MASSES: Weekends: Saturday: 9:00 am, 6:00 pm (vigil), Sunday: 9:00 am (Italian), 10:30 am Weekdays: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 8:30 am. ADORATION: Every Friday 9am-4pm BAPTISMS: Sundays at 11:45 am. CONFESSIONS: Saturdays following the 9:00 am Mass & half an hour before every mass by request. COMMUNION TO SICK: Wed, Thurs & Fri (Lay Ministers) ** In addition to visitation to the sick by lay ministers, Fr Simon is happy to visit any sick or housebound parishioners upon request. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: 1st Friday of every month, the next one being Friday 6 April 2019

LIVING GOSPEL PRAYER GROUP (LGPG): Wednesdays at 1:30 pm. ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Wednesdays at 9:00 am.

Home visits

If you would like Fr Simon to come for a visit and a chat, please let the parish office know. PARISH OFFICE HOURS: The parish office is attended by volunteer staff on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 5:00pm. You may contact the office at any time and leave a message when the office is unattended on 9470 2586 and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Our Parish is committed to the

safety, wellbeing and dignity of all

children and vulnerable adults.

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Sunday 3 March 2019

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

“For every tree can be told by its own fruit”, Jesus tells us in this Sunday’s

Gospel reading from St Luke (6:39-45). Our Baptism and Confirmation into faith

in Jesus Christ brings us great benefits and privileges, not least the promise of

eternal life; however, it also brings great obligations and responsibilities. Not

least of these is the expectation that, as faithful Christians, we will live our lives in

accordance with the teachings of Jesus, to visibly demonstrate our love of God

and neighbour, to do unto others as we would have them do to us. Our Christian

faith not only provides us with a moral and ethical code for our daily lives, but

also provides us with structures to help us live our lives in accordance with Jesus’

teachings, so that we can be seen to be the good fruit of a bountiful and healthy

tree. One of the structures which our Christian faith provides us with is the 40 day

season of Lent which takes us from Ash Wednesday to the great vigil of Easter

when we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. Making an effort to participate in

Lent and its activities will help us to live our lives better as Christians. Lent, or

Quaresima in Italian, is a time when Christians particularly engage in prayer,

penance, fasting and almsgiving. Guidelines from the Archdiocese for the

observation of Lent come with this newsletter. Young children and the elderly are

not bound by the obligations of Lent, though I do believe that every child over the

age of five is capable of understanding about giving up sweets, and every elderly

person still of sound mind is capable of offering up additional prayers during the

season. In these days leading up to Ash Wednesday on 6 March I invite all

parishioners to reflect very carefully on what they might be able to offer up by way

of prayer, penance, fasting and almsgiving in this 40 day season. It is essential

that we avoid extremes, or engage in conspicuous actions that draws attention to

ourselves. Quiet modesty and dignity should be the keynotes of our offerings, just

as we avoid flowers in the church and restrain our musical accompaniment of the

Mass during this season. Our offerings, which should be private between us and

our heavenly Father, should reflect the reality of our own individual lives, our

age, our state of health, our economic and social circumstances, our working

environment. It is sometime useful to offer up something to which we have a mild

addiction. By the end of Lent we may find we no longer need that particular thing.

It may be helpful to jot down a note of what you plan to offer up, with at least one

item for each of the four categories of prayer, penance, fasting and almsgiving.

One might commit, for example, to saying one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one

Glory be to the Father each day, to going to confession once during Lent, to

giving up chocolate and to giving $5 or $10 to a Catholic charity such as Caritas,

Catholic Care or St Vincent de Paul. Please do have a think about it, and try to be

a joyful participant in this season of Lent, so that we can in this parish be seen to

be the good fruit of the bountiful tree of faith in Jesus Christ.

With every prayer for God’s abundant grace, peace and blessings to be upon you,

Fr Simon Grainger

Pax et Gratia

FOR THE INFORMATION OF PARISHIONERS:

LENT 2019.

109. The Lenten season has a twofold character:

1) it recalls baptism or prepares for it;

2) it stresses a penitential spirit.

By these means especially, Lent readies the faithful for

celebrating the paschal mystery after a period of closer

attention to the Word of God, and more ardent prayer. In

the liturgy itself and in the liturgy-centred instructions,

these baptismal and penitential themes should be more

pronounced. Hence:

a) Wider use is to be made of baptismal features proper to

the Lenten liturgy.

b) The same approach holds for the penitential elements.

110. During Lent, penance should not be only internal and

individual but also external and social…

In any event, let the paschal fast be kept sacred. It should

be observed everywhere on Good Friday and, where

possible prolonged throughout Holy Saturday, so that the

joys of the Sunday of the resurrection may be visited on

uplifted and responsive spirits.

(Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Vatican II)

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Fasting

and Abstinence from meat.

On all other Fridays, except solemnities, the law of the

common practice of penance is fulfilled by performing any

one of the following:

(a) Prayer - for example, Mass attendance; family prayer;

a visit to a church or chapel; reading the Bible; making the

Stations of the Cross; praying the Rosary; or in other ways.

(b) Self-Denial - for example, not eating meat; not eating

sweets or dessert; giving up entertainment to spend time

with the family; limiting food and drink so as to give to the

poor of one’s own country or elsewhere; or in other ways.

Project Compassion is a major means of expressing our

self-denial in Australia.

(c) Helping Others - for example, special attention to

someone who is poor, sick, elderly, lonely or over-

burdened; or in other ways.

- All who have completed their eighteenth year and have

not yet begun their sixtieth year are bound to fast. All who

have completed their fourteenth year are bound to abstain

(Canon 1252).

- The Season of Lent is a time of penance. During this

season the faithful are exhorted to devote themselves in a

special manner to prayer, to engage in works of piety and

charity, and to deny themselves.

- Each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy

Communion at least once a year. This precept must be

fulfilled between Ash Wednesday, 6 March 2019 and

Trinity Sunday, 16 June 2019 unless for a good reason it is

fulfilled at another time during the year.

- The wonderful gift of the Lord’s merciful love is offered

in a special way in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Lent

is a most appropriate time to receive this Sacrament.

All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are

bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a

year.

Saturday 6pm Mass

Eucharistic Ministers

Saturday 6pm Mass

Readers

16-Feb-19 Lucy Triulcio Oskar Harding

23-Feb-19 Amato Puli'uvea Nikki Daniele

02-Mar-19 Angela De Fazio Paul Smith

9-Mar-19 Carol Hawkesford Rita Di Natale

9am Italian Mass

Eucharistic Ministers

9am Italian Mass

Readers

17-Feb-19 Carmela Molinaro

Felice Comito

Anna Sisinni

24-Feb-19 Maria Bianchi-Rossi

Rosa Comito

Paola Di Palma

03-Mar-19 Carmel Colosimo

Carmela Molinaro

Vince Colosimo

10-Mar-19 Felice Comito

Maria Bianchi-Rossi

Anna Sisinni

10:30am Mass

Eucharistic Ministers

10:30am Mass

Readers

17-Feb-19 Mary Marziano

Nikki Daniele

Josephine Knight

24-Feb-19 Anna Berton

Bruna D'Alessandro

Maria Gaggiano

03-Mar-19 Amitu'anai To'oto'o

Katalina To'oto'o

Giulia Digiglio

10-Mar-19 Jennifer Singam

Rosetta Macri

Mary Finn

CHURCH CLEANING: Eileen Dufficy’s team 1

LAWN MOWING: Team 2: 16 March

WE PRAY FOR:

That the terminally ill may be supported by their faith in

God and the love of their brothers and sisters.

We pray especially for:

Frank, Michael, Robert, Patricia, Giuseppina, Pasquale,

Maria Rosa, Mary, Cabrini, Abby, Maria, Elizabeth,

Edward, Fay, Danny, Orlando, Elisa, Dolores, Gino, Maria,

Mary, Paola, Kaye, Orfeo, Kelemete, Wilma, Theresa,

Mary, Giuseppina, Liberato.

Fulfil the hopes of those who sleep in your peace:

RECENTLY DECEASED:

Michele Gianetta (funeral Mon 4/3 at 12:30pm)

Orazio Marchitto (funeral Tues 5/3 at 10am)

Antonio Forte (rosary: Tues 12/3 at 7pm, funeral: Wed 13/3

at 10:30am (proposed))

ANNIVERSARIES:

Bortolo (Bob) Nicoletto (3rd Anniv. Sat 2/3 at 6pm)

Rocco & Caterina Masino (Sun 3/3 at 9am)

Carmela D’Addona (Sun 10/3 at 9am)

Elena Gencarelli (1st Anniv. Sun 3/3 at 10:30am)

Bring them to that final resurrection when you will be all in

all.

LAST WEEKEND'S COLLECTION:

Thanksgiving: $804

Presbytery: $490

Many thanks to all our contributors † † †

THOUGHTS FROM POPE FRANCIS

If you believe in God you must try to live justly with

everyone, according to the golden rule: “Do to others

whatever you would have them do to you” (Mt 7,12).

† † †

A REMINDER…The donation box for the decoration of our altar

Caritas Australia

Project Compassion Appeal

Ash Wednesday commences the period of Lent, a time

when we focus on our fortunate lives in this country and

spend time and effort on helping those who live in poverty

and fear. It is a time for Project Compassion and the theme

is “GIVE LENT100% - Lives change when we all give

100%”. Please take home a Compassion box and as a

family take this time of Lent to fill it with money – your

contribution toward helping those who want, like us, to

live a life filled with certainty, a life of dignity and a life of

peace. Donation boxes can be found in the Church foyer

and the 2 side chapels

Stewardship Reflection “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a

rotten tree bear good fruit.” (Luke 6:43) Are you using your God-given gifts in the way God intended? Do you compare yourself to others and

complain about what you don’t have instead of being

thankful for what you do have? God gives each of us

unique gifts and a unique plan. Listen to how God is

calling you to use your gifts, to bear good fruit, for the glory of His name.

☺ ☺ SHARE A JOKE ☺ ☺ An Irishman walks into a bar in Dublin, orders three pints of Guinness and sits in the back of the room, drinking a sip out of each one in turn.

When he finishes them, he comes back to the bar and orders three more. The bartender asks him, “You know, a pint goes flat after I draw it;

wouldn’t you rather I draw fresh pints for you one at a time?” The fellow replies: “Well, you see, I have two brothers. One is now in America and

the other, in Australia. When we all left home, we promised we’d drink this way to remember the days when we drank together.” The bartender

admits that this is a nice custom, and leaves it there. The fellow becomes a regular in the bar, and always drinks the same

way: he orders three pints and drinks them in turn. One day, he comes in and orders two pints. All the regulars notice and fall silent,

speculating about what might have happened to one of the absent brothers. When the fellow goes back to the bar for a second round, the bartender

says, “I don’t want to intrude on your grief, but I wanted to offer my condolences on your great loss.” The fellow looks confused for a

moment and then a light dawns in his eye and he laughs and says: “Oh, no, everyone’s fine. You see, it’s just that I’ve given up beer for Lent.”

PLEASE TAKE THE BULLETIN HOME

Sacrament Congratulations

The community of St Raphael’s congratulates Gretchen Wooten,

who received her First Eucharist and Confirmation

on Wednesday 27 February 2019.

Welcome before Baptism

The Parish introduces to St Raphael’s community Rufus Jacob Allder,

in preparation for his Baptism on 24 March 2019.

Cardinal Pell

I provide for the information of parishioners 3 articles

relating to the conviction of Cardinal Pell:

1. Statement of 2-3 March 2019 from Archbishop

Comensoli

2. Chronology of criminal proceedings

3. Article by Fr Frank Brennan S.J. on the subject of

Cardinal Pell’

This matter is proceeding to an appeal. Fr Simon will

provide further information in due course. These articles

are in the foyer.

Fr Simon understands how distressed parishioners must be

and is available for further discussion if you require. Please

contact the parish office if you would like to talk to Fr

Simon.

ADORATION Adoration resumed Friday 1st March 2019, 9am to 4pm.

A new roster is being prepared. For those wishing to

participate, please write your name on the form in the

foyer. Thank you.

ASH WEDNESDAY

This year Ash Wednesday is on 6 March.

Masses will be at 8:30am, 9:30am (School Mass) and 7pm.

**Time to start thinking about what you are doing for Lent.

Stations of the Cross during Lent- Fridays at 7pm

Stations of the Cross are observed in both English and Italian.

(Booklets in both languages are provided)

All are welcome.

SENIORS LUNCH

The next seniors’ lunch will be on Thursday 14 March at

12:00 Mid-day 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 in the foyer.

Non seniors are also most welcome. Thank you.

“TRUST”

2019 LENTEN PROGRAM

TRUST is a 76-page full colour book containing short daily reflections (from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday) in addition to the longer-form Sunday Gospel reflections, spiritual direction, Gospel readings, responsorial psalms, prayers and reflection questions that are traditionally part of the Lenten program for groups. Copies are available in the Piety Stall. Cost $7

PLEASE TAKE THE BULLETIN HOME

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A warm welcome to new parishioners to St Raphael’s

Please let us know that you have joined our community and

if there is anything we can do for you.

Are you new to our Parish? ____

Need Thanksgiving envelopes? ____

Pease complete the details below and place in the collection

plate at Mass or send to the Parish office.

Name: ___________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________

Address: ___________________________________

To existing parishioners: if you would like to contribute on a regular basis using the envelopes, please complete the above. Thank you.

PENITENTIAL ACT I confess to almighty God

and to you, my brothers and sisters,

that I have greatly sinned,

in my thoughts and in my words,

in what I have done and in what I have

failed to do,

And, striking their breast, they say:

through my fault,

through my fault,

through my most grievous fault;

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-

Virgin,

all the Angels and Saints,

and you, my brothers and sisters,

to pray for me to the Lord our God.

THE GLORIA Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to people of good

will.

We praise you,

we bless you,

we adore you,

we glorify you,

we give you thanks for your great

glory,

Lord God, heavenly King,

O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the

Father,

you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us;

you take away the sins of the world,

receive our prayer;

you are seated at the right hand of the

Father,

have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

FIRST READING

Ecclesiasticus 27:5-8 In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left

behind,

so too the defects of a man appear in his

talk.

The kiln tests the work of the potter,

the test of a man is in his conversation.

The orchard where a tree grows is judged

on the quality of its fruit,

similarly a man’s words betray what he

feels.

Do not praise a man before he has spoken,

since this is the test of men.

The Word of the Lord

All: Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 91(92):2-3,13-16

The Response is: Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

to make music to your name, O Most

High,

to proclaim your love in the morning

and your truth in the watches of the night.

Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

The just will flourish like the palm tree

and grow like a Lebanon cedar.

Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

Planted in the house of the Lord

they will flourish in the courts of our God,

still bearing fruit when they are old,

still full of sap, still green,

to proclaim that the Lord is just.

In him, my rock, there is no wrong.

Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

SECOND READING

1 Corinthians 15:54-58 When this perishable nature has put on

imperishability, and when this mortal

nature has put on immortality, then the

words of scripture will come true: Death is

swallowed up in victory. Death, where is

your victory? Death, where is your sting?

Now the sting of death is sin, and sin gets

its power from the Law. So let us thank

God for giving us the victory through our

Lord Jesus Christ.

Never give in then, my dear brothers,

never admit defeat; keep on working at the

Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the

Lord, you cannot be labouring in vain.

The Word of the Lord

All: Thanks be to God.

Please stand for the Gospel

Acclamation.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Philippians 2:15-16

Alleluia, alleluia!

Shine on the world like bright stars;

you are offering it the word of life.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 6:39-45

Jesus told a parable to his disciples: ‘Can

one blind man guide another? Surely both

will fall into a pit? The disciple is not

superior to his teacher; the fully trained

disciple will always be like his teacher.

Why do you observe the splinter in your

brother’s eye and never notice the plank in

your own? How can you say to your

brother, “Brother, let me take out the

splinter that is in your eye,” when you

cannot see the plank in your own?

Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your

own eye first, and then you will see

clearly enough to take out the splinter that

is in your brother’s eye.

‘There is no sound tree that produces

rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that

produces sound fruit. For every tree can be

told by its own fruit: people do not pick

figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from

brambles. A good man draws what is good

from the store of goodness in his heart; a

bad man draws what is bad from the store

of badness. For a man’s words flow out of

what fills his heart.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus

Christ.

PROFESSION OF FAITH APOSTLES' CREED or the Nicene

Creed may be said.

I believe in God, / the Father almighty,

/ Creator of heaven and earth, / and in

Jesus Christ, his only Son, our lord, /

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

/ born of the Virgin Mary, / suffered

under Pontius Pilate, / was crucified,

died and was buried; / he descended

into hell; / on the third day he rose

again from the dead; / he ascended

into heaven, / and is seated at the right

hand of God the Father almighty; /

from there he will come to judge the

living and the dead. / I believe in the

Holy Spirit, / the holy catholic Church,

/ the communion of saints, / the

forgiveness of sins, / the resurrection

of the body, / and life everlasting.

Amen.

THE MEMORIAL

ACCLAMATION

Save us, Saviour of the world,

for by your Cross and Resurrection

you have set us free.