Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today’s reading is the turning point in Mark’s Gospel. In the presentation of the life and ministry of Jesus found in the Gospel of Mark, the deeds of Jesus have shown Jesus to be the Son of God. Yet many, including Jesus’ disciples, have not yet realized his identity. In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples for a field report by asking what others say about him. He then turns the question directly to the disciples and asks what they believe. Peter speaks for all of them when he announces that they believe Jesus to be the Christ.
The word Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah, which means “the anointed one.” At the time of Jesus, the image of the Messiah was laden with popular expectations, most of which looked for a political leader who would free the Jewish people from Roman occupation. Jesus does not appear to have used this term for himself. As we see in today’s reading, Jesus refers to himself instead as the Son of Man, a term derived from the Jewish Scriptures, found in the Book of Daniel and in other apocryphal writings. Many scholars suggest that the phrase Son of Man is best understood to mean “human being.”
Now that the disciples have acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, Jesus confides in them the outcome of his ministry: he will be rejected, must suffer and die, and will rise after three days. Peter rejects this prediction, and Jesus rebukes him severely. The image of Christ that Jesus is giving is not the image of the Messiah that Peter was expecting. Jesus then teaches the crowd and the disciples about the path of discipleship: To be Chris’s disciple is to follow in the way of the cross.
We can easily miss the fear that Jesus’ words must have evoked in his disciples. Death by crucifixion was all too familiar as a method of execution in Roman-occupied territories. It was also an omnipresent danger to the Christian community for whom Mark wrote. The path that Jesus was inviting his disciples to share meant tremendous suffering and death. This is the kind of radical commitment and sacrifice that Jesus calls us to adopt for the sake of the Gospel. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the ebulletins for the Twenty Fourth 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.
URGENT – Volunteer Readers Required
We are urgently seeking readers who can take up a permanent position on any of the weekday midday Masses and weekend Masses. At present we have gaps in the weekend readers roster that we need to fill. If you can assist at any of the Masses below or any weekday midday Masses, please advise the parish office on 9335 2268 (Tuesday to Friday 9am to 3pm). Thank You.
- 3rd Saturdays of the month at 6pm Vigil Mass
- 2nd Sundays of the month at 5pm Mass
- 4th Sundays of the month at 5pm Mass
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.
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.
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 20th September to 25th September for his Provincial Visitation. Please feel free to have a chat with him about your parish.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Parish Program
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process established for the universal Church for individuals to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation—Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
Are you or anyone you know interested in exploring the Catholic Church as your church home? Statistics show that most people respond to a personal invitation. So this is that personal invitation and a challenge to all of you who might know someone who fits the categories above, invite that person to the Welcoming and Information Evening of the RCIA Program on Tuesday 1st October, 2024 at 6.30pm in the Basilica Parish Office Boardroom.
Early Notice: There will be no 5pm evening Mass on Sunday 27th October due to the Annual Blessing of the Fleet.
National Oblate Youth Encounter
Oblate Youth Australia are excited to announce that the National Oblate Youth Encounter is back again this January, Fri 3rd – Mon 6th January 2025, Mazenod College, Mulgrave, Victoria and registration is now open!
See Noticeboard inside foyers for more information of contact Emma Rice
erice@omi.com.au or 0422705230.
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 60%.
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
Friday 20 September
Organ Concert
Monday 23 September
Senior’s Morning Tea