Friday, April 27, 2012

Angela Soucy: Handmaiden of the Lord

Photo by Jane Winstead

 By Christine Pelletier  

These remarks were prepared for the presentation of the Handmaiden of the Lord 2012 to Angela Soucy.

Born in England in 1920, her mother died when she was only four years old and her father gave her away to a neighbor. She grew up in a life of poverty, with no electricity or running water, only little scraps of food to eat, and just one dress to wear. Her cruel stepmother would force her to do extreme chores and beat her with a leather belt. All she felt in her miserable young life was hated and unloved.

In her 20s, she had to suffer through nights of terror in shelters while the war raged on, and had to dodge shrapnel as it fell from enemy planes when bombs were dropped. She eventually met one of the American soldiers who lived in the tents in the park, and not only fell in love with him, but with our religion that was established by Christ more than 2000 years ago. She became a Catholic, a “war bride,” and lived through the war, with bombings, death and destruction all around them. Life was never easy and money always scarce, yet they managed to lovingly raise four children amidst it all, and the children never realized how poor they really were.

During the course of 30 years in the Air Force, this family had the burden of moving 38 times! Upon retiring from the Air Force, our Handmaiden’s husband enjoyed a job with the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, until he was suddenly called home to God. The pain of losing him after 36 years of marriage was deep; two bishops and 13 priests concelebrated his Christmas Eve funeral in 1980. The one thing that always keeps this angel going is her profound abiding faith. Even during extreme times of devastation, she turned to Our Lord, and still does to this day. This woman of God has lived her life being an angel to others.

Upon moving to Florida in 1992, she quickly embraced the community of St. Raphael’s. Over these past 20 years, she has been Celeste’s right hand in the kitchen for all the church functions, including CRHP. She has been an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at church, to the home bound, and at the nursing home.

A daily Mass communicant, she is a CCW member who is still involved in many other ministries as well, including baking for a function whenever called upon, making a meal for someone in need, caring for elderly neighbors, helping with coffee and doughnuts, working in the gift shop, mending the priests’ vestments, knitting for babies at the shelters, cleaning the church at Christmas and Easter, being the “official cleaner of the brass,” filling the open slots at weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and making literally thousands of rosaries! She also prays unceasingly for anyone who asks, and especially for her family, for peace and reconciliation among all, so that they can be together again in heaven.

In this world of materialism, she is proud that her largest material possession in this life is her car. She is not ashamed that she has no other assets, no investments, no properties, no money in the bank, and that she only shops for herself at garage sales or Salvation Army. Her ONLY income, her monthly Social Security check, barely lasts through all her monthly bills, and if there are ever a few dollars left over, she gives it to the church, a favorite charity, someone in need, or one of her 13 grandchildren or 18 great-grandchildren. She may be poor by the world’s standards, but her legacy of faith makes her wealthy beyond measure.

She is always reminding her children and grandchildren to “never lose sight of God and that we are nothing without Him, but with God all things are possible.” This woman lives by God’s plan, loves God and our Catholic faith, and loves our church community. She truly is a handmaiden of the Lord, always of service to others, and always living out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

Please join me in congratulating our 2012 Handmaiden of the Lord, Angela Soucy!

The deadline is coming soon

Music by Kevin MacLeod: Aitrack | Endtag music by St. Raphael Praise Band: Amazing Love

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Fr. Tim's homily — A Sense of Spiritual Direction

Father Tim Sherwood's homily for the Third Sunday of Easter at St. Raphael Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Theme music: Deliberate Thoughts by Kevin MacLeod; End tag: St. Raphael Praise Band — Amazing Love

Friday, April 20, 2012

Bob Angel interview: Seventh in a series

SEVENTH IN A SEVEN-PART SERIES: While he was home at Easter, seminarian Bob Angel took time out for an interview with the Saint Raphael Messenger. This segment (7) is on Bob's plans for the summer and beyond. Watch all seven segments of Bob Angel's interview. Music by Kevin MacLeod: Tea Roots; Music by St. Raphael Praise Band: Amazing Love

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Bob Angel interview: Sixth in a series

SIXTH IN A SEVEN-PART SERIES: While he was home at Easter, seminarian Bob Angel took time out for an interview with the Saint Raphael Messenger. This segment (6) is on his advice for anyone considering the religious life. Watch all seven segments of Bob Angel's interview. Music by Kevin MacLeod: Tea Roots; Music by St. Raphael Praise Band: Amazing Love

Bob Angel interview: Fifth in a series

FIFTH IN A SEVEN-PART SERIES: While he was home at Easter, seminarian Bob Angel took time out for an interview with the Saint Raphael Messenger. This segment (5) is on support from the parish community. Watch all seven segments of Bob Angel's interview. Music by Kevin MacLeod: Tea Roots; Music by St. Raphael Praise Band: Amazing Love

St. Raphael Rays Tailgate Party Saturday

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Bob Angel interview: Fourth in a series

FOURTH IN A SEVEN-PART SERIES: While he was home at Easter, seminarian Bob Angel took time out for an interview with the Saint Raphael Messenger. This segment (4) is on the hero of his life. Watch all seven segments of Bob Angel's interview. Music by Kevin MacLeod: Tea Roots; Music by St. Raphael Praise Band: Amazing Love

Monday, April 16, 2012

Bob Angel interview: Third in a series

THIRD IN A SEVEN-PART SERIES: While he was home at Easter, seminarian Bob Angel took time out for an interview with the Saint Raphael Messenger. This segment (3) is on his visit to Africa last summer. Watch all seven segments of Bob Angel's interview. Music by Kevin MacLeod: Tea Roots; Music by St. Raphael Praise Band: Amazing Love

Fr. Tim's homily – "My Lord and my God!"

Father Tim Sherwood's homily for the Second Sunday of Easter at St. Raphael Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Theme music: Deliberate Thoughts by Kevin MacLeod; End tag: St. Raphael Praise Band — Amazing Love

Bob Angel interview: Second in a series

SECOND IN A SEVEN-PART SERIES: While he was home at Easter, seminarian Bob Angel took time out for an interview with the Saint Raphael Messenger. This segment (2) is on his favorite class at school. Watch all seven segments of Bob Angel's interview. Music by Kevin MacLeod: Tea Roots; Music by St. Raphael Praise Band: Amazing Love

Divine Mercy Sunday — Holy Hour

Photos by Jane Winstead

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Bob Angel interview: First in a series

FIRST IN A SEVEN-PART SERIES: While he was home at Easter, seminarian Bob Angel took time out for an interview with the Saint Raphael Messenger. This segment (1) is on his progress so far and what he has left. Watch all seven segments of Bob Angel's interview this week. Music by Kevin MacLeod: Tea Roots; Music by St. Raphael Praise Band: Amazing Love

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Watch the Bob Angel interview

When he was here for Easter, seminarian Bob Angel took time out to talk about his progress at seminary, what he learned last summer in Africa, his plans for this summer and more. The brief video clips will be posted all week. Watch for them.

Easter Mass – 11:30 a.m.

Photos by Jane Winstead

Easter Mass -- 9:30 a.m.

Photos by Jane Winstead 

Father Dominic's family visits.

Sunday, April 1, 2012