Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Recall that we focus on the Gospel of Mark in Lectionary Cycle B, but substitute John’s report of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes for Mark’s report of this event.
In today’s Gospel, Mark provides a significant amount of information about the Jewish observance of ritual-purity laws. Most scholars believe that Mark includes this information because his audience includes Gentile Christians who have no knowledge or experience of these laws. We can infer, therefore, that many in Mark’s community were not Jewish Christians.
In this Gospel, Mark addresses the question of which Jewish practices would also be observed in the newly emerging Christian community. This was a significant question for the early Christian Church, especially in communities that included both Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity. We also hear this question addressed in the letters of Paul with regard to table fellowship. In Gospel passages such as the one today, we see the Gospel evangelists finding justification for a Christian practice distinct from Judaism in the remembrances of Jesus’ teaching and the practice of his first disciples.
Jesus first criticizes the Pharisees for putting human tradition above God’s Law. Here, Jesus is referring to the tradition of the elders, the teachings of the Pharisees, which extended the ritual purity laws of Temple worship to everyday Jewish life. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for making this tradition equal to and as binding as the Law of Moses.
Next, Jesus comments on the meaning behind the Pharisees’ language of holiness—clean and unclean. Jesus teaches that a person is not defiled by the food that enters his or her body, but rather by sin that emerges from his or her words and actions. In this teaching, Jesus unmasks a deeper question behind the one posed to him by the Pharisees. The real issue is holiness, which is not found in external acts alone. Holiness comes from within and is evidenced in the actions and attitudes that emerge from a person’s life.
Jesus’ words challenge us as well. In our desire to show that we are holy, we might also give too much credence to externals, following rules without thinking about the intention behind them. Jesus reminds us that we do not make ourselves holy by our actions. Rather, we become holy when we allow God’s Spirit to transform us. Our actions should be an expression of the conversion of our heart to God and to God’s ways. (Source Loyola Press).
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.
We wish all our fathers a very Happy Father’s Day. May God continue to guide, protect and give you strength to continue your duties as loving fathers and husbands. Let us keep all our fathers in our prayers today.
Fr Patrick OMI
This weekend Fr Patrick will be going home to Sri Lanka to spend some time with his family. We wish Fr Patrick safe travels, and we will keep him in our prayers.
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.
Please Note: The walkway between the Basilica and the building next door has now been permanently closed. No further access is available through that walkway to the Basilica Grounds.
Our Lady of Tindari (Black Madonna)
Commencing Wednesday 4 September to Friday 6 September, Triduum in honour of Our Lady of Tindari commencing at 6.30pm. Feast Day Mass on Sunday 8th September at 9.30am. All Welcome.
Parish Morning Tea
The next Parish Morning Tea will be held on Sunday 8th September after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All Welcome.
Friday 13 September – Sacrament of Confirmation
On Friday 13th September at 5.30pm the Parish will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe will this year celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with us. Please keep these Candidates and their families in your prayers.
Senior’s Morning Tea
The next Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 16th September at 10am in the Parish Centre. All Senior’s Welcome.
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.
Catholic Archdiocese of Perth – Employment Opportunities
The Catholic Archdiocese of Perth has employment opportunities for suitably qualified persons to join its team and continue the good work of the Church.
For details, refer to https://www.perthcatholic.org.au/Employment.htm.
Administration Assistant, Daydawn Advocacy Centre – Permanent, Part-time (apply to recruitment@perthcatholic.org.au). Tenancy Advocate, Daydawn Advocacy Centre – Permanent, Part-time (apply on EthicalJobs.com.au)
The Catholic Archdiocese of Perth is committed to the Safeguarding of children and adults at risk.
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.
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 65%.
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 1 September
Father’s Day
Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 September
Our Lady of Tindari Triduum
Sunday 8 September
Parish Morning Tea
9.30am Mass in honour of Our Lady of Tindari
Friday 13 September
Sacrament of Confirmation
Monday 16 September
Senior’s Morning Tea