Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year B
The liturgy of the Word today clearly expresses the intention of God that those who are united in the bond of marriage should live together and it should be permanent.
In the first reading today, we see how God created every living creature in the world. The creation of God beautifully sings the glory of God. God gave the great privilege to the man whom he created to name his creation, and whatever he named, that became their name, what a privilege. When God found that there was no suitable helpmate for him, God created his helpmate. Our Lord says that it is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helpmate. This passage serves as how God first initiated the sacrament of marriage.
The intention of God is seen in Genesis 2:23-24, when he created Adam and Eve, that the two people who marry should become so indissolubly one that they are one flesh. They were created for each other. They are the pattern and symbol for all who were to come.
In the Gospel Jesus explains that Moses permitted divorce as a concession in view of a lost ideal. But Jesus sets the high ideal of the married life before those who are willing to accept his commands. Jesus, likewise, also sets the high ideal for those who freely renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:11-12). Both marriage and celibacy are calls from God to live a consecrated life, that is to live as married couples or as singles who belong not to themselves but to God. Our lives are not our own, but they belong to God. He gives the grace and power to those who seek to follow his way of holiness in their state of life. Do you seek the Lord and his grace in your state of life?
In my second year of Priesthood, I was invited to officiate at a 50th wedding anniversary Mass in India. I did not preach but I invited them to share about their secret of married life. The couple shared saying, we worked on the grace of God we received through this sacrament of marriage, every day and that is the secret of our marriage.
Yes, we all need to work on the graces that we receive from each sacrament, when we work on that God will give us the strength to continue the journey we have chosen. Let us pray for all married couples that they continue to strengthen their union through prayer and support for one another. Also pray for those who are contemplating married life and for those who are single that in every state of life we always fulfil the intention of God. Amen
Readings and Hymns
Please click here to download the readings and hymns for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.
Children’s Mass
The Children’s Mass music is different from the other Masses so kindly click here to download the readings and hymns for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.
Safeguarding Training for Church Workers
The Parish of St Patrick’s makes a commitment to practices and protocols that create and maintain safe environments for all people. We are ensuring that everyone who works for the church (paid or unpaid) understands and recognises how the National Safeguarding Standards work in keeping children, young people, and adults at risk safe. A face-to-face Training Session will be available for All Church Workers to attend. Everyone who performs a role with the church in a paid or voluntary capacity must attend a 2-hour Church Workers Training session.
St Patrick’s Basilica Parish will host a training session for all the Church Workers on Saturday 30th October at 10am in our Parish centre. Please click here to register http://safeguarding.perthcatholic.org.au/training-calendar-church-workers/
St Vincent De Paul Society
This weekend, Mary-Jardine Clarke – a Volunteer Conference Member of the Fremantle & Beaconsfield Conference of St Vincent De Paul will address the Basilica Parish community about the “good works” of the Vinnies in our Parish and provide details of how you can support the famous Vinnie’s Christmas Hamper Appeal for 2021 among other opportunities to support the St Vincent De Paul Society locally.
Fr. John Archbold’s birthday and Parish Morning Tea
On 10th October after the 8am Mass, we will have our Parish Morning Tea, where we will also celebrate Fr. John Archbold’s 88th birthday. Please join us in this celebration and meet and make friends from the Basilica Community.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a wonderful opportunity for those who seek to embrace the faith of the Catholic Church and also a great avenue for those who wish to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ.
If you know anyone willing to take up this journey, please encourage them to come for the information evening on 20th October at 7pm, in the Parish centre.
For further information please contact the Parish Office, Mon to Fri 9am to 3pm on 9335 2268.
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.
Mass Intentions
Please click here for the Mass Intentions of the week (from 2nd October to 9th October 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 50%.
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 of St. Patrick’s Parish in October 2021
- Saturday 9th October – Fr. John Archbold’s birthday.
- Sunday 10th October – Parish Morning Tea.
- Tuesday 19th to Thursday 21st October – Triduum Blessing of the Fleet.
- Sunday 24th October – Blessing of the Fleet Mass and Procession
- Wednesday 20th October – RCIA information evening.
- Friday 22nd October – CBC Graduation Mass.
- Sunday 24th October – SPPS Family Mass.
- Monday 25th October – Iona Graduation Mass.
- Friday 29th October – Death of the Servant of God Thomas Benjamin Cooray OMI (1901-1988).
- Saturday 30th October – Safeguarding Training for Church Workers in the Parish Centre.
Have a wonderful weekend God bless!
Fr John Sebastian
Rector and Parish Priest