ST RAPHAEL’S PARISH 17 HARDY STREET, PRESTON WEST. VIC 3072 Tel: 9470 2586 Email: [email protected] Website: www.straphaelswestpreston.org.au Parish Priest: Rev Dr Simon Grainger Parish Secretary: Rachel Costa School Principal: Mr. Damian Howard, School Tel: 9478 8374
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Sunday 22 July 2018
My dear Brothers and Sisters, Jesus “took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length”, St Mark tells us in this Sunday’s Gospel reading (Mark 6:30-34). This Sunday’s readings remind us that we need to have the leadership of good shepherds, who will be able to guide and teach us, not least by their own example. I am very excited because Pope Francis has chosen a really good shepherd as our new archbishop, Bishop Peter Comensoli of Broken Bay Diocese. I have had the good fortune to meet Bishop Comensoli a number of times since he was appointed an Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney Archdiocese in 2011. I have always been impressed by him and I have witnessed his very fair and just handling of a particular problem when he was Apostolic Administrator of Sydney Archdiocese in 2014. We really are very fortunate to be gaining a dynamic and charismatic, young Archbishop who can be a Good Shepherd to us and for us, leading us confidently and with resounding hope into the future. Bishop Comensoli was born in1964 in the Wollongong region. His father, the late Michael Comensoli, was born in the Val Camonica region of northern Italy in 1924 and came to Australia as a child. St Gertrude/ Geltrude Comensoli, who was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, was a relative of Bishop Comensoli. She was born in Bienno in Val Camonica in 1847, formed the Congregation of Sacramentine Sisters of Bergamo, and died in 1903. She is the Patron Saint of Youth. I feel sure that St Gertrude Comensoli will be interceding for our new Archbishop, that he truly be a good shepherd for our Catholic people of Melbourne. At our 10:30 am Mass this Sunday almost 40 children of our Parish will, with their parents, make their commitment promises as they begin their preparation to receive the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ. Let us pray fervently for these children and their families, that receiving Jesus in the Eucharist will be a constant mainstay in their lives. As St Paul reminds us in this Sunday’s reading from the letter to the Ephesians (2:13-18): “Through (Jesus), both of us have in the one Spirit our way to come to the Father”. Following our 10:30am Mass this Sunday we will have the blessing and dedication of our new St Raphael Parish Garden. This garden project shows a commitment by our beloved St Raphael Catholic Parish to the children of this parish and their ongoing nurture and development as faithful Christians who live out Jesus’ great commandment to “Love God and our neighbour”. Let our parish, our school, our families and our children commit ourselves firmly to the ongoing growth of our Catholic faith in West Preston, a faith fed by Jesus through the Eucharist.
With every prayer for God’s peace, grace and blessing be upon you, Fr Simon Grainger Pax et Gratia
ST RAPHAEL’S PARISH MISSION STATEMENT PARISH OFFICE HOURS: The parish office is attended by “St Raphael’s Parish has always sought to be a welcoming and inclusive volunteer staff on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am to community. 5:00pm.You may contact the office at any time and leave a message Today, our Community strives to help each parishioner to enter into a deeper when the office is unattended on 9470 2586 and someone will get relationship with Jesus and with one another. back to you as soon as possible. Empowered by our baptismal call we reach out to the wider community to live the Gospel values.” MASSES: READERS: Weekends: Saturday: 9:00 am, 6:00 pm (vigil), Sat 6:00pm Sun 9:00am Sun 10:30am Sunday: 9:00 am (Italian), 10:30 am Weekdays: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 8:30 am. This Week R Di Natale V Colosimo M Finn ADORATION: Every Friday 9am-4pm (1 June - 30 Sept),
Next Week 9am-5pm (1 Oct – 31 May). P Smith F Comito J Knight BAPTISMS: Sundays at 11:45 am. EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS CONFESSIONS: Saturdays following the 9:00 am Mass & Sat 6:00pm Sun 9:00am Sun 10:30am half an hour before every mass by request. C Molinaro M Strojan COMMUNION TO SICK: Wed, Thurs & Fri (Lay Ministers) This Week A De Fazio F Comito M Marziano ** In addition to visitation to the sick by lay ministers, Fr Simon is happy to visit any sick or housebound M B-Rossi J Singham Next Week C Hawkesford parishioners upon request. R Comito R Macri ANOINTING OF THE SICK: 1st Friday of every month, CHURCH CLEANING: Eileen Dufficy’s team 1 the next one being Friday 3 August 2018 LAWN MOWING: Team 1: 18 August LIVING GOSPEL PRAYER GROUP (LGPG): Home visits If you would like Fr Simon to come for a visit and a chat, Wednesdays at 1:30 pm. please let the parish office know. ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Wednesdays at 9:00 am.
WE PRAY FOR: FESTA DI SAN LUPO
That the Sick and the old may be treated with gentleness This feast will be celebrated at the 9am Italian mass on and compassion. Sunday 29 July 2018 at St Raphael Church We pray especially for: FEAST of the ASSUMPTION Kay Frawley Pat Kelly, Frank Micallef, Ray Murphy, 15 August 2018 Angelo Gaggiano, Michael, Caterina Caruso, Leo Mancini, The solemnity of the Assumption is a Holy Day of Robert, Patricia, Giuseppina, Pasquale, Maria Rosa, Obligation for ALL Catholics. Margaret, Mary, Cabrini, Abby, Maria, Russell Our Masses for this year will be: We remember those who have died and all whose Tuesday 14 August 2018 at 7:00pm anniversaries occur at this time: Vigil Mass of the Assumption RECENTLY DECEASED: -blessing of expectant mothers ANNIVERSARIES: Giuseppe Pane (1st Anniv. Sat 21/7 at Wednesday 15 August 6pm), Giovanni Mercuri, Michele Ciurleo, Maria Giuseppa 8:30am Parish Mass of the Assumption Raso (all Sun 22/7 at 9am),Marianna Galati ( Sun 22/7 at 9:30am School Mass of the Assumption 9am & Thur 26/7 at 8:30am) Maria Bargero (Wed 27/7 at Rosanna Cammenzuli has kindly agreed to play the 8:30am) organ and lead the singing at the Vigil Mass. The songs … that they may enjoy the peace that only God can give. will be in English, Italian and Latin. In particular we will be singing the “Salve Regina” in Latin during the Vigil Mass. At the Vigil Mass on 14 August, Fr Simon Welcome back Kathleen We welcome back Kathleen Borg our organist at the will be blessing all mothers in the parish who are 10:30am Mass after an extended absence. Kathleen has expecting babies. This will take place at the beginning served the Parish as organist for many years offering her of the Mass before the Penitential Rite. time and talents to enrich our parish celebration of the Eucharist. It’s great to have you back Kathleen! Parish Garden Blessing The new parish garden will be blessed at the 10:30am New Archbishop of Melbourne mass on Sunday 22 July followed by a school/parish The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Most picnic/BBQ in the garden. Reverend Bishop Peter Andrew Comensoli of the Diocese of Broken Bay as the ninth Archbishop of Melbourne. † † Living Gospel Prayer Group † † The Mass of Reception for Archbishop-elect Comensoli will Make each year a Year of the Eucharist be held in St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne on You are invited to six sessions covering: Wednesday 1 August at 7pm. Eucharist in God’s Salvation Plan (2 sessions) All are invited to attend. Fr Simon will be attending and a Eucharist, Source & Summit of Church life bus will be organised for parishioners for 6pm pick up outside the presbytery. Those wanting to accompany him Eucharist celebrated (2 sessions) please write your name and phone number on the form in Eucharist experienced the foyer. A small donation to cover the cost of the bus will Wednesdays: 18, 25 July, 1, 8, 15, 22 August be very welcome. Time: 1:30pm to 3pm At: St Raphael’s Church Thank you Please phone Marijana before 11 July on 0422 340 675 to As we say thank you to Archbishop Hart for his seventeen years of register leadership and his fifty one years of priesthood in Melbourne, we are grateful for his priestly example of a Good Shepherd in our A recommended donation of $20 is appreciated for the midst. May this example inspire many others to be 'Good book. Shepherds' to their brothers and sisters in priesthood and † † † consecrated life. Please pray for vocations from our parish “True North” Youth Group gatherings community. Young adults coming together in faith and friendship. 2018 ANNIVERSARY MASS 6:30pm - 8:00pm second Sundays of the month St Sunday 29 July, 11am, St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Cathedral Place, Monica’s Symons Centre, 820 Mt Alexander Rd Moonee East Melbourne Ponds 18 to 35 year olds Are you celebrating your 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 70th wedding Next social gathering: anniversary this year? The Life, Marriage and Family Office invites 26th July, 6.30pm - 8pm, Six30 Holy Hour at St Patrick's you and your families to join us at the 2018 annual Anniversary Mass. Cathedral All couples registering will receive a commemorative pack and certificate. THOUGHTS FROM POPE FRANCIS Register by Monday 16 July on 9287 5587 or [email protected] or www.cam.org.au/lifemarriagefamily May the Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, accompany you on your daily journey Catholic Development Fund (CDF) News towards the Mountain of God. The CDF has introduced the new CDF Community Fund. The CDF Community Fund offers a range of investment products for Students, Catholic Employees, Parishioners and members JOKE FOR THE WEEK Time for a Smile of the wider community. Please pick up a brochure from the 'Who was that lady I seen you with last night?' foyer or if you would like more information about the CDF 'You mean "I saw."' Community Fund, please contact our Customer Service team 'Ok, who was that eyesore I seen you with last night?' on 1800 134 135 or [email protected]. ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺