Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
The 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year C
We continue our reflection on the Sermon on the Plain from the Gospel of Luke, which we started listening to two Sundays ago with the Beatitudes. Jesus’ words as usual are very sharp and straightforward.
Jesus mentions another interesting metaphor the tree and its fruits. “There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.”
Just like a tree producing fruit that reflects its state of health or disease, a good man draws from the store of goodness in his heart, a bad man draws from his store of badness. Jesus concludes the teaching by reminding the disciple that speech is a mirror of the soul: “From the fulness of the heart the mouth speaks” (Lk 6:45). In other words, today’s gospel invites us all to a life of honesty and integrity.
The Church has given this reading for us today to look into our lives and find out where I really need to correct my life and be a good Christian. Sometime or other we are all guilty of rash judgements and unjustified criticisms to a greater or lesser degree. Let us turn this criticism on ourselves rather and judge ourselves honestly so that we shall worthily live our Christian vocation and be Christlike. We cannot become saints in a week or a month but little by little, slowly, and steadily we all can do so.
Christ’s message is always straightforward and calls us to action. So let us spend time with ourselves and find out how we can live the Beatitudes in our lives and be good Christians to our brothers and sisters. Also do not be afraid to ask pardon from those we have wrongly judged in our lives. Amen.
This weekend bulletins
Click here to download the ebulletins for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year C.
Ash Wednesday Mass Times
We begin our Lenten journey on 2nd March with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. It is a day of fasting and abstinence for all Catholics between 14 and 65 years of age, except those who may be excused due to infirmity or ill health.
It is a great season to take an inward journey into our lives and see what needs to be corrected so that we can enjoy the fulness of life that Christ has promised to us (Jn 10:10). We should take this time of reflection seriously and come closer to God.
On Ash Wednesday, there will be Three Masses: 9.00am, 12noon and 7pm. Please make use of this opportunity and begin our Lenten journey with the determination to always follow Jesus in our lives.
Parish Lenten Retreat 2022
“It was because of love that the Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.”
Lent is a time of journeying, when we are preparing ourselves to join with Jesus on the last days of his life which led from the Last Supper to his show trial, conviction, and death by crucifixion, coming to completion three days later as the risen Christ of St Pauls’ letters.
You are invited as part of your Lenten preparation to come together for a series of one-hour prayerful evenings (we will be using some of the meditation exercises from the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola as our guide for the journey) where we will journey with Jesus Christ through his life to his death and resurrection. Commencing on Monday 14 March, and continuing every Monday for five weeks (14, 21,28 March, 4 & 11 April) in the Parish Centre at 6pm.
To register your interest please contact the Parish Office on 9335 2268, Mon to Fri 9am to 3pm or via email parishoffice@oblates.com.au.
The journey is best experienced over the five weeks, however if you cannot attend all five weeks you are still welcome to be part of the journey.
World Day of Prayer 2022
Many Parishioners will remember that last March we gathered in St Patrick’s Basilica to pray for the people of Vanuatu and learnt more of their faith, lifestyle and needs. This year on Friday March 4, parishioners of St John’s Anglican Church in Fremantle will lead us in prayer and thanksgiving for the people of ENGLAND, WALES & NORTHERN IRELAND. The service will take place at 10 am and our St Pat’s parishioners are invited to attend. Please join us and be part of this worldwide celebration.
Fremantle Park Concert – Sunday 6th March, 2022
We have received notification that on Sunday 6 March there will be a SummerSalt Concert on the Fremantle Park (Ellen Street, Opposite CBC) from 12noon to 9pm. They are expecting large crowds and there will be road closures and detours in place on Ord, Ellen and Parry Streets. This will also impact parking spaces around these areas on the day with possible limited number of parking spaces available. We advise that you plan and give yourself plenty of time to arrive for Masses on the day.
Project Compassion 2022
Today is Project Compassion Sunday. Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. During the six weeks of Lent, millions of Australians come together in solidarity to help end poverty, promote justice, and uphold dignity by supporting Project Compassion. This year, Project Compassion is built around the theme of ‘For All Future Generations’, which is taken from the book of Genesis.
Today, I’m asking you to support Project Compassion by taking a donation box or donation envelope pack home with you and a special collection will be taken up on Sunday 13th March at all Masses. Thanks for your generous support.
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.
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 52%.
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