Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Finally, on this the Fourth Sunday of Advent, our Gospel Reading permits us to begin our contemplation of the mystery of the Incarnation we celebrate at Christmas: “Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about” (Matthew 1:18).
The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of the birth of Jesus from Joseph’s perspective. Today’s Gospel passage is the second movement in this story. In the preceding verses of the first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, the Evangelist has listed the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage through King David to Abraham. In the chapter to follow, Matthew tells of the visit from the Magi, the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt, and Herod’s massacre of the infants in Bethlehem. (The other stories which we associate with Christmas, the Annunciation, the Visitation, the angel and the shepherds, are found in the Gospel of Luke).
We must not gloss over too quickly the difficult circumstances described in today’s Gospel. The way that Joseph and Mary face these circumstances tells us much about these holy people and their faith in God. Joseph and Mary are betrothed to be married. This is sometimes described as an engagement period, but it is more than that. Betrothal in first century Jewish culture was in fact the first part of the marriage contract. A breach of this contract was considered adultery. Mary is found to be with child. If adultery is proven, the punishment might be death. Joseph has rights under Mosaic law but chooses to act discreetly in his plans to break the marriage contract, so as to protect Mary. Then God intervenes.
The message of the angel of the Lord given to Joseph in his dream tells us much about the child that Mary bears and his role in God’s plan. He is conceived by the Holy Spirit. His name will be Jesus, which in the Hebrew means “Yahweh saves.” He will be the fulfillment of the prophecy heard in today’s first reading from Isaiah: “. . . The virgin shall be with child . . . and shall name him Emmanuel [God with us].”
Joseph does as the angel of the Lord directs. He takes Mary to be his wife and accepts the child in her womb as his own. Joseph and Mary are both cooperative with God’s plan. They are both models for us of what it means to be faithful servants of God. (source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A.
Pick up your copy of the Christmas Edition of The Record which is available in the side foyers of the Church this weekend.
Children’s Nativity Play
If there are any children who are interested in joining the Children’s Nativity Play on Christmas Eve, 24th December, during the 5.30pm Family Children’s Mass, please contact Sr Lynn on 0403 860 639 or the parish office 9335 2268. Must be able to attend the rehearsal on Monday 22nd December at 9.30am in the Basilica.
MAMI Christmas Gift Cards
Once again, the MAMI Christmas Gift Cards are available at www.oblates.com.au/christmas-cards or from the parish office. Chickens $10, Development $15, Toolbox $20, Education $25 and Goats $30. All donations help the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate to support these projects.
Christmas Offerings
Twice a year you are asked to give generously to support the Priests in the parish. Christmas Offering envelopes are now available on the pews. Place your offering inside and place it on the collection plate. Thank You!
ALPHA 2026
A new session of Alpha will commence in the parish on Thursday 29th January 2026 and continue every Thursday for 9 weeks, 6.30pm to 8.30pm in the parish centre. Registrations to either parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au or alpha.org.au.
See noticeboard or flyers in side foyers.
Christmas Eve Masses 24th December
No Adoration or Midday Mass
Carols at 5.15 pm prior to the 5.30pm Children’s Mass
Carols at 8pm prior to the 8.30pm Mass
Carols at 11.30pm prior to the Midnight Mass
6pm Mass at St Anne’s Church, North Fremantle
Christmas Day Masses 25th December
Basilica Masses: 8am, 9.30am (Italian) and 11am
No Mass at St Anne’s Church, North Fremantle
No 5pm Evening Mass in the Basilica
Saturday 27 December to Saturday 31 January
Reconciliations only at 10am to 12noon
No First Friday Reconciliation in January
Christmas Parish Office Opening Hours
The parish office will close on Tuesday 23rd December and reopen on Tuesday 13th January 2026. During this time anything urgent can be emailed to parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au.
There will be no English or Italian Bulletins at Masses on the weekends of 3rd /4th January and 10th /11th January 2026. Bulletins will be available on 17th/18th January onwards.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our parishioners and friends a very Joyous and Holy Christmas and a Safe and Peaceful New Year. God Bless!
Financial Assistance
If you wish to assist financially for insurance or repair works you can deposit funds into the account below with the reference of either insurance, repair works church or repair works presbytery.
Account Name: Basilica Working Account
BSB: 086 006
Account No: 48794 3085
Your assistance no matter how big or small is very much appreciated. Thank you to those who have already assisted so generously it is very much appreciated. Thank You and God Bless!
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.
Safeguarding Requirements in the Parish
The Church Sacristy: Reminder that the Church Sacristy is only to be used by the Priests, Acolytes and Church Staff. Parishioners are not to enter the Sacristy. The toilet located in the Sacristy is for the use of the Priests only it is not a public toilet.
Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
The indulgence, a priceless gift of divine mercy, is one of the special signs of the Jubilee Year. The conditions for obtaining a Jubilee Indulgence are:
- Pilgrimage to any of the designated Churches and Shrines
- St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth
- The Basilica of St Patrick, Fremantle
- St John Paul II Church, Banksia Grove
- Schoenstatt Shrine, Mount Richon
- Carmelite Monastery, Dalkeith
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Celebration of the Eucharist
- Profession of Faith
- Prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father
Those unable to make a pilgrimage due to age, health, caregiving you can obtain an indulgence, under the usual conditions by reciting the Our father, making a profession of faith and offering prayers from their homes, hospitals and nursing homes while offering up their own suffering.
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/.
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.
Coming Events
Sunday 21st December
Fr Giancarlo Farewell
Wednesday 24th December
Christmas Eve
Thursday 25th December
Christmas Day