Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
Holy Mother Church celebrates today the Feast of the Epiphany. The word ‘epiphany’ comes from Greek, meaning, a ‘showing’ or ‘manifestation’. Originally the word Epiphany referred to the visit of a king to the people of his provinces.
The Epiphany story highlights two important truths. First of all, it reveals the royal messiahship of Jesus and secondly, of God’s revelation to the Gentiles.
The evangelist Matthew talks about these three wise men, who are central to the feast of the Epiphany. They were pagans who did not know anything about the true God of the Jews. Yet that God revealed to them the birth of the king, whom he had promised to the Jews.
These three men came in search of the newly born King. When they found Him, they worshiped him and paid their homage by offering him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Today, when we go on a journey, there are many things we think about. When we go to an unknown place immediately we look at the road maps, or now the easily available thing is the GPS, which gives us the direction to the desired destination.
To these three men the star in the sky was their GPS, which led them to the Child Jesus. For them the Star was their symbol of hope, of joy and of peace. To them, the star was but a small reflection of the fullness of the Light of the world that awaited them at the end of their journey.
Today’s Gospel finishes by saying that they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod and returned to their own country by a different way.
Yes, dear friends, when the star appeared in heaven, they were very joyful and after paying their homage to the newborn baby Jesus, they went back to their country by a different way. It only tells us that when we meet God and experience God in our lives, life is not going to be the same; rather our lives will be transformed.
God always guides us daily through various signs. If we could pay attention to them then there will be much newness in one’s life and thus, we will move away from our farmer way of life and start to live in Christ.
As we begin this New Year, let us pay attention to the hope and guidance that God gives to each one of us throughout this New Year.
I wish you and your families a happy New Year 2023. May this year be filled with God’s blessings in our lives.
Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest
The eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Epiphany of the Lord, Year A.
Parish Morning Tea and Senior’s Morning Tea
There is no Parish Morning Tea or Senior’s Morning Tea in January. February dates will be advised soon.
World Youth Day 2023
From 20th July to 10th August 2023 Oblate Youth Australia will be travelling to Lisbon, Portugal for the World Youth Day Pilgrimage. We are planning to join with Bishop Mark Edwards and the Wagga Diocese on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Lisbon for WYD before finishing our trip in Aix-En-Provence – the birthplace of our founder St Eugene de Mazenod.
The indicative cost for WYD has been quoted at $9930 and this includes airfares, accommodation, registration for WYD, tours and most meals. Please note that this is only an indicative quote.
We are now taking expressions of interest for the pilgrimage, and you can find more information & a detailed itinerary by visiting: https://bit.ly/OYAWYD23
If you have questions or need more info please contact: Emma Rice erice@oblates.com.au 0422705230.
Music Festival on Fremantle Park
Please be aware that on the weekend of 7/8 January 2023 the Fremantle Park will host the Music Festival. Streets will be closed Ord Street between Ellen and Finnerty Streets. Expect delays in traffic and parking restrictions.
Please email parishoffice1@iinet.net.au if anything urgent.
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.