Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
The Word of God gives us an example of some great figures in the scriptures who expressed their hospitality to the known: as Martha and Mary gave their hospitality to Jesus and to some unknown guests: as Abraham did to the three strangers, who appeared at the door of his tent.
Hospitality should be an integral part of everyone in society because it brings us together and gives us an opportunity to express our love and kindness to those people who are in need and with the unknown in our society too. Today in particular, I would like to reflect with you on the gospel story, which talks about the hospitality which Martha and Mary offered to Jesus. Traditionally speaking, some would argue saying that Mary did the right thing and Martha was busy with the materialistic thing. I am not going into those discussions, but what I look at is how these two women give us an occasion to think about what is important in life and how to choose one’s priority in life.
When a person goes deeper into this story one could understand that Jesus did not intend to belittle Martha and her activity, rather he helps her to see how to set one’s priority and how to be a solid disciple of Jesus. To be solid in one’s faith journey first and foremost a disciple should be a good listener. To hear the word of God is the foundation of all action, and the word of God must permeate all other concerns; Martha was distracted by her hospitality. The highest priority must be given to listening to the word. Prayer and actions must be continual, complementary, and mutually dependent. Prayer without action is sterile, and action without prayer is empty. We are expected to be “contemplatives in action” because only those who listen carefully to the Word of God know how to behave in the way that God wants, when they show deep concern for the well-being of other people.
Friends, may the faith journey of Abraham, Martha and Mary, enkindle in our hearts and minds to grow more deeply in our faith journey and how to be hospitable. How do they speak to you today? Am I willing to listen to his words with deep and interior listening and thus transform my life? The Word of God is active and alive; so, allow the word of God into your lives, which will indeed transform your actions too.
Fr, John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the ebulletins for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
Catholic Missions 2022
THANK YOU for your generous partnership with life-changing mission programmes in Ethiopia. You are helping the Church and local community to work towards addressing problems like malnutrition in babies and children. Your gift also supports mission programmes around the world that reach out and give life to those in need.
If you missed the opportunity last week envelopes are available on the pews, or you can click here to sign up for the newsletter.
You can also contact Francis Leong on 6234 1760 or director.cm@perthcatholic.org.au for further information.
Monthly Senior’s Morning Tea
Monthly Senior’s Morning Tea is a special parish initiative to bring our seniors together to share a cuppa and a chat. The Senior’s morning tea is held every third Monday of each month in the Parish Hall from 10am to 11am.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to ill health of the Senior’s Morning Tea Team, Monday 18 July is CANCELLED, and the morning tea is rescheduled to Monday 25 July at 10am in the Parish hall.
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. All Welcome.
Grandparents Thanksgiving Mass
The Parish will celebrate all grandparents with a special Mass on Tuesday 26 July (the Feast Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary) at midday. We invite all grandparents, great grandparents and adopted grandparents to come along and receive a special blessing at the Mass and then enjoy a light lunch in the Parish Centre. RSVP is essential to the Parish Office on 9335 2268 before the 25 July. We look forward to sharing this special day with all grandparents.
Fr Angelo Wijewickrama OMI
Fr Angelo will be away from 19 July to 19 August. We ask that you keep Fr Angelo in your prayers as he journeys home to Sri Lanka to visit his family. We wish him a safe journey to Sri Lanka and when he returns home to Fremantle.
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 48%.
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: 066 107
A/c No: 0080 0216
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
Monday 25 July: Parish Seniors Morning Tea
Tuesday 26 July: Grandparents Thanksgiving Mass
Saturday 30 July: De Mazenod Family Gathering; Fr Gaetano Nanni OMI (dec’d 10th anniversary)
Sunday 7 August: Parish Confirmation Mass