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Saturday 22 October 2022

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Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Greetings to you all!

The liturgy of the word continually encourages us to take a deeper look into the nature of our prayer life; especially what is my attitude when I pray to our heavenly Father, is it one of total surrender and acceptance of ourselves, especially the weakness of our lives or something different?

The scripture continues to remind us that God always hears our prayers, more especially he listens to the prayers of the poor. The first reading says, “He does not ignore the orphan’s supplication, nor the widow’s as she pours out her story. The man who with his whole heart serves God will be accepted, his petitions will carry to the clouds.”

The scripture also constantly reveals to us God’s preferential option for the poor. It is made clear from the mission statement of Jesus (Lk 4:18-21). In his mission statement Jesus clearly indicates his goals and his primary options in his ministry: he came for the poor, the blind, the people pushed to the periphery of society, especially the oppressed, the crushed, the marginalised. It was not just a statement, but we could concretely see these in his words and deeds as well.

Having said that God is always on the side of the poor, let us look at the gospel reading today. The gospel reading talks about two people who went to pray. Their gesture of prayer beautifully captures what they are going through in their lives at that moment.

When the tax collector came to pray, he brought before the Lord his loneliness caused by his own sinfulness. How did he get into this loneliness? As you know they worked for the Romans; as a result, he was not accepted by his own community. The tax collector had many things. He was rich, but he was alone. He had no friends other than his fellow tax collectors. It was this shattered-ness that brought him to the temple. So, he slipped into the Temple and sincerely sought God’s forgiveness. And God heard the cries of this abandoned one.

But when a Pharisee comes to the Temple, he is not crying out for help; but is reminding God of his goodness. Setting himself apart, the Pharisee points out his very many merits and goodness: he fasts, he pays tithes and so forth. At the end of the story Jesus says, “the tax collector went home again at rights with God; the other did not.”

So, let our prayers be always of trust in God, that He will answer our prayers and pray that we too manifest our humility when we come before his presence in our lives. Amen.

Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest

The weekend eBulletin

Click here to download the eBulletin for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.

Blessing of the Fleet: Mass and procession

Mass and procession for the Blessing of the Fleet, Sunday 23rd October, Italian Mass at 9.30am lead by Mons. Michael Keating. Procession will leave the Basilica at 2pm and go down to the fishing harbour for blessing of the boats, the procession will return to the Basilica for Benediction. All welcome to join in celebrating this long-standing tradition with the Fremantle community.

Please note that evening Mass for this Sunday will be held at 6pm.

Parish Morning Tea

Join us on Sunday 6 November for our Parish Morning Tea after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All Welcome.

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 a chat. The Senior’s morning tea is held every third Monday of each month. The Next Senior’s Morning Tea, Monday 21 November, 10am in the Presbytery Carport.

All Saints and All Souls Day Masses in The Basilica

All Saints Day Tuesday 1 November: Mass Midday.

All Souls Day Wednesday 2 November: Masses 9am, Midday and 7pm.

University of Notre Dame Events

Parishioners of St Patrick’s Basilica are warmly invited to the following Notre Dame events.

  • Wednesday 26th October 6pm Public Lecture with Fr Eamonn Conway from Ireland. Title: “All things are connected for the glory of God: Integral Human Development as Task and Opportunity for the Catholic University.” Tannock Hall, cnr Croke and Cliff Sts, Fremantle.
  • Thursday 27th October 2.30pm “Abraham Day” gathering with Catholic, Jewish, and Islamic leaders. This year’s theme: “Care for Our Common Home: Stewardship, Responsibility and the Gift of Creation.” Foley Hall, 19 Mouat St, Fremantle. To register your attendance please email faith@nd.edu.au or phone (08) 9433 0860.

November Mass Offering Envelopes

November is the month when we remember our deceased family and friends by offering a Mass for them. Envelopes are on the pews and in the side foyers of the Church and the Parish Office. Envelopes can be placed on the collection plate or handed to the parish office.

Christmas Biscuit Baking for Prison

We have been asked once again to bake biscuits for the women’s prison for Christmas. If you would like to assist, please leave your details with the parish office and we will send you the information sheet and delivery date of biscuits.

Advent Retreat 2022

“It was because of love that the Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Advent can be a time of waiting with joyful excitement and intense anticipation, knowing that in a few short weeks two thousand years ago Jesus, the Word become a human being, will be born. Not as a prince to a royal family but to poor Jewish parents in a stable among domesticated animals.

This Advent journey is best experienced over the four weeks, however if you cannot attend all four weeks you are welcome to attend when you can. We will be using some of the meditation practices based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

John Auer will be the retreat leader who has been leading retreats nearly two decades, in Australia and in England. He is also a member of a CLC group using Ignatian prayer practices, meeting fortnightly in Claremont.

The retreat starts on Mondays 28th November and thereafter on 5th, 12th, and 19th December at 6pm at St. Patrick’s Basilica Fremantle Parish Centre. There is no charge.

To register your interest: call the parish office on 9335 2268 Mon to Fri 9am to 3pm or email parishoffice2@iinet.net.au.

Parish Centre Toilets

Over the past few weeks, we have had some issues with the toilets and access to the toilet area. During the week if you wish to use the toilets and they are locked, please call into the parish office, and ask for them to be opened. On the Weekends the toilets will only be opened before Masses. Thank you.

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 41%.

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: 066 107

A/c No:  0080 0216

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 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 please click here.

Upcoming Events

Saturday 22 October: Ursuline Sister’s 70th Anniversary.

Sunday 23 October: Blessing of the Fleet Mass, Procession and Benediction.

Tuesday 25 October: First Reconciliation Parish Candidates.

Wednesday 26 October: First Reconciliation Iona Candidates.

Tuesday 1 November: All Saint’s Day (Mass at Midday only).

Wednesday 2 November: Holy Souls Masses at 9am, Midday and 7pm.