Saint Raphael Messenger

The Sacrement of Confirmation -- Jan. 8

2012-01-19T10:45:00.002-05:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Some 34 young people of St. Raphael parish were confirmed by Bishop Robert Lynch in a Mass on January 8. Father Sherwood, Father Corona and Monsignor Caverly were concelebrants. Parents, family, friends and parishioners attended the Mass.

Holy habits for busy moms

2012-01-18T08:06:00.004-05:00

By Julie Musselman

My dear friend Annie just asked me for ideas on Holy Habits for Moms. As we start the new year, it is good to do just one more thing to grow closer to Jesus. So here are a couple of ideas. Just pick one so you are not overwhelmed. Send me your comments and other ideas and make this into a group effort!

Read this essay on A Catholic Home Journal

Christina Winstead: What CRHP means to me

2012-01-16T12:14:00.002-05:00

I made my first weekend in September 2005. It completely changed my life. I was not Catholic at the time and was very nervous as to what to expect.

I received so many blessings that continue to this day. I made wonderful friendships with beautiful faith filled women that will last a lifetime. St Raphael's welcomed Terry and I with open arms. We went through RCIA together following the weekend and I also gave back by sharing my journey and put on the next CRHP in March 2006.

I continue to be involved in CRHP in as many ways as I can. It is life changing and faith building. God has called me to so many ministries I feel truly blessed and wrapped up in the Holy Spirit. Life is filled with constant challenges and without my St Raphael's family and many dear friends in Christ I know I would not be where I am today.

I am thankful everyday that God led Terry and I to St. Raphael's. Our lives are fuller and richer and a lot of that is because of CRHP. I encourage everyone to make a CRHP weekend. It will change your life for the better. I know without a doubt that with God all things are truly possible.

– Christina Winstead

Heather Early: What CRHP means to me

2012-01-15T23:00:00.002-05:00

I made my CRHP weekend in September 2010, in the hopes of strengthening my relationship with God and becoming more involved with St. Raphael’s Parish and School, but God blessed me far beyond my expectations. My entire life has changed and it all started with that one short weekend.

In the year following my CRHP weekend, I have changed careers, celebrated my First Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic faith, and made friendships that will last a lifetime. My CRHP sisters are remarkable women who are radiant with God’s love and they have opened my eyes to what a real faith community is.

My spirituality has grown more than I ever imagined and I feel closer to God than I ever believed I could. CRHP and the women involved are forever a part of my life and I am so blessed that they chose to share the amazing gifts that God has given them such an inspiring way. CRHP is an experience that I will never forget.

– Heather Early

Christmas Eve - 4 p.m. - Children's Mass

2012-01-02T15:55:00.002-05:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Christmas Eve - 6 p.m. Mass - Praise Band

2012-01-02T15:52:00.002-05:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Christmas Eve – 11 p.m. Mass - Traditional Choir

2012-01-02T15:48:00.001-05:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Christmas Day -- 9:30 a.m. Mass

2012-01-02T15:46:00.002-05:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree abounds with gifts

2011-12-11T16:25:00.003-05:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

The St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree in the Narthex was overloaded with gifts from generous parishioners for the annual drive to provide gifts for needy local children.

St. Raphael Santa Breakfast 2011

2011-12-11T16:20:00.004-05:00

Video by T. Allan Smith

Cub Scout Pack 219 put on the annual Santa Breakfast on Sunday, December 11, 2011 in the Parish Center. Pack leader Bill Condon said proceeds go to local charities. Youngsters visited Santa and parents snapped pictures.

Photos by Jane Winstead

First candle of the Advent season

2011-11-29T11:35:00.002-05:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

Father Dominic lights the first candle to mark the beginning of the Advent season on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Mass. It is the first of the four weeks leading up to Christmas.

St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree

2011-11-29T11:15:00.003-05:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

St. Raphael parishioners selected the gift ornaments for the St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree after Masses on Sunday. There's still time to get an ornament and purchase a gift for a needy child in the area. The ornaments indicate the age and gender of the recipient so appropriate gifts can be chosen. Gifts should be returned with the ornament attached to the St. Vincent de Paul Box by the Giving Tree by December 11.

Inspiring words of Matthew Kelly

2011-11-11T11:42:00.004-05:00

Have you ever wondered if God was speaking to you or if it was just a voice in your head? Do you know how to tell the difference? Come hear dynamic Catholic speaker Matthew Kelly and find out.

Matthew Kelly will speak from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 at White Family Center at Clearwater Catholic High School, 2750 Haines Bayshore Road in Clearwater.

Tickets are just $39! Call Mary Russell or Robin Babka

at St. Cecelia Church: 727-447-3494

Help us with the rummage sale

2011-11-08T20:08:00.007-05:00

By Denise Debord
Are you starting to clean out closets in anticipation of the holidays and holiday visitors? Are you downsizing or do you know friends or family who are moving or downsizing? If so, CCW has a way to help you out.

The St. Raphael Chapter of the Council of Catholic Women will hold its annual Pack Rat Rummage Sale on Saturday, January 21, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every year the event gets bigger and better but to insure this we need donations. This year I have some storage space available for those of you who have some items and don't have anywhere to store them until the sale. The space is somewhat limited but it is available so let me know and we'll try to make whatever arrangements we can.

Volunteers have signed up to help with the event but we still need more volunteers to help not just on Friday, January 20 with the set up and Saturday, January 21 with the sale, but with helping to receive and sort the items in the afternoons the week of January 16 through the 19.
And please, don't think that this is a ladies only event. We need to enlist the help of husbands, daughters and sons. Every year we have a few more teens and men helping out but we always need more help.

This is an opportunity for the teens, school, parents—all of our parish organizations to pull together to make this a fun, successful fundraiser. This year's festival showed how much we can do if we all support each other. I'm asking that you redirect this message so I can get the word out to everyone.

We could use some additional storage space so if anyone has a bit of extra room in their garage or storage unit that we could utilize for a few months it would be greatly appreciated. We also need volunteers who have a truck or van and can help out with transporting some of the items to and from storage and the church.

Please contact me by phone or email if you have items to donate, have some space or a truck or can spare some time to volunteer. You can reach me at home at (727) 526-7580 or on my cell at (727) 502-2761 or with this email address wdebord727@yahoo.com

Look forward to hearing from a lot of you. Thanks.

All Saints Day Children's Mass -- 8 a.m.

2011-11-02T20:25:00.001-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

St. Raphael Festival photo gallery

2011-11-01T22:47:00.009-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Photos by Donna Lynch

The sweet gifts of Father Candy

2011-10-30T21:33:00.003-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

When a school parent remarked to Father Tim that Halloween marks the beginning of the Candy Season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter), it may have spawned an idea. Father Tim was giving candy to parish youngsters after Sunday's Masses. What a treat! Maybe we should call him Father Candy.

Do you have a pint of blood to spare?

2011-10-30T21:22:00.003-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

The Florida Blood Services Bloodmobile was at St. Raphael on Sunday for the blood drive. All donors received a wellness checkup, including cholesterol screening. Donors' pint of blood will be used to help save lives of three or four people.

Please return St. Raphael Festival signs

2011-10-29T06:49:00.004-04:00

A message from Heidi Sutton, co-chair of the St. Raphael Festival: Thank you to everyone who helped with our marketing efforts by displaying a Festival sign in your yard. If you have not already done so, please return your signs to the school office. Thank you!

St. Raphael Festival: Those wild Bumper Cars

2011-10-26T08:25:00.001-04:00

Spooktacular Costume Contest

2011-10-24T10:04:00.004-04:00

Tara Newsom emcees the 2011 Spooktacular Costume Contest at St. Raphael Festival. The contest was conducted during the St. Raphael Festival.

Sunday: 2 Dog Night

2011-10-22T11:34:00.002-04:00

2 Dog Night: Bill Alves and Alan Horner

2 Dog Night will perform on Sunday during the Family Night Spaghetti Dinner and afterward.

Alan Horner is a well known St. Raphael parishioner who plays with the St. Raphael Praise Band and often performs at parish functions. Alan also served as the chairman of the entertainment committee for St. Raphael Festival, lining up the array of bands performing this weekend.

Alan Horner along with Bill Alves perform as 2 Dog Night in Tampa Bay area venues. They have an amazing music range that stretches from 1950s rock through contemporary music. They cover a variety of genres, including rock, Top 40, rhythm and blues, country and dance music.

The duo plays regular gigs at local American Legion posts, Elks lodges, restaurants and bars, and private parties.

St. Raphael Festival -- Friday 1

2011-10-21T18:22:00.003-04:00

Photos by T. Allan Smith

Here are photos from the St. Raphael Festival. Check back for more later.

Saturday: Ocean Roads

2011-10-21T10:06:00.006-04:00

The Ocean Road Band is well known to many people at St. Raphael. Band members Dave and Janie Scheiber and their daughters Laura and Mollie are former St. Raphael parishioners. The band will perform Saturday night after the Oktoberfest performance of Jeanne Zube and Happy Music.

The band is popular in local music venues and events. Ocean Roads has headlined over the past decade at many major annual fundraisers for the American Cancer Societies of Tampa, Pinellas, Pasco, Orlando and Sarasota/Venice; the annual Children’s Dream Fund gala and auction inside Tropicana Field; the Commodore’s Ball -- the “Super Bowl” of dances each year at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club; the Davis Island Yacht Club’s Christmas Party and Commodore’s Ball.

The band has also performed at the Beaches Chamber of Commerce gathering at the Don CeSar; Country in the Park in Pinellas Park, where it has been the featured local band for a decade; Mainsail Arts Festival in St. Petersburg; the St. Anthony’s Triathlon post-race athletes party; and the 75th anniversary celebration of St. Paul’s Catholic Church at the St. Petersburg Coliseum.

The band also took its longest road trip to perform at the Richard Montgomery High School Class of 1966 Reunion in Rockville, Md.

The group also plays weddings from St. Pete to Tampa to Boca Grande.

Here's a brief rundown on the various members of the band:

Joe Terrana (vocals, keyboard, bass) is a veteran of the popular ‘80s-’90s After Midnight Band, and has frequently performed with Tampa Bay’s longtime rock group the Impacs and as part of a standout area Beatles tribute group;

Dave Scheiber (guitar/vocals) has played in country and rock bands such as Stalled On the Tracks, Green Grass Revival and the Fabulous Nosecaps. He won the 1998 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest’s Grand Prize for a song called Catch Me In The Net.

Hank Shaw (drums and percussion) kept the steady beat for years with Coyote and has long been a familiar voice on local airwaves - as overnight deejay on WQYK-FM 99.5;

Janie Scheiber (lead female vocals, harmony) was well-known for her evocative vocals in Stalled on the Tracks and was for 10 years a member of contemporary Christian singing group, GRACE Ministries;

Bob LeMay (lead vocals and lead/rhythm guitar) is a longtime stellar performer in the Tampa Bay area, from cruise ships to clubs all over town.

Joe Terrana Jr., formerly of Cuban Sandwich Crisis, lends his ample talents on sax.

Laura Scheiber (lead singer, harmony) grew up listening to her parents’ bands and now adds beautiful vocals from Motown hits to country to modern favorites.

The band also taps the talents of veteran virtuoso guitarists and singers Lee Ahlin and Butch Hanson and drummer/percussionist Mollie Scheiber.

St. Raphael Festival opens Friday

2011-10-20T22:14:00.001-04:00

At last, it's time for the St. Raphael Festival, a three-day, fun-filled extravaganza, with carnival rides for children of all ages, delicious specialty food booths, two themed dinner nights (Oktoberfest and Family Spaghetti Night), live music and Bingo.

Saturday: Oktoberfest, German music!

2011-10-20T11:40:00.006-04:00

Jeanne Zube and her band, Happy Music, will appear at the St. Raphael Festival on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. during Oktoberfest. Come out for brats, sauerkraut, German potato salad and apple dumplings and enjoy the traditional German music.

Jeanne Zube started playing the accordion when she was 11 years old. By the next year, she had added piano and clarinet — at her mother's insistence. She was in the high school band in Cincinnati and loved it.

But when she was 19, her instructor told her mother she ought to put her clarinet in the closet and concentrate on the accordion. She was thrilled. Her instructor happened to be the president of the musician's union and he knew accordion players were in demand. It wasn't long before Jeanne was playing in various groups around town.

She enrolled in the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, majoring in clarinet and minoring in piano. but the accordion continued to be her instrument of choice. While she was a college student, she played local clubs, had 80 students she was teaching accordion and performed on a weekly television show.

"I was getting about three hours sleep," she says. but she was young and energetic and the performing was more important than sleep.

When the College Conservatory of Music merged with the University of Cincinnati, Jeanne transferred to Mount St. Joseph University and continued to study music. She loved it.

It wasn't long before she was asked to play accordion with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Erich Kunzel. Working with the famed conductor was a thrilling experience. "He could get two hundred percent out of you," she says. She was asked to play solo parts in recordings by the orchestra.

It could be a grueling schedule, though. Sometimes there would be a rehearsal in the morning, a recording session in the afternoon and a performance the same night "After rehearsal, I'd go home and go to bed," she said.

Jeanne remembers when she was first introduced to German music. Her father had just died in December of 1989. The following January she landed a spot with the premier German group in Cincinnati, The Polka Dots.

She loved the music, though she found it a bit daunting at first. Traditional German music may change meters every measure and as a newbie she found a challenge to keep up. But she persevered and played with the group for many seasons, and continues to do so when she revisits her hometown.

Cincinnati has the distinction of the World's Largest Chicken Dance, performed each year at the Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati celebration. When the record was originally set in 1994 some 48,000 people participated. Jeanne has played with The Polka Dots at many Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati celebrations.

Today Jeanne Zube's group, Happy Music, performs at the Polish Club in Hudson, the Pinellas Park German Club, seniors dances and private parties.

The most requested song: The Chicken Dance.

Friday night: Nonsense makes sense

2011-10-19T07:32:00.006-04:00

Carrie Underwood sings birthday wishes for Garrett Goodwin.

Expect a special treat for the musical entertainment on Friday night at the St. Raphael Festival. Nonsense might be a hastily assembled band but some of its members are no slouches when it comes to professional entertainment.

Take, for instance, Garrett Goodwin, who has come on the musical scene in both style and class. Garrett is the drummer for country singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood, multi-platinum selling recording artist, winner of several Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards, Golden Globe Award nominee and two-time ACM Entertainer of the Year. At age 23, Garrett’s career includes live performances on Saturday Night Live, Jay Leno, The Grammy Awards, The American Music Awards, and many more.

And then there's Charlie Goddard, attorney and former guitarist for Grammy-nominated artist, Sonic Flood/Jeff Deyo from 2003 to 2005 and two-time Dove winning band, By the Tree from 2001 to 2003, with four No. 1 radio hits and more than a million records sold worldwide. His musical career included performance tours in 14 countries and all states in the domestic United States. You can catch Charlie playing with Jeff Devo in this video.

Rounding out the band are attorneys David and Kim Salmon, St. Raphael parishioners, Gilbert Rodriguez and Erin Buchanan. They may be setting some sort of record in jurisprudence.

Nonsense will perform Friday night 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Big Tent.

CCW-K of C luncheon card party

2011-10-17T17:32:00.005-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

The Council of Catholic Women and the Knights of Columbus sponsored a lunchtime card party on Saturday, October 15, in the Parish Center. Participants played bridge, rummy, poker and other games. Numerous people won great door prizes. Chris Winstead was surprised with a special birthday cake.

Lots of food choices at St. Raphael Festival

2011-10-17T17:20:00.004-04:00

40 Days for Life — prayer day

2011-10-14T21:53:00.004-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

St. Raphael parishioners participated in the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil in front of All Women's Health Center, the abortion clinic in downtown St. Petersburg, on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The campaign runs through Nov. 6.

Gruban: A new taste for St. Raphael Festival

2011-10-13T08:38:00.009-04:00

By Lisette Crespo Shields

When you are Latin most every big event is surrounded by food. My Cuban family is no different.

My dad, Dr. Artagnan Crespo, was the cook in our family. Exiled from Cuba in 1960, he went to live with my mom’s ailing dad who had a house on Key Biscayne in Miami.

My grandfather was quite the cook, but when he lived in Miami he was so ill he was not able to cook, so he taught my dad all the family recipes. My dad learned to love to cook and went on to add to that great pile of family recipes.

One of my dad’s most famous dishes was his black beans. Christmas Eve we would always have the traditional Noche Buena meal consisting of pork, black beans, rice and yucca. My dad did all the cooking for this meal and it was always amazing. He never followed a recipe, adding a little here or there until he liked the way it tasted.

He would often have his nurses and staff over and cook for them. I am so glad they encouraged him to put a few of his recipes in a cook book the clinic had put together.

After my father passed away in 1986 from lung cancer, family dinners were not the same. My mom, Beatriz, had to step up and start cooking all the major holiday foods. She did not enjoy it as my dad did, but she would follow the recipes my dad left and it was like he was back cooking. The meals were a great.

My mom was more than willing to pass the torch of the holiday dinners to her children. I got Christmas Eve and Noche Buena. Following my dad’s recipes to the letter, my first Christmas Eve dinner was a hit. I enjoy making the beans, and I would often make them for family parties or for friends. As my dad always said, “the flavor is all in the paste you grind together in the mortar."

When I met my husband, he bragged “wait to you taste my mom’s cooking.” Boy, was he right. His mom, Yiota, could cook!

They had a lot of the same traditions as my family. Holiday and family parties were celebrated around the dinner table with one of Yiota’s amazing meals. Lamb, tzatziki sauce, Greek dolmades and avgolemono soup became part of my kids' normal dinners.

I found out that my mother-in-law's start with food was similar to my dad’s in that she was not a cook or had not always wanted to be a cook.

She married a U.S. Air Force lieutenant general and lived in a new place every few years. She tried to make American food, fried chicken to be exact, and it was disastrous.

Yiota learned how to make fried chicken from her North Carolina husband Woody. Yiota’s fried chicken is made so well now that my husband often requests it as one of his birthday dishes.

The tradition continues. I am passing my dad’s recipes on to my daughter, Kalista, who loves to cook. She often cooks with Yiota, learning all the Greek recipes as well.

The last 15 years of my life have been such a combination of Greek and Cuban food that when I heard we were going to have specialty booths at the St. Raphael Festival I suggested the Gruban booth.

Of course, I had to explain what a Gruban was. Recently we added on an addition to the back of the house. It was a room for the kids and we wanted to name it to make it their own.

My husband, Frank, said that since the kids were part Greek and Cuban how about naming it the Gruban room. The name Gruban took birth and it now a part of our regular vernacular.

I hope everyone gets a chance to come out and enjoy this wonderful festival and don’t forget to stop by the Gruban booth for some amazing food.

Photo: From left, Beatriz Crespo, Lisette Crespo Shields, Woody Shields, Yiota Shields, Frank Shields.

Pinellas Hope dinner 10.08.11

2011-10-12T06:32:00.005-04:00

Photos by Julie Lynch and Ed Lynch

St. Raphael parishioners and supporters of Pinellas Hope around the diocese attended a fundraising dinner in the Parish Center sponsored by the Knights of Columbus on Saturday, October 8. Sheila Lopez, chief operating officer of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, was among the speakers. She told of the great work being done at Pinellas Hope to help homeless people find shelter and get back on their feet.

A history of the project was also presented. Pinellas Hope began in 2007 when Bishop Robert Lynch opened 10 acres in downtown St. Petersburg as a temporary shelter for the homeless. The program has grown now much larger. A new 20-acre site was opened last year and, with the help of local and state governments and donations from Catholics in the diocese, Pinellas Hope is providing a safe living environment for homeless people and support to become self sufficient.

St. Raphael Festival schedule

2011-10-11T12:38:00.003-04:00

St. Raphael Festival Schedule of Events posted on the Festival Page. Click the logo at the top of the column on the right to go to the page. Don't forget, school is out for Catholic schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg on Friday. So come and enjoy the fabulous food on our newly expanded food court.

A day for St. Francis—and our pets

2011-10-06T12:34:00.004-04:00

Deacon Jim blessed the pets of the parish and neighborhood on Tuesday as pet owners brought their animals for the annual Blessing of the Pets. The ceremony is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his love of all creatures, and it is on his feast day that the blessing takes place.

Remember Frog Hopper? It's back!

2011-10-05T11:53:00.004-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

Remember Frog Hopper from last year's festival? Well, it'll be back again along with other midway rides. Check out our other photos on Facebook.

Help us get to 3,000 invitees on the St. Raphael Festival event on Facebook.

Promoting the St. Raphael Festival

2011-10-02T11:20:00.006-04:00

Parishioner Tim Skarupa takes a yard sign to help promote the St. Raphael Festival. The annual event features carnival rides and games, delicious food, great musical entertainment and Bingo will be Oct. 21-23 at St. Raphael Catholic Church.

• Visit the St. Raphael Festival on Facebook.
• See our St. Raphael Festival page

40 Days for Life campaign kickoff

2011-09-28T10:44:00.005-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

Faithful Catholics gathered on Tuesday on Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg for the kickoff of the 40 Days for Life campaign. The prayer campaign to end abortion is conducted each year in front of the All Women's Health Center, an abortion clinic. Father Dominic lead the group in prayer. Parishioners are invited to participate in the campaign and represent St. Raphael in prayer vigils on Saturday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 11. Your one hour on either of those days can help. | View slide show

Women's CRHP weekend retreat

2011-09-26T07:09:00.004-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

Women of the parish completed the Christ Renews His Parish fall retreat on Sunday. Women were treated to a weekend of prayer, reflection and pampering. Watch for announcements of the next Women' CRHP weekend.

Aloha from the Father-Daughter Dance

2011-09-19T23:09:00.004-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Dads and their daughters at St. Raphael Catholic School were all decked out in island garb for the annual Father-Daughter Dance on Sept. 16. There were hula hoop contests, games, food, conga lines, limbo contests, and, of course, lots of dancing to while the night away.

Those who teach the Catholic faith

2011-09-19T21:33:00.003-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

The parish celebrated Catechetical Sunday to honor and bless those who teach the Catholic faith. Father Tim asked teachers of St. Raphael Catholic School, our Faith Formation Program in both home and school and the RCIA Youth and Adult programs. Father Tim offered a blessing for all the teachers.

What's proper for Communion

2011-09-18T16:57:00.004-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

Father Tim explained Sunday that non-Catholics or Catholics not properly catechized should not receive Communion but may come up with their arms crossed over their chest for a blessing by the priest or to receive a short prayer by a lay minister. Receiving Communion is special and sacred for Catholics. The consecrated host is the Body of Christ. Catholics who receive Communion should consume the host. Hosts have been found in hymnals and outside the church in the front area recently. The issue was addressed in June and August but incidents have occurred since then.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

2011-09-17T01:14:00.003-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study meets in the St. Joseph Room each Wednesday. It not too late to join the group. Check the new St. Raphael Bible Study Page for regular updates.

Meeting in the new Parish Hall

2011-09-17T01:01:00.003-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

The Wednesday Morning Bible Study group met in the new Parish Hall for the first time on Wednesday, September 14. The new hall, formerly the original St. Raphael church, will provide much-needed meeting space for parishioners.

Join us for Wednesday Bible Study

2011-09-09T00:46:00.004-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

Father Tim speaks to the Wednesday Morning Bible Study group.

Thinking you don’t have time to fit one more thing in your schedule? You are not alone. But please consider one of the most important things we can do as Christians … learn more about what Christ said and did through scripture study. The only way to know him and to pass this on and teach our children is to spend time with him. | Read more on our new Bible Study page.

Have they taken the FUN out of the FEST?

2011-09-09T00:00:00.005-04:00

You may be out of the habit of seeing nuns wearing the traditional black clothing, but for the next few weeks, at least, chances are good that you'll spot the nun in the logo above somewhere around town.

It's all part of the festivities leading up to the newly named St. Raphael Festival (Oct. 21-23), which is really the old Fun Fest, leading some wags to note that they've taken the FUN out of FUN FEST! But really, this festival seems to be shaping up to be as much fun as the previous events, only more so.

You'll want to keep up with the antics of the St. Raphael Festival Nun, so you won't miss out on any of the fun. Expect to see the St. Raphael Festival Nun in the most unexpected places. That's all we're saying for now.

For people who like food but don't care much for fair food, there are some new twists coming. The details will be available soon but here's an early tip: Saturday night and Sunday night will have special themed dinners with great menus that haven't been part of the festival before. Furthermore, there will be new food booths this year, so there will be more choices.

If you love the corn dogs and can't wait to savor all that sugary fried dough, never fear. Traditional fair food will be available, too.

There are other surprises in store as well. This community-wide event is an important fundraiser for St. Raphael Catholic School and it is shaping up to be the most fun-filled St. Raphael Festival ever, regardless of whether FUN is in the name. It'll be anything but FUN in name only.

Okay, enough with the FUN PUNS.

St. Raphael Festival looking for volunteers

2011-09-08T23:27:00.006-04:00

You could have a fun-filled weekend in October, meeting parishioners you never knew existed and working hard for a good cause. The annual parish event formerly known as St. Raphael Fun Fest is looking for a few good workers. There are all kinds of jobs available — food preparation, food booths, game booths, sports games, beer and wine booth.

Sign up online at Sign Up Genius. It's easy. Just click on the FIND A SIGN UP tab, enter akacproski@upcic.com, then click on Festival 2011. Pick the date, time and booth. That's all there is to it.

Except for showing up, of course. Please arrive 15 minutes before your shift to check in at the Volunteer Table and receive instruction. And don't forget to check out at the Volunteer Table at the end of your shift.

Then you can stick around to enjoy all the fun and excitement of the St. Raphael Festival, a major fundraiser for St. Raphael Catholic School.

Sign up for Women's CRHP

2011-09-07T14:05:00.001-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

It's nearly time for Women's CRHP. The Christ Renews His Parish program is a retreat offering a relaxed invironment for women with a bit of pampering, a chance to make friends, enjoy some quiet time, and connect with Christ. Coe let Jesus fill that void. If you're interested, call Suzanne Tredo at (727) 4243-4544, or email at suzanne@teachingu.net.

New Roman Missal information sessions

2011-09-07T01:12:00.000-04:00

For many people, change does not come easy. Change requires us to stop doing things a certain way in order to do something else. But change is also an opportunity to stop and reflect on what we are doing and to come to a better understanding of God, who does not change. To learn more about the Roman Missal changes that will be taking place, plan on attending one of three information sessions.

• Tuesday, September 13 — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. — St. Joseph Room
• Wednesday, September 21 — 7:30 p.m to 9 p.m. — Marion Room
• Monday, September 26 — 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. — St. Joseph Room.

Welcome new youth minister

2011-08-31T02:30:00.014-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Father Tim welcomed Christen Christian, the new youth minster, on Sunday, August 31 at the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Father Tim urged young people of the parish to stop by and meet Christen and become involved with the Youth Ministry.

He said Christen had been working hard to develop an active program for the start of the new season.

High school teens gather for the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Sunday and then meet afterward in the Parish Center. The middle school youth group meets on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. The weekly meetings begin September 18 and 19.

Father Tim invited young people interested in becoming more active with the youth programs to call Chrisen or just show up. "You will be most welcome," he said.

Celebrated 35 years marriage

2011-08-31T01:33:00.001-04:00

Father Tim offered special prayers and a blessing for Norm and Ronda Russick as they gathered with friends to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary on Aug. 7 after the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

They were married at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in St. Petersburg and have lived in the Tampa Bay area since.

Ronda recently participated in the Women's Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) weekend retreat at St. Raphael.

She is director of the Health Center at St. Petersburg Free Clinic. Norm is president of Enviro-Sweep, a company that handles environmental clean-ups.

Photo by Jane Winstead

Children's Mass — 08.25

2011-08-29T13:42:00.000-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Dog Days of Summer Potluck

2011-08-21T07:56:00.002-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Here are photos from the Dog Days of Summer Potluck on Saturday night. Parishioners socialized, had a delicious dinner and listened to the tunes of 2 Dog Night.

Glimpses of the final Mass

2011-08-15T17:01:00.005-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Parishioners gathered as Father Tim celebrated the final Mass in the old church on Sunday afternoon, August 14. The Mass marked the end of the use of the original St. Raphael Catholic Church building as a worship space. The first Mass was celebrated there in October 1962 and it has been in continuous use since then. A new church building was dedicated in June 2005 and the old church was used for daily Masses. After the pews are removed and minor renovations made, the building will be used as a meeting and event space for parish activities. A long range plan will be developed for permanent renovations and use of the building as a parish facility, serving the needs of various ministries and the school.

Final Mass in the old church

2011-08-13T01:11:00.008-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

Don't miss the historic occasion of the final Mass celebrated in the old church. The original St. Raphael has been in use for almost 50 years. The final Mass there will be this Sunday at 2 p.m.

The space will be converted to a Parish Hall to provide a much-needed medium meeting room for various events and organizations. It will take several weeks for the conversion to occur.

Pews will be removed and the space made ready to accommodate meetings. The immediate renovations are expected to be minimal. Plans will be developed later for permanent use of the building, including space for St. Raphael Catholic School. Father Tim is seeking suggestions from all parishioners for the final use of the building.

In the meantime, parishioners will be able to use the space for larger meetings, coffee and donuts and other activities.

There are no plans to change the outside facade of the building. It will retain its historic appearance of a Spanish mission-style church.

The first Mass was celebrated in the church in October 1962 by Father William J. Weinheimer, the first pastor. Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley of St. Augustine officially dedicated the church in February 1963.

Original church building under construction in 1961.

Father Tim's homily – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-08-13T00:47:00.002-04:00

A foreigner's faith

2011-08-13T00:37:00.002-04:00

By Dr. Scott Hahn

Most of us are the foreigners, the non-Israelites, about whom Sunday’s First Reading prophesies.

Coming to worship the God of Israel, we stand in the line of faith epitomized by the Canaanite woman in Sunday’s Gospel. Calling to Jesus as Lord and Son of David, this foreigner shows her great faith in God’s covenant with Israel.

Jesus tests her faith three times. He refuses to answer her cry. Then, He tells her His mission is only to Israelites. Finally, he uses “dog,” an epithet used to disparage non-Israelites (see Matthew 7:6). Yet she persists, believing that He alone offers salvation.

In this family drama, we see fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy and the promise we sing of in Sunday’s Psalm. In Jesus, God makes known among all the nations His way and His salvation (see John 14:6).

At the start of salvation history, God called Abraham (see Genesis 12:2). He chose his offspring, Israel, from all the nations on the face of the earth, to build His covenant kingdom (see Deuteronomy 7:6-8; Isaiah 41:8).

In God’s plan, Abraham was to be the father of many nations (see Romans 4:16-17). Israel was to be the firstborn of a worldwide family of God, made up of all who believe what the Canaanite professes—that Jesus is Lord (see Exodus 4:22-23; Romans 5:13-24).

Jesus came first to restore the kingdom to Israel (see Acts 1:6; 13:46). But His ultimate mission was the reconciliation of the world, as Paul declares in Sunday’s Epistle.

In the Mass we join all peoples in doing Him homage. As Isaiah foretold, we come to His holy mountain, the heavenly Jerusalem, to offer sacrifice at His altar (see Hebrews 12:22-24,28). With the Canaanite, we take our place at the Master’s table, to be fed as His children.

Dr. Scott Hahn is professor of theology at Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio. He was formerly a Presbyterian minister who converted to Catholicism in 1986. Lighthouse Catholic Media has many of his talks on CD or for download.

The Gospel this Sunday

2011-08-13T00:29:00.002-04:00

Sunday, August 14, 2011
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
"Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon."
But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
Jesus' disciples came and asked him,
"Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."
He said in reply,
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me."
He said in reply,
"It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs."
She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
"O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish."
And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

• Read the first and second readings and the Respoonsorial Pslam

– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

What are you bringing to the potluck?

2011-08-12T23:49:00.002-04:00

Have your recipes been lost?

2011-07-31T18:29:00.010-04:00

If you have already sent in your recipe for the St. Raphael 50th Anniversary Cookbook, it might be a good idea to log into the cookbook Web site to make sure your recipes are there. Some recipes have been lost.

Here's how to check: Go to http://www.typensave.com/ Use your name as the contributor. The group logon is ccwladies. The password is mmyra

Recipes are still needed. If you have not sent in your recipe, you may still do so. You can send in multiple recipes, so if you've already sent your in but think of another one, send it, too. You can type it right into the database using the link above.

If you can't type your contribution, typists are available. Just drop your recipe in the box in the Narthex.

"I just want to thank all of you wonderful CCW ladies," said Christine Winstead, chairman of the 50th Anniversary Cookbook committee. "We are going to have an awesome cookbook for St. Raphael parish."

You may email Chris at cwoodswinstead@gmail.com or call her at (727) 481-3936. You can email Marty Foreman at malchus14@aol.com or call her at (727) 894-7766.

Here are the contributors so far:

Aida Lee

Allison Garrett

Allison Garrett, Susan Garrett

Angela Soucy

Anonymous

Antoinette Falk

Barbara Dippelhofer

Barbara Dippelhofer, Henry Dippelhofer

Bernadette M. Bailey

Candice Buttitta

Celia Vena

Claudia Soucy

Claudia Soucy,

Connie Moore

Connie Smith

Denise DeBord

Denise DeBord, Beth Valette

Denise DeBord, Hazelann Pace

Denise DeBord, Terry Traum

Diann O'Connor

Dolores Smith

Eileen Sousa

Elsie Tugman

Fran Maloney

Gail Brazzell

J. Tymon

Jo Ann Brat

Jo Ann Burkart

Jo Ann Burkart, Eileen Kitzmiller

Jo Ann Burkart, Olga Michaels

Joan Priest

Jody Timmel

Judy Geier

Karen Cocker

Karen Cocker, Andrea Maranto May

Kathy Condon

Kathy Guckenberger

Kathy Guckenberger, Dru Brooks

Kathy Guckenberger, Lorraine Christensen

Kerry Brazzell

Laura Anderson

Linda Mims

Linda Mims, Aunt Loretta

Lisa Hansel

Louise Barrett

Lucille Perrin

Lynn Denson

Lynne Douglas

Lynne Douglas, Shirley Crockett

Maggie Moren

Maggie Moren, Tracy Bolt

Margaret Knepprath

Margaret Peck

Marge Colravy

Maria Cianca

Marlene D'Abramo

Marlene D'Abramo, Anthony D'Abramo

Marty Maranto Foreman

Mary Anne Reilly

Mary Boyle

Mary Holland

Mary Jo Cillian

Mary Kay Horaty

Mary Montecki

Mary Montecki, Lindy's Restaurant NY

Mary Satchwell

Michelle Pope

Mona Disla

Mrs. Eugenia Gallagher

Myrna Casorio

Patricia Bax

Peggy Flatley

Peggy Flatley, Suzanne Flatley

Peggy Hawkins

Peggy Nolan

Phil Maranto

Robin Ahlquist

Rosemary Early

Ruth Mattick

Stephanie Graham

Stephanie Graham, Carol Von Kaenel

Susan Hicks

Terry Hamm

Therese Johnson

Ursula Abner

Valerie Walker

Yolanda Gallagher

Dog Days of Summer Potluck August 20

2011-07-31T15:59:00.003-04:00

Here's a reminder about the Dog Days of Summer Potluck on Saturday, August 20. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. Music from 2 Dog Night until 11 p.m.

Join in a community gathering of food and music to celebrate the end of summer! Bring a dish to share! Stay for great music and dancing! Beer, wine, sodas and water available.

Please bring a canned good for the Knights of Columbus Food for Families program.

Please call (727) 894-7766 for information, potluck ideas and to sign up to help with clean up.

Music: Kevin MacLeod -- Shiny Tech

Christmas in July!

2011-07-31T13:43:00.007-04:00

Santa Breakfast 12.12.10

Did you know that it is Christmas in July? Well, that's what I have been hearing on the TV commercials lately. With all this talk about Christmas in July, it has put me in the mood to go through all those photos that I took in December 2010. So, now I am sharing them with you on this last day in July. I hope you make the time to look at them and maybe you might see a photo of yourself or a loved one. I hope you enjoy looking at all the photos and the different events. It might bring back memories or maybe if you were not able to attend, this will give you an idea of what you missed.

-- Jane Winstead

Children's Christmas Mass 12.24.10

Christmas Eve Mass 12.24.10

Christmas Midnight Mass 12.24.10

• Below are photos from Palm Sunday, too. Easter in July?

Palm Sumday 04.07.11

2011-07-31T13:30:00.000-04:00

Our seminarians were on hand to serve at the 5:30 p.m. on Palm Sunday. The celebrant of the Mass was Father Dominic.

Deacon Victor Amorose at St. Raphael

2011-07-15T05:23:00.003-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

It's nearly time for transitional Deacon Victor Amorose to leave St. Raphael parish at the end of his summer assignment. He'll be returning to St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach for his final year of formation. Jane Winstead assembled this retrospective of Deacon Victor's time at St. Raphael.

The eyes of our hearts

2011-07-04T09:45:00.002-04:00

Video by Louise Barrett

This song was composed by 8th grade graduating students, Heather, Gabby, Bella, Alexa, Amanda, Katie and Katherine in honor of their choir director, Becky, after the discovery that Becky's infant son, Gabe, was blind.

Our hope is that we will all see with the eyes of our hearts, especially that we are God's beloved children, some with physical sight, and some without physical sight.

Gabe is shown at his baptism, back in December 2010, as he becomes a child of God and part of God's family, and receives the spiritual sight that will reveal to him the Light of the World.

Congratulations to the graduating 8th graders on a BEAUTIFUL song.

-- Louise Barrett

A yoke for the childlike

2011-06-30T22:05:00.002-04:00

By Dr. Scott Hahn

Jesus is portrayed in Sunday’s Gospel as a new and greater Moses.

Moses, the meekest man on earth (see Numbers 12:3), was God’s friend (see Exodus 34:12,17). Only he knew God “face to face” (see Deuteronomy 34:10). And Moses gave Israel the yoke of the Law, through which God first revealed himself and how we are to live (see Jeremiah 2:20; 5:5).

Jesus too is meek and humble. But He is more than God’s friend. He is the Son who alone knows the Father. He is more also than a law-giver, presenting himself Sunday as the yoke of a new Law, and as the revealed Wisdom of God.

As Wisdom, Jesus was present before creation as the firstborn of God, the Father and Lord of heaven and earth (see Proverbs 8:22; Wisdom 9:9). And He gives knowledge of the holy things of the kingdom of God (see Wisdom 10:10).

In the gracious will of the Father, Jesus reveals these things only to the “childlike”—those who humble themselves before Him as little children (see Sirach 2:17). These alone can recognize and receive Jesus as the just savior and meek king promised to daughter Zion, Israel, in Sunday’s First Reading.

We too are called to childlike faith in the Father’s goodness, as sons and daughters of the new kingdom, the Church.

We are to live by the Spirit we received in baptism (see Galatians 5:16), putting to death our old ways of thinking and acting, as Paul exhorts in Sunday’s Epistle. Our “yoke” is to be His new law of love (see John 13:34), by which we enter into the “rest” of His kingdom.

As we sing in Sunday’s Psalm, we joyously await the day when we will praise His name forever in the kingdom that lasts for all ages. This is the sabbath rest promised by Jesus—first anticipated by Moses (see Exodus 20:8-11), but which still awaits the people of God (see Hebrews 4:9).

Dr. Scott Hahn is professor of theology at Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio. He was formerly a Presbyterian minister who converted to Catholicism in 1986. Lighthouse Catholic Media has many of his talks on CD or for download.

The Gospel this Sunday

2011-06-30T21:57:00.007-04:00

July 3, 2011
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

• Read the first and second readings and the Responsorial Psalm
– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Rays-Red Sox Tailgate Party July 16

2011-06-29T10:36:00.002-04:00

Plans for the Rays-Red Sox Tailgate Party are shaping up, says organizer Eric Foreman. The party starts at noon on July 16. The first 100 cars with four occupants park free. There will be live entertainment. Eric has 110 tickets, with 70 of them on the TBT Party Deck and 40 of them in the outfield. Game time is 4:10 p.m.

Eric says help is needed in setting up, lots of coolers with ice, food to share, a couple of small grills, folding chairs and umbrellas and pop-up tents or 20-foot tents.

He already has lined up two pop-up tent, a beer keg trailer, a 40-foot RV (see photo) with electric power for fans, blenders and more, a first aid kit, and air conditioning for anyone suffering from the heat. There also are three port-potties, a sound system, a five-piece rock band, karaoke and two Weber Q grills.

Call Eric Foreman at (727) 641-9981 for tickets and information. Call Marty Foreman at (727) 894-7766 for more information.

Angels in Africa update

2011-06-24T06:41:00.003-04:00

Seminarians Bob and Dan Angel write of their experiences in Africa this summer working with Catholic Relief Services. Bob is in Sierra Leone. Dan is in Liberia. Read their blog, Angels in Africa. Latest update was today (Friday).

Don't forget the babies!

2011-06-24T05:47:00.010-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Jesus and Lily Morales (center) with Jesus' parents, Wanda and Jorge Antunez, and children, from left, Aidan, Alejandro, Azariah and Ariel. Mom is holding Anthony James. | Click to enlarge photos.

The photos of Jesus and Lily Morales and their family (above) and Wendell Winstead and Maggie Moren (below right) on Father's Day at St. Raphael parish serve as a reminder for parishioners to return the baby bottles to Mass this weekend filled with donations to help pregnant women and their families in need.

It's part of the diocese fund raising project Baby Bottle Boomerang. Parishioners throughout the diocese were asked to take an empty baby bottle from those distributed at Masses last weekend. They were asked to prayerfully fill the bottle with loose change, extra dollar bills, or a check with a generous donation.

Proceeds go to support Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center, a ministry of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The center was previously called Pregnancy Plus Medical and Pregnancy & Parenting Support Service. There are center offices in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando and Pasco counties.

Foundations of Life is a comprehensive program ministry providing services to women and families experiencing unplanned or "crisis" pregnancies. Mothers and families can obtain much needed services and support through the pregnancy centers.

The centers' adoption services offer a life option that allows ta birth mother or birth parents to make a long-term care plan for their child. The Foundation of Life Villa provides mothers with support and a safe and secure place to live during their pregnancy.

The Foundations of Life name change provides an umbrella name for the pregnancy centers, adoption services and residential pregnancy program in the diocese.

Wendell Winstead is a member of the St. Raphael Knights of Columbus chapter. Maggie Moren is active in the diocese Respect Life program.

St. Raphael Eight Grade Graduation

2011-06-24T05:10:00.004-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Here are photographs from the St. Rapahel Catholic School Eighth Grade Graduation. Here is an article about the graduation.

Word of the ‘Living Father’

2011-06-24T04:45:00.004-04:00

LifeTeen

By Dr. Scott Hahn

The Eucharist is given to us as a challenge and a promise. That’s how Jesus presents it in Sunday’s Gospel.

He doesn’t make it easy for those who hear Him. They are repulsed and offended at His words. Even when they begin to quarrel, He insists on describing the eating and drinking of His flesh and blood in starkly literal terms.

Four times in Sunday’s reading, Jesus uses a Greek word—trogein—that refers to a crude kind of eating, almost a gnawing or chewing (see John 6:54,56,57,58).

He is testing their faith in His Word, as Sunday’s First Reading describes God testing Israel in the desert.

The heavenly manna was not given to satisfy the Israelites’ hunger, as Moses explains. It was given to show them that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

In Sunday’s Psalm, too, we see a connection between God’s Word and the bread of life. We sing of God filling us with “finest wheat” and proclaiming his Word to the world.

In Jesus, “the living Father” has given us His Word come down from heaven, made flesh for the life of the world.

Yet as the Israelites grumbled in the desert, many in Sunday’s Gospel cannot accept that Word. Even many of Jesus’ own followers abandon Him after this discourse (see John 6:66). But His words are Spirit and life, the words of eternal life (see John 6:63,67).

In the Eucharist we are made one flesh with Christ. We have His life in us and have our life because of Him. This is what Paul means in Sunday’s Epistle when He calls the Eucharist a “participation” in Christ’s body and blood. We become in this sacrament partakers of the divine nature (see 1 Peter 2:4).

This is the mystery of the faith that Jesus asks us believe. And He gives us His promise: that sharing in His flesh and blood that was raised from the dead, we too will be raised up on the last day.

Dr. Scott Hahn is professor of theology at Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio. He was formerly a Presbyterian minister who converted to Catholicism in 1986. Lighthouse Catholic Media has many of his talks on CD or for download.

The Gospel this Sunday

2011-06-24T04:38:00.003-04:00

June 26, 2011

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Corpus Christi Sunday

John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds:
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world."

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,
"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
Jesus said to them,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him on the last day.
For my flesh is true food,
and my blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so also the one who feeds on me
will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever."

• Read the first and second readings and the Responsorial Psalm
– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Honoring the fathers

2011-06-20T10:15:00.006-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

In recognition of Father's Day, Father Dominic asked all fathers to stand at the end of 9:30 a.m. Mass. He offered a special blessing for all fathers.

How God loves

2011-06-17T22:22:00.003-04:00

By Dr. Scott Hahn

We often begin Mass with the prayer from Sunday’s Epistle: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” We praise the God who has revealed himself as a Trinity, a communion of persons.

Communion with the Trinity is the goal of our worship —and the purpose of the salvation history that begins in the Bible and continues in the Eucharist and sacraments of the Church.

We see the beginnings of God’s self-revelation in Sunday’s First Reading, as He passes before Moses and cries out His holy name.

Israel had sinned in worshipping the golden calf (see Exodus 32). But God does not condemn them to perish. Instead He proclaims His mercy and faithfulness to His covenant.

God loved Israel as His firstborn son among the nations (see Exodus 4:22). Through Israel—heirs of His covenant with Abraham—God planned to reveal himself as the Father of all nations (see Genesis 22:18).

The memory of God’s covenant testing of Abraham—and Abraham’s faithful obedience—lies behind Sunday’s Gospel.

In commanding Abraham to offer his only beloved son (see Genesis 22:2,12,16), God was preparing us for the fullest possible revelation of His love for the world.

As Abraham was willing to offer Isaac, God did not spare His own Son but handed Him over for us all (see Romans 8:32).

In this, He revealed what was only disclosed partially to Moses—that His kindness continues for a thousand generations, that He forgives our sin, and takes us back as His very own people (see Deuteronomy 4:20; 9:29).

Jesus humbled himself to die in obedience to God’s will. And for this, the Spirit of God raised Him from the dead (see Romans 8:11), and gave Him a name above every name (see Philippians 2:8-10).

This is the name we glorify in today’s Responsorial—the name of our Lord, the God who is Love (see 1 John 4;8,16).

The Gospel this Sunday

2011-06-17T22:15:00.002-04:00

June 19, 2011
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

John 3:16-18

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

• Read the first and second readings and the Responsorial Psalm
– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Pentecost Sunday: A mighty wind

2011-06-10T00:20:00.003-04:00

By Dr. Scott Hahn

The giving of the Spirit to the new people of God crowns the mighty acts of the Father in salvation history.

The Jewish feast of Pentecost called all devout Jews to Jerusalem to celebrate their birth as God’s chosen people, in the covenant Law given to Moses at Sinai (see Leviticus 23:15-21; Deuteronomy 16:9-11).

In today’s First Reading the mysteries prefigured in that feast are fulfilled in the pouring out of the Spirit on Mary and the Apostles (see Acts 1:14).

The Spirit seals the new law and new covenant brought by Jesus, written not on stone tablets but on the hearts of believers, as the prophets promised (see 2 Corinthians 3:2-8; Romans 8:2).

The Spirit is revealed as the life-giving breath of the Father, the Wisdom by which He made all things, as we sing in today’s Psalm. In the beginning, the Spirit came as a “mighty wind” sweeping over the face of the earth (see Genesis 1:2). And in the new creation of Pentecost, the Spirit again comes as “a strong, driving wind” to renew the face of the earth.

As God fashioned the first man out of dust and filled him with His Spirit (see Genesis 2:7), in today’s Gospel we see the New Adam become a life-giving Spirit, breathing new life into the Apostles (see 1 Corinthians 15:45,47).

Like a river of living water, for all ages He will pour out His Spirit on His body, the Church, as we hear in today’s Epistle (see also John 7:37-39).

We receive that Spirit in the sacraments, being made a “new creation” in Baptism (see 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15). Drinking of the one Spirit in the Eucharist (see 1 Corinthians 10:4), we are the first fruits of a new humanity - fashioned from out of every nation under heaven, with no distinctions of wealth or language or race, a people born of the Spirit.

Dr. Scott Hahn is professor of theology at Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio. He was formerly a Presbyterian minister who converted to Catholicism in 1986. Lighthouse Catholic Media has many of his talks on CD or for download.

The Gospel this Sunday

2011-06-10T00:15:00.001-04:00

June 12, 2011
Pentecost Sunday

John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”

• Read the first and second readings and the Responsorial Psalm
– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Class of 2011 graduates with hope

2011-06-07T15:14:00.016-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

The St. Raphael Catholic School Class of 2011.

Under a theme of hope, eighth graders at St. Raphael Catholic School were honored in a Graduation Mass and Commencement Ceremony on Monday in the church. “ ‘For I know the plan I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” read the quotation from Jeremiah 29:11 on the cover of the commencement program.

The 20 students wore red caps and gowns for the ceremony, which included a special Mass, presentation of awards, speeches from several of the students and the presentation of diplomas.

Richard Morrow welcomed parents and visitors to the event. The students processed in to the strains of Sir Edward Elgar's traditional Pomp and Circumstance.

Students giving thank you speeches included Heather Finster, Kaitlyn Taylor, Madison Fernandez, Tanner McNulty, Amanda Sherwin, Kathryn Vigrass, Gabriella Crespo and Alexa Ozkan.

Father Tim Sherwood and school principal Valerie Wostbrock presented the diplomas.

The Class of 2011 includes Gabriel Bennett, Oliver Bennett, Gabriella Crespo, Matthew Dyndul, Madison Fernandez, Heather Finster, Jordan Hallsted, Isabella Henriksson, Michael Knapp, Hunter Matirne, Pamela McFarlane, Tanner McNulty, Richard Morrow, Joseph Musselman, Alexa Ozkan, Amanda Sherwin, Cole Smith, Kaitlyn Taylor, Kathryn Vigrass and Tiffany Walker.

Click on photos to enlarge them.

Pray for Chris and Terry Winstead family

2011-06-06T11:28:00.008-04:00

Please pray for parishioners Chris and Terry Winstead and family. Charlie Lutes II, Chris' son, (right) died in an automobile accident on Friday.

There will be a visitation from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 12 at Anderson McQueen Family Tribute Center on Dr. Martin Luther King Street North at 22nd Avenue North. The visitation will be followed by a service at 7 p.m.

Charlie Lutes was raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He enjoyed spending time with his family and took a lot of pride in his appearance. He had an outgoing personality and was loved by all. He will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Charles William Lutes. He is survived by his father, Charles Robert (Marella) Lutes; mother, Christina (Terry) Winstead; brother, James Michael Lutes; grandparents, James and Patricia Woods; grandmother, Estelle Lutes; step- brother, Derek Winstead; step-sister, Danielle Winstead; cousin, Autumn Lopez; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

The Winstead family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

More details are available at the Anderson McQueen Web site.

Seeing God in a new way

2011-06-02T23:01:00.008-04:00

The Ascension of Our Lord celebrates the day that Christ, in the presence of His apostles, ascended bodily into Heaven. The Ascension occurred on the 40th day of Easter, so it falls on a Thursday, however, in most dioceses in the United States, the celebration of the Ascension has been transferred to the following Sunday, six weeks after Easter 2011.

By Father Charles Irvin

God the Father inaugurated His presence among us when Abraham responded to Him in faith. The Nativity of Our Lord inaugurated God the Son’s presence among us when God’s self-expression became flesh and was born among us as one of us. This Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord into heaven inaugurates the time of God the Holy Spirit’s presence among us. Jesus Christ ascension into heaven opens the door to the Holy Spirit’s dwelling within those who have been baptized into the Body of Christ.

Our Blessed Lord’s Ascension into heaven challenges us to see God in a new way. Christ’s ascension is not an ending, it’s a beginning. On the surface in appears that Christ’s Ascension is a departure, but actually it is not. Spirit-filled in His resurrection, Christ now comes to us in a new way – in His Holy Spirit.
It is a new beginning. Christ in His humanity is now taken to a new status, the highest of all states of being. Now at the right hand of the Father in the fullness of divinity, Christ comes to us in the power of the Holy Spirit -- particularly in His Sacraments. He will always be with us, He will never leave us.

The cycle has now come full circle. God has come to us in Christ; God has given Himself to us in Christ; God is now at work among us again, sweeping us up into Christ's glorious, resurrected, and Spirit-filled humanity. Through Him, with Him, and in Him we are now in Christ’s ascended humanity returned back home to our Father. The scope of this panorama is stupendous, awe-inspiring, and really beyond human comprehension or mortal human words. It is Mystery in the full sense of the word mystery - mystery not in the sense of reading a "Who Done It?" novel, but mystery in the sense that we are gazing into a reality that far exceeds the scope of our ability to depict it or put into words.

To be honest with you, if I were standing in that group of apostles and disciples at Christ's Ascension I would have been dismayed. I would have been quite intimidated. I would have thought: "Are we to lose Him again?" Timidity would have engulfed my heart and soul. But Pentecost would follow and my timidity would have been erased.

To confess the truth, at times I feel some timidity even now. Our Church in recent years has been racked by scandals. Some priests have abused our children and some bishops have not done their duty. Furthermore, in our highly secularized culture, Christianity is on the defensive. Additionally, as Americans we stand betrayed by our basic institutions, having in recent years faced betrayals from government officials in high office, corporate executives, and accounting firms that have not accounted. We have suffered betrayals from those in our legal and medical institutions, a divorce rate that seems to know no limits, and so on. Everywhere we turn we face losses of varying sorts and degrees of depth.

Will terrorism ever end? Is our economy truly recovering? Will there ever be an adequate supply of jobs? Will our sources of energy dry up? Will there ever be peace between Arab and Jew, Palestinian and Israeli? Will there be an even greater increase in prejudice and hostility toward believing Christians? These and other worrying factors eat away at our courage, our sense of well-being, and our hope for lives lived in peace. We have been intimidated -- made fearful and timid.

It is into this sort of world that God sent His only begotten Son, not to condemn us but to save us. The post-resurrection message, repeated so often by Christ, is: "Fear not! I am with you. I am with you even to the end of the world."

The infallible sign of His Presence among us is love. We can love even in a world such as ours. We do, in fact, love in a world such as ours. The power of God's love is being made manifest among us. You are making that powerful presence felt in your lives and in the lives of those whom you cherish. You are making the presence of the resurrected and ascended Christ real in the lives of those around you.

If there is one sentence I want you to take home with you today it is this: Everything and everyone you love is being redeemed. Those whom you love are being redeemed not just by your love, but by Christ's love within you that reaches them. Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and ascended into heaven is at work through you, with you, and in you. He has not left us orphans - He is here. Because of His ascension He is here!

To be sure I face intimidation, as do you. To be sure we all have our moments of being shy and even afraid. But soon, and very soon, Pentecost will burst upon us. God's powerful and life-giving Holy Spirit will come roaring upon us like a mighty wind from the heights of heaven. The fires of your passions will be re-ignited. For we, you and I with you, have a fire in our bellies, the fire of God's great and Holy Spirit.

And when He comes we will be enabled to throw off our timidity. We, filled with Christ's gift of courage, will be able to go out in public and boldly live in the face of whatever challenges life and the people in it throw at us. For Christ Jesus, now at the right hand of our Father, is at work in us bringing order out of chaos, meaning out of absurdity, good out of evil, and life out of death.

The days of Pentecost and all of the days thereafter are at hand. We have a Savior who loves us, a glorious Redeemer who at the right hand of the Father intercedes for us, and the Spirit of God at work in us. By your faith, in your hope, and because of your love, all of the God's gifts are at work in you, and our world has the promise of being made into a much better place. Because of the Ascension of Christ we are given the task of revealing God’s kingdom here on earth. Christ has established the kingdom. Ours is now, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the task of revealing God’s kingdom in all that we say and do.

“Behold,” declares God, “I make all things new.”

Fr. Charles Irvin lives in “active retirement” in DeWitt, Michigan, on the grounds of St. Francis Retreat Center and has traveled extensively, including five pilgrimages in Europe and the Holy Land. He is the founding editor of Faith magazine in the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan. His homilies appear on CatholicWeb.com

About the painting: The Ascension by Benjamin West, 1801. West was an Anglo-American painter who lived during the Revolutionary War. He was the second president of the Royal Academy in London.

The Gospel this Sunday

2011-06-02T22:41:00.004-04:00

June 5, 2011
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

• Read the first and second readings and the Responsorial Psalm
– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Keeping up with the Angels

2011-05-26T22:44:00.008-04:00

Off to Africa with Catholic Relief Services: Daniel Angel, Christopher Mertens and Robert Angel.

St. Raphael seminarians Bob Angel is in Sierra Leone for eight weeks as part of his training to become a priest. He is working with Catholic Relief Services there. His brother Dan, also a seminarian, will go to Liberia in June on a similar mission. Bob and Dan are publishing a blog, Angels in Africa, to keep friends and family updated on their activities.

In his blog, For His Friends, Bishop Robert Lynch discusses the invitation he extended to the Angel brothers and to Christopher Mertens, of Palm Harbor, a junior at Notre Dame University, to participate in summer internships with Catholic Relief Services.

Alive in the Spirit

2011-05-26T20:48:00.006-04:00

Detail of Confirmation by Nicolas Poussin, 1645

By Dr. Scott Hahn

Jesus will not leave us alone. He won’t make us children of God in Baptism only to leave us “orphans,” He assures us in Sunday’s Gospel (see Romans 8:14-17) .

He asks the Father to give us His Spirit, to dwell with us and keep us united in the life He shares with the Father.

We see the promised gift of His Spirit being conferred in Sunday’s First Reading.

The scene from Acts apparently depicts a primitive Confirmation rite. Philip, one of the first deacons (see Acts 6:5), proclaims the Gospel in the non-Jewish city of Samaria. The Samaritans accept the Word of God (see Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13) and are baptized.

It remains for the Apostles to send their representatives, Peter and John, to pray and lay hands on the newly baptized — that they might receive the Holy Spirit. This is the origin of our sacrament of Confirmation (see Acts 19:5-6), by which the grace of Baptism is completed and believers are sealed with the Spirit promised by the Lord.

We remain in this grace so long as we love Christ and keep His commandments. And strengthened in the Spirit whom Jesus said would be our Advocate, we are called to bear witness to our salvation — to the tremendous deeds that God has done for us in the name of His Son.

In Sunday’s Psalm, we celebrate our liberation. As He changed the sea into dry land to free the captive Israelites, Christ suffered that He might lead us to God, as we hear in today’s Epistle.

This is the reason for our hope — the hope that sustains us in the face of a world that cannot accept His truth, the hope that sustains us when we are maligned and defamed for His name’s sake.

Put to death in the flesh, He was brought to life in the Spirit, Paul tells us today. And as He himself promises: “Because I live, you will live.”

Exodus and Easter

Israel’s exodus from Egypt forms the background for many of the readings we hear in Easter.

On the Third Sunday, both the Gospel and Epistle describe Jesus “redeeming” or “ransoming” Israel (see Luke 24:21; 1 Peter 1:18). The Greek word in both is only used elsewhere to refer to Israel’s redemption from Egypt (see Exodus 6:6; Deuteronomy 7:8). In the First Reading, Jesus is said to work “mighty deeds, wonders and signs” (see Acts 2:22) - the same words used to describe Moses’ work (see Exodus 7:3; Deuteronomy 34:10-12).

Moses told the Israelites not to fear but to trust that God would go before and find them a place in the promised land (see Deuteronomy 1:29-32). Jesus uses the same words in the Fifth Sunday’s Gospel. He also quotes Moses to claim that His words are God’s words and His works are God’s works (see Deuteronomy 18:18; 34:10-12).

There is much more exodus imagery in this month’s readings. The point is to show us that Jesus’ death and resurrection marked a new exodus (see Luke 9:31). The Christian life is like the sojourning of the Israelites in the wilderness. We have passed through the waters of Baptism and are now fed with bread from heaven as we make our way to the promised land of eternal life (see 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; 1 Peter 1:4).

The Gospel this Sunday

2011-05-26T19:51:00.001-04:00

May 29, 2011
Sixth Sunday of Easter

John 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

St. Vincent de Paul Italian Night

2011-05-23T14:09:00.004-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

St. Raphael parishioners turned out in hungry droves on Sunday for the St. Vincent de Paul Society Italian Night dinner in the Parish Center. Proceeds from the event will be used to help a parish family in need.

An evening of fine arts at St. Raphael

2011-05-23T13:33:00.002-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Students at St. Raphael Catholic School performed in the Spring Concert on Thursday to a happy crowd of concertgoers, who heard renditions of an amazing selection of music. The performance included gospel music, pop songs, Broadway tunes, folk songs and classical. It was a night of fine arts with the school's Fine Arts Exhibit 2011 displaying the artwork of all students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Plenty of activity for the Bake Sale

2011-05-22T14:39:00.003-04:00

Photo by Jane Winstead

There was plenty of activity around the Bake Sale tables Sunday after 9:30 a.m. Mass as St. Raphael youth helped raise money to contribute to the St. Vincent de Paul Society fundraiser to help a family in need in the parish. Parishioners bought homemade cookies, cakes and brownies to aid the effort.

Building His house

2011-05-19T21:17:00.004-04:00

St. Stephen is Consecrated Deacon by Vittore Carpaccio, 1511

"… they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism."

By Dr. Scott Hahn

By His death, Resurrection and Ascension, Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house.

His Father’s house is no longer a temple made by human hands. It is the spiritual house of the Church, built on the living stone of Christ’s body.

As Peter interprets the Scriptures in Sunday’s Epistle, Jesus is the “stone” destined to be rejected by men but made the precious cornerstone of God’s dwelling on earth (see Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 8:14; 28:16).

Each of us is called to be a living stone in God’s building (see 1 Corinthians 3:9,16). In this edifice of the Spirit, we are to be “holy priests” offering up “spiritual sacrifices” - all our prayer, work and intentions - to God.

This is our lofty calling as Christians. This is why Christ led us out of the darkness of sin and death as Moses led the Israelites from bondage in Egypt.

God’s covenant with Israel made them a royal and priestly people who were to announce His praises (see Exodus 19:6). By our faith in Christ’s new covenant, we have been made heirs of this chosen race, called to glorify the Father in the temple of our bodies (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 12:1).

In Sunday’s First Reading, we see the spiritual house of the Church being built up, as the Apostles consecrate seven deacons so they can devote themselves more fully to the “ministry of the Word.”

The Lord’s Word is upright and all His works trustworthy, we sing in Sunday’s Psalm. So we can trust Jesus when He tells us never to be troubled, but to believe that His Word and works come from the Father.

His Word continues its work in the world through the Church. We see its beginnings today in Jerusalem. It is destined to spread with influence and power (see Acts 19:20), and to become the imperishable seed by which every heart is born anew (see 1 Peter 1:23).

Dr. Scott Hahn is professor of theology at Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio. He was formerly a Presbyterian minister who converted to Catholicism in 1986. Lighthouse Catholic Media has many of his talks on CD or for download.

The Gospel this Sunday

2011-05-19T21:07:00.003-04:00

May 22, 2011
Fifth Sunday of Easter

John 14:1-12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.”

• Read the first and second readings and the Responsorial Psalm
– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Rehearsal for School Concert

2011-05-19T20:47:00.004-04:00

St. Raphael Catholic School students were rehearsing Tbursday for the Spring Concert in the evening under the direction of Joy and Volker auf dem Kampe. The evening performance featured the Junior and Senior Bands, Orff Ensemble, Elementary Choir, Recorder Karaté Class and Angel Choir.

Italian Night to help a family in need

2011-05-17T21:39:00.002-04:00

Don't forget the Italian Night and Bake Sale this Sunday, May 22, in the Parish Center. It's sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul Society to benefit a parish family in need.

There are two seatings: 5 p.m. or 6:45 p.m Food is provided by Mazzaro's Italian Market.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Maximum $30 per family.

Call Bonnie Condon (727) 580-1238 or email ljcondon7@gmail.com

Father Tim's homily – 4th Sunday of Easter

2011-05-16T01:14:00.006-04:00

May Crowning and more

2011-05-13T22:38:00.004-04:00

Photos by Jane Winstead

Students at St. Raphael Catholic School celebrated Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day with a special Mass at 8 a.m. Eighth graders constructed a special Mary Altar and processed in with the statue of Mary, which was crowned with a traditional wreath of flowers. St. Raphael Children's Choir had prepared several songs for the occasion. Guests were invited to visit the classrooms after Mass.

What do we do now?

2011-05-13T22:23:00.002-04:00

"I am the gate for the sheep."

By Dr. Scott Hahn

Easter’s empty tomb is a call to conversion.

By this tomb, we should know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah, as Peter preaches in Sunday’s First Reading.

He is the “Lord,” the divine Son that David foresaw at God’s right hand (see Psalms 110:1,3; 132:10-11; Acts 2:34). And He is the Messiah that God had promised to shepherd the scattered flock of the house of Israel (see Ezekiel 34:11-14, 23; 37:24).

As we hear in Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is that Good Shepherd, sent to a people who were like sheep without a shepherd (see Mark 6:34; Numbers 27:16-17). He calls not only to the children of Israel, but to all those far off from Him - to whomever the Lord wishes to hear His voice.

The call of the Good Shepherd leads to the restful waters of Baptism, to the anointing oil of Confirmation, and to the table and overflowing cup of the Eucharist, as we sing in today’s Psalm.

Again on this Sunday in Easter, we hear His voice calling us His own. He should awaken in us the response of those who heard Peter’s preaching. “What are we to do?” they cried.

We have been baptized. But each of us goes astray like sheep, as we hear in Sunday’s Epistle. We still need daily to repent, to seek forgiveness of our sins, to separate ourselves further from this corrupt generation.
We are called to follow in the footsteps of the Shepherd of our souls. By His suffering He bore our sins in His body to free us from sin. But His suffering is also an example for us. From Him we should learn patience in our afflictions, to hand ourselves over to the will of God.

Jesus has gone ahead, driven us through the dark valley of evil and death. His Cross has become the narrow gate through which we must pass to reach His empty tomb - the verdant pastures of life abundant.

Dr. Scott Hahn is professor of theology at Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio. He was formerly a Presbyterian minister who converted to Catholicism in 1986. Lighthouse Catholic Media has many of his talks on CD or for download.

The Gospel the Sunday

2011-05-13T22:01:00.001-04:00

May 15, 2011
Fourth Sunday of Easter

John 10:1-10

Jesus said:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

• Read the first and second readings and the Responsorial Psalm
– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Blogger is functioning again!

2011-05-13T15:01:00.004-04:00

For many hours over the last few days, Google's Blogger has been out of commission. That meant that it was not possible to make updates to blogs, including the Saint Raphael Messenger. However, Blogger is now functioning again. So updates will begin to appear again later tonight and tomorrow. Thank you for your patience.

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater

2011-05-05T22:33:00.004-04:00

The St. Petersburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention in Tampa Monday featured a murder mystery. CCW members from St. Raphael parish portrayed the suspects. Photographer Jane Winstead captured the frivolity in the slide show above. The culprit was unmasked, we hear, but the solution to the murder mystery may be known only to those present for the performance.

In the meantime, for the edification of the sleuths among us, Saint Raphael Messenger, through no fault of its own, has obtained what has been labeled PS to the Murder Mystery.

PS to the Murder Mystery

2011-05-05T20:56:00.001-04:00

The following cleverly color-coded statements, purportedly from the suspects in the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater presented at the St. Petersburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women convention in Tampa on Monday, have been obtained by the Saint Raphael Messenger (through no effort of its own, we might add). Perhaps they shed some light on said murder mystery. Perhaps not. In any case, they most assuredly are supplemented by the slide show from the convention.

From Jade: Well, well, well, Quite a fun little night you had, didn't you, Ms. White? To think, your guests thought I was the one to do our beloved Black in....Ha! You weren't the sweet little socialite they thought you were after all! Well done. XO

From Violet: And to think I was on everyone's hit list!! They hadn't a clue that I would be the next Mr. Black. I do miss you all!!! Remember to take your Benefiber daily!!! Love and Blessings

From CC to Violet: Mr. Black?!! Is your next operation to be a sex change? At your age I should think you could live out the rest of your life as MS. Plum unless you're plum crazy.

From Jade:Oh my goodness, VIOLET, how could I have forgotten to mention you in my email. Or is it that I've chosen to put the hemorrhoid queen behind me, hmmmmm. ;-)

From Ms White:To Prudence Buffy Violet Jade and CC and Rose, I guess by now you know that I have been released from custody but what you don't know is I am with Black spending his billions. He of course was just pretending to be dead with a little help from a few good people we pulled it off .SO LONG SUCKERS !!!!!!!!!!!! Mrs. BLACK aka Ms White

From Buffy: I have decided to relocate to St Pete FL permanently since Uncle Black eloped with White, and I just couldn't see going back to NY by myself. I really have grown quite fond of Jade, Rosy, CC, Prudence, and even Violet (She would be so proud of me, I took my fiber by eating cheetos tonight) I know White and Black will be back one day, and perhaps they will stay at my home from time to time, if they dare... BTW Uncle Black bought me a GORGEOUS house before he left (through Brophy Realty, of course), but it is RIGHT next door to a fire station and there are fire alarms in every room....They also bought my McMansion close to St Raphael's Church in hopes that I might stumble in those doors and become a NEW person. Yes, there is hope for someone even as messed up as me... Maybe Black will start an the Film Production company and we will all live happily ever after, no more crime or violence????

From Ms White/Mrs Black to Buffy: Dear Buffy, will you ever forgive me. I am so sorry that I gave you away at birth but my parents made me do it as it would have been a social disgrace to have you out of wedlock. Your Dad (Black) and I want to make it up to you. We have changed our will and you are our sole heir. the only reason I was so mean to you was to hide my love for you.We want you to come live with us and make up for lost time. (the only rule is no matches or lighters) I can plan a huge coming out ball for you and I have arranged with a plastic surgeon friend of mine to get you laser treatments to remove your tattoos. Please find it in your heart to forgive me and give me a chance to be the mother you deserve xxxMom (Mrs. Black aka Ms White)

From Black, who surprisingly enough is not dead after all: To my gang, I hope all of you are enjoying yourselves and staying out of trouble; of course that doesn’t apply to Buffy who seems to always be in the thick of things. Buffy is always looking for a party as you all know. I am enjoying my time away from the gang and enjoying my water view property, but there may come a time when I request all of you to be present for another job. Especially due to your unique skill sets. In fact, Black’s Film Production maybe a place that calls upon those unique talents that all of you possess. However right now I am enjoying some much needed peace and relaxation. Furthermore, although I am a patient man, never forget that you’re dealing with a genius who foiled your plot for my demise. Trust must be re-established and an oath of loyalty must be reaffirmed before I take any of you back, but then I always have been a quite forgivable and loving Boss. Sincerely, Mr. Black

From CC: Dear Buffy, As a former security agent for both Mr. Black and Ms. White, I would warn you not to get too close to either of them. You can trust what they say to be the exact opposite to what they mean.

From Ms White/Mrs Black to Buffy: My Dearest Buffy, Please do not pay any attention to a thing C.C. says as she is green with envy, full of jealousy and just plan MAD that my Husband(black) and I are finally doing the right thing. xxxxxooooMom P.S. look in your driveway as you will find a late 25th Belated birthday present from your Dad and I. YES it is a brand New Mercedes convertible

Emmaus and us

2011-05-05T20:21:00.003-04:00

Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio, 1601.

By Dr. Scott Hahn

We should put ourselves in the shoes of the disciples in Sunday’s Gospel. Downcast and confused they’re making their way down the road, unable to understand all the things that have occurred.

They know what they’ve seen–a prophet mighty in word and deed. They know what they were hoping for–that He would be the redeemer of Israel. But they don’t know what to make of His violent death at the hands of their rulers.

They can’t even recognize Jesus as He draws near to walk with them. He seems like just another foreigner visiting Jerusalem for the Passover.

Note that Jesus doesn’t disclose His identity until they they describe how they found His tomb empty but “Him they did not see.” That’s how it is with us, too. Unless He revealed himself we would see only an empty tomb and a meaningless death.

How does Jesus make himself known at Emmaus? First, He interprets “all the Scriptures” as referring to Him. In Sunday’s First Reading and Epistle, Peter also opens the Scriptures to proclaim the meaning of Christ’s death according to the Father’s “set plan” – foreknown before the foundation of the world.

Jesus is described as a new Moses and a new Passover lamb. He is the One of whom David sang in Sunday’s Psalm–whose soul was not abandoned to corruption but was shown the path of life.

After opening the Scriptures, Jesus at table took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples–exactly what He did at the Last Supper (see Luke 22:14-20).

In every Eucharist, we re-enact that Easter Sunday at Emmaus. Jesus reveals himself to us in our journey. He speaks to our hearts in the Scriptures. Then at the table of the altar, in the person of the priest, He breaks the bread.

The disciples begged him, “Stay with us.” So He does. Though He has vanished from our sight, in the Eucharist–as at Emmaus–we know Him in the breaking of the bread.

The Gospel this Sunday

2011-05-05T20:18:00.001-04:00

May 8, 2011
Third Sunday of Easter

Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week,
two of Jesus’ disciples were going
to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them,
“What are you discussing as you walk along?”
They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem
who does not know of the things
that have taken place there in these days?”
And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”
They said to him,
“The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over
to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;
and besides all this,
it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:
they were at the tomb early in the morning
and did not find his body;
they came back and reported
that they had indeed seen a vision of angels
who announced that he was alive.
Then some of those with us went to the tomb
and found things just as the women had described,
but him they did not see.”
And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are!
How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?”
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,
he interpreted to them what referred to him
in all the Scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, “Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other,
“Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem
where they found gathered together
the eleven and those with them who were saying,
“The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”
Then the two recounted
what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.