Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today we begin the season of Advent, which marks the start of a new liturgical year for the Church. The readings for Sunday Mass are arranged on a three-year cycle. Each year features a different Gospel—Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Readings from the Gospel of John are interspersed throughout all three years. With this year’s first Sunday of Advent, we begin Cycle B of the Lectionary, which focuses our attention on the Gospel of Mark. This week and next week, our readings from Mark’s Gospel present two important Advent themes: the Lord’s return at the end of time and John the Baptist’s preparation for Jesus.
Today’s Gospel is taken from the end of Mark’s Gospel, the chapter that immediately precedes Mark’s account of Jesus’ Passion. Having been questioned repeatedly by the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus is now questioned by his disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—who want details about his prediction of the destruction of the Temple. Jesus answers with many warnings about the difficulties that the disciples will face.
Today’s passage comes at the conclusion of Jesus’ warnings to his disciples. Jesus emphasizes the need for watchfulness. The Son of Man will come without warning; only the Father knows the exact hour. The disciples must not be caught unprepared when this time comes.
Scholars believe that Mark’s Gospel was written around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. Mark’s audience consisted of Christians who were living in difficult social and political times, times of conflict. They were likely beginning to face persecution as followers of Jesus. In this difficult time, it helped to recall that Jesus had foretold of such difficulties. Early Christian communities took courage from Jesus’ warning to remain alert and watchful, and they found in his words a way to persevere through suffering.
Today’s Gospel reminds us that Advent is about more than our preparation for the Church’s celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. Advent is also about preparing ourselves for Christ’s return in glory at the end of time. Like the disciples and the faithful in Mark’s community, we must also stay alert and watchful. Our faithfulness to God, through the good times as well as the difficult times, shows us to be ready for the coming of the Son of Man. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the First Sunday of Advent, Year B.
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.
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.
De Mazenod Family Adore Advent Program
This Advent, we offer you the opportunity to forget about the busyness of our daily lives, and to stop and prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord while trying to find the beauty in all that is around us. Join the online Advent Program Adore which will be held on Thursdays during December leading up to Christmas. See the link below and the time for WA. Zoom link: HTTPS://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/J/83793869667. WA 5.00 pm.
Christmas Mass Timetable
Christmas Timetable available in the side foyers of the Church this weekend and will be uploaded on our website and Facebook page during the week. Please share them around with family and friends, as Christmas is a great time to gather the family and prayer for the Birth of Jesus Christ.
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 65%.
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
Sunday 3 December
Parish Morning Tea
Friday 8 December
Violin Concert
Sunday 17 December
Final Parish Morning Tea