Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which is also the first Sunday of the new liturgical year. The Advent season includes the four Sundays that precede Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. In this season, we recall two central elements of our faith: the final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of the Lord in the birth of Jesus. The key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.
In this new liturgical year, the Gospel of Luke will be the primary Gospel proclaimed (Lectionary Cycle C). Today’s Gospel is taken from the last chapter before the passion narrative in which Jesus is teaching in the Temple. We hear Jesus speak to his disciples about the need for vigilance and prayer as they wait for the coming of the Son of Man in glory. This passage marks the conclusion of a lengthy dialogue in which Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, warns about the persecution and tribulations to follow, and identifies the signs that will signal the coming of the Son of Man in glory.
The community for whom Luke wrote his Gospel may have believed that they were already experiencing some of the events Jesus described. Most scholars believe that Luke’s Gospel was written after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. At the time, many Christians interpreted this event as an indication that Jesus’ second coming was near.
Though Jesus predicts a time of destruction and fear, Jesus indicates that others will be frightened; Jesus’ disciples are not to fear, but are to stand tall. Yet Jesus does not promise deliverance from anxiety or tribulations. He encourages his disciples to pray for strength. The early Christian communities did not find consolation in the promise of a utopia, nor should we. Instead, we find in our Christian faith the means by which we witness to God’s unfailing love for us in all circumstances.
Jesus’ predictions about the end times may sound dire, but in the next paragraph Luke tells us that people woke early to listen to Jesus’ teaching in the Temple area. In his person and in his message, those who heard Jesus found strength and consolation. Like the first Christians, we may encounter events and circumstances that could lead us to despair. Through prayer, however, we find strength and consolation in Jesus’ words and in his continuing presence with us to endure all things and to witness to the action of God in our world. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the First Sunday of Advent, Year C.
We would like to sincerely thank all those who assisted with the Volunteers Mass and BBQ last weekend. Well Done and Thank You!
To our major donors, Mias Bakeries, Spudshed/Galati Bros., Top Cut Butchers, thank you for your generous support. Your generosity allowed us to have such a great event for our volunteers. Thank You!
Kennards Hire Fremantle and Subzero Gelato for their support and assistance. Thank You!
Finally, thank you to everyone who attend the Mass and BBQ, your presence made the event a memorable one and we hope that you enjoyed the day. God Bless!
Senior’s Morning Tea
The last senior’s morning tea for 2024 will be held on Monday 16th December at 10am in the Parish Centre. All seniors welcome.
Final Parish Morning Teas for 2024
Please join us for the last two Parish Morning Teas for 2024 which will be held on Sunday 8 December and Sunday 22 December after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All Welcome.
Anointing of the Sick Mass
The next Anointing of the Sick Mass will be held on Tuesday 3rd December at the Midday Mass.
MAMI Christmas Gift Cards
This year give a Christmas Gift that helps support those less fortunate. A MAMI Christmas Card, supports the Missions supported by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Chickens $10, Development $15, Toolboxes $20, Education $25 and Goats $30. Cards available from the parish office or online at www.oblates.com.au/christmas-cards.
Annual Advent & Christmas raffle
Tickets for the Christmas Raffle will go on sale at Masses on the weekend of the 30 November/1 December and then will be available every weekend until Sunday 22 December when the raffle will be drawn at the Parish Morning Tea. Please support this raffle.
Carols, Corelli and Candlelight
The Basilica Chorale invites you to a night of Carols, Corelli and Candlelight on Friday 20th December at 7pm in the Basilica. Mulled wine and cake will be served in the Presbytery Carport at 6.30pm prior to the event. BYO cushion for the pews. Donation entry fee.
Leading to the Light: Advent Retreat for Young People
Join Scottish priest Fr Stuart Chalmers for a half-day Advent retreat as we prepare for Christmas. The theme will be ‘Leading to the Light’, drawing on the writings of St John of the Cross, who thought deeply about how to deal with difficulties in the spiritual life.
This retreat is open to all young people aged 18+ and is hosted by the Chaplaincy Team at The University of Notre Dame Australia.
Date: Wednesday 4 December
Time: 9am – 2pm
Location: Meet at the Holy Spirit Chapel (ND8), 38 Mouat Street, Fremantle WA 6160
FREE admission for Notre Dame students and $10 for general admission. Please RSVP by 2 December 2024: https://events.nd.edu.au/leading-to-the-light
Pilgrimage to Shrines of Italy 2025
Rome, Assisi, Loreto, Padre Pio, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily. 14 days 11 nights. 16th May 2025 to 29th May 2025. Spiritual Director: Mgr. Michael Keating. More information on noticeboards in foyers.
Christmas Timetable
Copies of the Christmas Mass Timetable are available in the side foyers of the Church. Please distribute them to your family and friends.
Christmas Office Opening Hours
The parish office will close at midday on Friday 20th and reopen at 9am on Wednesday 15 January. During this time there will be no parish bulletins printed for weekend Masses.
If you have any urgent matters, please email parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au.
Basilica Carpark
The Basilica grounds are open at 7am to 7.30pm Mon to Sunday. Any cars that are parked in the grounds after lockup will need to be collected the following morning. Parking in the Basilica grounds is at your own risk.
Weekly Giving
The collections are an important part of a Parish life. Your weekly 1st collection donations support the Priests in the parish to minister to the needs of the parish community and the fremantle boarders.
Your weekly 2nd collection donations help us to maintain all aspects of the Basilica, Presbytery and Administration Centre. Without your assistance we would not be able to provide and maintain the Parish and its community. Thank You!
Please continue to give generously via the collection plate, tap and go tablets or direct deposits into the accounts below.
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
Tuesday 3 December
Anointing of the Sick Mass
Sunday 8 December
Parish Morning Tea
Monday 16 December
Senior’s Final Morning Tea for 2024
Friday 20 December
Carols, Corelli & Candlelight Concert