Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
During these four weeks of our advent journey, we will constantly listen to the prophecies of the great Isaiah, who gives hope to the chosen people of God. God made this promise to them: “I shall be your God and you shall be my people.” But the chosen people forgot about it and did what their hearts pleased them to do, which resulted in exile and in slavery.
The images that the Prophet uses in his prophecy are extremely contradictory in nature to one another such as, “The wolf lives with the lamb, the panther lies down with the kid, calf, and lion feed together, with a little boy to lead them. The cow and the bear make friends, their young lie down together. The lion eats straw like the ox. The infant plays over the cobra’s hole; into the viper’s lair the young child puts his hand.” Yes, it is one of the iconic images of the Kingdom of God, in which all creatures live in peace with one another.
It is said that St. Francis of Assisi once addressed the wolf, in the following manner. “Brother Wolf, since you are willing to make and keep this peace pact, I promise you that I will have the people of this town give you food every day as long as you live, so that you will never again suffer from hunger, for I know that whatever evil you have been doing was done because of the urge of hunger. But my brother Wolf, since I am obtaining such a favour for you, I want you to promise me that you will never hurt any animal or man. Will you promise me that?” … And as St. Francis held out his hand to receive the pledge, the wolf also raised its front paw and meekly and gently put it in St. Francis’s hand as a sign that it was giving its pledge…. From that day, the wolf and the people kept the pact which St. Francis made.
This story is a reminder to all of us how each one needs to live in perfect harmony with our brothers and sisters. St. Francis of Assisi once said that remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received – fading symbols of honour, trappings of power – but only what you have given: a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.
So, as we prepare to celebrate the joy of Christmas, let us make any amendments needed in our lives, so that this Christmas will be a joyful one. Amen
Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest
Please Note: The Parish Office will be closing at Midday on Monday 5th December.
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Second Sunday of Advent Year A.
Parish Morning Tea
Join us this Sunday 4 December for our parish morning and on Sunday 18 December for our Christmas parish morning tea. Both morning teas are held 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 will be held on Monday 19 December, 10am in the Parish Centre.
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.
Retreat held on the following Mondays 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.
Second Rite of Reconciliation
To celebrate the joy of Christmas, spiritual preparation is also essential. On Wednesday 21st December at 7pm, there will be the Second Rite of Reconciliation in our Basilica. Please make use of this spiritual opportunity to prepare ourselves well and to celebrate the joy of Christmas.
Solemnity of Immaculate Conception
On Thursday 8th December we will have a concelebrated Mass to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. It is an important feast for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Please come and join the Oblates from Western Australia and pray for their good health and for more vocations to the Oblate congregation.
On Monday 12th December: Memorial Mass for David Shelton OMI
On Monday 12th December we will celebrate a memorial Mass at 12pm Mass to celebrate the third anniversary of the death of Fr. David Shelton, who with great love served in the Prison ministry for a very long period. He was instrumental in initiating “baking biscuits for the prisoners for Christmas.” May he Rest in Peace.
Christmas Offerings
Usually twice a year you are invited, as a community, to make a special effort to financially support the Priests of the Basilica. Envelopes are available in your planned giving boxes or in the pews of the Church. Your generosity is very much appreciated along with your prayers, encouragement, and blessings.
Mary’s Dream
This weekend you will find copies of Mary’s Dream in the side foyers of the Church, please pick up a copy and take the time to read through it and perhaps action some of the items mentioned. Please click here to download the PDF of Mary’s Dream.
Christmas Carols by Candlelight in the Basilica
Come along and enjoy an evening of music, readings, and carols in the Basilica on Friday 16 December at 7.30pm with Andrew Brown (organist), Emma Oorschot (conductor), the Choir of St Elizabeth and the Basilica Cantors. Entry Fee by donation. All Welcome.
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 82%.
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
Sunday 4 December: Parish Morning Tea.
Friday 9 December: SPPS Graduation Mass.
Friday 16 December: Carols by Candlelight in the Basilica.
Wednesday 21 December: 2nd Rite of Reconciliation.
Friday 23 December: Handel’s Messiah Concert in Basilica.