Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today’s Gospel directly follows last week’s account of Jesus feeding a crowd of more than 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. For the sake of the crowds, Jesus had postponed his time of solitude. Now, at last, Jesus finds some time for quiet and prayer. He sends his disciples ahead of him by boat, dismisses the crowds, and then withdraws to the mountain to pray.
The disciples do not fare well. They struggle to weather the wind and waves, making little progress in their journey. We are reminded of a previous story in Chapter 8 of Matthew’s Gospel, when Jesus calms the seas. This time, however, Jesus does not calm the seas, and the disciples do not express fear until they see Jesus’ walking toward them on the water. In this story it is not the storm that is feared but the sight of Jesus before them, whom they mistake for a ghost.
Clues like these suggest that this story is about the disciples’ growing understanding of the identity of Jesus. In continuity with last week’s Gospel about the feeding of the multitude, today’s Gospel is also about what the disciples’ faith in Jesus will enable them to do. In last week’s Gospel, when the disciples see the crowds, they ask Jesus to send the crowds away. Jesus turns the situation around, telling the disciples to feed the crowd with the provisions that they have. Both of these Gospels tell us much about ministry.
Jesus calls to the disciples and calms their fears. He is not a ghost. The impulsive Peter seeks proof that the person is indeed Jesus. He asks Jesus to call him out onto the water, and Jesus grants this request. Peter’s fear and doubt overtake him, however, once he is walking on the water. Jesus reaches out to Peter and saves him. When Jesus and Peter enter the boat, Matthew reports that the wind ceases, and the disciples confess that Jesus is the Son of God.
Faith in Jesus will enable the disciples to do the work that Jesus has done. Peter walks on water. The five loaves and two fish feed a multitude of people. The disciples can and will participate in the work of the kingdom of heaven. When Peter fears and doubts the person of Jesus, however, he falters. Peter’s example teaches us that true Christian ministry emerges from the faith that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s only Son. (Source: Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
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.
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.
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.
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 3rd September 2023 after the 8am Mass in the presbytery carport. All Welcome.
The Sacrament of First Communion
On Saturday 19th August the children from St Patrick’s Primary School and the Parish Catechism class will celebrate the Sacrament of First Communion at the 6pm Mass. Please keep these candidates, their families, and teachers in your prayers.
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.
Annual Father’s Day Hot Rod Show
Every year the St Patrick’s Primary School hold their Father’s Day Hot Rod Show. This year it will be held on Sunday 3rd September 2023, from 8am to 3pm. Please plan ahead as there will be excess cars around the Basilica and parking maybe a problem.
Relics of St John Bosco
The relic statue of St John Bosco, better known as Don Bosco, will be touring Australia as part of the celebrations of the centenary of the arrival of the Salesians on Australian soil. The Salesians came to the shore of Australia on 30th March 1923 in Fremantle, Western Australia.
The Basilica will host the relics of St John Bosco on Monday 18th September 2023. The relics will arrive in the Basilica at 11.45am just in time of the Midday Mass and the relics will remain in the Basilica until 3pm. We invite all parishioners to come and visit the relics while they are in the Basilica. Come and share in this wonderful experience.
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 47%.
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.
COMING EVENTS
Sunday 13th August
Installation of Parish Priest
Tuesday 15th August
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday 19th August
First Communion Mass
Sunday 20th August to Saturday 26th August
Oblate Retreat
Monday 21st August
Senior’s Morning Tea