Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we continue to read from Mark’s Gospel, our Lectionary skips a chapter that helps set the context for today’s reading. If we were to read the sections skipped (chapter 11 and part of chapter 12), we would hear about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, his cleansing of the Temple, and the questioning of Jesus’ authority by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. The context, therefore, for this Gospel is Jesus’ growing exposure before the Jewish authorities. Jesus is being questioned and tested by the Jewish authorities, yet the scribe who addresses Jesus in today’s Gospel seems to be an admirer; he is not testing Jesus.
The question posed in today’s Gospel requires Jesus to interpret the Law of Moses. The Mosaic Law consists of the Ten Commandments and many additionalcommandments, numbering into the hundreds. For a devout Jew, adherence to the Mosaic Law is an expression of faithfulness to God’s covenant with Israel. The ranking of these commandments was regularly debated among the teachers of the Law.
Jesus was not the only Jewish religious teacher to connect these two commandments, love of God and love of neighbor. Both of these commandments were centralelements of the religious tradition that Jesus learned from his Jewish community. Indeed, these commandments continue to be central aspects of contemporary Jewishreligious understanding. Jesus’ response to his questioners proposed an integral connection between these two aspects of the Jewish Law. Love of God finds its expression in our love for our neighbor. Many believe, however, that this connection was heard in a new and fresh way when spoken by Jesus.
The scribe who questions Jesus in today’s Gospel engages in a positive dialogue with Jesus. He agrees with Jesus’ teaching that the commandments to love God and love neighbor stand above the commandment to offer worship and sacrifice in the Temple. With this dialogue, Jesus appears to close the debate with the Jewish authorities. Mark reports that no one dared to question Jesus further. (Source Loyola Press)
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.
Archbishop’s Lifelink Appeal
The weekend of 9/10 November will see the launch of the Archbishop’s LifelinkAppeal in the parish. The Archbishop’s letter will be handed out to each family. On the weekend of the 16/17 November the parish will have a Special Collection taken up at all Masses, donation envelopes will also be available that weekend on the pews.
Catholic schools have been a part of the West Australian community for more than 150 years. Parents choose a Catholic education for their child because these schools are affordable, easy to access and provide quality education in a caring and supportive environment. Regardless of which Catholic school you choose for your child you will find a welcoming community with excellent teachers and a Christ-centred and childfocused learning environment. The schools are an important part of the life of our parish and students are support in their faith journey by the committed teachers at each school. On the weekend of 9/10 November, Mrs Sarah Potts and Mrs Celeste Cooks, from St Patrick’s Primary School will speak at the Saturday 6pm Vigil Mass and the Sunday 11am.
Safeguarding Induction for all Church workers
As the Fremantle parish has a large number of church workers (volunteers and paid workers) who are due for a renewal or who have yet to do a session of theSafeguarding procedures, we have organised a Safeguarding session in the parish. Many of you would have done the first induction in 2021 which means you are now due in 2024.
Please register with the parish office for the upcoming session
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
6-7pm
Basilica of St Patrick Parish Centre
Mass of Thanksgiving for all Volunteers and Parishioners
On Sunday 24th November at 10am a Mass of Thanksgiving will be held for all those Parish Volunteers who give their time and talents in any way possible to the Parish. This Mass will be a combination of Italian and English with both the Italian andEnglish Choirs (please note that for this Sunday there will be no 9.30am Italian, 11am & 5pm English Masses). Following the Mass a BBQ lunch will be provided. Please RSVP the parish office for catering purposes before the Wednesday 13th November.
National Oblate Youth Encounter
Oblate Youth Australia are excited to announce that the National Oblate Youth Encounter is back again this January, Fri 3rd – Mon 6th January 2025, MazenodCollege, Mulgrave, Victoria and registration is now open!
See Noticeboard inside foyers for more information of contact Emma Rice erice@omi.com.au or 0422705230.
The parish centre will host CBC Year 12 exams, Monday to Friday from 28th October to 22nd November. During this time the door to the toilet area will be locked. If you require the use of the toilets, please call into the parish office during office hours.
November Mass Offering Envelopes
November is the month that we remember family and friends that have passed away by offering a Mass for their souls. November Mass Offering Envelopes are available on the pews. Please place envelopes on the collection plate with your offering or return to the parish office.
Please Note: The Sacristy is to be used by Priests, Acolytes, Altar Servers, Sacristans and Office Staff only. The toilet located inside the Sacristy is not for public use. For Safeguarding reasons please avoid entering the Sacristy.
If you wish to speak to a Priest, please ask the Sacristan or wait for the Priestbefore or after Masses outside of the Sacristy.
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 56%.
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.
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/.
Coming Events
Saturday 2 November
All Souls Day
Weekend 9/10
Lifelink Appeal Launch in Parish
Tuesday 19 November
Safeguarding Induction Session
Sunday 24 November
Mass of Thanksgiving and BBQ (RSVP required by 13/11)