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Saturday 28 August 2021

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Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Greetings to you all!

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year B

Any Christian may feel at times that he/she is highly criticised by the society, in the place of work, by their friends or even by their own family members. When one goes through those moments, we may feel that we are not loved and cared about by the others. No one is free from any criticism. If you have this feeling in your lives, I invite you all to journey in the life of Jesus. From the moment he began his public ministry in Galilee, the Pharisees and Scribes were in opposition to him. In short, the Pharisees and the Scribes found mistakes in everything Jesus and his disciples did in their lives.

Why did Jesus always face opposition from these sections of the society; Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees, while the others liked to see him, listen to him, and follow him? The reason was Jesus’ mercy, kindness and understanding for sinners. There is enough evidence in the Scriptures to prove the love of Jesus to all less privileged sections of society during his time. This was truly lacking in the religious leaders of his time. They paid more attention to the observances of the law than love. So, Jesus said to them, “they honour God with their lips, but their heart is far from God.” They did everything to win the admiration of the people, but not to win the heart of God, which indeed is true worship and honour one can give to God.

So, what goes inside a person does not defile a person, rather what comes from the heart of a person makes him/her good or defiled. If, our life is guided by the word of God, one’s life will be one of pure love and compassion, which will bring about much goodness to others.

The letter of St. James to his fellow-Jewish converts to Christianity is full of sound practical advice. He says, “Accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls. But you must do what the word tells you, and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves.”

Let our lives be guided by the Word of God, because God’s word always brings life, hope and prosperity to wherever it is preached and practiced. Amen.

Readings and Hymns

Please click here to download the readings and hymns for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

New Website

After addressing some technical issues, the Basilica now has a new website.

Please take a look around. More photo galleries and pages will be added over time.

Alessandro Pittorino: Interim organist and co-ordinator of Music for the Basilica of St. Patrick.

I am happy to announce to you that I have appointed Alessandro Pittorino as our interim organist and co-ordinator of Music for the Basilica of St. Patrick. His interest in the Organ began right here at St Patrick’s at the age of five on a Sunday afternoon when he was sitting with his mother in the church and heard the organ being played. Since then, he has developed his passion for the organ and its music.

Alessandro received his Bachelor of Music in Organ Studies from The University of Western Australia, and he went on to be accepted at The Juilliard School in New York City. He graduated with a Master of Music degree in organ performance. There he studied with GRAMMY Award-Winning organist Paul Jacobs, and is the first Australian organist to be awarded a place in the famed performing arts school.

He comes to us with a variety of experiences and knowledge about liturgical music. He will commence this position as the interim organist and co-ordinator of Music for the Basilica of St. Patrick on 30th August 2021. We wholeheartedly welcome him to our community. Welcome Alessandro!

Fathers’ Day and Parish Morning Tea

On Sunday 5th September, we honour, thank, and celebrate all our fathers who have given us life and their best for our lives. They play an important role in caring for us and working hard that we have everything needed in our lives. So, it is a great day of thanksgiving for their sacrifices in our lives. On this day we also pray for those fathers who have gone to enjoy their eternal lives in heaven.

The September Parish Morning Tea will be dedicated to honour all the fathers; so kindly come along and celebrate the life they have given to us and the constant sacrifices they make for our sake. 

Children’s Liturgy

From 29th August, onwards the Basilica community, will celebrate 5pm Mass on every Sunday as Children’s Mass. Please bring your children and let them continue to experience the love of God through the celebration of the Eucharist. I wish to sincerely thank our Primary School teachers for their support in the faith formation of the young children in our parish. If you could pass on this information to the families in our parish and beyond that will be greatly appreciated.

Social Justice Sunday

We celebrate Social Justice Sunday on 30th August. This year, the Australian Bishops’ Social Justice Statement is titled: To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today. The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the mental health of many members of our parishes, schools, and communities. Understanding mental health will help us to be aware of those who need our support. The bishops invite us all to reject stigmatisation, to work for the transformation of social determinants of mental ill-health, and to call for policies and service provision that meets the needs of the poorest and most marginalised members of our community.

Please click here to download the Statement. Or visit the website here.

Safeguarding Sunday: Sunday 12th September

The Parish of St. Patrick’s Basilica and the Archdiocese of Perth are committed to the care, wellbeing and protection of children, young people, and people at risk in our community. May our message be that child protection and the dignity of every person is the responsibility of every adult. You can find out more about the Church’s work in this area here.

Safeguarding of our children in the Parish

The Archdiocese Safeguarding Project was started in 2016 by Archbishop Timothy Costello 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.

Feast of Our Lady of Tindari (Black Madonna)

Sunday 12th September 2021 the Italian Community will come together to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Tindari (Black Madonna).  This year Bishop Emeritus Justin Bianchini will lead the Italian Mass at 9.30am.  Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions there will be no Procession or Benediction.

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat 

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat: A healing retreat for women and men experiencing complex grief after an abortion experience.  September 24th-26th held in the Perth area. Safe, confidential, and non-judgmental. For more information, please contact 0490956745, email Rachelsvinyardperthwa@gmail.com or click here.

Mass Intentions

Please click here for the Mass Intentions of the week (from 29th August to 3rd September 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 55%.

Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. If you are not already a member, for more information contact the Parish Office.  Thank you!

Important dates for the Basilica Parish in September 2021

  • Sunday 5th September – Fathers’ Day and Parish Morning Tea.
  • Sunday 12th September – Our Lady of Tindari Mass. The principal celebrant will be Emeritus Bishop Bianchini.
  • Sunday 12th September – Safeguarding Sunday.
  • Sunday 18th September – Sacrament of Holy Communion Mass for the St. Patrick’s Primary School and the Parish Catechism Class candidates.
  • Tuesday 21st September – Fr John Archbold’s Ordination Anniversary.

Have a wonderful weekend God bless!

Fr John Sebastian
Rector and Parish Priest