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Home , Raymond of Penyafort

St. Raphael’s , Yeading St Raphael’s House, Morrison Road, Yeading, UB4 9JP

Masses : Sat 7pm, Sun 9am, 10:30am, 12pm Mon-Thu 9:30am, Fri & Sat 12pm Confessions : Saturday 11:30-11:45am & 6:30-6:45pm Rosary : 30mins before daily Mass - Mon - Sat Priest: Rev Fr. John Welsh Parish Administrator Paulina Louison - [email protected] Catechetical Coordinator : Jane Foskett - [email protected] Tel: 020 8845 1919 Email : [email protected]

3rd January 2016 - Epiphany of the Lord First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 REFLECT

Jerusalem shall be a light to all nations. "Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for bringing Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13 salvation to all the nations. May the gospel of Every nation on earth shall worship the Lord. salvation be proclaimed to every nation Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6 today and to every person on the face of the Gentiles are coheirs in the promise of Christ. earth. Help me to be a good witness of the Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12 joy of the gospel to all I meet." The Magi seek out Jesus and do him homage.

The visit of the Magi occurs directly be- We have come to consider the gifts they can also mean ‘ magicians’ . In this case, the bring as a foreshadowing of Jesus' role in Wise Men have real wisdom and its re- fore the story of the Holy Family's flight salvation. We believe the meaning of the ward, and all the respect and fame due to a into Egypt. Matthew's Gospel tells a version gifts to be Christological. Gold is presented ‘magus’ and yet they lay it all at Jesus’ feet. of Jesus' birth that is different than the one as representative of Jesus' kingship. Frankin- It might be worth asking at this beginning of in Luke. Of the actual birth of Jesus, Mat- cense is a symbol of his divinity because thew tells us little more than, “ When Jesus the year whether we submit all our skills priests burned the substance in the Temple. and comforts to Jesus as the Wise Men did. was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Myrrh, which was used to prepare the dead King Herod . . . ” The story of the census is The story also rests on the sharp contrast for burial, is offered in anticipation of Jesus' between King Herod and the Wise Men. found only in Luke's Gospel, but we hear death. about the visit of the Magi only in Mat- Herod was a Jew, so he should have recog- thew's Gospel. The word Epiphany means “ manifestation ” nised and honoured the Jewish Messiah. or “ showing forth .” Historically several mo- Not at all! He tried to kill the Messiah. By We know little about the Magi. They come ments in Christ's early life and ministry contrast, the Wise Men, arriving from what from the East and journey to Bethlehem, have been celebrated as “ epiphanies ,” in- for us would be the equivalent of outer following an astrological sign, so we believe cluding his birth in Bethlehem, the visit of space, carry on their search till they find them to be astrologers. We assume that the Magi, his baptism by John, and his first Jesus and humbly bow before him. there were three Magi based upon the miracle at Cana. naming of their three gifts. The Gospel This poses a nasty question: we Christians does not say how many Magi paid homage The Wise Men, with their clever have all the guidance and encouragement of to Jesus. In Matthew's Gospel, they repre- knowledge of astronomy and their lavish the Church, but how often do we find sent the Gentiles' search for a saviour. gifts, represent all that is best in worldly those outside the Church, not even pro- Because the Magi represent the entire values. They also have a bit of magic about fessed Christians, behaving in a more Chris- world, they also represent our search for them, for frankincense and myrrh were tian way than we do ourselves! What skill, Jesus. used in spells, and the word for ‘ wise men’ what gift may I place before Jesus today?

St. Raymond of Penyafort - Feast Day January 7th

As a lawyer, priest, and preacher, St. Raymond of Penyafort made a significant mark on the history of and the church. His preaching helped re-Christianize Spain after the Moors were overthrown. And his compilation of papal and conciliar was the main source of law for seven centuries. An accomplished lawyer and scholar, Raymond joined the Dominicans at in 1222. The 47-year-old novice was assigned to develop a book of case studies for confessors that helped to shape the medieval church’s penitential system.

Also a gifted preacher, Raymond had remarkable success evangelizing Moors and Jews. And he travelled throughout Spain rejuvenating the spiritual life of Christians that the Moors had enslaved. Among his main themes were spiritual combat and standing firm in trials. In 1230, Pope Gregory IX brought Raymond to Rome as his confessor. There Raymond collected all the decrees of popes and councils since 1150. Because they were so well arranged, canonists relied on Raymond’s until the new codification of 1917.

Characteristically, Raymond tried to dodge ecclesiastical appointments. In 1236, illness saved him from becoming archbishop of Taragona. But he could not avoid his election as the third general of the Dominicans in 1238. But when he reformed the Dominican rule, he slipped in a clause allowing early retirement of office holders. And he used it to retire in 1240.

But he continued to work 35 more years, focusing on bringing Jews and Moors to Christ. To equip Catholics for this work he intro- duced the study of Hebrew and Arabic among Dominicans and persuaded to write his Summa Contra Gentes as an evangelistic tool. Raymond told his general that ten thousand Moors had been baptized through the efforts of the Dominicans. He died at 100 years of age in 1275.

© 2016 Loyola Press. Reprinted by permission. All Rights Reserved. www.wednesdayword.org © Copyright 2016 The Wednesday Word Parish and Sacramental Programme News The Gift - A new Parish Faith Formation Course for Adults during Lent Lucky 200+ (On Wednesday Evenings in the Parish Centre - starts 3rd Feb 2016 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm) Draw

For many of us as Catholics we were given our faith as children, like a gift, but sometimes in the busyness of life we set it to one side waiting to unwrap it until we have more time! However, the Church challenges us to 27th Dec un-wrap this gift, our faith as an adult. The Gift course has been produced to help us to do just that. It has been developed as a response to Pope Francis’s exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel.” Winners Why don’t you join us this Lent and un-wrap your Gift? Come and enjoy meeting new people and view a short DVD presentation on the topics each week followed by faith sharing in group discussions served with refresh- Mrs E Henry ments. Number 100

For further information please contact Jane Foskett by email [email protected] Or telephone the Parish Office on 0208 845 1919 Full details of the course can be found on the table at the back of the church and on the notice board.

Faith Formation for Parish Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Last Weekend Where : Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, SW1P 1QN £1429.10

When : 7.00-8.30pm May the Lord Thu 28th Jan 2016, Faith Formation for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion reward your Thu 4th Feb 2016, Faith Formation for Parish Readers generosity. Facilitators : Sr Anne Walsh OP and Karen Marguerite d’Artois OP Registration is required. Email at [email protected] and indicate your name and the date of the event. If you do not have an access to the Internet, please leave a voice message at 020 7931 6078. Suggested £4. Tea/coffee will be provided. £2080 – Paid into the Parish Account Funerals in the Parish this week May the Lord re- The late Bridget Farrell RIP ward your generosi- Funeral Mass 10am Friday 8th January followed by Hillingdon Cemetery. ty. As well as the Christmas offerings The late Sarah Mc Brearty RIP: I received many Funeral Service Monday 18th January at 11am in the Church. generous gifts from parishioners and I May their souls rest in peace. Amen would like to thank you very much for Reflection for the New Year your great kindness. Fr. John Life is what you put into it! A son and his father were walking in the mountains. Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" Curious, he yells: "Who are you?" He receives the answer: "Who are you?" Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!" He receives the answer: "Coward!" He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?" The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention." And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!" The voice answers: "I admire you!" Again the man screams: "God Bless you!" The voice answers: "God Bless you!" The boy is surprised, but does not understand. Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is Life. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; Life will give you back everything The Rosary is you give to it." (printed with permission www.netforlife.net) recited every day 30mins before daily Retiring Collection Mass. Please join us if you can. Retiring Collection for the Crib Offerings for the Westminster Children’s Society: The weekend of 16th/17th January All are welcome!

Blessing for the New Year

Dear Lord, thank you for a new year. May everyone in our family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate. We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another. As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for January 2016

Universal : That sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice. Evangelization : That by means of dialogue and fraternal charity and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Christians may overcome divisions.