The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. (Is 9:2)
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
It gives me great joy to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year 2025. I wish and pray that we all may truly enjoy the true freedom, joy, happiness and peace that Jesus brough to this world at His birth. If I am correct, Christmas is one of the feasts or celebrations, celebrated all over the world by everyone irrespective of their Caste or Creed or Nationality. That itself confirms the fact that Jesus and his redemptive work is not limited to a group of people or to a particular race or nation. He belongs to the whole world, and He is the Universal Saviour.
The time that Jesus was born two thousand years ago was a difficult and a challenging time for the people of Israel who had been eagerly waiting for the Messiah and the deliverance from the oppressive forces. The people of Israel were under the Romans when Jesus was born, and their own rulers were oppressing and exploiting their own people. There were wars, riots, slavery, social discriminations, poverty, hunger, sickness and all sorts of suffering that the people of Israel had to undergo. It is during such challenging times that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a manger. The birth of Jesus, did not only just change the history of the world, it also brought great good news to the whole world:
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Lk 2:9-11).
We are waiting for the second Coming of Christ (The PAROUSIA). When we look at all that is happening in and around the world, we are being reminded of the time and the situation of the birth of Jesus, His first coming 2000 years ago. We hear and experience war, violence, discrimination, abuse, exploitations, poverty, hunger, migration, refugees, natural disaster and so on.
People who are sufferings and forced to endure all these situations, are crying out for deliverance, for a saviour, for freedom, for new life and for a new world. As Christian faithful, we firmly believe that it is only Jesus, our Saviour who can answer all our questions and give us deliverance, freedom and life, and it is He who alone can make a new and better world where everyone enjoys his freedom, equality, justice, harmony, brotherhood and peace. Like the people of Israel, we have to cry out in hope and pray to God and prepare for His Coming. Our God and Father with His Son Jesus and in the Unity of the Holy Spirit is ready to grant us the favours that we pray for. But we have to cooperate with him, and we have to make ourselves worthy to receive his blessings.
The Angels who appeared to the shepherds sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” (Lk 2: 14). The peace, joy, happiness and life that our God is willing to bestow on us all, can rest on us, only when we are ready and worthy to receive them. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Rev 3:20).
Let us open our hearts to the Lord, so that he could enter and dwell in us and with us. May this Christmas help us to experience and enjoy the true peace, joy and happiness that Jesus wishes to shower upon us.
Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year 2025
Fr. Meno Basti OMI
The Christmas Day eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Nativity of the Lord, 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!
Christmas Offerings
Usually twice a year you are invited, as a community, to make a special effort to financially support the Priests of the Basilica. Envelopes are available in your planned giving boxes or in the pews of the Church. Your generosity is very much appreciated along with your prayers, encouragement, and blessings.
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
Wednesday 25 December
Christmas Day
Wednesday 1 January 2025
New Years Day