Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
These days you will hear people saying, there are so many in need in our own country and cities. There are so many reasons why we should not be sending money overseas. We should be helping our own. Despite the fact that we have so many opportunities to remedy these situations, we have not. Maybe it is only by looking at a much bigger picture that we can develop a new way of seeing the real resolution to local and global problems. Has this generation really become so introverted?
Jesus, quoting the Book of Deuteronomy taught, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ But when Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbour?” he did not give the standard expected answer, explicitly; relatives and people from around our own village. Jesus does not quarrel with the fact that one should look after one’s own kin but at the same time, he extends the notion of kin or family to include a much wider field.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, he cites the mishap of a mysterious ‘traveller’. He then asks, “Who is a neighbour to this man?” The ‘neighbour’ was not to be found in the self-righteous nor was the example of neighbourly love to be found in the legalistic person. The hero of the story is one who can sympathize. In the parable, it is a Samaritan.
The Samaritan is one who is travelling along the same road. One who is also vulnerable to the same capricious misfortunes. One who is despised and rejected by the very people who were listening to the parable. What make this Samaritan ‘Good’ is that fact that he did not consider his own situation but allowed himself to be moved with compassion.
When faced with many of the world’s needs it is tempting to say that we are helpless. We must protect our own. So why should be even begun to try?
The origin of Catholic Mission
An example of love for God and neighbour was Pauline Marie Jaricot. Born on 22 July 1799 into a family of rich Lyon silk merchants. After hearing a Lenten homily against worldly vanities, the then 17-year-old experienced a radical conversion, and began to visit and take care of the poor.
In 1820, Pauline received a letter from her brother Phileas, a student at the Seminary of St. Sulpice, in which he explained the needs of the members of the Paris Foreign Missions Society. Pauline gathered the workers in her father’s factory into groups of ten to donate a sou (a penny/cent) to support the foreign missions. Each participant would then recruit another “ten”. The “tens” become “hundreds” and eventually gathered momentum beyond Lyon.
The Society was formally approved in 1822.
When we are faced with a need no matter how great it is, the one principle to keep in mind is that love and generosity do not arise from with us. They are rather, qualities of God, which he shares with us in order that we take part in filling the world with these qualities.
If we restrict love or generosity in any way, they cease to be.
If we give free reign to love, then it becomes the action of God in the world. As imperfect and seemingly futile as our efforts may seem it be, every effort becomes God touching hearts and renewing the world from within.
No action done with love, no gift, given from a generous heart is ever too small, because Jesus once took two loaves and two fish and with that little offering, he fed a multitude of people. And when all the people were fed there was more than enough.
The weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
Basilica Guardians
We are urgently seeking volunteers who can assist with the Basilica Guardians. The Basilica Guardians allow us to keep the Church open on weekdays (Monday to Friday) from after midday Mass until 3pm. If you would like to volunteer, please call the Parish Office. Thank you to those who have already volunteered. As soon as we have enough volunteers, we will commence a roster.
Catholic Mission Appeal 2022
This weekend, Catholic Mission offers you the opportunity to be part of a life-changing programme which aims to help prevent malnutrition, especially in babies and young children, and help disadvantaged families provide food for their loved ones.
Please give generously today to help kickstart this programme by using the appeal envelope provided on the pews, or through the leaving collection as you exit the Church or going online at www.catholicmission.org.au/ethiopia. Your gift will also help many other similar Church-run mission programmes around the world.
Monthly Senior’s Morning Tea
Monthly Senior’s Morning Tea is a special parish initiative to bring our seniors together to share a cuppa and have a chat. The Senior’s morning tea is held every third Monday of each month in the Parish Hall from 10am to 11am.
Our next morning tea with the seniors will be held on Monday 18th July at 10am in the Parish Hall.
De Mazenod Family Gathering
The aim of these gatherings is to provide an opportunity to connect parishes, schools and ministries in each state and to make the De Mazenod Family and the Charism of St Eugene known. Through various prayer, reflection and discussion sessions throughout the day we will break open this year’s theme: Pilgrims of Hope in Communion.
The De Mazenod Family Gathering for Western Australia will be held on Saturday 30th July and will be hosted at St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle. It will begin at 11:30 am and conclude with Mass at 6pm. Lunch and snacks will be provided throughout the day.
For more information you can visit our website OMI Australia or email us at demaznodfamily@gmail.com. Registrations are open and can be made through the Parish Office or the website.
Grandparents Thanksgiving Mass
The Parish will celebrate all grandparents with a special Mass on Tuesday 26 July (the Feast Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary) at midday. We invite all grandparents, great grandparents and adopted grandparents to come along and receive a special blessing at the Mass and then enjoy a light lunch in the Parish Centre. RSVP is essential to the Parish Office on 9335 2268 before the 25 July. We look forward to sharing this special day with all grandparents.
Prayer for Peace and Justice in Ukraine
God of peace and justice,
who change the hardened heart and break the power of violence,
we entrust the people of Ukraine to you.Protect them in this time of peril;
let them know not death but life, not slavery but freedom.You are Father of all;
we are brothers and sisters.Give us the strength to live that truth in love,
choosing peace not war.Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Planned Giving
The Planned Giving Programme is an important part of the Parish and assists 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 giving was 97%.
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. For more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
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: 086 006
A/c No: 48797 3085
Reference: 2nd Collection and your name
Second Collection supports the Parish.
Regarding Masks
Masks are not mandatory; however, masks are encouraged where physical distancing is not possible if you have cold & flu symptoms, or you wish to safeguard yourself from the COVID-19 virus.
Safeguarding of our children in the Parish
The Archdiocesan Safeguarding Project was started in 2016 by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe 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 please click here.
Upcoming Events
Saturday 9th/Sunday 10th July – Catholic Missions Appeal in the Parish
Monday 18th July – Parish Seniors Morning Tea
Tuesday 26th July – Grandparents Thanksgiving Mass
Saturday 30 July – De Mazenod Family Gathering
God bless!
Fr Leo Mifsud OMI
Assistant Priest