WHAT'S HAPPENING
Homily 2026-05-24
“A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go sailing with my cousins out on Lake Erie. It was one of those perfect, beautiful summer nights on Lake Erie. Lake Erie that night was calm and pretty peaceful, and the sky was filled with stars. There was just enough breeze that night to move us along slowly, and it was my first time on a sailboat. And I remember thinking to myself how much work sailing actually involved, especially on a night that the wind wasn’t terribly strong.”
Homily 2026-05-24 Aloysius
“Well, again, good morning brothers and sisters. So, I have a fond memory of Pentecost. It actually comes just a few years ago, in 2020, when everything was, you know, locked down because of COVID. During the beginning of summer around this time, myself and a bunch of missionaries were gathered in Columbus, Ohio, and it was the first time many of us had gathered since the lockdown had started. And for many of us, that was the first time we went to Mass and got to celebrate. . .”
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
OLDER (but still relevant) Parish News
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.
SVDP Fundraiser
Come support a great cause while you sip and snack at Emilie’s Coffee House and Wine Bar which is located at 457 Avon Belden Rd., Avon Lake. On Saturday,
May 30th, from 6:30am – 2:30 pm, 10% of all food and drink and 100% of the specialty drink of the day will be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul/St. Raphael conference. Stop in to enjoy the tasty bites and delicious coffee while helping families in need.
Faith Build 2025 Dedication
St. Raphael volunteers participated in Habitat for Humanity’s Faith Build 2025 project. A home was built in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood for Simon, his wife Ansila and their five children. Simon and his family moved to Cleveland from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023.
Fr. Dan recently presided at a dedication ceremony for their new house.
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."
