WHAT'S HAPPENING
Homily 2026-05-31
“One of my dad’s favorite shows when I was growing up was a show called the Masked Magician. And it’s kind of a silly show because it was this guy doing magic with this black mask on with gray stripes. But he showed you what was going on behind the scenes. He showed you all of the tricks. You know, they say the magician never reveals his secrets. This guy didn’t follow the magician’s code. Now, this is a bad analogy, perhaps. But, what the masked magician did is sort of what Jesus does for us . . .”
Homily 2026-05-31 Aloysius
“This is one of those solemnities where you can go in any direction, and based on the gospel, there are a lot of themes in those few short pericopes. There are some themes that I could just take off on. But this morning, I want to focus our attention on whose we are and who we are. First of all, I’d like to state the obvious, which my homiletics professor once told me, 40 years ago, you should never do that. So, bear with me. We’re all familiar with acronyms that help us communicate more . . .”
Annual Mission Appeal
The weekend of June 13-14, 2026, Dr. Geetha Yeruva, founder of Foundation for Children in Need (FCN), will be making an appeal at St. Raphael. FCN was established in 2002 by Dr. Yeruva and Thomas Reddy Chitta along with several friends who adopted children from India. Presently, FCN is sponsoring nearly 1600 children and college students and 100 elderly in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. FCN also addresses various needs such as medical care, health education, women development and others.
Employment Opportunity
St. Raphael Parish is seeking a reliable, motivated self-starter to join our maintenance team. This role is essential in keeping our school and church environment clean, safe, and welcoming for our students and parishioners. If interested, please reach out to Keith Benya: 440-360-7507 or kbenya@saintraphaelparish.com.
Summer Hunger Center Food Drive
It's time again to collect food for our area Hungers Centers. We are reaching out to you for donations to support the Hunger Centers during the summer when their supplies run low. The Summer Hunger Center Food Drive will run from Saturday, June 6th through Sunday, June 28th. Any food item(s) you would like to donate can be dropped off in the bins in the Gathering Area.
Our sincere thanks to you for your support and care of the Hunger Centers. We wish you and your family a fun and healthy summer.
2026 Annual Appeal
The second Appeal Weekend will take place in the pews at all Masses the weekend of June 6/7. Your support helps to fund many amazing programs throughout our diocese.
Free Church Concert
Sunday June 7th at 4pm, St. James Church, 17510 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood Ohio. "A Piano for Late Spring" features internationally renowned Steinway Artist, Dr. Halida DiNova, Brian Wilson, Musical Director of St. Vincent de Paul in Elyria, Diocesan Musician and Graduate Candidate, and John Michael Klein who is completing 8th grade at Lakewood Catholic Academy and has made his debut at Carnegie Hall as well as winning an international competition in Oxford England. The music being offered for your enjoyment includes a feast of Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Bach, Mozart and Scriabin.
Consecration of U.S. to Sacred Heart of Jesus
On June 11, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Parishes around the country are encouraged to join the bishops in celebrating the consecration of our nation to the Sacred Heart.
St. Raphael will participate through a Liturgy of the Word service on Thursday, June 11th, at 7:00 pm in the church.
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia
The Alzheimer’s Association will present an education program on
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia on Thursday, June 25,
7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Community Room. Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and their risk factors. Join us for information on current research and the resources available from the Alzheimer’s Association. Contact Stan at 440-263-8794 with any questions.
OLDER (but still relevant) Parish News
Sundae Vespers
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Starting June 7
Join us for Vespers (Evening Prayer), Ice Cream, and community every Sunday at St. Mary’s throughout June and July!
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 2640 Stoney Ridge Road, Avon, 44011
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. The Mental Health Ministry at St. Ladislas (2345 Bassett Road, Westlake) is teaming up with NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illnesses) to host a MHFA training on Tuesday, June 9, from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Cost is $40. Light lunch will be provided. This is not just for professionals; it's for caring individuals wanting to help those in crisis. Register by June 2. Call Deacon John Travis at 440-835-2300 with any questions.
Rosary for the Sanctification of Priests
The Annual Global Rosary Relay for the Sanctification of Priests will be held on June 12, 2026 on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is a world wide event with the rosary being prayed for 24 hours at designated locations around the world for our priests. Our rosary location here is at Noon at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine 21281 Chardon Rd, 44117. Please join us at the Shrine in church. The rosary will be broadcast at that time on AM1260 the Rock. This event is sponsored by Worldpriest. https://www.worldpriest.com/
Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Enthronement of the Sacred Heart Diocesan Center will have the annual Mass of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at 7 pm on Friday June 12th at St. Therese Church, 5276 E 105th St., Garfield Hts., with Fr. Eric Orzech as celebrant. All are invited to attend the special Mass to make public reparation to the Sacred Heart and ask Jesus' help for all families, our Church, and our world. Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 pm. For more information visit www.sacredheartcleveland.weebly.com and click on "events" or call Donna at 440-232-7725. All are welcome!
Men's Huddle Summer Program
Tuesdays, June 2 through September 1
We will be tackling the Imitation of Christ by Thomas á Kempis, chapter by chapter. Join us from 6:30am-7:30am in the community room and bring your own coffee. All men are welcome.
No preparation necessary as handouts will be provided.
8-Week Book Study
Ever wanted to read the full text of Theology of the Body but didn’t want to tackle it alone? This summer, join Jen Ricard, TOB CLE Director, for an 8-week guided study through Michael Waldstein’s translation of Pope St. John Paul II’s catechesis on the human person, love, and the meaning of the body. Thursdays, June 25 — August 13, 6:30 — 8:30 PM, St. Sebastian Parish, Forest Lodge, Akron.
Annual Baby Bottle Campaign
Mother’s Day – Father’s Day 2026
To help make a change in a woman’s life and that of her baby and to help agencies provide counseling, prenatal medical care and housing during pregnancy and after birth, the Social Concerns Ministry is working to collect funds to support those in need. From Mother’s Day, May 10th to Father’s Day, June 21st, empty baby bottles can be picked up from the bassinets located in Good Shepherd Square and The Gathering area and can be returned to the same location with your donation.
Site Directors Needed!
CYO Athletics is looking to add more Site Directors for our home volleyball and basketball games. We love hosting games in the PAC, but need your help to continue to do so!
This is a paid position and a great way to support St. Raphael Athletics.
If you are interested, please contact St. Raphael Athletic Director Shane Fitzpatrick at sfitzpatrick@saintraphaelparish.com
Wine, Roses & Art
THE ARCHANGEL MINISTRY JUNE BUS TRIP
Wednesday, JUNE 17, 2026, 9:15am – 7pm
This Archangel trip will focus on traveling to the Youngstown and Lake Milton areas to see the following: The Butler Institute of American Art, The Fellows Riverside Gardens, and the Halliday’s Winery and Restaurant.
Registration Opens May 1st
July 13-17, 2026
Join us for Totally Catholic Rainforest Falls VBS as we Explore the Nature of God! Rainforest Falls is designed with more than fun in mind—it’s a faith-driven adventure rooted in helping kids grow in their relationship with God.
child participant registration
Envelope Notice
If you have transitioned to Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) online contributions and wish to discontinue receiving physical offertory envelopes, please contact our Parish Bookkeeper, Marcia Beifuss, to update your preferences. Helping us reduce waste and mailing costs is greatly appreciated. Marcia can be reached at:
mbeifuss@saintraphaelparish.com or 440-871-1101
2026 Annual Appeal
This Appeal seeks $15.3 million to support vital ministries serving those in need across the eight counties of the Diocese. Join Bishop Malesic and thousands of faithful in extending God’s love through acts of mercy.
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
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."
