Saturday 27 July 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Through most of Lectionary Cycle B, our Sunday Gospel readings are taken from the Gospel of Mark. Over the past two Sundays, we heard how Jesus sent his disciples to share in his mission. If we were to continue reading Mark’s Gospel, we would next hear his report of how Jesus feeds the crowds in the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Our Lectionary, however, leaves Mark’s Gospel for the next several weeks and instead presents this event from the Gospel of John. In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and the fishes is presented as a sign of his authority and divinity. Jesus interprets the meaning and significance of this miracle as a sharing of his Body and Blood. This chapter is sometimes called the “Bread of Life Discourse.”

In many important ways, John’s Gospel uses the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes to teach about the Eucharist. Like the Last Supper, this miracle is said to have occurred near the time of the Jewish feast of Passover. (In John’s Gospel three Passovers are identified.) Jesus’ language is similar to the language he used at the Last Supper as reported in the Synoptic Gospels. John’s description of this event also anticipates the Messianic banquet of heaven, as the crowd reclines, and all hungers are satisfied with abundance. This connection is further amplified by the response of the crowd, who wants to make Jesus a king. John is teaching us that each time we celebrate the Eucharist, we are anticipating the eternal banquet of heaven.

Recall that John’s Gospel tells the story of the Last Supper differently than the Synoptic Gospels. Instead of describing the meal and Jesus’ actions with the bread and cup, John describes how Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. We hear this Gospel when we remember the Last Supper on Holy Thursday. This recollection of Jesus’ action at the Last Supper complements the institution narrative of the Synoptic Gospels and Paul’s Letters that we hear repeated at each Mass.

In both stories about the Eucharist—the washing of the disciples’ feet and the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes—the Gospel of John teaches us that the Eucharist is an action. Our word Eucharist is taken from the Greek language and describes an action: “to give thanks.” In the Eucharist we are fed by Jesus himself, and we are sent to serve others.

John’s Gospel notes the detail that the bread blessed and shared with the crowd are barley loaves. This is the food of the poor. It reminds us that God feeds and nourishes us, fulfilling our physical needs as well as our spiritual ones. In the Eucharist, we are sent to serve the poorest among us.

The story of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes recalls a particular aspect of the Mass. In this miracle, Jesus transforms a young boy’s offering of five barley loaves and two fish. In the offertory at Mass, we present the fruits of our labors, represented by bread and wine. These gifts, given to us first by God as grain and fruit, are returned to God in our offering of thanksgiving. God in turn transforms our gifts, making this bread and wine the very Body and Blood of Jesus. We also offer ourselves in this exchange, and we, too, are transformed by the Eucharist. (Source Loyola Press)

The Weekend Bulletin

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

First Communion Candidates

This Saturday evening the Primary School Communion Candidates will receive the Eucharist for the first time. Please keep these children, their families and teachers in your prayers.

Oblate Retreat – Melbourne

The Oblates will be on Retreat in Melbourne from Sunday 18th August (Masses as per usual), until Friday 23rd August. Please Note that there will be no Adoration Monday to Friday that week, only Midday Masses. Please keep all the Oblates in your prayers during this time.

Anointing of the Sick Mass

Mass for the Anointing of the Sick will be held in the Basilica on Tuesday 6th August at Midday. All Welcome.

Catholic Missions Appeal

On the weekend of the 10/11 August the parish will have the annual Catholic Missions Appeal with a guest speaker at all Masses. Please support this annual appeal.

Senior’s Morning Tea

The next senior’s morning tea will be held on Monday 19th August at 10am in the parish centre. All Senior’s welcome.

Pasta Night Fundraiser – CHANGE OF DATE

The Pasta Night has now moved to Friday 18th October at 7pm in the Parish Centre. All Welcome. See Noticeboards for more information.

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

National Vocations Awareness Week

4th to 11th August is National Vocations Awareness Week. See noticeboards in foyers for more information.

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 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.

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

Saturday 27 July
First Communion Mass at 6pm

4 to 11 August
National Vocations Week

Tuesday 6 August
Anointing of the Sick

Weekend 10/11 August
Catholic Missions Appeal
Parish Morning Tea

Sunday 18 August to Friday 23 August
Oblate Retreat in Melbourne

Sunday 25 August
Samuel Yeow Organ Concert