Saturday 10 February 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In today’s Gospel, we continue to hear Mark report the miraculous healings that Jesus performed in Galilee. The Gospel begins with Jesus healing a man with leprosy. Leprosy is a disfiguring, infectious skin disease that has been surrounded by many social and religious taboos throughout history. In 1873, the cause of leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, was identified. We now know that leprosy is caused by a bacterial infection.

Although it is infectious, modern medical studies have shown that transmission is more difficult than previously thought. Since the 1940s, medical treatments have been available, and the patient no longer needs to be isolated once long-term treatment has begun.

In Jesus’ time, however, religious and social taboos dictated the behaviour of those with leprosy and other skin diseases. The Law of Moses provided for the examination of skin diseases by the priests, and if leprosy was identified, the person was declared unclean. People with leprosy lived in isolation from the community. They were instructed to rip their clothes and to announce their presence with loud cries when moving in the community. If the sores of leprosy healed, the Law of Moses provided a purification rite that permitted the person to return to the community.

In today’s Gospel, the man with leprosy took the initiative, approaching Jesus and asking for healing. In doing so, the leper violated the religious customs of the day by approaching a person who was clean. His request to Jesus can be interpreted as a courageous and daring act. The confidence of the leper in Jesus’ ability to heal him is evident in the words of his request. But his words can also be read as a challenge to Jesus, asking just how far Jesus was willing to extend himself in order to heal someone. While healing the man, Jesus touched him, which also violated established social norms. This is an important sign of the depth of Jesus’ compassion for the man and an important statement about Jesus’ interpretation of the Law of Moses. Although Jesus touched the leper, he did not break completely with the Law of Moses. He instructed the man not to tell anyone about the cure and told him to present himself to the priests as prescribed by the Law of Moses. The first instruction sounds nearly impossible to Honor. Certainly, the man would want to share the good news of his healing, and his quick improvement would require an explanation. The second instruction Honors the Law of Moses. Mark’s Gospel tells us that after this healing, it became difficult for Jesus to travel freely. There are several possible explanations for this. There might have been concern about the repercussions of Jesus’ breach of social and religious norms. In touching the man with leprosy, Jesus made himself unclean. Mark’s narrative, however, leads to the conclusion that Jesus’ movement was hampered by his popularity. Despite his instructions, the cured man spread the word about Jesus’ healing power. Even when Jesus was in deserted places, people sought him out in search of his healing. (Source: Loyola Press)

The Weekend eBulletin

Click here to download the ebulletins for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.

Senior’s Morning Tea

The Senior’s Morning Tea will recommence in February and the first Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 19th February at 10am in the parish hall. All senior’s welcome.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season and this year will be held on Wednesday 14th February. Masses with distribution of Ashes will be held at Midday and 7pm. It is also a day of fasting.

Organ and Pan Flute Concert

Friday 23 February at 7.30pm the Basilica will host a concert featuring Organ and Pan Flute. Evert van de Veen and Henrieke Doornenbal from the Netherlands will showcase a variety of religious and classical music. See notice board in Church foyers for more info.

Stations of the Cross

Commencing Friday 16th February and continuing every Friday until Good Friday there will be Stations of the Cross in English after the midday Mass.

Notice for Parishioners

Over the past few months, we have had to deal with some violence, bad behaviour and vandalism within the Church and grounds of the Basilica.

We ask all parishioners to please be vigilant about their own safety.

• Please ensure that you lock your vehicles and do not leave any personal items visible in your vehicles.
• Please ensure that you do not leave any personal items, handbags etc on the pews when you go to Communion.
• Please ensure that you take note of your surroundings when you are in the Church or in the grounds.

Thank You.

Household Items For Sale

We have a few household items that require a new home, small solid timber round table with four chairs, 6 solid timber armchairs with cushions, solid timber coffee table, washer and dryer and white pantry cupboard. Some of these items were hand made by the Prisoners. If you are interested and would like to view the items, please contact the Parish Office asap.

It is with great sadness that we advise the passing of Vita Mews. Vita was a parishioner and volunteer of the Parish of St Anne’s and St Patrick’s. Many of you would have known Vita as she read at the 8am Mass in the Basilica and the 8.15am Mass at St Anne’s, and a Eucharistic Minister, she also was a member of The Basilica Parish Pastoral Council. We pray for Vita and her family. May she rest in peace! Funeral details to come.

PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY 12^TH FEBRUARY, 2024.

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 62%. 

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/.

Coming Events

Sunday 11th February

Parish Morning Tea

Wednesday 14th February

Ash Wednesday

Friday 16th February

Stations of the Cross commence

Monday 19th February @ 10am

Senior’s Morning Tea

Friday 23th February

Organ & Pan Flute Concert