Skip to content

Saturday 5 November 2022

  • by

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Greetings to you all!

As the liturgical year is nearing to an end, the Church gradually invites us to reflect on life after death. Today’ s readings also remind us that only those who have faith and hope will inherit eternal life. The first reading from the Second Book of Maccabees says that true believers will not compromise their faith for earthly benefits or convenience. They are ready to do anything, even embracing death, for the sake of their faith in the hope of resurrection.

In the Maccabean days, the Seleucid king hated religious and social diversity in Palestine and wanted to introduce forced cultural and religious uniformity in their kingdom. The worst came with Antiochus Epiphanes, the king of Syria about 170 B.C. Though an efficient administrator, he had an almost strange love for all things Greek, and he saw himself the defender of the Greek way of life and worship. The immediate victim of his crazy innovation was the Jewish religion (2 Mac 6: 2 – 5). The Jews were asked to violate their ancestral faith and customs. Many of the Jews abandoned their faith and fell in line, while one family, the Mattathias, resisted Antiochus Epiphanes’ systematic destruction of their religion. They led the resistance movement for the sake of their faith. Today’s story tells how seven brothers, inspired by their mother, preferred death to infidelity. From where did they get the strength to face such persecution? The answer comes from one of the dying voices: “Ours is the better choice, to meet death at men’s hands. yet relying on God’s promise that we shall be raised up by him” (2 Mac 7:14).

The story we read today is substantially historical. There were hundreds of such examples of the persecution and death of Jews in the attempt to make them abandon their religion. The sufferings inflicted upon the people were common practice at that time, not only in Palestine but in Egypt, Greece and elsewhere.

The persecutors thought that by forcing these seven brothers to eat a food forbidden by the laws of Moses; it would make them abandon their faith. But the loyal Jews preferred to die rather than violate God’s law.

So dear friends, whenever we have the opportunity or whenever we are called upon to bear witness to our Faith, let us do it courageously because that is what we are invited to do.

Pope Francis says, “we need courage if we are to be faithful to the Gospel.” So let us ask God for courage and perseverance in our faith journey and pray for those who struggle for the cause of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest

The weekend eBulletin

Click here to download the eBulletin for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.

Parish Morning Tea

Join us this Sunday 6 November for our Parish Morning Tea after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All Welcome.

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. The Next Senior’s Morning Tea, Monday 20 November, 10am in the Presbytery Carport.

Handel’s Messiah Concert

Handel’s great Christmas oratorio will be performed in Baroque style by the exclusive Perth Chamber Singers in the beautiful stone Basilica of St Patrick, Fremantle. Paul Wright will expertly lead the Perth Baroque Players, and esteemed choral specialist Margaret Pride will conduct the full ensemble with elegance and brilliance. Solos will be sung by members of the chamber choir who are young and upcoming professional vocalists, as was the custom during Handel’s time. This will be Perth’s first fully professional Christmas performance of Messiah. It promises to be a musically scintillating performance as well as a moving Christmas and spiritual experience.

DATE: Friday 23 December 2022 7:30 PM

TICKETS: $15-$89

BOOKINGS: www.trybooking.com/CCZQQ

ENQUIRIES: mcalyn@it.net.au

Lifelink Appeal

Please collect your copy of the Archbishop’s Appeal Letter after Mass this weekend, read the message and please give generously to support the valuable work of the Church’s social agencies. A special collection will also be taken up next weekend.

Christmas Cards & 2023 Columban Calendars

The piety stall has been gifted a selection of Christmas cards which will be for sale next weekend 11/12 November. Columban Calendars for 2023 are now available at $10 a calendar. Please see Alma at the Piety Stall on Sunday mornings and she can assist you.

Advent Retreat 2022

Advent can be a time of waiting with joyful excitement and intense anticipation, knowing that in a few short weeks two thousand years ago Jesus, the Word become a human being, will be born. Not as a prince to a royal family but to poor Jewish parents in a stable among domesticated animals.

This Advent journey is best experienced over the four weeks, however if you cannot attend all four weeks you are welcome to attend when you can. We will be using some of the meditation practices based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

John Auer will be the retreat leader who has been leading retreats nearly two decades, in Australia and in England. He is also a member of a CLC group using Ignatian prayer practices, meeting fortnightly in Claremont.

The retreat starts on Mondays 28th November and thereafter on 5th, 12th, and 19th December at 6pm at St. Patrick’s Basilica Fremantle Parish Centre. There is no charge.

To register your interest: call the parish office on 9335 2268 Mon to Fri 9am to 3pm or email parishoffice2@iinet.net.au.

Christmas Biscuit Baking for Prison

We have been asked once again to bake biscuits for the women’s prison for Christmas. If you would like to assist, please leave your details with the parish office and we will send you the information sheet and delivery date of biscuits.

November Mass Offering Envelopes

November is the month when we remember our deceased family and friends by offering a Mass for them. Envelopes are on the pews and in the side foyers of the Church and the Parish Office. Envelopes can be placed on the collection plate or handed to the parish office.

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 100%.

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 Costello 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 31 October to Tuesday 30 November: CBC Exams in Parish Centre.

Sunday 6 November: Parish Morning Tea; Prison Sunday.

Weekend of 12/13 November: Lifelink Appeal and Special Collection.

Saturday 19 November: Catechism Students First Communion.

Monday 28 November: Parish Advent Program Begins.