Spiritual Commission
While we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the Word.
Acts 6:4.
The role of the Spiritual Commission is to plan and provide for the ongoing spiritual formation and development of the community and to deepen individual and communal love of the Lord. We are committed to enhance our programs, draw from other parishes, and share our resources with the community at large.
Avilas
The Avilas are women and men who have joined together under the patronage of St. Teresa of Avila to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diacanate, and religious life. Associate members join in a monthly Mass, holy hour, recitation of the rosary and special vocation prayers.
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Couple-to-Couple Ministry
The Saint Raphael Couple-to-Couple Ministry is a group of dedicated married couples that have been trained through the Diocese of Cleveland Marriage and Family Office to work with engaged couples in preparation for marriage. The engaged couple meets with the presiding priest and then with the couple-to-couple ministers for three or more sessions in the comfort of a home environment. During these sessions a variety of pertinent topics are discussed. This method provides a comfortable and personalized approach to marriage preparation. The couple-to-couple ministers work closely with the priest to assist him in the marriage preparation process.
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Eucharistic Adoration
Is your heart longing to draw close to Jesus and to feel His touch? Discover the secret that holy men and women such as Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II have discovered. Prayer in the form of the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic Adoration is an intimate time with the one who knows and loves you completely. Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Raphael Chapel every Friday from 10:00am. until Saturday 8:00am.
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Faith Sharing Groups
Faith sharing groups were formed by the women of Saint Raphael Parish after the first Women’s Retreat. Faith Sharing Groups gather for prayer, reading sacred Scripture, and reflecting together on the Word of God as it impacts their daily lives. Great strength and encouragement come through their small-group gatherings assisting woman of all ages to grow in faith through mutual support.
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Guardian Angels
How often have we longed for others to help us pray to the Lord for ourselves or for a loved one? Many of us have been touched by illness, problems in our family, loss of jobs, etc. As we are faced with the heartache, fear, and anxiety which accompany these life problems, we are strengthened by the knowledge that Our Lord is always with us to help us and that oftentimes we can benefit from the help of others.
As an extension of our Saint.Raphael Faith Community, a new ministry has been formed to give comfort and strength to those in need of prayer. The Guardian Angels will pray with you privately in church. Specially trained prayer teams will be available after the Masses listed below to offer their assistance, comfort and support. A special prayer attendant will guide you to the appropriate prayer team at the front of our church. Please be assured that your prayer intentions will be held in full confidence by the Guardian Angels.
Let Saint Raphael’s Guardian Angels pray with you. We pray the third weekend of every month after the 4:30pm Saturday Mass and after 9:30 and 11:00am Sunday Masses. Let the Holy Spirit guide and heal you through prayer!
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Journey
Journey is an ongoing group that brings women together in a special time of quiet meditation to reflect on, and share, their spiritual lives together. The basis of the group is reading and reflection on spiritual books to learn various methods of prayer. Journey is open to all women of the parish.
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Women's Retreat
The Women’s Retreat brings women together to encounter the living Lord Jesus in a deeper and more personal way. It is time set aside from the busy world to be quiet, and recommit our life to God. The guidance of guest speakers assists in enriching the lives of those in attendance.
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Men's Retreat
The Men’s Retreat provides an opportunity for growth in spiritual life for a weekend during the Lenten season. Invited speakers provide inspirational presentations. This experience has led many to become more involved in spiritual as well as communal events.
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Catholic Men's Fellowship
The Mission statement of the Catholic Men’s Fellowship is: “We are committed to growing closer to Jesus Christ, to encourage all of our brothers to study, practice and share our Catholic faith…to lead our families in holiness, to support and pray for our clergy and to support each other spiritually”.
The Saint Raphael Catholic Men’s Fellowship meets the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 7-8:30am and the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 7-8:30pm.
Ministry of Prayer
The Ministry of Prayer offers an opportunity to homebound parishioners to participate in the life of the parish. Men and women who choose this ministry make a commitment to offer their daily sufferings and prayer in support of the spiritual growth and development of our parish, Diocese and world.
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Parish Feast Day
The Feast of St. Raphael the Archangel is celebrated on September 29th. During the vigil and the feast day there is Exposition of the Holy Eucharist. It is an opportunity for members of the various ministries and organizations to pray together for the intercession of our parish patron.
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Prayer Ministry
So many in our faith community and beyond are in need of prayer. The Prayer Ministry offers daily prayer for specific requests from parishioners and throughout the community. The “prayer partners” insure that requests are circulated among their community of the concerned individuals via email or telephone calls.
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Parish Mission
Every other year, during Lent, our parish offers a parish mission. This is an opportunity for spiritual nourishment, inspiration and prayer. The Parish Mission is generally held on four consecutive nights and is led by a seasoned spiritual leader. The entire parish community joins together as it reflects on the importance of this event to the entire community.
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PreCana
Couples planning to be married in the Cleveland Diocese are required to attend PreCana as part of their preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony. This retreat day gives the couple an opportunity to learn about their sacramental commitment. Couples who are living the sacrament are present for the day to assist couples in their marriage preparation. Saint. Raphael hosts a day for those couples being married at Saint Raphael and other surrounding parishes. Topics include: communication skills, parenting issues, the importance of faith in marriage, and plans for the ceremony.
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