Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Today’s Gospel concludes three weeks of readings from the 13th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. Throughout these three weeks we have heard Jesus’ teaching crowds about the kingdom of heaven, and we have heard Jesus interpret some of his teachings for the disciples. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus offers three more short parables.
The first two parables describe the great value of the kingdom of heaven. In the first parable, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like a buried treasure that is worth possessing even if it means giving up everything else. In the second parable, Jesus proposes that the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great worth for which one will sell everything else to possess. These parables teach us that we are to place everything we value in the service of the pursuit of the Kingdom of God.
The third parable that Jesus proposes in today’s Gospel is different from the first two, but it is reminiscent of the parable of the sower heard in last week’s Gospel. The kingdom of heaven is compared to fishing with a wide net. After the fish have been collected, the good fish are kept and the bad fish are thrown away; so too, in the final judgment, will the wicked and the righteous be separated.
Today’s Gospel concludes with a curious statement about the scribe who understands the kingdom of heaven. Here a metaphor is offered: this scribe is like the head of a household who “brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” The scribes referred to here are experts of Mosaic law. It is possible that Jesus is here instructing the early Christian community on how to proceed in the interpretation of Jewish law with respect to Jesus’ “new” teaching. Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of heaven does not replace the Jewish tradition; it interprets it in a different light. (source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
Alpha in the Parish
The Alpha Launch Night will be held on Thursday 30 July at 6.30pm in the Parish Centre. Everyone is invited to attend the Alpha Launch night and discover what Alpha is all about before the full course commences on 6 August. All Welcome.
As this is a catered event please register at alpha.stpatricks@gmail.com or through the Parish Office.
Anointing of the Sick
The next Anointing of the Sick will be held on Tuesday 4 August during the Midday Mass. All Welcome.
Parish Morning Tea
The next Parish Morning Tea will be held on Sunday 9 August, after the 8am Mass in the Presbytery Carport. All Welcome.
Fremantle Catenian Circle
On Sunday 9th August at the 8am Mass, Terry from the Fremantle Catenian Circle will give a short talk during the Mass inviting new members to join.
St Patrick’s Basilica Choir Expressions of Interest
We are looking for singers to help rebuild the St Patrick’s Basilica Choir. Learn Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony, develop your vocal technique and deepen your faith with like-minded Catholics. Previous choral or music experience is welcomed but not essential. Rehearsals are on Mondays 7pm-9pm in the Parish Hall.
To register your interest or if you would like to learn more, email parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au
Basilica Guardian Volunteers
Basilica Guardians are volunteers who assist us with keeping the Church open on certain days every week from 1pm to 3pm. This allows visitors and others a chance to come and sit quietly or tour our beautiful Church. Unfortunately, without these volunteers we are unable to keep the Church open.
We are currently seeking the following:
- One volunteer on Mondays;
- Two volunteers on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
Reader Volunteers for Weekend Masses
We are seeking a Reader for the following Masses:
- Saturday Vigil Mass every 2 Saturday of the Month;
- Sunday 11am Mass every 2 and 4 Sundays of the Month.
If you can assist with any of these Masses please contact the Parish Office asap. Thank You.
Name Tag Sunday
Reminder – next Sunday is Name Tag Sunday!
We’d love you to join in by wearing your name tag and helping make our parish feel even more welcoming. Don’t worry if you forget—we’ll have plenty of stick-on labels ready for you. It’s a simple and easy way to get to know one another a little better — one name, one smile, one friendly hello at a time.
Fr Josh Nash OMI will be visiting Perth during the Archdiocese Vocations Week and will Join us in the parish on the weekend of the 8 and 9 August.
Basilica Grounds Car Park
Reminder the Basilica grounds carpark is for use for parishioners and visitors during Masses, events and attending the parish office. We unfortunately have a large number of cars using the carpark all day and this causes problems with those coming to Masses, events or the parish office.
The carpark opens at 7am and closes at 7.30pm. If there are no events in the Basilica or Parish Office, the carpark will close earlier.
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!
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.
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 https://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.
Upcoming Events
Thursday 30th July
Alpha Launch Night
Sunday 2nd August
Name Tag Sunday
Tuesday 4th August
Anointing of the Sick
Sunday 9th August
Parish Morning Tea