Homily 2025-07-13 Arto

“Have you had a God moment before?  Back when I was a deacon serving at Divine Word over in Kirtland, I was getting ready to preach the homily, just like any other Sunday.  And as I was preparing this homily, for some reason I felt this nudging - in my prayer process and in my heart – that I needed to include a particular line in my homily.  Taking a quote from Frank Sinatra’s favorites, one of his most prominent songs, My Way, about how we have to do things. . ."

Homily 2025-07-13 Schlegel

“Jesus loved to use stories and metaphors and images and parables.  In today’s Gospel reading is one of those parables.  A parable is a story, but usually it has sort of a twist at the end, an “ah-ha” moment, where people begin to think of things differently.  And no parable has only one meaning.  Usually, it has many meanings and what the parables do is to really make you think.  So, when we read this parable of the Good Samaritan, one that we’ve heard. . .”

Missionary Appeal

We welcome Fr. Melanio Viuya of the Missionaries of Jesus for our annual Missionary Appeal.  He will preside at some of the Masses July 19/20 and preach at all of them.  The Missionaries of Jesus serve across the globe, ministering to those who experience deep wounds of brokenness, isolation, and marginalization.  Their mission is to help people reclaim their stories and celebrate the richness of their lives and cultures through the healing presence of Christ.  We invite you to be generous in supporting their important work as they bring the Gospel and Christ’s compassion to those in greatest need (DONATE).

Join the Rosary Crew

Keith and Estelle Nester are coming to St. Raphael to broadcast their Rosary Crew Rosary LIVE on Tuesday, July 22nd, at 6pm in the Community Room.  Keith Nester is a former Protestant Pastor and Catholic Convert.  He is a Catholic speaker, author of the popular book Unpacking the Mysteries of the Rosary and has a popular Youtube channel and podcast.  Keith and Estelle lead the Rosary Crew, a worldwide live-stream prayer community that has prayed the Rosary daily since March 18th, 2020.  They travel the US in their RV, making stops along the way to pray with people in different cities: Join them as they come to our town!

Dementia Resource

Are you a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer or dementia?  The Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation is a non-profit organization and resource which will provide an opportunity for socialization through a variety of art enrichment and wellness programs at no cost.  Programs are led by professionals and encourage interactions so important to prevent social isolation.  Support groups & individual counseling are also available.  We are located nearby at 26633 Detroit Rd. in Westlake.

For more information, call 440-414-0434

website

PSR IS LOOKING FOR TEACHERS

The Parish School of Religion (PSR) program is looking for teachers to teach during our afternoon (4:30-5:45 pm) session and/or our evening (6:30-7:45 pm) session for grades K, 1, 2, 3, and 4.  Please pray about being a PSR teacher for our youth, and if God is calling you to this ministry, contact Joanna Parsons at the parish office (440-871-1100) or by email.  (jparsons@saintraphaelparish.com)

General Offertory Fund

Contributions are welcome at any time!

PARKING LOT RESTRICTIONS DURING VBS

During the week of July 14-18th (VBS week), the parish parking lot will be one-way traffic, identical to school days.  When driving in the parking lot, please be cautious of the children entering and leaving the campus for VBS.  Thank you for your cooperation and assistance for the safety of our youth!

Back to School Drive

Social Concerns Ministry Back to School Drive 2025

July 7 – August 1

Local urban schools are in need of items for students to start the school year.  Donations are needed by the last week of July and can be placed in the black bins in Good Shepherd Square.  Thank you for your kindness in helping the students throughout the area.

click HERE  to see needed items

The FEST 2025

Sunday, August 3 from 12:00pm - 10:00pm

Center for Pastoral Leadership

28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, OH  44092

This daylong celebration of faith, family and fun will mark its 25th anniversary this year.  A representative from the FEST will be here to talk at all the weekend Masses July 12/13 and be available for the purchase of FEST Tickets.

more information

Grief Support Group

Starting Thursday, July 10, 2025 for 8 Weeks

5:00pm to 7:00pm - in the Zwilling Room

People say you have to let go and move on in your life, but they don't tell you what you need to do to accomplish that.

Questions?  Deborah Nadzam Melnyk, PhD, RN, FAAN

440-785-9657   debnadzam@gmail.com

more information & to register

St. Raphael Faith Build

8 volunteers are still needed for our Habitat for Humanity Build Day!  From 9-3pm Saturday July 26th we will be onsite at our 3520 E. 143^rd location.  The foundation has been poured and the first-floor framing is almost done.  Let's get going St. Raphael!  Since 2015, the Faith Build program has brought faith groups together to help uplift the work of affordable housing.  This year marks the 16th home and 16th family the program has served.

                   register                                                                    meet our family

VBS Thanks You!

Thank you to everyone who donated empty rolls and items from our Amazon registry for our 2025 VBS True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World !  Your donations have helped the VBS team turn our campus into an Alaskan wonderland and provide daily snacks for our participants and teen volunteers.

With Heartfelt Thanks from Social Concerns

The Social Concerns Ministry would like to thank you for your kindness and generosity throughout this year.  Here in 2025, the needs of many in our community continue to be felt.  Thanks to your generous donations of food, household items, clothing and shoes, socks, gifts, school supplies, gift cards and Easter basket treats, you have helped so many others.

click HERE to see the ways our parish charitably shared with others just since January 2025

SRS Alumni Association

If you graduated from St. Raphael School, please scan the QR code or click this link to register as an alum!  Our goal is to foster an engaged alumni network that supports the legacy and ongoing growth of the St. Raphael School community.  You’ll receive updates on classmates, stories from years past, news of current students, upcoming reunions, and ways to stay involved in the vibrant life of our school and parish.  If you have any questions or would like to help expand our reach and plan events, send a note to alumni@saintraphaelparish.com.

In Joseph's Workshop

"Work is man's original vocation.  It is a blessing from God, and those who consider it a punishment are sadly mistaken.  The Lord, who is the best of fathers, placed the first man in Paradise ut operaretur [“in order to work”], so that he would work." - St. Josemaría Escrivá, Furrow, Work, #482

"Work is part and parcel of man's life on earth.  It involves effort, weariness, exhaustion: signs of the suffering and struggle which accompany human existence and which point to the reality of sin. . ."

read more

Parish Office Renovation Continues

Our Parish Office renovations began the week of June 2nd. There will be two phases.  The first will necessitate the moving of some offices to the school as work on the west end of the Parish Office commences.  Phase two will involve the office waiting area and copy areas.  It will necessitate the closing of our normal office entrance, and we will update you further on where you'll be able to enter the offices as we plan accordingly.  We will inform you via the bulletin, announcements, and e-mails so you will be able to reach us throughout the construction period.

click here to read more

Catholic Charities Annual Appeal

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

benefits of spiritual direction