WHAT'S HAPPENING
Homily 2026-05-17
“One year ago, my life changed forever. One year ago, and about uh, maybe 30 minutes, was when I was ordained a priest. One year ago, that is when it changed. And at the beginning of my entire journey, of this adventure God had for me, was one simple promise. I am with you always. I am with you always. When I had that assurance in my first moments of discerning and not really knowing what is actually happening in my life, God spoke to me in prayer.”
Homily 2026-05-17 Aloysius
“Yesterday’s 4:30 Mass at St. Raphael was a zoo. We had a wedding at the 4:30 Mass of a couple, a widow and a widower. One who had been married 50 years before, one who had been married 51 years before, and they had met on Catholicmatch.com. And it would have been a great commercial for Catholicmatch.com, let me tell you. And we had 10 First Communions at that same Mass. And we also had the feast of the Ascension.”
SVDP Fundraiser
Come support a great cause while you sip and snack at Emilie’s Coffee House and Wine Bar which is located at 457 Avon Belden Rd., Avon Lake. On Saturday,
May 30th, from 6:30am – 2:30 pm, 10% of all food and drink and 100% of the specialty drink of the day will be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul/St. Raphael conference. Stop in to enjoy the tasty bites and delicious coffee while helping families in need.
Annual Mission Appeal
The weekend of June 13-14, 2026, Dr. Geetha Yeruva, founder of Foundation for Children in Need (FCN), will be making an appeal at St. Raphael. FCN was established in 2002 by Dr. Yeruva and Thomas Reddy Chitta along with several friends who adopted children from India. Presently, FCN is sponsoring nearly 1600 children and college students and 100 elderly in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. FCN also addresses various needs such as medical care, health education, women development and others.
OLDER (but still relevant) Parish News
Healing Service
Wednesday, May 27 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
in the church
Healing is one of the most powerful ministries of evangelization. Jesus never preached the Gospel of the kingdom of God without demonstrating the kingdom through signs, wonders, and miracles, with healing as the most frequent demonstration of God’s love. This service will include a time of worship and praise, proclamation of the Gospel and preaching, corporate prayer for healing ending with individual prayer teams for healing. Come prepared for breakthrough!
Annual Baby Bottle Campaign
Mother’s Day – Father’s Day 2026
To help make a change in a woman’s life and that of her baby and to help agencies provide counseling, prenatal medical care and housing during pregnancy and after birth, the Social Concerns Ministry is working to collect funds to support those in need. From Mother’s Day, May 10th to Father’s Day, June 21st, empty baby bottles can be picked up from the bassinets located in Good Shepherd Square and The Gathering area and can be returned to the same location with your donation.
Site Directors Needed!
CYO Athletics is looking to add more Site Directors for our home volleyball and basketball games. We love hosting games in the PAC, but need your help to continue to do so!
This is a paid position and a great way to support St. Raphael Athletics.
If you are interested, please contact St. Raphael Athletic Director Shane Fitzpatrick at sfitzpatrick@saintraphaelparish.com
Wine, Roses & Art
THE ARCHANGEL MINISTRY JUNE BUS TRIP
Wednesday, JUNE 17, 2026, 9:15am – 7pm
This Archangel trip will focus on traveling to the Youngstown and Lake Milton areas to see the following: The Butler Institute of American Art, The Fellows Riverside Gardens, and the Halliday’s Winery and Restaurant.
Registration Opens May 1st
July 13-17, 2026
Join us for Totally Catholic Rainforest Falls VBS as we Explore the Nature of God! Rainforest Falls is designed with more than fun in mind—it’s a faith-driven adventure rooted in helping kids grow in their relationship with God.
child participant registration
Envelope Notice
If you have transitioned to Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) online contributions and wish to discontinue receiving physical offertory envelopes, please contact our Parish Bookkeeper, Marcia Beifuss, to update your preferences. Helping us reduce waste and mailing costs is greatly appreciated. Marcia can be reached at:
mbeifuss@saintraphaelparish.com or 440-871-1101
2026 Annual Appeal
This Appeal seeks $15.3 million to support vital ministries serving those in need across the eight counties of the Diocese. Join Bishop Malesic and thousands of faithful in extending God’s love through acts of mercy.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION MINISTRY
Do you need:
- Assistance in discerning God's will in your life?
- Help identifying the movements of good and evil spirits in making wise decisions?
- Help in growing deeper in your relationship with God?
Contact parishioner Mike Manco for spiritual direction: mikemanco63@gmail.com or 216-496-4001
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Edward C. Malesic
"The goal of this letter is to provide you with a resource for reflection, that you might be drawn more deeply into prayer and a more intimate relationship with Jesus."
