Saturday 17 August 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this Sunday, we continue to read from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. Today’s Gospel elaborates further on the teaching that Jesus began in our liturgy last week. In that reading, the crowds wondered about how Jesus could say that he had come down from heaven because they knew Jesus to be the son of Joseph. In this Gospel, some have difficulty with Jesus’ teaching that he is the living bread sent from God. Recall that Jesus had told them that just as God gave the Israelites manna to sustain them in the desert, so now God has sent new manna that will give eternal life. We hear the concluding verse of last week’s Gospel repeated in today’s reading: Jesus himself is the bread sent by God; Jesus’ flesh is the bread that is given for the life of the world.

Among the stumbling blocks for those who heard but did not understand Jesus is the teaching that the bread that Jesus will give is his own flesh. In response to the people who quarrelled over his words, Jesus teaches with even greater emphasis that salvation comes to those who eat his Body and Blood. Jesus doesn’t seem to answer the question posed about how salvation will come about, perhaps because this reality can only be understood after his death and Resurrection. Instead, Jesus teaches about the life that he will give to the world.

To many ears, Jesus’ words are jarring and difficult to hear. Many who heard Jesus could not accept what he said. Many today continue to struggle to accept these words. But they are important words because they reveal our intimate connection with Jesus.

This is the mystery that is at the heart of our eucharistic theology. In the elements of bread and wine, Jesus’ Body and Blood are made truly present. When we share in the Body and Blood of Christ, Jesus himself comes to dwell within us. This communion with the Lord makes us one body, brings us eternal life, and sends us forth to be Christ’s body for the life of the world. (source Loyola Press)

The Weekend eBulletin

Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.

Catholic Missions Appeal

THANK YOU for your prayers & generous response to this year’s Catholic Mission Appeal. The Parish raised $2450. Your donations are helping our missionaries in Mongolia and around the world provide safe haven & support for vulnerable people escaping domestic violence & homelessness. If you have missed the opportunity to support this important missionary work, please go online at www.catholicmission.org.au/mongolia to make a donation.

Should you be keen to support the work of Catholic Mission through a bequest, or as a volunteer, or in other ways, please email Francis Leong at director.cm@perthcatholic.org.au to explore the possibilities.

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.

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.

Adoration in the Basilica

Adoration is held in the Basilica Monday to Saturday. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed at 11am with silent prayer until 11.20am, Rosary will then be held from 11.20am to 11.35am, following the Rosary there will be a time for silent prayer until 11.50am when Benediction will commence followed by Midday Mass. All Welcome to attend.

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

Up and Coming Organ Concerts

The Basilica will host two Organ Concerts over the next few months.

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 67%. 

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 18 August to Friday 23 August
Oblate Retreat in Melbourne

Monday 19 August
Senior’s Morning Tea

Sunday 25 August
Samuel Yeow Organ Concert