Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The context for today’s Gospel is the mounting tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus has entered Jerusalem and overturned the money changers’ tables in the Temple. Jesus has caught the attention of the religious authorities; the chief priests and elders question Jesus about the source of his authority. Jesus refuses to name for these religious leaders the source of his authority. Instead, he questions the priests and elders through the parable we hear in today’s Gospel. The answer given by the religious leaders is correct, but it convicts them for their failure to heed the call of John the Baptist and for their inability to recognize the Kingdom of God.
The situation Jesus poses is rather straightforward. Given the same task by their father, one son asserts his disobedience in words, but then obeys in his actions; the second son obeys with his words but disobeys in his actions. The question that Jesus poses is pointed and direct: Which son did what the father wanted? All would agree that “actions speak louder than words” and that even if his words were disobedient, the son who did the work as ordered did the father’s will.
Jesus’ conclusion is also direct. The chief priests and elders, the ones who speak most often about God, did not act accordingly. They did not respond to the message of repentance announced by John the Baptist with a change of heart. Instead, John’s message was heeded by those ones would not expect to repent—tax collectors, prostitutes, and other sinners. Because of their actions, these sinners will enter the Kingdom of God ahead of the religious leaders.
Jesus could ask us the same question. Do our words indicate our obedience to God? If not our words, do our actions? God desires a full conversion of heart, that our actions (and our words as well) will give evidence of our love for God. (source Loyola Press).
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
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 hell oat a time.
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 Tuesday 6 October. 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 1st October
Notre Dame Graduation Mass
Sunday 4th October
Name Tag Sunday
Tuesday 6th October
Anointing of the Sick during Midday Mass
RCIA Information Evening
Sunday 11th October
Parish Morning Tea
Friday16th October
Iona Graduation Mass