Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Having reminded the apostles and the crowd that facing the coming judgment takes patience, Jesus now goes on to speak of how difficult it will be to wait. He tells them that he has come to set the earth on fire. Recall that in chapter 3 of Luke’s Gospel, John the Baptist tells the crowd that he is baptizing with water, but someone mightier is coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. The fire Jesus speaks of here is the distress caused by the coming judgment. It is also the fire of the Spirit that Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles, will describe descending on the disciples on Pentecost. That fire will strengthen them to go out to the whole world to preach the good news of Jesus’ Resurrection.
Jesus will be the first to experience the distress of the coming judgment. His baptism will be the conflict into which he will be immersed as he approaches Jerusalem and his death on the cross. His followers will not be spared that distress. The angels at Jesus’ birth proclaimed peace on earth, and Simeon, holding the baby Jesus in the Temple, said to God: “Master, now you may let your servant go in peace.” Here Jesus tells the crowd not to think he has come to bring peace; he has come to bring division. Simeon said as much when he turned to Mary and said that the child was destined for the rise and fall of many and to be a sign that will be contradicted. Peace is the ultimate end of the Kingdom of God, but peace has a price. Jesus is warning the crowd that wherever the Word of God is heard and acted upon, division occurs. Fathers will be divided against sons and mothers against daughters.
The coming judgment forces us to look at the implications of our commitments. As Jesus warned in last Sunday’s Gospel, a commitment of faith requires us to change our attitude toward material possessions and to take even more seriously our moral responsibilities. Here he reminds the crowd that those who commit to him will find it affects the way they relate to friends and family members. The angel who announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah said John would go before Jesus to turn the hearts of fathers toward their children. But a commitment to Jesus forces us to change the way we live our lives, and this can put strains on relationships.
We don’t expect to hear such difficult words from Jesus in the Gospel. But it is good to be reminded once in a while that the decision to do the right thing, the good thing, is not always easy and without conflict. Jesus himself did not make easy decisions and avoid conflict. In today’s reading, he reminds his followers to be prepared for difficult decisions and conflict as well. (source Loyola Press).
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.
Parish Morning Tea
The next Parish Morning Tea will be held on Sunday 14th September after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery carport. All Welcome.
Confirmation Mass
On Friday 5 September the Parish will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with 21 candidates receiving the Sacrament. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Holy Spirit.
SPPS Father’s Day Hot Rod Show
Please be advised that on Sunday 7 September the Primary School will have their annual Father’s Day Hot Rod Show from 8am to 3pm. Parking maybe difficult around the School and Basilica.
Oblate Retreat, Melbourne
The Oblates will be on retreat from Midday on Sunday 7 September to Evening of Friday 12 September. Fr Ughanze will be saying Masses during that time. However, there will be no Adoration Monday 8 September to Friday 12 September only midday Masses will be celebrated during that time. Please keep all the Oblates in your prayers during this time.
Invitation to RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Are you or anyone you know interested in exploring the Catholic Church as your church home? Have you been sitting in the pew next to your Catholic spouse for years wondering what you have to do to become Catholic? Statistics show that most people respond to a personal invitation. So, this is that personal invitation and a challenge to all of you who might know someone who fits the categories above invite that person. RCIA Information Evening will be held on Tuesday 7 October at 6.30pm in the parish office boardroom. Please register with the parish office on 93352268 or 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.
Safeguarding Requirements in the Parish
The Church Sacristy: Reminder that the Church Sacristy is only to be used by the Priests, Acolytes and Church Staff. Parishioners are not to enter the Sacristy. The toilet located in the Sacristy is for the use of the Priests only it is not a public toilet.
Over the past few weeks, you may have heard Fr Meno Basti mention at Masses that the parish is currently seeking financial assistance to cover insurance, repair works to the Basilica and Presbytery. Many of you have asked how we can deposit the funds. Please see details below.
If you wish to assist financially, please deposit funds into the account below with the reference of either insurance, repair works church or repair works presbytery.
Account Name: Basilica Working Account
BSB: 086006
Account No: 487943085
Your assistance no matter how big or small is very much appreciated. Thank you to those who have already assisted so generously.
Safeguarding Requirements in the Parish
The Church Sacristy: Reminder that the Church Sacristy is only to be used by the Priests, Acolytes and Church Staff. Parishioners are not to enter the Sacristy. The toilet located in the Sacristy is for the use of the Priests only it is not a public toilet.
Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
The indulgence, a priceless gift of divine mercy, is one of the special signs of the Jubilee Year. The conditions for obtaining a Jubilee Indulgence are:
- Pilgrimage to any of the designated Churches and Shrines
- St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth
- The Basilica of St Patrick, Fremantle
- St John Paul II Church, Banksia Grove
- Schoenstatt Shrine, Mount Richon
- Carmelite Monastery, Dalkeith
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Celebration of the Eucharist
- Profession of Faith
- Prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father
Those unable to make a pilgrimage due to age, health, caregiving you can obtain an indulgence, under the usual conditions by reciting the Our father, making a profession of faith and offering prayers from their homes, hospitals and nursing homes while offering up their own suffering.
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/.
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.
Coming Events
Saturday 23 August
CBC Family Mass
Friday 29 August
Pasta Night Fundraiser
Friday 5th September
Confirmation Mass
Sunday 7th September
Father’s Day
Sunday 7th to Friday 12th September
Oblate Retreat in Melbourne
Sunday 14th September
Our Lady of Tindari Feast Mass