Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Immediately after criticizing the religious leaders through the parable of the tenants in last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus proceeded to tell another parable, again directed at the religious leaders. We hear this parable in today’s Gospel.
In the parable of the wedding feast, Jesus offers an image of the kingdom of heaven using the symbol of a wedding banquet. In today’s first reading from the prophet Isaiah and in today’s psalm, the Lord’s goodness is evident in the symbol of a feast of good food and wine. Jesus’ listeners would have been familiar with the image of a wedding feast as a symbol for God’s salvation. They would consider themselves to be the invited guests. Keeping this in mind helps us to understand the critique Jesus makes with this parable. The context for this parable is the growing tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem. This has been the case for the past two Sundays and will continue to be true for the next several weeks.
The parable Jesus tells is straightforward. The king dispatches his servants to invite the guests to the wedding feast that he is planning for his son. The listeners would have been surprised to learn that the first guests refused the invitation. Who would refuse the king’s invitation? A second dispatch of servants follows. Again, to the listeners’ great surprise, some guests ignore the invitation. Some of the invited guests even go so far as to mistreat and kill the servants. The king invokes his retribution against these murderers by destroying them and burning their city.
We might stop here for a moment. Why would some guests kill the servants sent to invite them to the king’s wedding feast? It might be possible that the king was a tyrant, evidenced by the destruction of the city of those who refused his invitation. But if we follow this idea, then the allegory seems to be about something other than the kingdom of heaven. It is more likely that the destruction of the city would have been a powerful image corresponding to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70, which would have been an important event for Matthew’s audience.
With the invited guests now deemed unworthy to attend the king’s wedding feast, the servants are sent to invite whomever they can find. The guests arrive, but it appears that accepting the king’s invitation brings certain obligations. The guest who failed to dress in the appropriate wedding attire is cast out of the feast. We are reminded that while many are invited to the kingdom of heaven, not all are able to meet its requirements. God invites us to his feast, giving us his salvation. Yet he asks us to repent for our sins.
Jesus’ message in the parable cautions against exclusive beliefs about the kingdom of heaven. The parable also teaches about humility. Those who assume that they are the invited guests may find that they have refused the invitation, and so others are invited in their place. To accept the invitation is also to accept its obligations. God wants our full conversion in complete acceptance of his mercy. (source: Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
Calling All Students! – The Fishing Fleet Festival – 75th Anniversary
Sunday 22nd October 2023 will mark the 75th Anniversary of the Blessing of the Fleet. The Fishing Fleet Festival are seeking all students from the neighbouring Catholic Schools to participate in this long-standing community event. Students from all ages can dress in Italian costumes, provided by the Association or dress in their communion dresses. Students can also come along and represent their school in school uniform and carry school banners. Procession leaves St Patrick’s Basilica at 2pm. If you would like to participate, please email Maria on anna.minutillo@cewa.edu.au for further information and to borrow costumes.
Annual Blessing of the Fleet
Celebration for this year’s 75th Anniversary of the Blessing of the Fleet will commence with a Triduum on Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th with Rosary at 7.30pm and Mass at 8pm led by Fr Giancarlo Iollo OMI. The Feast Day will be celebrated with Mass at 9.30am, followed by Procession leaving the Basilica at 2pm, Blessing of the Boats and Benediction. All Welcome.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO 5PM EVENING MASS ON SUNDAY 22ND OCTOBER.
Seniors Morning Tea
The next senior’s morning tea will be held on Monday 23rd October 2023 at 10am in the Parish Centre. All seniors welcome.
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.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a wonderful opportunity for those who seek to embrace the faith of the Catholic Church and a great avenue for those who wish to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ. If you know anyone willing to take up this journey, please encourage them to come for the information evening on Tuesday 17th October 2023 at 6.30pm, in the Parish Office Boardroom. For further information please contact the Parish Office, Mon to Fri 9am to 3pm on 9335 2268.
CBC Exams
Please note that the parish centre will host CBC ATAR Exams from Monday 30th October to Friday 17th November 2023. We ask that you please keep the boys in your prayers during this time and please be mindful when using the toilets in the parish centre.
Weekday Volunteer Readers
We are URGENTLY seeking readers to read at the midday Masses, if you can assist can you please see Joan Swindells or call into the parish office.
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 51%.
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.
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
Monday 16 to Thursday 19 October
Aquinas Retreats & Reconciliation
Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 October
Triduum Blessing of the Fleet
Sunday 22 October
Blessing of the Fleet
NO 5pm Evening Mass
Monday 23 October
Senior’s Morning Tea