Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today we continue to read from the Gospel according to Mark. For the past three Sundays, we have been hearing Mark’s reports of conversations between Jesus and his disciples. Beginning with today’s Gospel, Jesus returns to Judea, Jewish territory, and resumes his public ministry. The first verse of chapter 10 of Mark’s Gospel tells us that crowds gathered around Jesus, and he taught them, as was his custom. Immediately, the Pharisees approach Jesus to test him.
The Pharisees question Jesus about the lawfulness of divorce. Under specific conditions, divorce was an accepted practice among the Jewish people during the time of Jesus. It was regulated by the Law of Moses, as found in Deuteronomy 24:1-5. This law only permits that a husband may divorce his wife if he finds her to be indecent. This is the justification that the Pharisees reference when Jesus’ inquiries about the commandment of Moses. In reply, Jesus quotes from the Book of Genesis and counters that God’s original intention was that men and women would become one flesh in marriage. Jesus describes the teaching of Moses as a concession made to God’s original intention because of human stubbornness.
In private, Jesus’ disciples question him further about this teaching on divorce. It is to his disciples that Jesus lays out the implications of his teaching by explaining that remarriage after divorce is adultery. Jesus’ teaching was more restrictive than the teaching of the Pharisees, which permitted remarriage. Jesus further distinguished his teaching from the cultural norms of his time by applying his words equally to men and women. Jewish culture permitted only that a husband may divorce his wife. Wives were not permitted to divorce their husband for any reason, including adultery.
God intended for women and men to be joined together in marriage. Among the purposes of marriage is the raising of children. By welcoming children and fostering their relationship with God, parents and families bear witness to the Kingdom of God. At the end of today’s Gospel, the people were bringing their children to Jesus, and again Jesus’ disciples show that they just don’t get it. Jesus reprimands his disciples and welcomes these children. Again, Jesus offers these children as an example of the kind of complete trust and dependence upon God that ought to be the attitude of all believers. (Source: Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.
Pope Francis has called us all to take part in a Global Day of Prayer and Fasting on Monday 7th October, to mark the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel and in the face of the increasing conflict that is taking place in the Middle East.
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 13th October after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery carport. All Welcome.
Adoration in the Basilica
Adoration is held in the Basilica Monday to Saturday. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed at 11am with silent prayer until 11.20am, Rosary will then be held from 11.20am to 11.35am, following the Rosary there will be a time for silent prayer until 11.50am when Benediction will commence followed by Midday Mass. All Welcome to attend.
URGENT – Volunteer Readers Required
We are urgently seeking readers who can take up a permanent position on any of the weekday midday Masses and weekend Masses. At present we have gaps in the weekend readers roster that we need to fill. If you can assist at any of the Masses below or any weekday midday Masses, please advise the parish office on 9335 2268 (Tuesday to Friday 9am to 3pm). Thank You.
Senior’s Morning Tea
The next senior’s morning tea will be held on Monday 21st October at 10am in the parish centre. All senior’s welcome.
Graduations in October
The Basilica will host the Notre Dame Graduation on Thursday 10 October, IONA Graduation on Friday 11 October and CBC Graduation on Tuesday 15 October. We ask that you keep all the Graduates in your prayers.
Annual Blessing of the Fleet Celebrations
Blessing of the Fleet will commence with Triduum on Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th October commencing at 7.30pm.
The Feast Day Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 27th October at 9.30am and will be led by the Bishop of Capo D’Orlando and Concelebrated by visiting Priest and the Oblates. Procession will leave the Basilica at 2pm and will be followed by Benediction. Please Note: There will be no 5pm evening Mass on Sunday 27th October due to the Annual Blessing of the Fleet.
Safeguarding Induction for all Church workers
As the Fremantle parish has a large number of church workers (volunteers and paid workers) who are due for a renewal or who have yet to do a session of the Safeguarding procedures, we have organised a Safeguarding session in the parish. Many of you would have done the first induction in 2021 which means you are now due in 2024.
Please register with the parish office for the upcoming session
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
6-7pm
Basilica of St Patrick Parish Centre
National Oblate Youth Encounter
Oblate Youth Australia are excited to announce that the National Oblate Youth Encounter is back again this January, Fri 3rd – Mon 6th January 2025, Mazenod College, Mulgrave, Victoria and registration is now open!
See Noticeboard inside foyers for more information of contact Emma Rice erice@omi.com.au or 0422705230.
Please Note: The Sacristy is to be used by Priests, Acolytes, Altar Servers, Sacristans and Office Staff only. The toilet located inside the Sacristy is not for public use. For Safeguarding reasons please avoid entering the Sacristy.
If you wish to speak to a Priest, please ask the Sacristan or wait for the Priest before or after Masses outside of the Sacristy.
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 46%.
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.
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, visit http://fremantlestpatricks.org.au/parish-safeguarding-project/.
Coming Events
Thursday 10 October
Notre Dame University Graduation Mass
Friday 11 October
IONA Graduation Mass
Sunday 13 October
Parish Morning Tea
Tuesday 15 October
CBC Graduation Mass
Wednesday 16 October
Frist Reconciliation for Primary School & Catechism Class