Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which is also the first Sunday of a new liturgical year for the Church. The Advent season includes the four Sundays that precede Christmas. It 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. Key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.
In this new liturgical year, the Gospel of Matthew will be the primary Gospel proclaimed (Lectionary Cycle A). In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus speak about the need for wakefulness, for watchful waiting, for the coming of the Son of Man.
Matthew’s Gospel is dated by most scholars after 70 A.D. Most believe that Matthew wrote for a primarily Jewish community, but one that was no longer centered on the Temple in Jerusalem. These were Jewish Christians trying to come to terms with their relationship to Judaism in a new situation: Judaism after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. There may have been Christians who believed that the events of the world around them gave evidence of the imminent return of the Lord in glory.
The passage from Matthew we read today is rather straightforward. No one knows the precise time of the coming of the Lord in glory, so watchful waiting and vigilance are required. The passage speaks to the uselessness of looking for signs; there will be none. As a thief sneaks in during the night, so will the Lord’s coming in glory be.
The question for us as members of the Christian community, then, is how do we prepare for this? Today’s passage speaks more about the manner of waiting, rather than the details of the preparation. Jesus compares the vigilance required of Christians to the vigilance of a homeowner who knows the plans of the thief. If one knows that the thief’s action is imminent, one remains watchful. As Christians, we know that our Lord is coming even if we cannot know the precise timing. Jesus calls us to be watchful and vigilant, like the homeowner. If we become lax in our Christian living, we may be caught unprepared. (Source Loyola Press).
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the First Sunday of Advent, Year A.
We wish to sincerely thank Hugh Lydon and the boys from the Aquinas Schola for their ongoing support of the parish with their beautiful singing at Masses during the school term in 2025. We wish them and their families a safe and peaceful holiday and a joyous Christmas and New Year. God Bless and see you all in 2026.
Anointing of the Sick Mass
The next Anointing of the Sick Mass will be held on Tuesday 2nd December during the Midday Mass.
Parish Morning Tea
The parish Christmas morning tea will be held Sunday 14th December in the Presbytery Carport after the 8am Mass. This is also the final morning tea for the year. Morning teas will recommence in February 2026. All Welcome.
The Parish Morning Tea Ministry will be taking donations during the monthly morning teas, for the rest of the year to assist the parish with Insurance, maintenance and repairs to Church and Presbytery. A donation box will be available at the morning teas for your donations. Your generosity no matter how big or small is greatly appreciated.
Seniors Morning Tea
There will be a special senior’s morning tea held on Monday 15th December at 10am in the Parish Centre. Please RSVP to the parish office. All senior’s welcome.
Fr Giancarlo Iollo OMI Farewell
A farewell Mass and refreshments for Fr Giancarlo Iollo will be held on Sunday 21st December at 10am (this will be a combined Mass of the 9.30am Italian Mass and the 11am English Mass). Mass will be followed by light refreshments in the parish centre. RSVP is required by Monday 8th December to parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au or on 9335 2268.
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.
Basilica Guardians
Summer will be bringing cruise ships and visitors to Fremantle, so we would like the opportunity to have the Basilica open more in the afternoons. We are seeking Basilica Guardians for Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1pm to 3pm. It is preferred that we have two guardians on each day. If you can spare some time and would like to help, please contact the Parish Office.
Candlelight, Carols and Corelli Concert
The Basilica of St Patrick along with the Perth Bach Society invite to you an evening of Candlelight, Carols and Corelli on Friday 19th December 2025 commencing at 7pm in the Basilica of St Patrick, 47 Adelaide Street, Fremantle. Please join us for tea, coffee and cake from 6.30pm in the presbytery carport. Bring along a cushion and good cheer. Entry via donation at the door. No reserved seating.
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
Tuesday 2nd December
Anointing of the Sick
Sunday 14th December
Final Parish Morning Tea
Monday 15th December
Senior’s Morning Tea
Friday 19th December
Candlelight, Carols & Corelli Concert
Sunday 21st December
Fr Giancarlo Farewell