Saturday 7 September 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today we continue to hear the Gospel of Mark proclaimed. In today’s reading, Jesus heals a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. This is a story about Jesus’ healing power, and in it we find clues about our understanding of sacrament. We are struck by the physical means used to heal the man, the use of spittle and touch. The Church continues to celebrate the sacraments using physical means. In the Sacrament of Baptism, water and oil are used to show the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, we are anointed with holy oil on the forehead and the hands. In the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. We are a sacramental people who believe that God’s grace is given to us through these physical signs.

Some, however, see in this Gospel an image of the proclamation of the good news of Jesus to the Gentiles. The geographic references tell us that Jesus is journeying through Gentile territory. Jesus had previously visited this region and healed a person possessed by a demon. Jesus was already famous there, which explains why people brought the deaf man to him. The story that precedes this reading in Mark’s Gospel sets the stage. Jesus encounters a Gentile, a Syrophoenician woman who asks him to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus engages her in a dialogue about not feeding to dogs the food intended for children. Jesus is struck by the woman’s great faith when she replies that even dogs eat the food that falls from the table, and he heals her daughter immediately. The faith of this Greek woman compels Jesus to respond to her plea.

Mark shows that Jesus’ own mission affirms the early Church’s mission to the Gentiles. This was a significant issue to the early Christian community, which found that the good news of Jesus took root and spread quickly among the Gentiles. Yet there is an irony in the story of healing that Mark tells. Jesus gives the man the gift of speech, but then tells him not to use it. Jesus asks that the news of his healing power, which is evidence of his identity as the Messiah, not be spread. This is a recurring motif in Mark’s Gospel and is sometimes called the “messianic secret.” (source Loyola Press)

The Weekend eBulletin

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

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.

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- Change of Date

The next Senior’s Morning Tea will be held on Monday 23rd September at 10am in the Parish Centre. All Senior’s Welcome.

Repairs to the Front Entry Door to Church

Please note that repairs to the front entry doors will commence on Tuesday 17 September. One set of doors will be completed at a time. So please be careful around the front entry to the Church.

Fr Christian Fini OMI, Provincial Visitation

Fr Christian Fini OMI, Oblate Provincial will be in Fremantle from the 20^th September to 25th September for his Provincial Visitation. Please feel free to have a chat with him about your parish.

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 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 8 September
Parish Morning Tea
9.30am Mass in honour of Our Lady of Tindari

Friday 13 September
Sacrament of Confirmation

Friday 20 September
Organ Concert

Monday 23 September
Senior’s Morning Tea