Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today’s Gospel reading directly follows last week’s Gospel in which Jesus taught the disciples how to handle disputes and conflict within the Christian community. In today’s reading Peter asks Jesus how many times one ought to extend forgiveness to another. Peter proposes a reasonable number of times, perhaps seven. Jesus replies by extending Peter’s proposal by an enormous amount; not just seven times should one forgive, but 77 times. The parable of the unforgiving servant is Jesus’ elaboration of his initial reply to Peter. Through the parable we come to understand the depths of God’s mercy toward us and the results of our acceptance of God’s forgiveness.
The king in the parable decides to settle accounts with his servants. We are told that one servant in particular owes the king an enormous sum of money. Despite the promise of the servant, it is unlikely that he would ever be able to repay the debt that he owes. The king is moved by the humility of the pleading servant and mercifully forgives the debt. Rather than displaying gratitude for this forgiveness, the servant confronts a fellow servant who owes him a small debt—a pittance when compared with the amount that was owed to the king. The unmerciful servant refuses the pleas of his fellow servant and sends the servant to prison.
A few other servants tell the merciful king about the actions of the unforgiving servant. The king punishes the servant because he refused to show the kind of mercy, he had himself received from the king. Jesus concludes by indicating that this is how it will be with God and those who refuse to forgive one another.
There is a temptation to quantify forgiveness as Peter tried to do, but Jesus’ point is that forgiveness is not about quantity—the number of times we extend forgiveness to another. In the parable the king’s forgiveness is like God’s forgiveness, and it transforms us, helping us to be as forgiving as God. The lesson is clear: If we hoard God’s mercy while showing no mercy to others, we risk forfeiting the effects of God’s mercy in our lives. (source: Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
Seniors Morning Tea
The next Seniors Morning Tea will be held on Monday 18th September at 10am in the Parish Centre. All senior’s welcome.
Relics of St John Bosco
The relic statue of St John Bosco, better known as Don Bosco, will be touring Australia as part of the celebrations of the centenary of the arrival of the Salesians on Australian soil. The Salesians came to the shore of Australia on 30th March 1923 in Fremantle, Western Australia.
The Basilica will host the relics of St John Bosco on Monday 18th September 2023. The relics will arrive in the Basilica just before the Midday Mass and will remain in the Basilica until 3pm. We invite all parishioners and friends to come and visit the relics while they are in the Basilica. Come and share in this wonderful experience. PLEASE NOTE: NO ADORATION ON MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER DUE TO RELICS ARRIVAL.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Talks
On the weekend of 23rd/24th September we will welcome speakers from Worldwide Marriage Encounter who will talk during the homily on Saturday 6pm Vigil, Sunday 8am, 11am & 5pm Masses.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend
Would you like to give yourself and your spouse quality time over a weekend that will focus on love, caring and relationship?
We invite you to attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. There will be a live-in Weekend in October and a live-out Weekend in April next year.
A WWME Weekend may be the best gift you can give to each other. For more information about Weekends this year or next contact Brendon or Valerie on 0493 534 865. Email WAbookings@wwme.org.au Visit www.wwme.org.au
Piano Concert – Friday 27th October 2023
Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB, of New Norcia Monastery, will present a solo piano recital in Fremantle’s historic St. Patrick’s Basilica, on Friday 27th October 2023 at 7.30pm. The programme will include Fr. Robert’s original compositions from his new album Celestial Void, as well as beloved works of Chopin and Liszt. Also featured will be compositions from the founder of New Norcia, Dom Rosendo Salvado, including works which he played at his legendary recital in Perth in 1846. Entry fee is donation at the door. See noticeboard for more info.
Caritas Australia’s Emergency Appeals – Morocco / Libya
Caritas Australia needs your support to respond to the devasting earthquake in Morocco and floods in Libya. Thousands of people have died, and others have been injured. Communities need shelter, food, water and medical assistance. Please support Caritas Australia’s emergency appeals.
Donate at www.caritas.org.au
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.
COMING EVENTS
Monday 18th September
NO ADORATION
Seniors Morning Tea
Relics of St John Bosco
Weekend 23rd/24th September
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Talks