Weekend of 9 & 10 December 2017 (Second Sunday of Advent/B) REFLECTION FOR THE WEEK FROM FR BENNETH

We are already in the second week of Advent. Last Sunday we marked the beginning with sung

masses and solemn vespers, which were well attended. The movie night last Saturday was also a

good time to get together and celebrate the beginning of the new year of the church. Last Monday

during their school assembly, our children prayed around their school

Advent wreath, and lit up their first Advent candle. Together with their parents and teachers, it

was a good opportunity to reflect on the meaning and importance of advent. Copied below is

their reflection; which I would share with you. Advent is a time of patience and waiting. Those who wait are waiting for Jesus. Lots of us have waited for a baby brother, or sister or even a baby cousin. I had to wait for the train to come. Sometimes waiting can make you feel bored. We need to be patient. That means we need to wait in a calm and respectful way. An Advent calendar helps us wait and count down until we celebrate Jesus’ birth Sometimes waiting makes me feel blessed. God and Jesus are nice and loving and caring people. In Advent, everyone needs to care for and help other people. Sometimes when I am waiting I start to wonder ‘Is anything going to happen?’ We wait for something new to happen. I feel calm when I am waiting. Advent is a special time to prepare for Jesus’ birthday I have had to wait to go to a big party with my family. Driving there also took a long time and it was hard to wait. Even in this busy time, it is important for all of us, mums, dads, grandparents, teachers and children, to stop and be present. Think about what we have right now and be thankful. We ask everyone here today to take a moment now to think about times they have waited and how they can be more present. Stop thinking about what happened before school and what will come after, be present now.

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 N Daniele F Comito R Macri Next Week P Smith V Colosimo G Di Giglio

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

F Hardy J Singam R Comito

M Marziano C Strojan

Next Week

B Torney F Hardy M B Rossi

B D’Alessandro J Knight

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: Nikki Daniele’s team 6 LAWN MOWING: Team 1: 23 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

Advent Wreath Service – Year B

2nd Sunday of Advent – 10 December 2017

1st candle of the wreath is already lit

Priest: As we gather round our Advent wreath to prepare

for the lighting of the second candle, let us pause to pray

that nothing may hinder us from receiving Christ with joy

Priest: Prepare a way for the Lord!

All: Make his paths straight!

Priest: Let every valley be filled in.

All: Let every mountain and hill be laid low.

Priest: Shout with a loud voice: “Here is your God.”

All: The Lord is coming! He is coming to save us.

Second candle is lit (Lector to light candle)

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

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

PARISH CHRISTMAS LUNCH

On Sunday 17 December, there will be one Mass

at 10am followed by our Parish Christmas lunch

in the parish hall. Please join us.

CHRISTMAS RECONCILIATION:

Tuesday 19 December 7pm.

House Rosaries

The statue of Our Lady travelled from house to house for rosary and coffee. Thank you to Maria Smarrelli who hosted last Wednesday the last stop for this year. A big THANK YOU to all those who hosted this year

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, Francesco Cirillo

For those who have died: RECENTLY DECEASED: ANNIVERSARIES: Pietro & Graziella Salera, Lorenzo Cicchiello, Richard Eijkelestam

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

Welcome before Baptism Dear Parents, as you prepare for your child’s Baptism, the people of St Raphael’s rejoice that you have chosen to baptize your child and we pray that in the coming years you and your family will continue to know and grow in the love of God, that is everlasting.

The Parish introduces to St Raphael’s community Frankie Eliane Delaney, in preparation for her Baptism on 17 December 2017 at 4:30pm.

Thanksgiving: $1,232

Presbytery: $418

Many thanks to all our contributors † † †

MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSION: Sunday, 10th.

The usual Melbourne Overseas Mission Appeal takes place

this weekend. 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.

NEW ROSTERS… NEW ROSTERS… NEW ROSTERS ATTENTION all readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Church cleaners and lawn mowers. Your new rosters and updated phone lists for 2018 can be collected from the sacristy

SENIORS DAY The last Senior’s day for 2017 was Thursday 7 December. Mass was at 11am followed by lunch at Darebin RSL. Thank you to all those who attended these days. (More photos can be viewed in the church foyer)