Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Gospel immediately follows upon last week’s stories of the raising of Jairus’s daughter and the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage. It sets the context of our Gospel readings for the next two weeks in which Jesus will extend the work of his ministry to his disciples.
Today’s Gospel describes what many believe to have been the typical pattern of Jesus’ ministry: teaching in the synagogue followed by acts of healing. In his hometown of Nazareth, the people are amazed by what they hear, but they also cannot comprehend how someone they know so well might move them so powerfully.
In this Gospel, we learn some interesting details about Jesus and his early life. Jesus’ kinfolk know him to be a carpenter, an artisan who works in wood, stone, and metal. He probably learned this trade from his father. Family members of Jesus are also named. Mark describes Jesus as the son of Mary, which is an unusual designation. Adult males were more typically identified with the name of their fathers. It is unclear why Mark deviates from this custom.
Brothers and sisters of Jesus are also named. Scholars are divided on how to interpret this. As Catholics, we believe that Mary was and remained always a virgin, thus we do not believe that this Gospel refers to other children of Mary. Some have suggested that these family members might be Joseph’s children from a previous marriage, but there is little evidence to support this. Others explain this reference by noting that the words brother and sister were often used to refer to other types of relatives, including cousins, nieces, and nephews.
This Gospel tells us that Jesus is hampered from performing miracles in Nazareth because of the people’s lack of faith. Jesus is said to be surprised by this. He did not predict or foresee this rejection. In this detail we find a description of the very human side of Jesus.
This passage unfolds a continuing theme of Mark’s Gospel: Who is Jesus? His kinfolk in Nazareth might know the carpenter, the son of Mary, but they do not know Jesus, the Son of God. Mark is foreshadowing Jesus’ rejection by his own people, the people of Israel. He is also reflecting on and trying to explain the situation of the community for which he wrote. While many of the first Christians were Jewish, Christianity took hold and flourished in the Gentile community. Mark’s community was mostly a Gentile community, who may have been experiencing persecution. By showing that Jesus himself was rejected, Mark consoles and reassures his first readers. He also prepares us to accept this possible consequence of Christian discipleship. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.
Important information for all Parishioners
Please DO NOT USE the walkway between the Church and the building next door as the brick paving is uneven and a dangerous hazard. The Centre Manager has been notified and they are awaiting repairs to the area. Please avoid using the walkway until further notice.
Please also note that on Monday the 15th July the Church, Parish Grounds and Carpark will be closed to all vehicles and foot traffic. This closure will allow the new gates to be installed. All areas will be reopened on Tuesday 16th July. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Archdiocesan Peter’s Pence Collection
This weekend 6/7 July there will be a third collection taken up at all Masses for the Archdiocesan Peter’s Pence Collection.
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 – Change of Date
The next senior’s morning tea was scheduled for Monday 15th July. Due to the Church and grounds being closed the morning tea will be moved to Monday 22nd July at 10am in the Parish Centre. All Senior’s welcome.
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:
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
6-7pm
Basilica of St Patrick Parish Centre
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.
Catholic Survey Australian
Catholic Bishops Conference who is undertaking a research project aimed at investigating why some Catholics do not participate in regular weekly Sunday Mass (Sunday Mass includes the Saturday Vigil). The project will provide in-depth information about contemporary religious practices and beliefs of Catholics in Australia. The insights would enable parishes, movements, and school communities to respond to the trends in participation in the Church, update the Church’s awareness and understanding of the present-day context, and enable responses and collaboration around the underlying factors for non/dis-engagement.
We would like to invite you to take part in this research. Please click on the link below (or copy and paste the link into your browser) to access information about the project, and to enter the survey itself.
https://bit.ly/AbsentFromTheTableSurvey
The survey will run from Monday, 17 June 2024 and close on Tuesday, 20 August 2024.
Pasta Night Fundraiser
Friday 30th August at 7pm in the Parish Centre. All Welcome. See Noticeboards for more information.
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 70%.
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
Weekend 6/7 July
Archdiocesan Peter’s Pence Collection
Sunday 14 July
Parish Morning Tea
Monday 15 July
Basilica and grounds closed
Monday 22 July
Seniors Morning Tea