Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Sunday’s Gospel continues last week’s focus on John the Baptist and his role in preparing the way for Christ. Recall that last week’s reading described John’s appearance in the desert and established his connection with the prophetic tradition of Israel. If we were to read Luke’s Gospel continuously, we would learn about John the Baptist challenging the crowds who came to him and calling upon them to show evidence of their repentance. John tells his listeners that they cannot rely on their lineage as Israelites because children of Abraham can be raised up from stones. Repentance, rather, must be observable in one’s actions. Here, Luke is continuing to set up two important themes of his Gospel message: the Christian faith is expressed in one’s actions, and the call to salvation is extended to everyone, Jews and Gentiles.
In today’s Gospel reading, the crowds ask John the Baptist for specifics. What evidence of repentance is required? John replies by naming concrete actions: crowds should share their food and cloaks; tax collectors should be just; soldiers should act fairly. The concern for justice is a hallmark of Luke’s Gospel.
When the crowd begins to wonder if John the Baptist might be the Messiah, John interprets his baptism and makes it clear that his ministry is in preparation for the Messiah. John the Baptist knows his place and role in God’s plan of salvation. By encouraging the crowd to act similarly in accordance with their stations in life, John’s teaching suggests that each person has a role to play in God’s salvation. It is the great mystery of our salvation that God permits and even asks for human cooperation in his divine plans.
The third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” This name is taken from the entrance antiphon for Sunday’s Mass, which is also echoed in today’s second reading from the Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Some people mark this Sunday by lighting a pink candle instead of a purple one on their Advent wreath. It is a reminder that the Advent season is a season of joy because our salvation is already at hand. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend Bulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year C.
Senior’s Morning Tea
The last senior’s morning tea for 2024 will be held on Monday 16th December at 10am in the Parish Centre. All senior’s welcome.
Final Parish Morning Teas for 2024
Please join us for the last two Parish Morning Teas for 2024 which will be held on Sunday 8 December and Sunday 22 December after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All Welcome.
MAMI Christmas Gift Cards
This year give a Christmas Gift that helps support those less fortunate. A MAMI Christmas Card, supports the Missions supported by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Chickens $10, Development $15, Toolboxes $20, Education $25 and Goats $30. Cards available from the parish office or online at www.oblates.com.au/christmas-cards.
Annual Advent & Christmas raffle
Tickets for the Christmas Raffle will go on sale at Masses on the weekend of the 30 November/1 December and then will be available every weekend until Sunday 22 December when the raffle will be drawn at the Parish Morning Tea. Please support this raffle.
Carols, Corelli and Candlelight
The Basilica Chorale invites you to a night of Carols, Corelli and Candlelight on Friday 20th December at 7pm in the Basilica. Mulled wine and cake will be served in the Presbytery Carport at 6.30pm prior to the event. BYO cushion for the pews. Donation entry fee.
Pilgrimage to Shrines of Italy 2025
Rome, Assisi, Loreto, Padre Pio, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily. 14 days 11 nights. 16th May 2025 to 29th May 2025. Spiritual Director: Mgr. Michael Keating. More information on noticeboards in foyers.
Christmas Timetable
Copies of the Christmas Mass Timetable are available in the side foyers of the Church. Please distribute them to your family and friends.
Christmas Eve 24th December
No Adoration or Midday Mass
Carols at 5.15 pm prior to the 5.30pm Children’s Mass
Carols at 8pm prior to the 8.30pm Mass
Carols at 11.30pm prior to the Midnight Mass
No Mass at St Anne’s Church, North Fremantle
Christmas Day 25th December
Basilica Masses: 8am, 9.30am (Italian) and 11am
St Anne’s Church, North Fremantle Mass: 8.15am
No 5pm Evening Mass
New Year’s Eve 31st December
11am Adoration and Midday Mass
New Year’s Day 1st January 2025
No longer a Holy Day of Obligation
11am Adoration and Midday Mass
Please Note: From 26 December to 27 January Saturday Reconciliation only at 10am to 12noon
Christmas Office Opening Hours
The parish office will close at midday on Friday 20th and reopen at 9am on Wednesday 15 January. During this time there will be no parish bulletins printed for weekend Masses. If you have any urgent matters, please email parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au.
Basilica Carpark
The Basilica grounds are open at 7am to 7.30pm Mon to Sunday. Any cars that are parked in the grounds after lockup will need to be collected the following morning. Parking in the Basilica grounds is at your own risk.
Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
What is a Jubilee? A Jubilee is a special year of grace and conversion, involving prayer, pilgrimage and sacramental repentance, held every 25 years, or during other years as called for by the Pope.
Through a series of concrete rituals, acts and commitments, the goal of a Jubilee year is to inspire and encourage holiness of life among the faithful and therefore to strengthen the Church’s witness to God’s loving mercy in and for the world.
Pope Frances will open the Holy Doors to the Jubilee Year on 25 December 2024.
This year the Basilica of St Patrick has been chosen as one of the five Churches in the Archdiocese of Perth as a place of pilgrimage. So we will be seeking volunteers to assist on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday so that we can keep the Church open, until 3pm for pilgrims to visit the Basilica. If you can assist, please advise the parish office.
Weekly Giving
The collections are an important part of a Parish life. Your weekly 1st collection donations support the Priests in the parish to minister to the needs of the parish community and the Fremantle boarders.
Your weekly 2nd collection donations help us to maintain all aspects of the Basilica, Presbytery and Administration Centre. Without your assistance we would not be able to provide and maintain the Parish and its community. Thank You!
Please continue to give generously via the collection plate, tap and go tablets or direct deposits into the accounts below.
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
Monday 16 December
Senior’s Final Morning Tea for 2024
Friday 20 December
Carols, Corelli & Candlelight Concert
Tuesday 24 December
Christmas Eve
Wednesday 25 December
Christmas Day