Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In today’s Gospel, Jesus moves from Galilee to teach in Judea where he is sought out by great crowds and tested by the Pharisees on issues such as marriage and divorce. Jesus also encounters a rich young man who is unable to accept Jesus’ demand that he leaves his possessions to follow him. Jesus’ response to the rich young man sounds very much like the conclusion we will find in today’s Gospel: the first will be last and the last will be first.
On the surface, the parable of the workers in the vineyard appears to be an offense to common sense. Those who work a longer day ought to be paid more than those who work just an hour or two. When viewed in this way, the landowner seems unfair. That is because we are reading into the parable our own preconceived notions of how fairness and equality should be quantified.
A close read shows us that the landowner paid on the terms that were negotiated. The landowner, it seems, has acted completely justly. The parable goes beyond that, however, and we come to see that the landowner is not simply just, he is exceptionally just. He is radically just. He has given those who labored in the field for a full day their due pay. But he has also given a full-day’s wage to those who worked only a single hour. No one is cheated, but a few receive abundantly from the landowner just as we receive from God more than what is merely justifiable or due. God, like the landowner, is radically just and abundantly generous. The workers who complain are made to look foolish as they lament the fact that landowner has made all workers equal.
Indeed, what more could one ask for than to be treated as an equal at work or anywhere else? The parable reminds us that although God owes us nothing, he offers abundantly and equally. We are occasionally tempted to think that our own actions deserve more reward, more of God’s abundant mercy, than the actions of others. But God’s generosity cannot be quantified or partitioned into different amounts for different people. When we think that way, we are trying to relate to God on our terms rather than to accept God’s radically different ways. (source: Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Talks
This 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 61%.
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.
COMING EVENTS
Weekend 23rd/24th September
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Talks
Wednesday 4 October
Notre Dame University Graduation Mass
Friday 13
October Iona Graduation Mass