Dear Parishioners and Friends,
In today’s Gospel Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem continue their tense exchange of questions and challenges. At this point the disciples of the Pharisees, together with the Herodians, try to entrap Jesus by their question about the payment of taxes.
Matthew sets up an unusual partnership between the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Herodians were supporters of Herod Antipas, a Jewish political leader who collaborated with the Romans. Such collaboration would have required a compromised observance of the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees, on the other hand, taught scrupulous observance of the Mosaic Law and opposed Roman occupation. Herodians favoured the payment of taxes; the Pharisees opposed it. The Herodians and the Pharisees approach Jesus, asking that he take sides in their dispute. If Jesus answers with the Pharisees, he shows himself to be an enemy of Rome. If he answers with the Herodians, he offends popular Jewish religious sensibilities.
Jesus’ response to this attempt to trap him exposes the guile of his questioners. From his first words to them, Jesus shows that he is very much aware of what they are trying to do. He asks to see a Roman coin, which is readily provided to him. It may have come from the hand of a Herodian, but the Pharisees show themselves to be quite willing to accept this compromise. Jesus has already exposed the Pharisees as hypocrites.
Jesus takes his response one step further. He asks that his questioners examine the coin. Agreeing that it is Caesar’s image on the coin, Jesus tells them that it must belong to Caesar. Avoiding the question of lawfulness altogether, Jesus answers their question with simple logic. Then, going further still, Jesus tells them that their obligation is to pay to God that which belongs to God.
Jesus’ response to the Herodians and Pharisees suggests the ethic that Christians ought to adopt. It reminds us of the importance of keeping things in their proper perspective. Do we attach ourselves to worldly things at the expense of the love and honour that we owe to God? (source Loyola Press).
The Weekend eBulletin
Click here to download the eBulletin for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
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.
Mass intentions for November
During November we are asked to remember our deceased family and friends by offering Masses for their souls. November Mass envelopes are now available on the pews or from the parish office. Please place your offering envelope on the collection plate during Masses. Masses will be offered privately for your deceased with the Oblates.
Masses for Holy Souls
Masses for All Souls’ Day will be held in the Basilica at Midday and 7pm in the evening. All welcome to attend.
Parish Morning Tea
The next parish morning tea will be held on Sunday 8 November after the 8am Mass in the presbytery carport. All Welcome.
The parish morning tea ministry team will retire after the last morning tea on Sunday 13 December 2026. We wish to sincerely thank them for their years of service and dedication to the parish and their wonderful morning teas after the 8am Masses, there assistance with the thank you for the Schola Choir and other events. THANK YOU for all your service!
The Parish Leadership Team will now endeavour to find another group to commence the morning teas in February 2027
Archbishop’s Christmas Appeal for Lifelink 2026
Lifelink will be launched in all parishes on the weekend of 31 October/1 November.
Archbishop’s Appeal Letter will be distributed to all parishioners on 31 October/1 November.
Special Lifelink Collection to be taken up at all Masses weekend 7th/8 November. Donation envelopes will be available on the pews from 31st October.
Advent Reflection Evenings – Prepare Your Heart for Christmas
This Advent season, we invite you to join us for a weekly evening of prayer, reflection, and fellowship as we journey together toward Christmas.
Each Monday evening session will be one hour and will include a guided Advent reflection and time for personal prayer and sharing. Sessions will run weekly from 30th November through to Christmas.
We will be using a reflection book throughout the season. To help us order enough copies, please register your interest in attending.
Interested in joining us?
Please reach out to the Parish Office, or email parishmanager@fremantlestpatricks.org.au
Everyone is welcome. Come and take some quiet time each week to pause, reflect, pray, and prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
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
Tuesday 20 October
Blessing of the Fleet Triduum – 7.30pm Rosary & Mass
Wednesday 21 October
SPPS St Ursula Mass
Blessing of the Fleet Triduum – 7.30pm Rosary & Mass
Thursday 22 October
Blessing of the Fleet Triduum – 7.30pm Rosary & Mass
Friday 23 October
CBC Graduation Mass
Sunday 25 October
Blessing of the Fleet – Mass, Procession and Benediction