Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The story of the cleansing of the Temple is found in all four Gospels. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus is upset with the deceitful practices of the vendors and expels them for that reason. But in John, Jesus’ authority is contrasted with the authority of the Temple cult and is a criticism of the cult itself.
The story is composed of two parts, Jesus’ action in the Temple and Jesus’ predictions about the Temple’s destruction. The time of year is the sacred feast of Passover. If the many pilgrims to Jerusalem during Passover were to have animals for the sacrificial rituals of the feast, it was necessary to sell cattle in the Temple and to change the unclean Roman money. By denouncing this, Jesus is cutting to the core of the Temple cult.
The story is really about Jesus’ fate, not the Temple’s fate, revealing that Jesus, not the Temple, is the locus of God’s presence on earth. As they often do in John, the Jews misunderstand Jesus’ words. This gives John the chance to explicitly state his point. Although this is the beginning of his ministry, Jesus is already speaking of his coming death and Resurrection.
John intentionally integrates a post-Resurrection perspective into the Gospel narrative. The statement that concludes this passage uses the fact of the Resurrection to prove the point of Jesus’ words. Believers need to remember the words and actions of Jesus and claim them as affirmations of the truths of their faith.
Christians sometimes point to Jesus’ anger in this passage as a way to point out Jesus’ humanity. But this would miss the powerful point of the entire Gospel, that the Word became flesh. The point is not that Jesus’ anger proves he is human. It is that a human being, in his words and actions, can claim the authority of God. (source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Year C.
Message From Fr Andrew Chen OMI, Australian Oblate Provincial
Dear parishioners of St Patrick’s Basilica,
I would like to personally communicate with you a personnel change in the Oblate community at St Patrick’s.
Fr Giancarlo Iollo OMI, who has been serving you in this community over the past three years, has written to the Provincial requesting to return to Italy, serving in the Archdiocese of Milan and being close to his ailing mother. This request means that Fr Giancarlo will be living outside the Oblate community, which is inconsistent to the Constitutions and Rules of the Congregation. As Provincial, it is beyond my competency to grant such a request. Thus, I subsequently petitioned the Superior General of the Congregation to approve Fr Giancarlo’s request.
The Superior General has approved the request of Fr Giancarlo, who will finish his current ministry at St Patrick’s after Christmas and return to Italy on 5 January 2026.
I know this is difficult news for you as many of you have known and loved Fr Giancarlo and appreciated his pastoral ministry among you. It is equally a difficult decision that Fr Giancarlo has reached and that the Australian Province of the Oblates have to respect and accept with sadness.
I thank Fr Giancarlo for his generous service in the Australian Province in various ministries for the past 6 years and I ask for your prayers for Fr Giancarlo to accompany him during this period of transition. As a missionary priest, he will continue to serve the People of God in the Archdiocese of Milan.
Yours in Mary Immaculate and St Eugene de Mazenod
Fr Andrew Chen OMI
Australian Oblate Provincial
Please Note: A parish farewell for Fr Giancarlo will be advised in the coming weeks through the bulletin.
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 9th November in the Presbytery Carport after the 8am Mass. All Welcome.
The Parish Morning Tea Ministry will be taking donations during the monthly morning teas, for the rest of the year to assist the parish with Insurance, maintenance and repairs to Church and Presbytery. A donation box will be available at the morning teas for your donations. Your generosity no matter how big or small is greatly appreciated.
November Masses
During the month of November, we are asked to pray for our family and friends who are deceased. If you would like to offer a Mass for your deceased relatives and friends. November Mass Offering envelopes are now available on the pews, side foyers of the Church or the Parish Office. November envelopes can be returned either via the weekend collection plate or to the parish office. All Masses will be offered by Fr Colbert in his private Masses.
Organ Society of WA Organ Concert
Enjoy an inspiring afternoon of music at St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle, on Sunday 9 November at 2:30 pm, as internationally acclaimed organist Alessandro Pittorino presents The Genius of Franz Liszt. See noticeboard posters for more information.
The Parish Centre will host the CBC Year 12 Exams commencing on Wednesday 22 October to Monday 17 November. During this time, we ask that you be mindful when using the area around the toilet and parish centre. Thank you.
Financial Assistance
If you wish to assist financially for insurance or repair works you can 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: 086 006
Account No: 48794 3085
Your assistance no matter how big or small is very much appreciated. Thank you to those who have already assisted so generously it is very much appreciated. Thank You and God Bless!
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.
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
Sunday 9th November
Parish Morning Tea
Special Collection for Lifelink
Organ Society Organ Recital