Saturday 21st September 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus again predict his passion, death, and Resurrection to his disciples. The setting here is important. Jesus and his disciples are preparing to journey through Galilee, a Jewish territory in which Jesus has already encountered problems with the Pharisees. Perhaps this is why Mark indicates that Jesus was trying to journey in secret. In predicting his passion, Jesus is acknowledging the danger they will face and is trying to prepare his disciples for it. Yet Mark tells us that the disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying and were afraid to ask what he meant. Such hesitation on the part of the disciples is not characteristic behavior. Peter had no fear about rebuking Jesus in last week’s Gospel. Perhaps this is an indication that the disciples were aware that a new situation was emerging.
Mark paints a vivid picture in today’s Gospel. Having arrived at Capernaum, Jesus and his disciples enter a house. In this private place, Jesus asks his disciples about the argument they had while they were journeying. Again, the disciples are uncharacteristically silent and afraid to answer. They have been found out. Jesus then summons the Twelve, whom Mark identified earlier in his Gospel as those chosen by Jesus to preach and to drive out demons. To this select group of disciples, Jesus teaches that those who would be first in God’s kingdom must be servants of all.
Jesus then calls forward a child and teaches the Twelve that to receive a child in Jesus’ name is to receive both Jesus and the One who sent him. We might easily fail to understand the significance of this action. In first-century Palestine, children were without status or power, possessing no legal rights. In this action, Jesus is teaching his disciples and us that when we serve the least ones among us, we serve Jesus himself. Who are the people without power or status in our society that Jesus is calling us to serve? Do we do so willingly? Jesus teaches that God’s judgment of us will be based on this criterion alone. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend Bulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.
We welcome Fr Christian Fini OMI, Australian Provincial, who will be with us for the next few days on a Provincial Visit to the parish. Please make him feel welcomed.
Audit Update
Recently the Parish underwent audits for both Safeguarding and Insurance and some recommendations were given with regards to ensuring the Parish is compliant.
One such requirement was the installation of monitored smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, a monitored alarm system and CCTV cameras for the Church.
At this stage we have completed the installation of the smoke detectors and alarm system. As part of the alarm system, we need to ascertain who has keys for the Sacristy door. If you have a key to the Sacristy door, can you please contact the parish office asap.
Please Note: On Friday 27 September we will have a funeral commencing at 9.30am to 11am. We are expecting this funeral to have a large attendance. Extra parking will be available in the school grounds from 8.30am to 1pm.
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.
- 4th Sundays of the month at 5pm Mass
- 3rd Saturdays of the month at 6pm Vigil Mass
- 2nd 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.
Anointing of the Sick Mass
The next Anointing of the Sick will be held on Tuesday 1st October during the Midday Mass.
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 to Tuesday 24 September
Provincial Visit to the Parish
Monday 23 September
Senior’s Morning Tea
Tuesday 1 October
Anointing of the Sick Mass
RCIA Welcome and Information Evening