Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this the last Sunday before Christmas, our Gospel reading prepares us to witness Christ’s birth by showing us how Jesus was recognized as Israel’s long-awaited Messiah even before his birth. The Gospel turns our attention from the ministry of John the Baptist to the events that preceded John the Baptist’s birth. The story of John the Baptist and his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, are reported only in Luke’s Gospel. Luke pairs the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, establishing John’s early connection to the Messiah.
Our Gospel reading recalls Mary’s actions after the announcement of Jesus’ birth by the angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit Elizabeth, her cousin, who is also with child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles that they and their unborn children will play in God’s plan for salvation. If we were to continue to read the verses that follow in Luke’s Gospel, we would hear Mary respond to Elizabeth’s greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both women recall and echo God’s history of showing favor upon the people of Israel.
In Luke’s Gospel the Holy Spirit helps reveal Jesus’ identity as God to those who believe. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and sings Mary’s praise because she bears the Lord. We sing these words of praise to Mary in the Hail Mary. Even John the Baptist, the unborn child in Elizabeth’s womb, is said to recognize the presence of the Lord and leaps for joy.
It is appropriate in this season of Advent that we consider the role of Mary in God’s plan of salvation. Elizabeth describes Mary as the first disciple, as the one who believed that God’s word to her would be fulfilled. Mary’s faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people’s history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to everyone. Because of this, Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God’s plan for salvation. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend Bulletin
Click here to download the ebulletins for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C.
May the Birth of Baby Jesus bring all Parishioners, Families and Friends a Very Holy and Joyous Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
God Bless You All!
– from the Oblates and Staff
Senior’s Morning Tea
The senior’s morning tea team would like to thank all those who have supported the morning teas during 2024. They would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Safe New Year. There will be no senior’s morning in January 2025. Future dates to be advised. God Bless!
Final Parish Morning Tea for 2024
Please join us for the last Parish Morning Tea for 2024 which will be held on Sunday 22 December after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. The Christmas Raffle will also be drawn at the morning tea. 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.
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
Tuesday 24 December
Christmas Eve
Wednesday 25 December
Christmas Day
Wednesday 1 January 2025
New Years Day