Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
The Word of God reminds us how one should conduct their lives on Earth so that they would always be found in God’s friendship, when their call to judgement comes. If one could be aware of our Christian vocation and act accordingly every time, then we don’t need to fear the last judgement because we always do the right thing and we are well prepared when our time comes.
The parable highlights two fatal mistakes of the reckless servant. First, while the owner of the house is away, the servant thinks that he is the real master. Therefore, his attitude is: “I will do what I like.” Illusion takes control of him and, thus, he forgets that the day of reckoning must come. He should not have forgotten that he is just a servant, and he is accountable to the master.
Secondly, he has a wrong understanding of time. He thinks that he has plenty of time at his disposal to put things right before the master comes. It is obvious from his words, “My master is delayed in coming.” There is nothing fatal about feeling that we have plenty of time. In such a situation, ‘tomorrow’ can be a dangerous word. Relying too much on ‘tomorrow’ can be our undoing.
There is a story, which goes like this: One day a young man went to visit a famous Guru well known for his wisdom. To test his wisdom, the young man asked the Guru, “Master I want to be in heaven after my death. So how many days before my death shall I prepare for that?” Immediately Guru replied, “One day before the death.” This was an unexpected answer for the young man. Still, he braved to ask, “But how will I know when I am going to die?” In a calm voice Guru replied, “Since we do not know the time, start preparing now.
The words that are attributed to Pope St. John Paul II are highly significant: “The future starts today, not tomorrow.” In the parable, the faithful servant does exactly that: “Blessed is that servant whom his master finds so doing when he comes” (Lk 12: 43). Let our daily life be one of constant awareness that we need to prepare for our eternal life, every day not at the last minute. Amen
Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
Monthly Parish Morning Tea
Please join us on the First Sunday of every month after the 8am Mass for our Parish Morning Tea.
The next Parish Morning Tea will be held on Sunday 7 August, 2022. The Morning will be held in the Parish Centre this month, due to bad weather.
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.
The Next Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 15 August at 10am in the Parish Hall.
Fr Giancarlo Iollo OMI
We will welcome Fr Giancarlo (Fr Carlo) to the Fremantle Community. He will be staying with us until January 2023. Fr Carlo has been in Melbourne for a few years in the Mazenod School and parishes. Please make him feel welcome.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
On Monday 15th August, our Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Solemnity of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For us Christians this is a great feast of hope. Mary entering triumphantly into heaven gives all of us hope in our eventual entry as well. What took place in her will happen to us also at the end times.
On 15th August we have 9am, 12pm and 7pm masses to celebrate this important Holy Day of Obligation in our Parish.
Oblate Priests on annual retreat
The Oblates in Australian Province will commence their annual retreat from August 21st to 26th in Melbourne. Please keep us in your prayers as we will remember you all specially during our annual retreat time.
Parish Confirmation Mass
We ask that you keep the candidates for Confirmation in your prayers as they journey towards receiving the Sacrament on Sunday 7 August 2022 at 2.30pm.
Basilica Guardians
We are urgently seeking volunteers who can assist with the Basilica Guardians. The Basilica Guardians allow us to keep the Church open on weekdays (Monday to Friday) from after midday Mass until 3pm. If you would like to volunteer, please call the Parish Office. Thank you to those who have already volunteered. As soon as we have enough volunteers, we will commence a roster.
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 81%.
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 and 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 7 August: Parish Morning Tea; Parish Confirmation Mass.
Monday 15 August: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Senior’s Morning Tea.
Saturday 20 August: CBC Family Mass.