Father Tim's homily for Sunday, October 20

Homily for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

St. Raphael Festival -- Friday night

Photos by Jane Winstead 

Here are more photos from the St. Raphael Festival on Friday night.

St. Raphael Festival -- Friday afternoon

Photos by Jane Winstead 

The St. Raphael Festival got off to a rousing start Friday night, with throngs of parishioners and visitors coming for food, music and rides. The festival continues through Sunday. 

Father Tim's homily from Sunday, October 6

Photos by Jane Winstead

St. Raphael Youth Ministry participates in 40 Days for Life

By Julie Musselman

Youth Minister, Kaitlin Berger, associate pastor, Fr. Sojan and  CCW member/parent chaperons ( Marybeth Finster, Julie Musselman, Donna Condon, Lisette Shields, Andrea Vigrass, Beatriz Crespo, Tonya Harrington ) escorted about 20 of our St Raphael School middle school students to pray for the end to Abortion during the diocesan wide 40 Days for Life campaign.

The group began by meeting for 8 am mass along w/ the entire 6th grade class . Fr. Sojan blessed all those who would be heading to the abortion clinic on Central Ave and reminded us our baptismal anointing of "priest, prophet and king." He told us we need to stand up and be seen for the unborn. Being the feast day of St Therese of Lisieux, her intercession was invoked.

The group joined about 20 other members of the diocese already there at Central Ave (Marlene and Sonny D'Abramo and Joanne and Bob Burkhardt, Maggie Moren, Susan Ugan, Rosemary Early, Kathy Guckenberger, Stephanie Graham, Peter Zareas, Mary Wilson, Tara Kipp and girls and Mary Lou Price),  and prayed the rosary, quietly holding 40 Days for Life Signs. Many cars passing by honked and waved to show their support.

As we left, one student commented how good he felt to have been there. Many thanked the chaperons for taking them.

Parishioners pray for life in 40 Days for Life

Photos by Jane Winstead 

St. Raphael parishioners participate in a prayer service at the All Women's Health Center in St. Petersburg on Tuesday to help bring a positive, upbeat pro-life message to the city. Parishioners will also participate in a day of prayer on Saturday, October 19 as part of the nationwide 40 Days for Life movement.