Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we continue in Ordinary Time, our reading today is taken from the Gospel of Mark, the primary Gospel reading in Lectionary Cycle B. Mark’s Gospel presents a vivid portrait of Jesus, whose words and deeds show that he is the Son of God. Today’s Gospel describes the end of a day of teaching in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus taught the crowd in parables and then offered explanations of these parables to his disciples. Jesus then led his disciples away from the crowds and into the boats that they will use to cross the Sea of Galilee. The sea and its surrounding area are the settings for Jesus’ teachings and miracles in this part of Mark’s Gospel. Today’s reading describes how Jesus calmed a storm at sea. It is the first of four miracles that are presented in sequence at this point in Mark’s Gospel.
As is typical in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciples are frightened by the sudden storm; they do little to inspire confidence in the reader. Mark notes the contrast between the disciples’ terror and Jesus’ peace. Jesus is sleeping, untroubled by what is going on around him.
The disciples’ words to Jesus are telling. They are familiar enough with Jesus to dare to wake him. Their words to him are words of reproach, questioning his care for them. A careful reader might wonder what the disciples expected Jesus to do. Are they more troubled by the storm or by Jesus’ inattentiveness to their needs?
How many of us have chided a family member or friend for not agreeing with our assessment of the severity of a situation?
Today’s Gospel offers evidence of Jesus’ power and authority as he calms the storm. In his day, power over nature was believed to be a sign of divinity—only God calms storms. Jesus’ rebuke of the storm also echoes the rebuke he uses when he talks to and expels demons. In each situation, Jesus’ power and authority is a sign of his divinity. Indeed, the disciples are left wondering about Jesus’ identity at the conclusion of today’s Gospel. They see before them a human being who acts with the authority and power of God. The disciples’ uncertainty about Jesus’ identity is a recurring them in Mark’s Gospel.
This Gospel is a metaphor for our lives. We are in the boat, the storms of life are raging around us, and like the disciples, we may believe that Jesus is unconcerned, or “sleeping.” We hope that we will be as familiar with Jesus as his disciples. If we feel that Jesus is sleeping, are we comfortable enough to wake Jesus and present him with our needs? Jesus does not chide his disciples for waking him. Instead, he chides them for their lack of faith, for their lack of perspective. When we bring our worries to God in prayer, we might just begin to learn to see things from God’s perspective. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.
Please Note: The Sacristy is to be used by Priests, Acolytes, Altar Servers, Sacristans and Office Staff only. The toilet located inside the Sacristy is not for public use. For Safeguarding reasons please avoid entering the Sacristy. If you wish to speak to a Priest, please ask the Sacristan or wait for the Priest before or after Masses outside of the Sacristy.
Welcome Fr Antony David Raj OMI
This weekend we welcome Fr Antony David Raj OMI who will be assisting us in the Parish over the next few months. Please make him feel welcome to the Fremantle Parish.
Fr Meno Basti OMI, Parish Priest
We also wish to advise that Fr Meno Basti will be going home to Sri Lanka to visit his family for a few weeks. We wish him a safe journey home.
Parish Morning Tea
The next Parish Morning Tea will be held on Sunday 14th July after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery carport. All Welcome.
Senior’s Morning Tea
The next senior’s morning tea will be held on Monday 15th July at 10am in the Parish Centre. All Senior’s welcome.
Tap and Go Facility for Collections- UP AND RUNNING!
You can tap and go for the 1st and 2nd Collections and any general donations you wish to make to the parish. The terminals are now set up and located near St Patrick’s Statue in the side foyer, also near the Piety Stall in the front foyer and near the Cross behind the Baptismal Font.
Safeguarding Induction for all Church workers (volunteers and paid workers)
As the Fremantle parish has a large number of church workers (volunteers and paid workers) who are due for a renewal or who have yet to do a session of the Safeguarding procedures we have organised a Safeguarding session in the parish. Many of you would have done the first induction in 2021 which means you are now due in 2024.
Please register with the parish office for the upcoming session below:-
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
6-7pm
Basilica of St Patrick Parish Centre
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 57%.
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
Monday 24 June
Students and Staff from St Joseph’s School, Northam visiting the Parish
Friday 28 June
Staff from Ursula Frayne College, Victoria Park visiting the the Parish