WHAT'S HAPPENING
Homily 2025-11-16
“Are you alert, or are you alarmed? So, I have to ask the question. We’ve gained an hour of sleep, praise be to God. But how many of us have possibly had our sleep schedule shaken up a little bit because of getting that hour of sleep? Or how many of us maybe growing up, when it was time for school, set the alarm to wake us up. And not only did it wake us up, but it shook us out of bed. It kind of made us jump out of bed. Or maybe our parents came in to shake us awake, to say get up!”
Thank You!
The Saint Vincent de Paul, St. Raphael conference would like to say THANK YOU for all of your prayers, time and treasure to support others in need. For people who don’t have beds, 32 beds - 10 full size and 22 twin - have been given to adults and children along with all the bedding. A 14-year-old boy said how happy he was to now be sleeping in a bed.
A single mother of 3 was forced to leave her apartment and everything in it to escape burglars. . .
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.
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).
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.
OLDER (but still relevant) Parish News
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
Work Day
Saturday, November 22nd at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: 3636 E 143rd St, Cleveland, Ohio 44120
Need 3 More Volunteers!
MUST BE 16 OR OLDER TO VOLUNTEER
Jubilee of Choirs
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
4:00 PM MASS
MUSICAL PRELUDE BEGINS AT 3:50
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 418 W. 15th St., Lorain, Ohio 44052
Please join us during this Jubilee Year 2025 for a special blessing for
those who animate our worship with song. As their busiest season
approaches, we will bless our musicians with prayer, and in turn be
blessed by their joyful singing.
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.
Sermon by Saint Caesarius of Arles
(on the dedication St John Lateran Basilica)
We have all been made temples of God through baptism
My fellow Christians, today is the birthday of this church, an occasion for celebration and rejoicing. We, however, ought to be the true and living temple of God. Nevertheless, Christians rightly commemorate this feast of the church, their mother, for they know that through her they were reborn in the spirit. At our first birth, we were vessels of God’s wrath. . .
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."
