Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year B
Venerable Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen says, “Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.” Life is a mixture of joys and sorrows. But it is a human nature to avoid pain, suffering and work constantly to be always joyful in our lives. When Jesus called his disciples, his message was clear like a bell. He told them: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mt 16:24). Jesus never promised an easy path to remain as his followers, rather he told them the truth that it requires sacrifices and willingness to suffer for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus for the third time foretold his Passion, death, and Resurrection, but still the disciples had not fathomed the full intention of God for his only Son Jesus. Jesus will bring glory to his father through his death on a cross. But the disciples still had not understood this message, that’s why they were looking for authority and glory: “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left in your glory.” Jesus told them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” Jesus, knowing that his Apostles hadn’t understood his message, was still gentle with James and John. He took this opportunity to tell them again that he would set up a glorious kingdom but that his sufferings and death would be a necessary prelude to its establishment. So, Jesus, continues to stress the fact that he will establish his glorious kingdom through his death on a cross, but the message fell into the deaf man’s ears.
Jesus also further told his disciples about the primary characteristics of his disciples: “anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ So, the primary identity of a disciple of Christ does not consist in one’s power, prestige, and authority but it consists in one’s service to his/her brothers and sisters.
All of us, in one way or the other have been entrusted with some level of authority; they are given to us not to boss it over someone who is under our care, but to serve those who share in the image and likeness of God. Service to one’s brothers and sisters is the beautiful statement a disciple of Jesus can leave to the world. A disciple who served his brothers and sisters will continue to live in the hearts and minds of the people. Amen.
Readings and Hymns
Please click here to download the readings and hymns for the 29th 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 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.
The Synod of Bishop’s
On Sunday, 17 October, dioceses around the world will launch local preparations for the Synod of Bishops, which has the theme: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”. The Catholic Church in Australia will invite the People of God to make submissions via an online portal that will open on 17 October. A page on the Bishops Conference website has been set up as a hub for Synod of Bishops content. It has links to the preparatory document and vademecum (handbook) for the Synod, and a video produced by the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation explaining the Synod process can also be accessed here: https://www.catholic.org.au/synodalchurch.
Given the significant interest in the Synod of Bishops and its relationship with the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, there is a document on that web page showing the anticipated timelines and milestones for those two important journeys. Those submissions will help the bishops develop a national report to support the global process leading to an international gathering in 2023. Please find attached resources for diocesan launch of Synod of Bishops; Liturgical Suggestion for Opening of the Synod of Bishops in Australia, Synod of Bishops Prayer A4, Synod of Bishops Prayer A5.
Thank you from Fr. John Archbold OMI
A well-deserved “THANK YOU” and Blessing to all those kind people who
gave me gifts to celebrate my 63rd Anniversary of Ordination and/or my
88th Birthday. I shall remember you in Masses and Prayers. God Bless you all!
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.
Triduum for the Blessing of the Fleet.
On Tuesday 19th to Thursday 21st October Fr. Marcello will lead the Triduum Mass in Italian at 7.30pm, to pray and to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday 24th October. Please join us and pray for everyone who works at sea.
Blessing of the Fleet: Mass and procession
On Sunday 24th October at 9.30am, Bishop Emeritus Justin Bianchini, will lead the Italian Mass, for the Blessing of the Fleet.
The procession will start at 2pm, from the Basilica of St. Patrick and go to the fishing harbour through the streets of Fremantle, to bless the boats and pray for the safety of the fishermen and for a good harvest from the sea. It will be followed by benediction at the Basilica.
Please come along to celebrate this long-standing tradition of our Fremantle community. Please note that evening Mass for this Sunday will be held at 6pm. Thanks
CBC Fremantle Graduation Mass
On Friday 22nd October, 104 gentlemen from CBC Fremantle will graduate during a special Mass celebrated at the Basilica of St. Patrick. Please keep the graduating class of 2021 in your prayers that they may continue to choose the correct path in the next stage of their lives.
Iona Graduation Mass
On Monday 25th October, 123 ladies from Iona Presentation College will celebrate their graduation Mass at the Basilica of St. Patrick. Please keep the graduating class of 2021 in your prayers that they may continue to choose the correct path in the next stage of their lives.
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/
Columban Calendars for 2022
Columban Calendar’s for 2022 are available in the piety stall of the Basilica of St. Patrick. Each calendar costs $10. Please make your purchase and support the mission.
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 17th October to 23rd 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 47%.
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 November 2021
- Monday 1st November – All Saints Day. (Oblates recall the day in 1818 when the Missionaries of Provence first pronounced their vows).
- Tuesday 2nd November – All Souls Day. There will be Three Masses: 9am, 12pm and 7pm.
- Sunday 7th November – Parish Morning Tea.
- Sunday 7th November – SPPS Family Mass
- Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th November- Archbishop’s LifeLink Appeal
- Sunday 14th November – Remembrance Day Mass at 11am.
Have a wonderful weekend God bless!
Fr John Sebastian
Rector and Parish Priest