Skip to content

Saturday 19 November 2022

  • by

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Greetings to you all!

It is with a heavy heart I share with you that Fr John Archbold OMI returned to the Lord in the early hours of Thursday morning. He served our Parish community for nearly 28 years. I am sure you will all remember his many paddy jokes he said at the end of each Mass. Fr. Archbold’s funeral Mass will be held on Monday 28th November at 2pm in the Basilica. Please keep Fr Archbold’s family, the Oblates, and our Parish community, in your prayers at this difficult time.

On the last Sunday of the Liturgical calendar, Holy Mother Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King. This Solemnity helps us to acknowledge the author of all creation and the due honour we all need to give Him, in our lives.

This feast was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925. This feast was instituted because of protest against the rise of modern secularism. After the First World War, there was a growing sense of power of humanity to rule itself. God, the creator of the universe, was no more the centre of the cosmos, so to emphasise the supremacy of God in the universe this feast was instituted.

The Solemnity of Christ the King invites us to look at the way He served the people. Jesus, the King of the universe, does not use His armies to rule the people, rather He rules through His constant love, compassion, forgiveness, and mercy. He also goes after the lost sheep and assures them with life and protection. All those who listen to His voice are out of danger and are always assured with life, joy and happiness.

The first reading, taken from the book of the Prophet Ezekiel says, “I myself will show them where to rest – it is the Lord who speaks. I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them”.

So, in all that we do and say and enjoy, let us acknowledge the supremacy of God in our lives and appreciate the sacrifices Jesus made on our behalf, so that we are all united with Him at all times of our lives. Amen.

Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest

The weekend eBulletin

Click here to download the eBulletin for the Feast of Christ the King Year C.

Parish Morning Tea

In December there will be two parish morning teas. The first being on Sunday 4th December and the last morning tea being the Christmas and end of year morning tea on Sunday 18 December. Both morning teas are held 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, will be held for this month on Wednesday 23 November, 10am in the Parish Centre.

Christmas Biscuit Baking for Prison

We are urgently seeking more bakers to assist with baking 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.

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.

Handel’s Messiah Concert

Handel’s great Christmas oratorio will be performed in Baroque style by the exclusive Perth Chamber Singers in the beautiful stone Basilica of St Patrick, Fremantle. Paul Wright will expertly lead the Perth Baroque Players, and esteemed choral specialist Margaret Pride will conduct the full ensemble with elegance and brilliance. Solos will be sung by members of the chamber choir who are young and upcoming professional vocalists, as was the custom during Handel’s time. This will be Perth’s first fully professional Christmas performance of Messiah. It promises to be a musically scintillating performance as well as a moving Christmas and spiritual experience.

DATE: Friday 23 December 2022 7:30 PM

TICKETS: $15-$89

BOOKINGS: www.trybooking.com/CCZQQ

ENQUIRIES: mcalyn@it.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.

Advent Retreat 2022

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.

Christmas Cards & 2023 Columban Calendars

The piety stall has been gifted a selection of Christmas cards which will be for sale next weekend 12/13 November. Calendars are available now at $10 a calendar. Please see Alma at the Piety Stall on Sunday’s mornings and she can assist you.

St John’s Advent Carol Service

Parishioners are invited to attend the St John’s Advent Carol Service on Sunday 27 November at 7pm at St John’s Anglican Church, Fremantle.

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 78%.

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

Wednesday 23 November: Senior’s Morning Tea.

Monday 28 November: Parish Advent Program Begins; Fr John Archbold’s Funeral.