WHAT'S HAPPENING
All Saints, Nov 1 - All Souls, Nov 2
All Saints is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year
During All Souls' Day and the Month of November, we will remember at Mass and in our prayers all of our family, friends, and benefactors who have died. Please fill out a card with the names of your deceased loved ones, found in the Gathering Area. They will be kept in the seasonal corner near the sanctuary for the month of remembrance as a reminder to pray for their souls and in hope for their Eternal Reward.
Homily 2025-10-26
“I should probably begin by reintroducing myself. It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I’ve been here before. My name is Father Frank Kosem. I’m a retired priest. My last assignment was St. Jude’s in Elyria. I was there for 35 years, and I’ve been retired for five years, and I love it. It’s wonderful, it really is. The readings today are all very rich. But you really have to kind of like dig in a little more to appreciate them. The first reading that we heard was from the Old Testament, the Book of Sirach. . .”
Grief Observed
Join us (adults 40 & over)
Monday, November 10th-7pm, Westside Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Rd., Olmsted Twp. Fr. Dan Schlegel will speak of faith that can survive doubt, a love that transcends death and a path to a deeper faith. In this month that celebrates the Feasts of All Saints & All Souls, grief can be marked by fear, anger, and confusion, but grace can lead us to understanding and acceptance. Cost is $15.00 per person. Light appetizers included. Doors open at 6:30pm.
Thanksgiving Food Basket Collection
The St. Raphael Social Concerns Ministry is holding its traditional Thanksgiving Food Basket Collection. Items can be dropped off in Good Shepherd Square from Saturday, October 25 until Wednesday, November 19th. The ministry will be collecting a variety of non-perishable food items for people in need. Please prayerfully consider a donation from the attached list below.
A Concert of Remebrance
Choral Spectrum presents
REST: A Concert of Remembrance
(under the direction of Anthony Trifiletti)

Featuring a candlelit performance of Requiem OP. 48 by Gabriel Fauré
Sunday, November 2nd, 5:00 PM
St. Peter Parish, 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, OH 44053.
Open Admission, Free-Will Offering
Marriage & Family Connections
Speaker Series: Embracing Holy Intimacy – Including God in your Marriage, Friday, November 7, 7:00 pm, featuring Neil & Nellie Krawczynski. Nellie is a licensed counselor, and Neil is a spiritual director. All married couples are welcome!
Babysitting will be available from 7:00=9:00pm in the Zwilling Room.
Please RSVP HERE.
Aging and Spirituality Discussion
Bay Village Library November 19th 12-1:30pm
"We lack a developed spirituality for the second-half of life. Our churches and theological circles have too little to offer in terms of spiritual guidance for us as we move beyond our youthful years, especially as this pertains to aging and moving towards death." - Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI. This afternoon (Session #3) will provide the opportunity to journey into the heart of the aging process to become wise elders, not just old people.
Join the PSR Security Team
We are looking for
adult volunteers to assist during our
Afternoon and Evening PSR sessions.
Security Team Members Will:
✅ Safely guide students across the parking lot
✅ Monitor the main hallway and school doors
Your support helps ensure a
safe and welcoming learning environment for our
200+ PSR students.
Interested in serving?
Fill out the Interest Form
HERE
or
Contact Joanna Parsons jparsons@saintraphaelparish.com
Thank you for helping us keep our parish children safe!
Community Action Poverty Simulation
Join in a live role-playing simulation that provides a realistic glimpse into the personal, emotional, and structural challenges that people living in poverty face every day.
Please RSVP & join us on Saturday, Nov 8th, 9:30-1:00 pm, at St. Ladislas Church, 2345 Bassett Road, Westlake, for this program that is sponsored by the Social Concerns Ministry and the Diocesan Social Action Office.
Questions:
Jane Blackie @ (216) 513-8065 or jane.blackie@gmail.com
FFFL Presents
Fr. Don Oleksiak, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, on "The Complexities of Overseeing the Day-to-Day Operations of Our Local Diocese", Friday, November 21st. $25 Lunch Buffet.
Tom's Country Place, 3442 Stoney Ridge Rd., Avon, OH 44001.
To reserve your spot, call 440-320-3272 or email ffflorain@gmail.com by Friday, November 14th.
Doors open 11:00, Lunch 11:30, Speaker 12:00-1:00
ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FOR MONDAY PSR
The Monday traffic flow in the Parish parking lot from 4:00 - 8:00 pm is ONE-WAY, entering at Dover Center Road and exiting onto Douglas Road. This is the same traffic pattern used during the school day and is in place to help ensure the safety of all our parish children. Traffic cones will remain in place from the school day to help guide vehicles and protect students from crossing the parking lot to the main entrance.
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep our children safe!
OLDER (but still relevant) Parish News
Playground Blessing
Our Pastor, Fr. Dan Schlegel, blessed the new St. Raphael playground at the grand opening on Monday, October 20th. We give heartfelt thanks to all the donors, volunteers, architects, construction workers and the city of Bay Village for making this possible!
Family & Kindergarten Open House
We invite all parishioners and their families to join us for our New Family and Kindergarten Open House on November 5th from 7:00-8:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to come meet our teachers, tour our campus and classrooms, and learn more about what makes our school so special! We blend spiritual formation with academic excellence to transform students and empower them to make a meaningful difference. We instill Catholic values, morals, attitudes, and behaviors that shape both the hearts and minds of our students. Children are welcome!
Questions: Sharyl Fuhrer 440-871-676 or sfuhrer@saintraphaelparish.com.
Radiant Hope
St. Peter Parish, 3655 Oberlin Ave, Lorain, is hosting A Night of Praise & Worship with Eucharistic Adoration, Thursday, November 6th, at 7:00 pm. Teens - and all - are welcome to join us for a night filled with music, prayer, and the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Let your soul be still. Let your heart be lifted. "Let your hope be radiant."
- Ps 34:6
sponsored by Elyria Catholic High School
Gentle Woman Fellowship
FIRST FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2025
GENTLE WOMAN FELLOWSHIP, an inter-parish women's group, meets on First Fridays at St. Clarence Parish, 30106 Lorain Road, North Olmsted, 44070. Join us for a must-see powerful talk as Fr. Damian Ezeani will once again be speaking for us after several years! The title of his talk is “I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel” which is about an unwavering belief in the Christian Message.
Faith AND Science Workshop
The ITE Project and the Diocese of Cleveland's Young Adult Ministry Office proudly co-sponsor the third annual Faith AND Science workshop: Human Evolution on November 8th at the Sari Feldman Auditorium (Parma-Snow Branch Library) from 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM. Registration includes: professional speaker presentations by Dr. Dan Kuebler & Dr. Andy Staron, lunch, and discussion tables. This event is open to all (adults 18+) who are interested in delving deeper into Human Evolution and wish to participate in healthy discussions about it. *RSVPs required by October 25th*
METRO
7pm Wednesday night October 29th
In the Church
Come and be encouraged before Halloween. This month Tom Pussel, Director of Outreach and Evangelization from St. Raphael, will share BIBLE VERSES I MISSED BEFORE BECOMING CATHOLIC.
All are welcome to come join us for praise and worship music, a talk, adoration, and ice cream fellowship afterwards.
Holy Spirit Fall Garage Sale
Holy Spirit Parish Ladies Guild Garage Sale
410 Lear Road, Avon Lake, OH 44012-2004
Garage & Bake Sale: Thurs., 10/30 9 am to 7 pm
$5 Fill-A-Bag Friday: Fri., 10/31 9 am to noon
Cash & Credit Cards accepted!
Alpha, Appetizers, @ AJ's Urban Grill
Are you skeptical, curious, on the fence, or not sure about the Christian faith? Do you know someone who is? Then join us for an evening of food, fellowship, and exploration of faith in an open and welcoming way. Every Thursday, now thru November 20th from 6:30-8:30pm, the private room at AJ's Urban Grill is reserved for Alpha. Appetizers and ice tea will be provided free of charge. This is a perfect way for you to get your questions answered or for you to accompany a friend who is interested in the faith. You do not need to be Catholic, Christian, or spiritual to attend, only interested and open. Register HERE as space is limited to 20 people per night. Questions? tpussel@saintraphaelparish.com more info
Opening for CYO Site Director Coordinator
Dear St. Raphael Parishioners,
We love hosting CYO Games in the PAC and want to keep that tradition alive - but we need your help! St. Raphael CYO Athletics is currently looking to fill the position of Site Director Coordinator.
Pilgrimage to Marian Shrines:
Fatima, Spain, and Lourdes
This 10-day, 8-night pilgrimage is scheduled for
April 15-24, 2026
with Fr. Dan through
206 Tours
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
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
2025 Jubilee Year of Hope
A banner of the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica is displayed in the church Gathering Area. Pope Francis opened the Holy Door the evening of December 24, 2024, and ushered in the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. Click below for more details.
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."
