Saturday 18 March 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Greetings to you all!

The below reflection is from Fr. Kevin O’Sullivan, O.F.M.

Today’s first reading describes the selection and anointing of King David. The Israelites, ever since their liberation from Egypt and their entry into the Promised Land, Ivied more or less as separate tribes. They had no central government. When one of the twelve tribes was in danger from a neighbouring pagan nation, God raised up a leader, called a “Judge, “who led the tribe to victory in most cases. Samuel was the last of these Judges, and towards the end of his life he had more or less succeeded in forming a loose confederation among the twelve tribes. But the people were displeased with the lack of unity and political security. The pagan nations which surrounded them were ruled by kings. who led them to battle and who organized their territories on a sound, political basis.

The Israelites therefore appealed to Samuel to give them a king with a hereditary kingship, and thus secure national government and a guarantee of survival. Saul, on the advice of God, yielded, if reluctantly, to their request. Saul was appointed the first king of all Israel (1030 B.C.), but though successful in many battles, he offended God, and the kingship was taken from him and his descendants.

David, a shepherd boy of Bethlehem, was privately anointed king, at God’s command, to replace Saul. His dynasty lasted 500 years (until the Babylonian exile), and his direct descendants survived until the promised Messiah, the Son of Mary and adopted son of Joseph, finally came, and changed the Chosen People of the Old Testament- -the Israelites-into the new people of God which comprised the people of all nations.

The selection of David, an unimportant shepherd-boy of little Bethlehem, as second King of Israel, was an event which happened over 3,000 years ago, and may at first sight appear to be of little importance for us Christians of the 21st century. Yet it has many important lessons to teach us. First and foremost, it shows us how little years and centuries mean to God in his eternal plans. In choosing David he was choosing the royal ancestor of the King of Kings, a thousand years before he came on earth. The day he sent Samuel to Bethlehem, he was planning in advance for you and for me. His thoughts were on us from eternity.

The choice of David, the least likely of Jesse’s sons, is another lesson for us, a lesson to make us humble by admitting our limitations. The whole book of a person’s life is open before God; we can see only the cover and the title. In that book, together with his good deeds, God saw the very serious offences David would commit against him in later years, but he also saw his sincere repentance-he still chose David, a consolation surely and an encouragement for all of us sinners, provided our repentance (like David’s) is sincere.

As we move closer to the celebration of Easter, let us make every effort to amend our lives, to live as worthy sons and daughters of God. Amen.

Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest

The Weekend eBulletin

Click here to download the eBulletin for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A.

Stations of the Cross continue every Friday until Good Friday. English Stations after the midday Mass and Stations in Italian at 7pm.

This weekend we welcome Fr Slawek Plonka OMI, new Parish Priest of Fremantle, who will be visiting prior to taking up his role in July 2023.  Fr Slawek will be concelebrating at all Masses this weekend.

2nd Rite of Reconciliation

To prepare ourselves for Holy Week and the Easter Liturgies the Parish will have 2nd Rite of Reconciliation on Wednesday 5 April at 7pm. All Welcome.

Holy Thursday Mass 7pm

We are seeking volunteers for the Washing of the Feet during the Holy Thursday Mass at 7pm.  If you can assist, please contact the Parish Office on 9335 2268.

Archbishop’s Lifelink Appeal 2023

The Fremantle Parish raised $8,803.20 towards this year’s Archbishop’s Lifelink Appeal.  The total amount raised throughout the Archdiocese was $686,266.21.

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 58%. 

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.

The new 23/24 Planned Giving Envelopes are available in the side foyer this weekend for collection. Please pick up your envelopes!

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.

EVENTS IN THE PARISH

Sunday 19 March: Visiting Organist Concert.

Monday 20 March: Senior’s Morning Tea.

Sunday 2 April: Palm Sunday; Frs Sebastian & Angelo Farewell.

Wednesday 5 April: 2nd Rite of Reconciliation.