WHAT'S HAPPENING
Homily 2025-12-07
“The world had ended and everyone was standing at the Pearly Gates. God came and he said, 'Women, I want you to go with Saint Peter. Men, I want you to form two lines. The line on the right, I want it to be for all those who disobeyed my orders, who disobeyed my commands and were not the spiritual lead of their house. On the left, all those who obeyed my commands and were spiritual lead in their house.' God came back a few minutes later, and there was. . .”
Homebound Gift Bags
Homebound gift bags are available at the Advent table! Grab a bag and bless someone who can't make it out for Christmas with some holiday cheer. Giftbags are free of charge and goodwill offerings can be placed in Advent table donation box.
Special thanks to the Raiders Club for putting them together!
Advent Retreat
The Franciscan Sisters, TOR invite you to our Advent Retreat on Saturday morning, December 13 at our Motherhouse in Toronto, OH. We are coming expectant for the Lord’s healing for us! Registration begins at 8 am, and Mass at 8:30 am with Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR will end at about 12:30 pm. The day will include a talk by Sr. Rita Clare, TOR, refreshments, adoration, a guided meditation by Sr. Sarah Rose, TOR, music, and prayer ministry for healing. Registration for the retreat is encouraged (though not required).
Pancakes With Santa
Join Santa and his elves for a pancake breakfast in the PAC on Sunday, December 14th, immediately following all Masses. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, juice, hot chocolate, and coffee.
FREE Breakfast: Compliments of Home & School
Bambinelli Sunday
Be part of a popular tradition that gains participants each year. Bring the Christ child from your family manger scene to any of the Masses at St. Raphael on the weekend of
December 13th-14th, the Third Sunday of Advent. The celebrant will bless your "bambinelli" using a blessing that has been used in St. Peter's Square by the last few popes.
Communal Penance Service
St. Raphael will host a communal Penance Service with St. Joseph and Holy Spirit parishes on Sunday, December 14th, at 6:30pm in the church.
"God’s forgiveness is a sign of his overflowing love for each of us: that love that gives us the freedom to stray, like the prodigal son, but that every day awaits our return with open arms; it is the love of the shepherd who goes in search of the lost sheep; it is the tenderness with which each sinner is welcomed when he knocks at His door." -
Pope Francis
Aging & Spirituality Discussion
Wednesday, December 17th, 12:00 - 1:00pm, Bay Village Library
"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 will provide the opportunity to journey into the heart of the aging process to become wise elders, not just old people.
Christmas Party
Attention SRS Alumni, families and friends: The Alumni Association will be sponsoring a donuts and coffee “Christmas Party” after the 10am Mass on Sunday Dec 21. Please come enjoy a treat, write a card for a local nursing home and celebrate the Christmas season with fellow alumni. All are welcome. Look forward to seeing you there!”
Family Noon Year’s Eve Party
Saint Raphael’s Marriage & Family Ministry will be hosting an afternoon countdown party to welcome 2026. There will be family friendly crafts, games, treats, a DJ and more. Join us, December 28, from 1:00-2:30p.m., in the PAC. Please RSVP with your family name and number of attendees to kscampbell25@gmail.com
Polish Shepherds' Mass
On Sunday, December 28, Nativity B.V.M. Parish in Lorain will be hosting the annual Pasterka (Polish Shepherds' Mass) for the greater Cleveland Polish community. All are welcome to this final Mass of the Jubilee year to be celebrated at the Lorain County pilgrimage site. There will be 30 minutes of Polish caroling before Mass, and people dressed as the Holy Family, shepherds, angels, and others.
Calling All Men
Men, if you’re tired of being held back by the comforts and distractions of our time and desire to grow closer to God, Exodus 90 is the path you’ve been searching for.
Join more than 250,000 men from all around the world who have experienced true freedom.
The challenge begins January 5 and ends Easter Sunday.
Find Him in Loving Him
From the Proslogion by St Anselm, Bishop
“Insignificant man, escape from your everyday business for a
short while, hide for a moment from your restless thoughts.
Break off from your cares and troubles and be less concerned
about your tasks and labors. Make a little time for God and rest a
while in him.
OLDER (but still relevant) Parish News
Gifts for Nursing Home Residents
Help give a gift to a nursing home resident who has no family or few friends. This year we will be gifting needed items to residents at O'Neill Healthcare Bay Village and Huntington Woods Westlake.
To give a gift please call Anne Straitiff at 440-263-6874 or email her at straitiff@oh.rr.com.
Adopt-A-Family Program
It's the time of year when our Adopt-A-Family Program kicks off. This program is an Advent tradition at St. Raphael that allows parish members to get involved and "make Christmas happen" for underprivileged families. These are children and adults who, without our help, might not celebrate Christmas with presents.
This year, opportunities to adopt full families as well as purchase specific individual gifts will be offered.
Praetorius Christmas Vespers
Sunday, December 21, 2025 – 4:00 PM
St. Raphael Catholic Church, Bay Village
Artistic Director Jeannette Sorrell weaves the glorious works of 17th-century composer Michael Praetorius into a radiant Vespers service with Apollo’s Singers
and members of Apollo’s Musettes (Treble Youth Choir).
Pre-Concert Talk (David Rothenberg) and Afterglow! (celebrate the season with holiday treats alongside Jeannette and the musicians).
Men's Morning of Reflection
St. Ladislas Church - 2345 Bassett Road Westlake, Ohio 44145
Saturday, December 13th, 8:30 am -12:00 pm
Open to All Men — Bring a Son, Grandson, or Nephew (16+). Breakfast will be provided!
Guided by Christ, modeled on Saint Joseph, and lived out in prayer, service, and brotherhood, we commit to discover and embody our authentic identity as men of the Church.
Pope Leo XIV at NCYC
The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC 2025) event featured Pope Leo’s heartfelt dialogue with teenagers, sharing questions, hopes, and stories from Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, in front of over 16,000 young people. Streamed live worldwide by EWTN, in a coordinated effort with Vatican Media, discover inspiring moments and spiritual unity as Pope Leo XIV addresses the future of the Catholic Church in the U.S..
Christmas Tree Sale
Nov 28th - Dec 14th
Bay Village Cahoon Park Gazebo
Hot Chocolate & Candy Canes for the Whole Family!
Proceeds Benefit Community Service Projects
Live Nativity
December 14th
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Bethesda on the Bay Lutheran Church
28607 Wolf Rd, Bay Village
Free and open to the public. The Live Nativity scene will include a manger and several live animals such as Sahara the Camel and Mini Moo the Cow. Cash or canned good donations welcome to support the St. Barnabas Community Cupboard.
Sanctity of Work
From - St. Josemaría Escrivá (Furrow) - Finishing properly the tasks committed to us:
Sanctity is made up of heroic acts. Therefore, in our work we are asked for the heroism of finishing properly the tasks committed to us, day after day, even though they are the same tasks. If we don't, then we do not want to be saints. (Furrow, 529)
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.
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."
