Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year B
Friends, we are almost at the end of the liturgical year. Next Sunday we will celebrate the feast of Christ the King. Each year at this time, the Church asks us to reflect on the “last things” – Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell – to ourselves.
While meditating on the last realities of our lives, the liturgy of the word gives us the assurance that our God will be with us all the days of our lives and that we will have the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst, guiding, protecting and strengthening us in spite of our uncertainty concerning the end time when “Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.”
There was a woman hurrying home from work. This was her Bingo night. Suddenly she spotted a person standing on the edge of the pavement holding aloft a placard, which read: The end of the world is near. She went up to him and said, “You say the end of the world is near.” “That’s right” he replied. “But are you sure?” “Quite sure, mam.” “And you say it’s near.” “Yes, mam.” How near?” “Oh, very near.” “Could you be more precise?” “This very night, Mam.” She paused for a moment to reflect on this. Then in a voice full of anxiety, she asked, “Tell me, son. Will it be before or after Bingo?”
There are some when it is announced to them that the world is coming to an end, they get worried, and anxiety builds up in their lives. How to face the end of the world? It is just by living our everyday life with full awareness and love for our brothers and sisters, and then we need not be worried about anything.
So dear friends let us live our Christen vocation daily and build the Kingdom of God on earth. If I live my daily lives on this earth to the fullest then I will not be worried to meet death, rather I will be happy to meet it, because being united with my heavenly Father is my ultimate aim of my life.
Readings and Hymns
Please click here to download the readings and hymns for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.
Family Mass
The Family Mass music is different from the other Masses so kindly click here to download the readings and hymns for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.
Important Celebrations in November 2021
Archbishop’s LifeLink Appeal
The Archbishop’s Christmas Appeal for LifeLink will be held on the weekend of 13th /14th November 2021. Please support this annual appeal of our Archbishop.
You can mail your donation directly in the reply-paid envelope provided or return your envelope and donation for a Special Collection which will be held at Masses next weekend.
You may also donate (securely) online by credit card at www.lifelink.com.au.
Sunday 14th November: Remembrance Day Mass
Sunday 14th November at 11am Mass, we will hold a special Mass for members of the Armed Forces who have given their lives defending our country.
Please join us and pray for everyone who defended our country and gave us the freedom we enjoy today. May they all rest in Peace.
Expressions of Interest Prison Biscuit Baking
The Parish has been approached by the Prison Co-ordinator of Melaleuca Prison to provide home baked biscuits for the prisoners at Christmas Time. In previous years this was an initiative by Fr David Shelton OMI, however since Fr Shelton’s passing and COVID we have not provided this service. If you would like to participate in this important ministry in the true spirit of Christmas in 2021 please leave your details with the Parish Office and we can then send you the baking information sheet and delivery date for the biscuits to the Parish Office.
Safeguarding of our children in the Parish
The Archdiocese Safeguarding Project was started in 2016 by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe 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 please click here.
Mass Intentions
Please click here for the Mass Intentions of the week (from 14th November to 20th November 2021).
To book your Mass Intentions please contact the Parish office on 9335 2268 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm).
The Planned Giving Programme
The planned giving programme is an important part of the Parish as it allows 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’s giving was 49%.
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. If you are not already a member, for more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
God bless!
Fr John Sebastian
Rector and Parish Priest