Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today’s liturgy invites us to celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This feast calls to our attention the importance of this event in Jesus’ life, further affirmed by its report in each of the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In Cycle A, the reading for this feast is taken from the Gospel of Matthew. The Transfiguration occurs after Peter confesses his belief that Jesus is the Messiah and after Jesus predicts his Passion. In each of these Gospels, a discussion of the cost of discipleship precedes the Transfiguration.
In each Gospel, Jesus takes three of his disciples—Peter, James, and John—to a high mountain. While they are there, Elijah and Moses appear and converse with Jesus. Elijah and Moses are both significant figures in the history of Israel. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received from Yahweh the Ten Commandments. Moses represents the Law, which guides the lives of the Jewish people. Elijah is one of the most important prophets of Israel who helped the Israelites stay faithful to Yahweh, and some believed that Elijah’s return would signal the coming of the Messiah for the Jewish people. The appearance of these two figures from Israel’s history indicated Jesus’ continuity with the Law and the prophets. They also reveal that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that was promised to the people of Israel.
Upon witnessing Jesus’ Transfiguration and seeing Jesus with Elijah and Moses, an awestruck Peter offered to construct three tents for them when a voice from Heaven affirms that Jesus is “my beloved Son” and commands the disciples to listen to him.
In each of the reports of the Transfiguration, Jesus instructed the disciples to keep secret what they had seen until after “the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Until they witnessed Jesus’ Passion and Death, the disciples could not possibly understand what he meant by being “raised from the dead.” We, however, have the benefit of hindsight. In our hearing of the Transfiguration Gospel, we see an anticipation of Jesus’ Resurrection, a foreshadowing of Christ’s glory in Heaven, and the promise of our own resurrection. (Source: Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Transfiguration of the Lord, Year A.
Parish Morning Tea
The next Parish Morning Tea will be celebrated on Sunday 6th August 2023 after the 8am Mass in the presbytery carport. All Welcome.
Seniors’ Morning Tea
The next Seniors’ Morning Tea will be held on Monday 21st August 2023 at 10am in the Parish Centre. All seniors’ welcome.
Catholic Mission Appeal
THIS WEEKEND we ask for your prayers & generous response to this year’s Catholic Mission Appeal. You will be helping our medical missionaries provide life-saving healthcare to the vulnerable in East Timor & throughout the world. Please give generously by using the appeal envelope provided or going online at www.catholicmission.org.au/timor.
If you are keen to know what’s involved in becoming a volunteer for Catholic Mission, please email Francis Leong at director.cm@perthcatholic.org.au for the details. Francis Leong will speak at all Masses this weekend.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
On Tuesday 15th August we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (a holy day of obligation). Masses will be held in the Basilica at Midday and 7pm in the evening.
Installation of new Parish Priest
Please join us on Sunday 13th August at 11am Mass, when the Archbishop of Perth’s delegate, Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely, Vicar General, will lead the Concelebrated Mass and install Fr Slawek Plonka OMI as the new Parish Priest of The Basilica of St Patrick, Fremantle. Tea and Coffee will be served after the Mass in the Parish Centre.
Oblates Retreat – 20 August to 26 August
The Oblates will be on Retreat in Melbourne from Sunday 20th August to Saturday 26th August. Masses on Sunday 20th August will be celebrated by Fr Francis Ughanze and Mons. Michael Keating. Unfortunately, the 8.15am Mass at St Anne’s will be cancelled for that weekend. Masses during the week will be celebrated by Fr Anthony Colbert. The Oblates will be back to celebrate Masses on Sunday 27th August 2023. Let us keep all the Oblates from the Australian Province in our prayers during their Retreat.
Weekday Masses – Readers Required
If you regularly attend weekday Midday Masses on Mondays and Fridays and can assist with reading during the Masses, please see Joan Swindell’s.
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 100%.
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.
COMING EVENTS
Weekend 5/6 August: Catholic Mission Appeal.
Sunday 6 August: Parish Morning Tea.
Sunday 13 August: Installation of Parish Priest.
Tuesday 15 August: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.