WHAT'S HAPPENING
Homily 2026-01-04
“There’s one thing that always get my attention, especially during the summer. Driving, and a little birdie decides to leave me a little present as I’m driving, on my windshield. That gets my attention really quickly. And, of course, like most of us who drive, what’s our first reaction to that? Let’s hit the brake, let’s hit the wiper fluid and get that smudge off the windshield as fast as possible. And what usually happens? A nice, good old streak over the windshield.”
Game Night
Friday, January 9, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
St. Raphael Marriage and Family Connections presents Game Night. Fr. Dan will lead the group in a Jeopardy game night in the Community Room. This will be a relaxed and fun date night with a chance to socialize with other St. Raphael couples. (Babysitting will be available)
Family Movie Night
January 10, 2026 after the 4:30pm Mass
All are invited to come to the Parish Activity Center to see The Wizard of Oz. Doors open at 5:30pm and the movie starts at 6:00pm.
Sponsored by the St. Raphael, St. Vincent de Paul Conference
Sung Vespers
Sunday, January 11th, 6:15 pm
St. Joseph, 32929 Lake Rd. Avon Lake, OH 44012
Join us after the 5:00 pm Mass for the Church's Evening Prayer
". . . see to it that the chief hours, especially Vespers, are celebrated in common in church on Sundays and the more solemn feasts."
- SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM, #100
Children's After School Collection
January 12th – February 11th
The Social Concerns Ministry invites you to open your heart to the Centers who serve children to make a difference in their lives. Items needed are available on lists posted on the magnetic boards in the Gathering Area and in Good Shepherd Square. Donations can be placed in the marked bins in Good Shepherd Square until February 11th.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
Chosen Extras Presentation
January 15th from 11:30 – 2:30
Deacon Will and Liz Yoho will share their experiences (in costume) of being extras on the set of “The Chosen”, a quality series about the life of Christ.
They have traveled 3 times, (so far) to Texas and Utah to be extras on “The Chosen” sets and are happy and grateful to be able to share their experiences with others. The presentation will be held in the Community rooms A & B at St. Raphael Parish.
Archangels Ladies Event
Friday, January 23, 2026, 9:30a – 3:00p
At the Cleveland Museum of Art: Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses from Versace and Valentino to Ferragamo and Capucci.
Followed by Lunch & Tea at the Emerald Necklace Tea Room. Limited to 20 attendees.
Questions
to Pam Billick at 216-346-3280 or
Archangels@saintraphaelparish.com
OLDER (but still relevant) Parish News
Men's Retreat
Friday, January 16, 5:30pm - Sunday, January 18, 2026 11:00am
A holy longing stirs in each of us. A desire to be your true self wrestles within. If you are a Catholic man looking to deepen your faith in a community, seeking to develop your personal relationship with God, longing to have real conversations, hoping for greater insights into living Christian manhood, and desiring to develop a practical spirituality, then we hope you join us.
The Rescue Project
We live our lives according to the stories we believe... but what if there is another story?
That story is the gospel! The Rescue Project seeks to proclaim the gospel in a compelling and attractive way over nine weeks in a small group format. All adults and teens are invited to join us in discovering the story.
Begins week of January 11 (one session per week)
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.
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.
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."
