Weekend of 25 & 26 November 2017 (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe /A) REFLECTION FOR THE WEEK FROM FR BENNETH

Today with the feast of Christ the King, brings us to the end of the liturgical year A, and next Sunday

being the first Sunday of Advent, we begin year B.

We have journeyed a long way since the first Sunday of Advent last Year. Christ has been on the road

with us as the invisible companion of our Journey, sharing in our sorrows and joys. We hope that

during these times we have grown to know him better, to trust him better, and to love him better, so

that today we can rejoice in calling him our King.

In the Gospel today, Christ our King says we serve him when we serve the people considered least in

our society. God’s Spirit lives in them. God’s Spirit also lives in us. Thus, the connection: we are all

part of the same body, the Body of Christ.

The poor, those without friends, the lonely, the refugees, the outcasts of our society, the prisoner

serving a sentence:, we all are part of the same body.

That means we have to change our thinking at times. When any part of our body hurts us, we ask

why. We might spend time and money for treatment. We rarely judge or ignore it.

But we sometimes treat parts of our spiritual body – the Body of Christ – differently when they

suffer. “I’m too busy to visit,” some might say as they pass a nursing home where so many suffer

loneliness. “They shouldn’t have broken the law,” some might say about people in prison.

Our spiritual body stretches around the world. When parts of it suffer, let’s take the time to

understand why and relieve the pain. The Body of Christ serves the Body of Christ to become the

Body of Christ.

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 R Di Natale P Di Palma T Crisafi Next Week M Brunato A Sisinni M Gaggiano

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

L Triulcio R Comito C Molinaro

P Maloney A Berton

Next Week

A De Fazio C Colosimo F Comito

F Barros R Macri

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: Nick Cachia’s team 4 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

Fr Benneth’s sister Chika who was here from Nigeria

had a wonderful week here spending some time with

parishioners and going on outings.

We wish her a safe trip home.

COLUMBAN CALENDARS: Calendars for 2018 are

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

November 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.

THE MEMORIAL BOOK will be on display during the

month of November, the month dedicated, especially, to

remember our loved ones in prayer. No one is allowed to

write names on the Memorial Book but, please, do pass

on the names of your deceased to Fr Benneth.

UPCOMING EVENTS

On Saturday 2 December, there will be a movie night

after the 6pm Mass. We will be viewing “The Good Pope,

John 23rd”.

On Sunday 17 December, there will be one Mass at 10 am

followed by our Parish Christmas lunch in the parish hall.

Please keep these dates free.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

A blonde is flying in a two seater airplane with just the

pilot. He had a heart attack and died. She frantically

calls a May Day: "May Day! May Day! Help me! Help

me! My pilot had a heart attack and is dead. And I don't

know how to fly. Help me! Please help me!"

All of a sudden she hears a voice over the radio saying:

"This is the tower. I have received your message and I

will talk you through it. I've had a lot of experience with

this kind of problem. Now, just relax. Everything will be

fine! Now give me your height and position." She says,

"I'm 5'4" and I'm in the front seat."

"O.K." says the voice from the tower. "Repeat after me:

Our Father...Who art in Heaven...."

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 Maria Mancini who hosted last Thursday **The next stop is at Carmela Guzzi’s home, 26 Bischoff Street, Preston. Join her for Rosary and coffee: Thurs. 30 November at 3pm.

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, Caterina &

Domenico Palermo, Faye Abousatout, Josie Tomasiello,

Maria Vaiano, Marisa Montagner.

During Mass this weekend and in our prayers this week, let

us pray for those who are grieving the recent loss of a

spouse. May the comfort of the Good Shepherd be with them

and may the dead come to their eternal reward. Let us also

pray for those preparing for marriage and for faithful and

loving vocations to the married life from our parish.

RECENTLY DECEASED: Mary Ellul (Fr Karm Borg's Sister), Fr Barry, Mattie Fallon & Gerry Callaghan (Ireland 10:30am mass), ANNIVERSARIES: Vincenza Battaglia, Giuseppina Basso, Michele Ciurleo, Alberto Nanfaro, Maria & Bronislaw Pasztaleniec, Antonio & Alexandro Ferraro and all those whose names are written in the Memorial Book,

We wish Natavia Leheta safe travels overseas

and for her relocation to Sydney

Thanksgiving: $2,150

Presbytery: $520

Many thanks to all our contributors

† † †

Please return your November envelopes.

Masses are offered individually throughout the year for

those whose names are written on the envelopes. † † †

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE with proceeds going to the

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

draw will take place on Sunday, 17 December, at our Parish

Christmas lunch.

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.

Baptism Congratulations The community of St Raphael’s congratulates Taane Ropata David Howes and Malakai Vitali Molini, for their Baptism on 26 November 2017.

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.

Organ Recital - Organist: Colin Jenkins

St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Reservoir,

Cnr. Spring and Viola Streets, Reservoir

Sunday 3 December 2017 at 2. p.m.

Programme: Music for Advent, Yuletide Melodies from

many Countries and Music for Epiphany.

Entry: $5 includes a light Afternoon Tea

Enquiries: Ph. 9460 6036 or Reservoir@cam.org.au