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Saturday 4 February 2023

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Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Greetings to you all!

Last Sunday we meditated on the Beatitudes of Jesus. The Beatitudes of Jesus were not delivered by Jesus on just one occasion. The evangelist Matthew has collected many sayings and teachings of Jesus uttered at different occasions and formed them into one complete unit. 

Today’s Gospel comes from the part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stressed on the new way of life. Through his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus would have shocked his audience, because his teachings are totally different from what people used to hear in those days. 

Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth,” and “you are the light of the world.” Through this Jesus summons his disciples to be what God’s people were always meant to be: salt of the earth and light of the world. Salt was used to flavor and preserve food. Through living the beatitudes, Jesus’ disciples become salt of the earth, preserving goodness in the world. The disciple who does not embody the beatitudes is like salt that loses its taste: he becomes no longer good for anything. Similarly, the disciples are to be the light of the world. In the Jewish tradition Israel was to be a light to the nations (Isa 60:1-3; Bar 4:2). Jesus calls his disciples to fulfill this role by living the beatitudes in such a way that the world may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

Cardinal John Henry Newman’s prayer “Radiating Christ” implores the Lord to enable our light to “shine before others” (5:16):

“Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me, and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus! Stay with me, and then I shall begin to shine as Thou shinest, so to shine as to be a light to others; the light, O Jesus, will be all from Thee; none of it will be mine; it will be Thou shining on others through me. Let me thus praise Thee in the way Thou dost love best by shining on those around me. Let me preach Thee without preaching, not by words but by my example, by the catching force of the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to Thee. Amen.”

Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest

The Weekend eBulletin

Click here to download the eBulletin for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.

Parish Morning Tea

The first Parish Morning Tea for 2023 will be held this Sunday 5th February after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All welcome to attend.

Senior’s Morning Tea

The first Senior’s Morning Tea for 2023 will be held on Monday 20th February at 10am in the parish centre. All Senior’s welcome.

PREP (Parish Religious Education Program)

This year the Fremantle Catholic Parish of St Patrick’s Basilica will offer the PREProgram for all Catholic children who attend non-Catholic Schools. This program incorporates Religious Education along with Sacramental Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Classes will commence in February and will continue throughout the whole year. Sacramental Enrolment Mass will be held on Sunday 12 February at 5pm and the Parent Information & Formation Evening will be held on Thursday 16 February at 6pm in the Parish Centre. For more information contact the Parish Office on 9335 2268 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 3pm).

Ash Wednesday 22nd February 2023

Ashes will be distributed at all Masses in the Basilica on Ash Wednesday. Masses will be held at 9am, Midday and 7pm.

Papal Approval of the Constitutions and Rules on February 17, 2021

Pope Leo XII formally approved The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Constitutions and Rules on February 17, 1826. The General Chapter of 1826 decided that “the anniversary of the confirmation of the Institute and the approval of the Constitutions and Rules by our Holy Father, Pope Leo XII, will be celebrated each year on February 17.”

You are all welcome to join the Oblates in WA and the Oblates around the World through the Concelebrated Holy Eucharist at Midday on Friday 17th February to pray for all the members of the congregation especially for our good health and for more vocation to the Priesthood and religious life.

Notre Dame Academic Commencement Mass

This year the Basilica will host the Notre Dame Academic Commencement Mass on Friday 17 February at 10.30am. Mass will be led by Monsignor Michael Keating and Concelebrated with fellow Oblates.

Project Compassion for 2023: For All Future Generations

Project Compassion Sunday will be held on Sunday 19th February. During that weekend Project Compassion donation boxes and envelopes will be available in the side foyer of the church. On the weekend of 25th/26th February we will have a Special Collection for Project Compassion at all Masses.

This year’s theme is For All Future Generations, it reminds us that what we do today can have an impact for All Future Generations. This message invites us to step up for those who do not have the essential resources they need for their survival and those whose needs currently are far beyond ours.

World Day of Prayer 2023

This year’s World Day of Prayer will be celebrated on Friday 3rd March and its theme is Taiwan. All Parishioners are invited to join the World Day of Prayer celebrations on Friday 3rd March at 10am at the Wesley Uniting Church, 4 Cantonment Street, Fremantle. For more info, please contact the Wesley Uniting Church on 9335 1775. All Welcome to attend.

Catholic Worship Hymn Books

We are looking at upgrading our congregation Catholic Worship Hymn Books (green books) with the new version and are seeking donations to assist the parish with the purchase of 150 new books at a cost of $32 per book plus freight. Direct Deposit donations can be deposited into BSB: 086 006 A/C No: 48794 3085 using your name and hymn book donation as reference. If you would like more information, please contact Angie in the Parish Office. All donations no matter how big or small will assist and be greatly appreciated.

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.

EVENTS IN THE PARISH

Sunday 5th February: Parish Morning Tea.

Sunday 12 February: SPPS Welcoming & Sacrament Enrolment Mass.

Thursday 16 February: Sacrament Enrolment & Formation Evening.

Friday 17 February: Notre Dame Academic Commencement Mass.

Sunday 19 February: Project Compassion Sunday.

Monday 20 February: Senior’s Morning Tea.