Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
The following is an abridged version of the Pope message given in Rome, Saint John Lateran, 8 May 2022.
Called to Build the Human Family
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the time when the cold winds of war and oppression are blowing and when we frequently encounter signs of polarization, we as a Church have undertaken a synodal (working together) process:… On this 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, I would like to reflect with you on the broader meaning of “vocation” within the context of a Church that listens to God and to the world.
Called to be protagonists together of the Church’s mission
… We know that the Church exists … to go forth and to sow the seed of the Gospel in history. This mission can only be carried out if all areas of pastoral activity work together and, even more importantly, involve all the Lord’s disciples. For “by virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt 28:19). To be agents of evangelization” (Evangelii Gaudium, 120). We must beware of the mentality that would separate priests and laity, considering the former as protagonists and the latter as executors, … The Church as a whole is an evangelizing community.
Called to be guardians of one another and of creation
The word “vocation” should not be understood as referring simply to those who follow the Lord through a life of special consecration. All of us are called to share in Christ’s mission to reunite a fragmented humanity and to reconcile it with God. … each of us is a creature willed and loved by God; each of us has a unique and special place in the mind of God… thus contribute to the growth of a humanity inspired by love and mutual acceptance… In a word, we are called to become a single family in the reconciled diversity of its (creations’s) elements. In this broad sense, not only individuals have a “vocation”, but peoples, communities and groups of various kinds as well.
Called to welcome God’s gaze
… Michelangelo is said to have maintained that every block of stone contains a statue within it, and it is up to the sculptor to uncover it. If that is true of an artist, how much more is it true of God! In (Mary) of Nazareth he saw the Mother of God. In Simon the fisherman he saw Peter, the rock on which he would build his Church. In the publican Levi he recognized the … evangelist Matthew, and in Saul, a harsh persecutor of Christians, he saw Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles. God’s loving gaze always meets us, touches us, sets us free and transforms us, making us into new persons.
That is what happens in every vocation: we are met by the gaze of God, who calls us. Vocation, like holiness, is not an extraordinary experience reserved for a few… for God’s gaze and call is directed to every person…God (sees) in each of us, a certain potential, at times unbeknownst to ourselves, and throughout our lives he works tirelessly so that we can place this potential at the service of the common good.
Called to respond to God’s gaze
The evangelist Mark tells us that, in speaking with the rich young man, “Jesus looking upon him, loved him” (10:21). This gaze of Jesus, full of love, rests upon each of us… Let us also learn to look at one another in such a way that all those with whom we live and encounter – whoever they may be – will feel welcomed and discover that there is someone who looks at them with love and invites them to develop their full potential.
Our lives change when we welcome this gaze. Everything becomes a vocational dialogue between the Lord and ourselves; also between ourselves and others… In the vocation to the ordained priesthood, to be instruments of Christ’s grace and mercy. In the vocation to the consecrated life, to be the praise of God and the prophecy of a new humanity. In the vocation to marriage, to be mutual gift and givers and teachers of life… vocation and ministry that calls us to see others and the world through God’s eyes, to serve goodness and to spread love with our works and words.
Called to build a fraternal world
As Christians, we do not only receive a vocation individually; we are also called together. We are like the tiles of a mosaic. Each is lovely in itself, but only when they are put together do they form a picture…that can guide and light up the path of humanity…For this reason, the Church must become increasingly synodal: capable of walking together, united in harmonious diversity, where everyone can actively participate and where everyone has something to contribute. When we speak of “vocation”, then, it is not just about choosing this or that way of life… It is about making God’s dream come true, the great vision of fraternity that Jesus cherished when he prayed to the Father “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). Each vocation in the Church, and in society, contributes to a common objective: to celebrate among men and women that harmony of manifold gifts that can only be brought about by the Holy Spirit…the very purpose for which God created us.
Let us implore the light of the Holy Spirit, so that all of us may find our proper place and give the very best of ourselves in this great divine plan!
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
July: Parish Morning Tea
Parish Morning Tea for the month of July will be held on Sunday 3rd July after the 8am Mass. Please come along and meet friends over a cuppa.
Monthly Senior’s Morning Tea
Monthly Senior’s Morning Tea is a special parish initiative to bring our wise people from our community for a special morning tea every third Monday of the Month from 10 am to 11am, to enjoy a cuppa with them and to listen to their wisdom and acknowledge their contribution to our community. It will be a regular event in the Parish each month, kindly place this event in your diary. Please do come and enjoy this social event. Our next morning tea with the seniors will be on 18th July at 10am in the Parish Hall.
Basilica Guardians
We are looking to have the Church open more to the public after weekday Masses commencing in July 2022. We would like to keep the Church open until 3pm each weekday and would require two or three volunteers for each day.
If you were part of the Basilica Guardian team prior to COVID and would like to return to the team, please contact the parish office so that we can recommence the roster. If you are a new volunteer and would like to join the team, then please contact the parish office, and leave your details and availability.
Catholic Mission Appeal 2022
Catholic Mission will offer you the opportunity to partner with the Church in Ethiopia where your gift can help build a life-changing programme from the ground up to help address the needs of the poor amidst a country that has suffered eighteen months of civil war.
Our Christian vocation invites us to come with an open and generous heart. We hope that you will take this opportunity to make an impact for those in need. Go to www.catholicmission.org.au/ethiopia to watch a video on this project in Ethiopia.
Catholic Missions Appeal will be held on the weekend of the 9/10 July in the Parish with guest speaker Francis Leong, Director of Catholic Missions.
De Mazenod Family Gathering
The aim of these gatherings is to provide an opportunity to connect parishes, schools and ministries in each state and to make the De Mazenod Family and the Charism of St Eugene known. Through various prayer, reflection and discussion sessions throughout the day we will break open this year’s theme: Pilgrims of Hope in Communion.
The De Mazenod Family Gathering for Western Australia will be held on Saturday 30th July and will be hosted at St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle. It will begin at 11:30 am and conclude with Mass at 6pm. Lunch and snacks will be provided throughout the day.
For more information you can visit our website OMI Australia or email us at demaznodfamily@gmail.com. Registrations are open and can be made through the Parish Office or the website.
Parish Office Opening Hours
Please note that the Parish Office will be closed on Monday 4 July and Wednesday 6 July. Normal office hours (9am to 3pm) on Tuesday 5 July, Thursday 8 July and Friday 9 July. Thank You.
Prayer for Peace and Justice in Ukraine
God of peace and justice,
who change the hardened heart and break the power of violence,
we entrust the people of Ukraine to you.Protect them in this time of peril;
let them know not death but life, not slavery but freedom.You are Father of all;
we are brothers and sisters.Give us the strength to live that truth in love,
choosing peace not war.Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Planned Giving
The Planned Giving Programme is an important part of the Parish and assists 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 giving was 102%.
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. For more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
EFT First Collection Details
BSB: 086 006
A/c No: 56187 5405
Reference: 1st Collection and your name
First Collection supports the Priests.
EFT Second Collection Details
BSB: 086 006
A/c No: 48797 3085
Reference: 2nd Collection and your name
Second Collection supports the Parish.
Regarding Masks
Masks are not mandatory; however, masks are encouraged where physical distancing is not possible if you have cold & flu symptoms, or you wish to safeguard yourself from the COVID-19 virus.
Safeguarding of our children in the Parish
The Archdiocesan 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.
Upcoming Events
Sunday 3 July – Parish Morning Tea; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Sunday
Saturday 9th/Sunday 10th July – Catholic Missions Appeal in the Parish
Monday 18th July – Parish Seniors Morning Tea
Saturday 30 July – De Mazenod Family Gathering
God bless!
Fr Leo Mifsud OMI
Acting Parish Priest