St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree ready

Photo by Jane Winstead

St. Raphael parishioners flocked to the Christmas Giving Tree before and after masses this weekend, choosing ornament tags for gifts for needy children in our community. You can participate in the St. Vincent de Paul project by taking an ornament and returning the specified gift, wrapped and with the ornament attached. Gifts should be returned by Sunday, December 16. Please drop gift certificates and checks into the St. Vincent de Paul Poor Box next to the Giving Tree. St. Raphael parishioners are always generous for the Giving Tree.

50th anniversary parish picnic

Photos by Jane Winstead

Here are photos from the 50th anniversary parish picnic, one of several events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of St. Raphael parish. Parishioners had so much fun there is talk of making it an annual event. The first Mass in St. Raphael's new church was celebrated in October 1962. The church was dedicated in February 1963. The parish is marking the half century of its existence with several events. Next: a Wine and Cheese Party in December. Watch for details.

Knights Pinellas Hope dinner raises $2,000

Knights of Columbus donated more than $2,000 to Pinellas Hope, the proceeds from the third annual Pinellas Hope Dinner. Some 121 parishioners from St. Raphael and other parishes attended the event. Sheila Lopez, chief operating officer of Catholic Charities, and Angela Mosley, housing manager of Pinellas Hope gave an update on the status of the project. Pinellas Hope provides temporary shelter for homeless men and women at a facility on 20 acres in Clearwater. The project, a program of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, began in 2007.

Mass of Remembrance Wednesday

Photo by Jane Winstead

St. Raphael's Mass of Remembrance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday. This is a time to keep in mind those who have died and pray for them. A reception will follow the Mass.