The beginning of Catholic Schools Week

 Photos by Jane Winstead

Catholic Schools Week got off to a rousing start on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Mass with St. Raphael Catholic School Children's Choir offering spiritual songs as part of the Mass and students participating in the readings. Kathy Bogataj, the school principal, spoke on the value of a Catholic education. The theme for this year's Catholic Schools Week is Catholic Schools Raise the Standards. The observance continues through Saturday, February 2. Principal Kathy Bogataj discusses the importance of a Catholic education.

50th Anniversary Gala marks parish beginning

Photos by Jane Winstead

Parishioners celebrated the founding of St. Raphael Catholic Church with a 50th Anniversary Gala on Saturday at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. It was the fifth of six events marking the beginning of the parish in 1962. The final event in the series will be the Bishop's Mass and Reception on February 10.