Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today’s Gospel passage is the conclusion of Jesus’ discourse with his disciples. It is about the end of time, the coming of the Son of Man, and the final judgment. We hear this description of the final judgment at the conclusion of our liturgical year, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. In the context of Matthew’s Gospel, this passage might also be read as a conclusion of Matthew’s report on Jesus’ life and ministry; the remaining chapters report the events of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes to his disciples the scene of the judgment of the Son of Man. All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates sheep and goats upon their return from the pasture. The judgments made by the Son of Man will be based upon the acts of mercy shown to the least ones—the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned. Indeed, Jesus, who suffered on the Cross, identifies himself with the least ones.
Recall that last week’s parable of the talents taught us that the gifts that we have been given are intended to be used for the service of others, especially the least among us. Our judgment before God will be based not only on how we have used these gifts and talents, but also on how we have extended ourselves in service to these least ones. Indeed, Jesus tells us that whenever we have served these least ones, we have served Christ himself.
When we read today’s Gospel in the context of the chapters that follow in Matthew’s Gospel, we learn the extent to which Jesus identifies with the least ones. In accepting death on the cross, Jesus shows himself to be one of the hungry, the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned. To accept Jesus is to accept him who suffered and died on the Cross as one of the least ones. (Source: Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Solemnity of Christ the King, Year A.
From the Provincial of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Fr Christian Fini OMI
As Provincial I am tasked with the well-being and care of the Oblates. Due to family concerns and personal matters, Fr Slawek Plonka OMI will be returning home to Poland for an extended period of time. As a result of this, I have needed to present to the Archbishop a new Parish Priest for St Patrick’s Basilica to ensure that the Parish receives the best pastoral care and support. I would like to thank Fr Meno Basti OMI for generously accepting the appointment to St Patrick’s Basilica Fremantle. Fr Slawek will lead the parish until the end of January 2024. Please keep Fr Slawek in your prayers as he attends to these important family and personal matters. God bless Fr Christian Fini OMI.
Advent Retreat
Advent can be a time of waiting with joyful excitement and intense anticipation, when we are reminded that two thousand years ago Jesus, God’s Son, the Word of God, was born.
You are invited as part of your preparation for Christmas to come together for a series of four one-hour prayerful evenings using some of the meditation practices based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
John Auer will once again lead us in four Monday sessions commencing on Monday 27th November and thereafter on the 4th, 11th and 18th December at 6.00 pm at St. Patrick’s Basilica Fremantle Parish Centre. Register your details with the Parish Office on 9335 2268 or via email parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au. All welcome to this free event.
Aquinas Schola Boys Choir
This weekend Hugh Lydon and the Aquinas Schola Choir will sing for the last time this year. They will be on break from 26th November until next year. We wish to sincerely thank Hugh and the boys for their beautiful, angelic and soulful voices that we have enjoyed during the 6pm Vigil Masses during the year. We wish you all a great break and look forward to seeing and hearing you all again in 2024. Thank You and God Bless!.
Parish Morning Tea
The next Parish Morning Tea will be held on Sunday 3rd December after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All Welcome.
Message from the Morning Tea Ministry
The end of year Parish Morning Tea will be celebrated on Sunday 17th December after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All Welcome.
The Morning Tea Ministry will be holding a Christmas Raffle with tickets available at the Morning Tea on Sunday 3rd and then at all Masses on the weekend 9th/10th December. Raffle will be drawn on Sunday 17th December Morning Tea.
Please support this raffle by purchasing tickets to win some great prizes.
MAMI Christmas Cards
Give a gift of hope this Christmas by purchasing a MAMI Christmas Card, available from the Parish Office or online at www.oblates.com.au/christmas-cards. You can purchase: – Chickens $10, Development $15, Toolboxes $20, Education $25, and Goats $30. By purchasing one of these Christmas Cards, it supports the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in their Missions.
Calling All Biscuit Bakers!
Once again, we are seeking assistance with baking biscuits for the Women’s Prison at Christmas. If you would like to help, there is a baking information sheet available that gives you all the information you need, and we can supply you the bags and ribbon to package the biscuits.
If you can assist, please email parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au or call 9335 2268. This is a wonderful way to share the Christmas message. Biscuit’s will need to be delivered to the Parish Office on Monday 18th December 2023.
Concert Friday 8th December at 7:30pm.
Join violinists Mathew Daly and Steven Daly on the evening of the Friday 8th of December at St. Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle as they perform Bach’s Double Violin Concerto amongst other much-loved favourites from the violin repertoire. The brother-duo is joined by renowned organist Andrew Brown. Entry by donation. Families and children are welcome.
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 53%.
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. To read more, visit http://fremantlestpatricks.org.au/parish-safeguarding-project/.
Upcoming Events
Monday 27 November
Advent Retreat Begins
Sunday 3 December
Parish Morning Tea
Friday 8 December
Violin Concert