Church, after very careful examination, has approved…”
On this day the Oblates in Western Australia will come together for a concelebrated Mass at Noon. Please join us and pray for the Oblates around the word and pray for more vocations to the Oblate congregation.
Safeguarding of our children in the Parish
The Archdiocese Safeguarding Project was started in 2016 by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe 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 please click here.
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 100%.
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. If you are not already a member, for more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
God bless.
Fr John Sebastian
Rector and Parish Priest