Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings to you all!
We continue our reflection on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Through his sermon Jesus continues to challenge his listeners and invites them to imitate him saying ‘be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ This was often interpreted in the first century as a call to separate oneself from all that is unholy: sin, sinners, the Gentiles, and so on. Jesus, however, calls his disciples to imitate God by being perfect in love. His love for us is perfect and selfless. The teachings of Jesus can be daunting for his original audience because Jesus proposes something contrary to what the world was proposing and practicing at that time.
Jesus says, “‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” How do you feel about this challenging message of Christ?
On Veterans Day of November 1996, Phan Thi Kim Phuc, now 33, came to the black granite Vietnam Veterans Memorial as a wife and mother, to tell several thousand spectators that she forgives those who bombed her village and that she has put the past behind her. Kim Phuc placed a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and delivered a short speech. When Kim Phuc was only 9 years old, her picture was taken by an Associated Press photographer, and it stirred the conscience of the world. Moments after the picture was taken, Kim Phuc lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital by the photographer, Nick Ut, who later won a Pulitzer Prize for the photo. Her village had just been hit by a napalm bomb attack by the South Vietnamese air force, sponsored by the USA air force. Her two cousins were killed instantly. Kim Phuc’s clothes were burned off her. In the photograph, this little girl was running, naked, in pain and terror. In front of the wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. war dead, Kim Phuc said that she was focused on the future. Speaking to a hushed crowd in Washington, she made the following statement: “I have suffered a lot from my physical and emotional pain. Sometimes I thought I could not live, but God saved my life and gave me Faith and Hope. If I could talk face to face with the pilot who dropped the bomb, I would tell him we cannot change history, but we should try to do things for the present and in the future to promote peace.” No retaliation!
Friends, if you want to win the world, win people with your genuine love, forgiveness, kindness, and compassion. Unforgiveness cannot bring fullness to a person, but true forgiveness can. Amen.
Fr. John Sebastian OMI
Rector & Parish Priest
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
New Email Addresses for Parish Office
Please note changes to email addresses for the the parish office:-
Parish Manager’s new email address: parishoffice@fremantlestpatricks.org.au
Parish Secretary’s new email address: secretary@fremantlestpatricks.org.au
Senior’s Morning Tea
The first senior’s Morning Tea for 2023 will be held on Monday 20th February at 10am in the parish centre. All Senior’s welcome.
Ash Wednesday 22nd February 2023
Ashes will be distributed at all Masses in the Basilica on Ash Wednesday. Masses will be held at 9am, Midday and 7pm.
Catholic Worship Hymn Books
We are looking at upgrading our congregation Catholic Worship Hymn Books (green books) with the new version and are seeking donations to assist the parish with the purchase of 150 new books at a cost of $32 per book plus freight. Direct Deposit donations can be deposited into BSB: 086 006 A/C No: 48794 3085 using your name and hymn book donation as reference. If you would like more information, please contact Angie in the Parish Office. All donations no matter how big or small will assist and be greatly appreciated.
Project Compassion for 2023: For All Future Generations
Project Compassion Sunday will be held on Sunday 19th February. During that weekend Project Compassion donation boxes and envelopes will be available in the side foyer of the church. On the weekend of 25th/26th February we will have a Special Collection for Project Compassion at all Masses.
This year’s theme is For All Future Generations; it reminds us that what we do today can have an impact for All Future Generations. This message invites us to step up for those who do not have the essential resources they need for their survival and those whose needs currently are far beyond ours.
World Day of Prayer 2023
This year’s World Day of Prayer will be celebrated on Friday 3rd March and its theme is Taiwan. All Parishioners are invited to join the World Day of Prayer celebrations on Friday 3rd March at 10am at the Wesley Uniting Church, 4 Cantonment Street, Fremantle. For more info, please contact the Wesley Uniting Church on 9335 1775. All Welcome to attend.
Lenten Retreat
Once again John Auer will host a Lenten Retreat commencing on Monday 6th March to Monday 27th March commencing at 6pm in the Parish Centre. The Retreat will journey with Jesus Christ through his life to his death and resurrection. Please register with the Parish Office on 9335 2268 or email parishoffice2@iinet.net.au.
Save the date for St Patrick’s Day Celebration: Thursday 16th March at 7pm
Dear Parishioners,
I would like to invite you all for a concelebrated Vigil Mass to celebrate our patron St. Patrick on Thursday 16th at 7pm.
This will give us the opportunity to welcome the other 25 Oblates in Australia who will be in Fremantle for a conference. Fr. Christian Fini will be the principal celebrant and homilist. So kindly mark this date in your diary.
Light supper will be served in the Presbytery Carport after Mass.
RSVP is essential to the Parish office, before Monday 13 March.
St. Patrick’s Day Concert
Dear Parishioners, you are all welcome to the St. Patrick’s Day concert on Friday 17th March at 7.30pm. It will be a great day to honour and celebrate our Patron Saint Patrick. The entry is by donation. Your generous donation will help us in the music ministry of the Basilica of St. Patrick.
Turkey-Syria Earthquake Disaster Leaving Collection
A leaving collection for those who have been affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria, will be taken up on the weekend of the 4th and 5th March. Your generous donation means that Caritas partners in Turkey and Syria can respond swiftly to support the survivors of this unimaginable tragedy.
Planned Giving
The Planned Giving Programme is an important part of the Parish and assists us to maintain all aspects of the Basilica, Presbytery and Parish Administration Centre. To keep the Parish viable, we must maintain a target of 95% and above each week. Last week giving was 58%.
Please consider joining the Planned Giving Programme. For more information contact the Parish Office. Thank you!
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.
Regarding Masks
Masks are not mandatory; however, masks are encouraged where physical distancing is not possible if you have cold & flu symptoms, or you wish to safeguard yourself from the COVID-19 virus.
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 please click here.
EVENTS IN THE PARISH
Sunday 19 February: Project Compassion Sunday
Monday 20 February: Senior’s Morning Tea
Wednesday 22 February: Ash Wednesday
Friday 24 February: Stations of the Cross commence
Friday 3 March: World Day of Prayer
Monday 6 March: Lenten Retreat Commences