Weekend of 2 & 3 December 2017 (First Sunday of Advent/B) REFLECTION FOR THE WEEK

Let us be ready to meet Him

The season of Advent has been celebrated in the Church probably since the fourth century. The

word “advent” comes from the Latin “adventus”, a word used in ancient times to describe the

arrival or presence of a king who had come to visit a part of his kingdom. The Church adopted

this word as fitting for the season that has now begun.

During Advent we join with Christians around the world to remember that God sent Jesus once

and will send him again at the world’s end. Why? Because we need him. We need his help

because life is just too hard sometimes. We need his vision because we sometimes miss the work

he wants us to do in this messed-up world.

Unfortunately, life gets so busy that we often miss the many ways Christ tries to comfort us or

send us to others. Advent is a great time to slow down and be watchful. When you hurt, be

alert; Christ is sending people to help you. Pray for help to see them and the humility to accept

their help. When others hurt, Christ wants to send you. Like the servants in this week’s reading,

Christ has important work for you to do in healing this broken world. Pray for help to see those

people whose lives you can change.

Take these four weeks of Advent to pray more often. Actively look for how Christ loves you and

needs you. Let Advent remind you that Jesus really comes into the world every day. But we miss

that unless we watch for Christ, accept Christ’s love, and help others in Christ’s name.

If we do not have Wordsworth’s unique vision or eloquence, as Christians we do have the gift of

faith; and this enables us to see beyond this world. Let us renew our faith this Advent so that

our eyes may see and our ears may hear the wondrous truth that we are “born for

immortality”. Let us be ready to meet Christ our Redeemer so that, whatever our weaknesses,

strengths, hopes, fears, joys, or disappointments, when at last our Redeemer comes to us, our

eyes shall be fully opened and we shall recognise the One who has loved us from all eternity.

ST RAPHAEL’S PARISH 17 HARDY STREET, PRESTON WEST. VIC 3072

Tel: 9470 2586 Email: prestonwest@cam.org.au Website: www.straphaelswestpreston.org.au Parish Administrator: Fr. Benneth Osuagwu

Parish Secretary: Rachel Costa School Principal: Mr. Damian Howard, School Tel: 9478 8374

As we come to worship, we remember the Wurundjeri People, the original custodians of this land.

ST RAPHAEL’S PARISH MISSION STATEMENT “St Raphael’s Parish has always sought to be a welcoming and inclusive community. Today, our Community strives to help each parishioner to enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus and with one another. Empowered by our baptismal call we reach out to the wider community to live the Gospel values.”

READERS: Sat 6:00pm Sun 9:00am Sun 10:30

This Week M Brunato A Sisinni M Gaggiano Next Week N Daniele F Comito R Macri

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Sat 6:00pm Sun 9:00am Sun 10:30 This Week

A De Fazio C Colosimo F Comito

F Barros R Macri

Next Week

F Hardy J Singam R Comito

M Marziano C Strojan

MASSES: Weekends: Saturday: 9:00 am, 6:00 pm (vigil),

Sunday: 9:00 am (Italian), 10:30 am Weekdays: Tues, Wed, Thurs: 8:30 am. Fri: 9:00 am

ADORATION: Every Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. BAPTISMS: Sundays at 11:45 am. CONFESSIONS: Saturdays following the 9:00 am Mass &

5:30 pm. COMMUNION TO SICK: Wed, Thurs & Fri. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: 1st Friday of every month The next one being Friday 1 December 2017 LIVING GOSPEL PRAYER GROUP (LGPG): Wednesdays at 1:30 pm. ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Wednesdays at 9:00 am.

CHURCH CLEANING: Caterina Palermo’s team 5 LAWN MOWING: Team 3: 9 December

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Tues, Wed, Thurs & Fri: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

For general enquiries please call 9470 2586. **Please note: Only if an emergency, you may contact Fr Benneth on 0403 718 624

VOCATION VIEW: It's Advent; almost Christmas!

A season of dreams come true. Be on guard. The

Lord may call you to follow him.

COLUMBAN CALENDARS: Calendars for 2018 are

available from the Piety Stall. Calendars cost $9 each.

December edition of Melbourne Catholic is on sale in the piety stall. Cost $4

A Sacramental Program is available in our parish for children who are not attending a Catholic school. The sacraments covered are: Reconciliation, 1st Eucharist and Confirmation. For further information, please contact Fr Benneth

For the season of Advent, Solemn Vespers and Benediction will be celebrated on Sunday 3, 10 & 17 December at 6pm in the Church.

UPCOMING EVENTS

*On Sunday 17 December, there will be one Mass at

10am followed by our Parish Christmas lunch in the

parish hall.

*Christmas Reconciliation: Tuesday 19 December 7pm

Please keep these dates free.

JOKE OF THE WEEK Laws of reality

-Law of probability: the probability of being watched is in

direct proportion to the stupidity of the act you are

performing.

-Law of random numbers: If you dial a wrong number,

you never get an engaged signal and someone always

answers.

-Law of alibi: If you tell the boss you were late for work

because you had a flat tyre, the very next morning you

will have a flat tyre.

-Variation law: If you change traffic lanes, the one you

were in will always move faster than the one you have

moved into.

House Rosaries The statue of Our Lady will be moving from house to house for rosary and coffee. Those who are willing to host Our Lady, please contact Fr Benneth Thank you to Carmela Guzzi who hosted last Thursday **The last stopfor this year is at Maria Smarrelli’s home, 6 Fettling Street, Preston. Join her for Rosary and coffee: Wed 6 December at 3pm.

Advent Wreath Service – Year B

1st Sunday of Advent – 3 December 2017

Wreath is blessed with Holy water.

Priest: May the circle of green leaves be a sign of the new

life which Jesus won for us and the hope to which we are

called.

All: Come, Lord Jesus.

Priest: May he find us awake when he comes, ready to

receive him with joy!

All: Come, Lord Jesus.

First candle is lit (Lector to light candle)

WE PRAY FOR: Christ our loving Lord, in your kindness be with the sick and

the poor, the weak and the dying: bring them your comfort.

We pray especially for: Carole Kruisinger, Domenico

Palermo, Faye Abousatout, Josie Tomasiello, Antonietta

Nardella.

For those who have died: RECENTLY DECEASED: ANNIVERSARIES: Giuseppe Cannatello, Edek Stepniak,

that they may share in the promise of God's kingdom.

We introduce Ethan Pablo who will be receiving his First

Eucharist on Christmas Day. Please keep him in your

prayers.

Thanksgiving: $1,068

Presbytery: $487

Many thanks to all our contributors

† † †

MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSION: Sunday,

10th. The usual Melbourne Overseas Mission Appeal

takes place next Sunday. At the rear of the church you

can pick up the information about the missions under

the care of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Envelopes

are also provided for our use. Please be generous,

remember that "God delights in a cheerful giver." † † †

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

Tickets: $2 each or 3 for $5. Various prizes. The draw will

take place on Sunday, 17 December, at our Parish Christmas

lunch.

(with proceeds going to the Parish)

A REMINDER…The donation box for the decoration of our altar is at the rear of the church. Many thanks for those who have contributed.

SENIORS DAY The last Senior’s day for 2017 will be on Thursday 7 December. Mass will be at 11am followed by lunch at Darebin RSL, 402 Bell St, Preston. Please let us know if you will be attending the lunch by writing your name on the form provided. All ages welcome Thank you.