Dear Parishioners and Friends,
In today’s Gospel, Jesus moves from Galilee to teach in Judea where he is sought out by great crowds and tested by the Pharisees on issues such as marriage and divorce. Jesus also encounters a rich young man who is unable to accept Jesus’ demand that he leaves his possessions to follow him. Jesus’ response to the rich young man sounds very much like the conclusion we will find in today’s Gospel: the first will be last and the last will be first.
On the surface, the parable of the workers in the vineyard appears to be an offense to common sense. Those who work a longer day ought to be paid more than those who work just an hour or two. When viewed in this way, the landowner seems unfair. That is because we are reading into the parable our own preconceived notions of how fairness and equality should be quantified.
A close read shows us that the landowner paid on the terms that were negotiated. The landowner, it seems, has acted completely justly. The parable goes beyond that, however, and we come to see that the landowner is not simply just, he is exceptionally just. He is radically just. He has given those who labored in the field for a full day their due pay. But he has also given a full-day’s wage to those who worked only a single hour. No one is cheated, but a few receive abundantly from the landowner just as we receive from God more than what is merely justifiable or due. God, like the landowner, is radically just and abundantly generous. The workers who complain are made to look foolish as they lament the fact that landowner has made all workers equal. Indeed, what more could one ask for than to be treated as an equal at work or anywhere else?
The parable reminds us that although God owes us nothing, he offers abundantly and equally. We are occasionally tempted to think that our own actions deserve more reward, more of God’s abundant mercy, than the actions of others. But God’s generosity cannot be quantified or partitioned into different amounts for different people. When we think that way, we are trying to relate to God on our terms rather than to accept God’s radically different ways. (source Loyola Press).
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
RCIA is the process by which adults enter the Catholic Church. It is not a class or a test. It is a journey of faith, accompanied by the community of the Church, that leads to the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. It is the Church’s process for welcoming unbaptized adults and baptized non-Catholics into full communion. It also allows adult Catholics who have been baptised but not received their Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation to be prepared to receive them.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining this year’s group, then you are welcome to attend the RCIA Information Evening which will be held on Tuesday 6th October at 6.30pm in the parish office. Please register your interest with the parish office on 9335 2268 or via parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au.
Anointing of the Sick
The next Anointing of the Sick will be held during the Midday Mass on Tuesday6October. All Welcome
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 11 October after the 8amMass in the Presbytery carport. All Welcome.
Annual Blessing of the Fleet
This us come together as a parish to celebrate the annual Blessing of the Fleet which will commence with a Triduum on Tuesday 20th October, and continue on Wednesday 21 October and Thursday 22 October at 7.30pm.
The Feast Day Mass will be held on Sunday 25 October at 9.30am (Italian Mass), Procession leaving Basilica at 2pm through the streets of Fremantle, then returning to the Basilica for Benediction.
Please Note: There will be no 5pm evening Mass on that Sunday.
St Patrick’s Basilica Choir
On Saturday 12th September at the 6pm Vigil Mass the newly formed Basilica Choir with Conductor David Pham and Organist Xavier Jarvis will enhance the Mass with their singing. As a parish community we should support and encourage them.
If you would like to join the choir they rehearse every Monday in the parish centre at 7pm to 9pm. Previous choral or music experience is welcomed but not essential. To register your interest or if you would like to learn more, email parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au
Upcoming concert
Let us support this up-and-coming organist, see concert details below and more information on the notice boards in the Church.
Kai Laird & Friends
Organ Solos, Flute & Organ Duet and Violin & Organ Duets
SATURDAY, 3RD OF OCTOBER 2:00PM TO 3:15PM
please join us for afternoon tea after in carport
ST PATRICK’S BASILICA, FREMANTLE
47 Adelaide Street, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160
TICKETS: $25 for adults $15 for Under 18s Free for Under 4s
BOOKING LINK: https://events.humanitix.com/kai-laird-pipe-organ-recital
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.
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.
COMING EVENTS
Thursday 1 October
Notre Dame Graduation Mass
Saturday 3 October
Organ Concert
Tuesday 6 October
Anointing of the Sick
RCIA Information Evening
Sunday11 October
Parish Morning Tea