Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Sunday we continue to read from the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, but not continuously. Our Lectionary omits John’s report of Jesus’ walking on water. This event is reported much less dramatically in John’s Gospel than in the Synoptic Gospels. After the feeding of the multitudes, the disciples leave in a boat and Jesus follows them. The disciples are said to be terrified by what they see. Jesus reassures them and rejoins them. In today’s Gospel, we learn that the crowd has noticed the departure of Jesus and his disciples and so seeks them out in Capernaum. In the dialogue that follows between Jesus and the crowds, Jesus unfolds for us the gift of himself that that he gives in the Eucharist.
In today’s Gospel, there are four exchanges between Jesus and the crowd. In the first, the crowd, having followed Jesus to Capernaum, asks a very matter of fact question: “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus replies by naming their motivation in pursuing him. They have been fed. Jesus acknowledges this yet challenges them to see beyond the fulfillment of their material needs. The crowds have followed Jesus because they have been fed. They ought to be seeking out Jesus because he can give them eternal life.
As the second dialogue begins, it seems that the crowd might be on their way to accepting Jesus and his mission. They ask: “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus replies that they must have faith in the one sent from God. But in the third dialogue, the crowd reveals their inability to see Jesus’ true identity. They ask Jesus for a sign so that they might know that Jesus is from God. How strange this sounds since Jesus has just fed more than 5000 people. What is more expected?
But the crowd cannot see beyond the surface of the sign. They show this in their interpretation of the sign that came from Moses. In their description, they identify Jesus with Moses, as if to say, as Moses gave the people manna in the desert, give us a sign so that we will know that you are from God. They are looking to identify a prophet without realizing that God is standing before them. Jesus corrects their misinterpretation, saying that the manna received by their ancestors came from God. As God fulfilled their ancestors’ needs in the desert, so God has provided them with food for eternal life. In the bread that they have received from Jesus, they have received physical nourishment and also spiritual nourishment. Jesus wants the crowd to see beyond the surface to the One who provides true nourishment.
The conclusion of the dialogue reveals the crowd’s blindness. They ask for what Jesus has just told them they have found: “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus answers plainly that he himself is the Bread of Life they seek. Jesus himself is the Bread of Life who will satisfy every hunger and thirst. This is the first of several such statements found in John’s Gospel. We understand these better when we remember that God revealed his name to the people of Israel as “I am,” as Yahweh. Jesus is now claiming this name for himself. In the weeks ahead, we will see the offense that this gives to the people. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend Bulletin
Click here to download the ebulletins for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.
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. A special collection will be taken up at all Masses and donation envelopes will also be available on the pews that weekend. Please support this annual appeal.
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 11th August 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 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.
Up and Coming Organ Concerts
The Basilica will host two Organ Concerts over the next few months.
Samuel Yeow Organ Concert – August
Samuel is one of our Organists at the Basilica and is having a farewell concert on Sunday 25th August 2.30pm in the Basilica. Please support this young, talented musician. More information on the Noticeboard.
Roger Sayer Organ Concert – September
Roger will perform his organ score of the soundtrack of the film Interstellar on Friday 20 September 7:30pm. More information on the Noticeboard. Please support and enjoy this unique opportunity.
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 100%.
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
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