WHAT'S HAPPENING
Homily 2026-04-26
“Good morning again, everyone, certainly good to be with you. My name is Fr. Donald Oleksiak, and I am the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. That and about $1.75 will get you some coffee. Actually, in corporate life, I’m the Chief of Staff. I oversee the day-to-day operations of the diocese. So, it’s really good to be with you. I don’t get out very often to parishes, so it’s nice to have a great choir and people participating, and excited and young people, old people, a community of faith.”
Homily 2026-04-26 Aloysius
“Good morning, everyone. So, the best way I could kind of, like, picture and piece this puzzle together this morning is looking at Mother Nature and the animal kingdom. You always would see this play out if you ever watch wildlife videos, the mother and her newborn. If anything threaten the newborn, watch out, there is trouble afoot. You do not get between the mother and her own. Otherwise, there is a reckoning to be had, and blood to be spilled.”
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
Litany of Healing Service
Wednesday, April 29th 7pm-8:15pm in the church
This litany was composed and led by Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB for Friday night’s Revival Session at the National Eucharistic Congress in 2024. This will be prayed at St. Raphael as a group before the Blessed Sacrament with a leader and responses. As we pray through this, take your time, and let the words sink into your heart. Try to notice movements in your heart and any particular lines that might stand out. This is an opportunity to expose places that need healing, especially places in our hearts that are ready for healing. There will be an opportunity for you to be prayed over by people experienced in healing prayer. watch Fr. Hicks
Second Half of Life, Transitions Retreat
Friday, May 1, 5:30pm - Sunday, May 3, 2026 11:00am
Jesuit Retreat Center
This Transitions Retreat is an opportunity to reflect on life and faith while considering new career, job, work, life transitions, caregiving, and/or retirement. Using themes of Ignatian Spirituality and other areas, this retreat entails in-depth presentations, conversations, individual reflection, discernment, and more. Participants will address key dynamics of transitions and learn imaginative ways to explore their spirituality.
Cinco de Mayo Trivia Night
All are welcome to attend a Cinco de Mayo Trivia Night fundraiser to benefit the work of the St. Raphael St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference. The Conference is dedicated to serving the needs of the poor and those in need.
Cinco de Mayo Trivia Night will take place on May 5 at 7:00pm in the Community Room. It is a free will donation event. Our wonderful host is Bill Toler. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Please join us for a night of fun while supporting our neighbors in need.
Happy Cinco de MAYO
SRS Art Show
The Saint Raphael School 2025-2026 Art Show runs Thursday, May 14th, through Sunday, May 17th in the PAC
The show opens on Thursday May 14th from 5:30-7:30 with an ice cream social. Stop by anytime to see the art, until we take it down at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday (after the last Mass).
St. Peregrine Mass
Monday, May 18th at 7:00 PM
Do you know someone touched by cancer? A wife, husband, mother, father, sister, brother, relative, friend, neighbor? Are you a cancer patient, survivor, caregiver, concerned about a loved one or someone you know? Come CELEBRATE HOPE, CELEBRATE LIFE! The St Raphael Women’s Cancer Support Group and the Men’s Cancer Support Group are sponsoring a Mass in honor of St Peregrine, patron saint of those affected by cancer. All are welcome to attend. A reception will follow in the Community Room. flyer
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.
Catholic Home Missions
Support dioceses in the US that cannot sustain ministry without outside help.
OLDER (but still relevant) Parish News
Parish Office Construction Notice
Please be advised that the St. Raphael Parish Office lobby and sections of the office building exterior will be undergoing construction starting Monday, April 20. The projects are expected to take approximately one week to complete.
To ensure the safety of our visitors and staff, please take note of the following temporary changes:
- The main lobby entrance will be closed. Please use the Dover Center-facing door to enter the building. . . read more
SRS School 2026/7 Administrative Team
We are please to announce our Administrative Team for the 2026-2027 academic year at Saint Raphael School.
Young Adult Church Softball League
Registration is now open for the Cathletics 2026 Young Adult Church Softball League! This opportunity is perfect for making new friends and engaging in friendly competition this summer. This co-ed league is open to players of all skill levels between the ages of 18-39. Games are played on Sundays beginning in late June through mid-August on the west side of Cleveland. Whether you sign up yourself, a small group of friends, or an entire team, we would love to have you join us this season! Learn more at CathleticsCLE.com or contact us at Cathleticscle@gmail.com.
Chosen Extras Presentation
RESCHEDULED for April 30th, 11:00am-2:30pm
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.
Garage & Bake Sale
Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 410 Lear Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012
Donations accepted: Mon, April 27 & Tue, April 28; 9:00am-7:00PM
Garage and Bake Sale: Thursday, April 30, 9:00am-7:00pm
$5 Fill-a-Bag Friday: May 1, 9:00am-noon
Grief Support Group
Starts May 7 and runs for 8 weeks
12:30pm - 2:30pm
St. Raphael Community Room
People say you have to let go and move on in your life, but they don’t tell you what you need to do to accomplish that. The Grief Recovery Program not only makes that possible, but provides partnerships and guidance to ensure that it happens.
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."
