The Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel

It's the first Sunday of Advent! Let's enter into this holy season of preparing for Jesus' coming by opening our hearts to God's grace in a special way. Begin today by meditating on these words from Mark's Gospel.

For Advent events, prayers, and resources for the whole family, visit: https://diopitt.org/advent.

Our Parish Bulletin for December 3, 2023 is now available to read online.

➡️ Read the Bulletin: straphaelcgs.org/bulletins
➡️ Mass Times: straphaelcgs.org/mass-times
➡️ Watch Mass Live via YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCkUwhjyrrognGti93-lhQ7g

With the first Sunday of Advent, a new Liturgical Year begins in the Catholic Church, marking the cycle of liturgical celebrations through which we will have the opportunity to experience all the mysteries of Christ and Salvation.⁣
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The new liturgical calendar will start with the first Sunday of Advent, which this year falls on December 3, 2023, and will conclude on the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe, on November 24, 2024.⁣
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This calendar distributes the main festivities and seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time.⁣
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However, each year the Gospel readings in the Mass celebration are not the same. The Church has classified the readings into three cycles: A, B, and C for Sundays.⁣
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For the Liturgical Year 2023 - 2024, it corresponds to cycle B, which focuses on the Gospel of Saint Mark. Therefore, the Gospel readings in the Sunday Mass are predominantly taken from this evangelist.⁣
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In the following years, cycle C (Gospel of Saint Luke) and cycle A (Gospel of Saint Matthew) will follow.⁣
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Saint John is primarily read during Christmas and Easter.⁣

https://youtu.be/xlMzSktcefU?feature=shared

Philadelphia Papal Mass - To Jesus Christ, our Sovereign King To Jesus Christ, our Sovereign King - James ChepponisOrchestration by Ke-Chia ChenPhiladelphia OrchestraPapal ChoirYannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

Happy St Cecilia Day to all involved in our parish music programs!

Friday Mass at noon at SS Simon and Jude. No 8:30 that day.

Parish Office closed Thursday and Friday.

Our Parish Bulletin for November 19, 2023 is now available to read online.

➡️ Read the Bulletin: straphaelcgs.org/bulletins
➡️ Mass Times: straphaelcgs.org/mass-times
➡️ Watch Mass Live via YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCkUwhjyrrognGti93-lhQ7g

Explainer: Why can’t a Catholic join the Freemasons? The Vatican recently reaffirmed that active membership in Freemasonry by Catholics is not permissible.

St. Margaret of Scotland Margaret was born in Hungary to Princess Agatha of Hungary and England's Prince Edward the Exile around 1045. Her family returned to England when she was 10 years old, but the Norman Conquest forced them into exile in Scotland. There, King Malcolm III gave her and her family shelter. She married Kin...

Happy feast of St. Albert the Great!
Catholic Saint & Scientist called the Great in the intellectual world - St. Albert the Great (1193 to Nov 15, 1280). St. Albert (aka Albertus Magnus) was a German Dominican bishop, theologian, philosopher, and scientist and famous for being the teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas.

7 Beautiful Ways to Help Young Children Deeply Love the Catholic Faith These seven practices will help you bring children closer to the Catholic faith.

For parishioners

Available on straphaelcgs.org

Our Parish Bulletin for November 12, 2023 is now available to read online.

➡️ Read the Bulletin: straphaelcgs.org/bulletins
➡️ Mass Times: straphaelcgs.org/mass-times
➡️ Watch Mass Live via YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCkUwhjyrrognGti93-lhQ7g

Are you interested in priesthood or religious life, or looking to become involved in parish life? Come to a Vocations Fair on Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Meet vocation directors from consecrated religious communities of men and women; the diocesan vocation director and delegate for religious; and representatives from the vocation of consecrated virginity and the diaconate, and parish ministers.

The fair takes place at Saint Bernard Church, Clairveaux Hall (311 Washington Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15216), Saint Michael the Archangel Parish. The 5:00 pm Mass at St. Bernard’s follows the fair.

The fair is sponsored by the Pittsburgh Religious Vocation Council (PRVC). For more information contact Sister Mindy Welding, IHM at [email protected] /412-456-3067 or Sr. Caryn Crook at [email protected] /315-751-6819.

5 Myths About Purgatory That Too Many People Still Believe (Maybe Even You!) "Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord..."

When Not to Baptize There's no denying that baptism is a spiritual good. But that doesn't mean it should be done in every single imaginable scenario.

How You Can Offer a Plenary Indulgence for the Souls in Purgatory Nov. 1-8 Every November, the Church gives the faithful the opportunity to offer a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory.

Here’s How You Can Help the Holy Souls in Purgatory We have access to several keys to help rescue the holy souls in purgatory and get them to heaven.

7 Practical Ways to Pray for the Dead During Holy Souls November The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Below are seven practical ways to pray for the dead.

All Souls’ Day: Praying for the Faithful Departed COMMENTARY: Fulfilling our Christian duty on All Souls’ Day and during the month of November

is the Commemoration of the Souls of the Faithful Departed, or All Souls' Day. Who would you like us to remember in prayer today? Tell us here ❤️

Nov. 1-8, you can gain plenary indulgences for souls in purgatory. Here's how:
https://insideewtn.com/2017/11/02/three-things-you-can-do-to-help-your-departed-loved-ones-and-one-to-ask-a-priest-to-do-for-the-dying/

On All Souls Day today, we remember for the souls of all who have died and pray that they are united with God in Heaven. Take time today to pray in a special way for your loved ones who have passed away.

What is the Process for Canonization? A Guide for All Saints’ Day This process led to the first official papal canonization, that of Swiss bishop St. Ulric in 993, by Pope John XV.

Almighty ever-living God, by whose gift we venerate in one celebration the merits of all the Saints, bestow on us, we pray, through the prayers of so many intercessors, an abundance of the reconciliation with you for which we earnestly long. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

For Kids: How to Celebrate All Saints & All Souls [video, printables, and more!] - Holy Heroes This is a big week for the Catholic Church as we get ready to celebrate two very important feasts: All Saints Day and All Souls Day! We have lots of resources to help you make these days stand out on the calendar so your kids can see (both literally and figuratively) how important these celebrations...