Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
The life of the Prophet Jeremiah reminds us of what it means to follow the plan of God in one’s life. He was 22 years old when he was called to the Prophetic ministry. During his time the leaders were concerned about political power and temporal prosperity, but he devoted all his time to remind the people about things of God and their mission in life. But they all fell on deaf ears. Some even thought that he was a traitor.
It is human and easy too to seek popularity among the people; in doing so, one may have to compromise at times with some of the convictions they hold. But Jeremiah never compromised when it came to serving God and in his role as a prophet to the chosen people of God. It is said that he would have easily led a life of comfort, as he owned property outside of the city and he could have served God faithfully himself and let others go their sinful ways. But he did not go down that path, because God had given him his prophetic vocation and he was true to that call to the bitter end. He never counted the cost.
The courageous missionary life of the Prophet Jeremiah and his sufferings reminds me of the words of St. Clare, “What you hold may you always hold. What you do, may you always do and never abandon.” Though the Prophet’s enemies put him into the well where there was no water but only mud intending him to sink in the mud and die, but the Prophet Jeremiah remained committed to the plan of God and never withdrew in his commitment to God. As a result, God saved him, through Ebedmelech, an Ethiopian pagan servant, who pleaded with King Zedekiah not to let Jeremiah die.
The witnessing life story of the Prophet Jeremiah is a reminder to all of us that God’s plan can never be defeated, but it will come into fruition. So, let us stand firm in our Christian vocation and echo God’s message of hope, love, and willingness to make sacrifices as the Prophet Jeremiah did to establish God’s reign on earth. Amen
Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
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.
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 the 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 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 4 September. All Welcome.
Fr Angelo Wijewickrama OMI 30th Anniversary of Ordination
Fr Angelo’s anniversary of Ordination is on 22nd August, but a celebration will be held at the Parish Morning Tea on Sunday 4 September after the 8am Mass. All Welcome to attend. Please RSVP the parish office for catering purposes.
Father’s Day Celebration: Wine & Cheese Night
The Parish will celebrate all Fathers with a Wine & Cheese Night on Saturday 10 September after the 6pm Mass in the undercover area of the Presbytery. Tickets are available online here, or from the Parish Office at a cost of $10pp.
Please come along and celebrate all fathers!
We are also seeking volunteers to help organise and run the event, if you can assist, please contact the Parish Office ASAP.
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.
Parish Centre Toilets
Over the past few weeks we have had some issues with the toilets and access to the toilet area. During the week if you wish to use the toilets and they are locked, please call into the Parish Office and ask for them to be opened. On the weekends the toilets will only be opened before Masses. Thank you.
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 57%.
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 15 August: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Senior’s Morning Tea.
Saturday 20 August: CBC Family Mass.
Sunday 21 August to Friday 26 August: Oblate Retreat.
Sunday 4 September: Parish Morning Tea; Celebration for Fr Angelo’s 30th Anniversary of Ordination.
Saturday 10 September: Wine & Cheese Night.