Courtney Kubala: What CRHP means to me

Courtney Kubala

CRHP has been a new way for me to grow in my relationship with Christ. He has provided me with beautiful, strong women that I can relate to who want to get closer to God just as I do.

That weekend filled me with overwhemling joy that I had never felt before, and can still feel even a year later. Not only was it emotionally healing and empowering, it was also fun as well.

Laughing, singing, and praising Jesus in a comfortable environment was something that I really needed to help me through my hard times and not feel alone.

We all emotionally connected as daughters in the Lord, I had never been so high on God! I am now on the formation team and even here God keeps blessing me with miracles. Every meeting I feel that my relationship with God is stronger, and so is my relationship with my sisters in Christ.


-- Courtney Marie Kubala

INTERESTED?: The St. Raphael Catholic Church Women's CRHP Weekend will be March 10 and 11. If you would like to participate, please send an email to Jocelyn Pedalino at jocelynp619@gmail.com

Pat McGuire: What CRHP means to me

Pat McGuire

CRHP has been an instrumental part of my spiritual journey.  I was born a cradle Catholic and was a good Catholic through my first 12 years of Catholic education.

When I got out in the world I slipped into a cultural Catholic mentality due to my arrogance and  "I know what's best for me" attitude.  Clearly, I did not know what was best for me and I neglected the spiritual nourishment of my roots, which lead me to became a fallen Catholic.

Once I had children, I realized the need to revisit my faith because it was such an important aspect of my own upbringing.

I started on the road of recovering Catholic at this point and was beginning to come home.  But, it was not until I did my first CRHP weekend that the real healing of my hardened heart began.

Today I can call myself a devout Catholic and I am immensely grateful to the CRHP program and the many wonderful men and women in it who have taught me the meaning of true Christian community.

I recommend CRHP to anyone who wants a closer relationship with Jesus, with their family and with their community.

-- Pat McGuire

INTERESTED?: The St. Raphael Catholic Church Women's CRHP Weekend will be March 10 and 11. If you would like to participate, please send an email to Jocelyn Pedalino at jocelynp619@gmail.com

Barbara Alderfer: What CRHP means to me

 I made my weekend September, 2010.  I had made many other retreats and had given retreats for years and, to be honest, I avoided going on retreats because I felt burned out.  When Earl and I joined St. Raphael’s we realized that we felt that we were “home” for the first time in our lives.  I felt drawn by God to make a CRHP weekend.

The weekend was life changing for me.  I made life-long friends.  I was blessed to become the Godmother to one of those precious women, as she entered the church! I gained a boldness to serve God. 

Since the weekend, I have looked for ways to serve Jesus.

I do alterations in my home, so I assume that anyone who comes to see me is sent by God and I minister to them and offer to pray with them and for them.

I cared for a precious little baby for eight months … something I thought I would NEVER do! I found that the “yes” that I said to Jesus on my weekend has opened me up to opportunities to love and serve and has brought me more joy than I could imagine.

Before CRHP I had a strong prayer life, but since my weekend, I have put my prayer life into action. I’m glad my 93-year-old mother (who made her weekend when she was only 83) encouraged me to go.  She was right.

-- Barbara Alderfer

INTERESTED?: The St. Raphael Catholic Church Women's CRHP Weekend will be March 10 and 11. If you would like to participate, please send an email to Jocelyn Pedalino at jocelynp619@gmail.com

Women’s CRHP Volunteer Opportunities

 By Heather Early 
Any woman who has participated in a CRHP weekend knows how vital volunteers are for ensuring the weekend runs smoothly and creating the perfect effortless environment for our participant’s spiritual renewal.  There are numerous volunteer opportunities for the next St. Raphael’s Women’s CRHP Weekend on March 10-11. 

Please check your calendars and schedule some time to come welcome our participants to St Raphael’s and support CRHP in any way that you can!!

I am looking for volunteers to assist with:

• Meal preparation and/or serving on both Saturday and Sunday.  

Approximate Meal Serving Times-please come early to assist with meal preparation!!
Saturday 3/10
8 a.m.
1 p.m.
6:45 p.m.

Sunday 3/11
7:45 a.m.
3 p.m. —the feast

• Making beds on Saturday morning — 8:30 a.m.

• Deflating beds and tidying up the Parish Center on Sunday morning — between 8:15-9:30 p.m.

• HELP envelopes on Saturday — Any time
 Sunday morning — Before 10:30 a.m.

• Break down witness room and assist with final clean-up on Sunday — Around 3:30 p.m.

• If you are unable to donate your time on the weekend, perhaps you will be able to write HELP letters to the participants and drop them off at the church.  Boxes will be available outside the Parish Center doors (by the playground).  A list of participants will be compiled and distributed as soon as possible. 

Please let me know if you are available for any of these volunteer opportunities or if you have any questions.  You may email me at heatherlearly@gmail.com

Jane Winstead: What CRHP means to me

I was asked to attend CRHP weekends for several years and I made excuses not to attend. After a few years of saying, “No” I finally said, “Yes” and it was the best decision I had ever made.

I first attended a CRHP weekend in 1993. The weekend opened my eyes to a new dimension of spiritually. I realized how much God loves me and how much He wanted to heal me in every aspect of my life.

The weekend gave me an opportunity to meet wonderful women and bond with them spiritually and emotionally. God called me to continue with the formation for the next CRHP weekend. During those six months was a journey of love, healing and spiritual renewal with my CRHP team.

I also was part of the Team for CRHP in 2003 and 2005. Every time I was a part of another team, God blessed me and healed me. I was able to make friends with wonderful women.

My CRHP Sisters have touched my life in a very beautiful way. I thank God for CRHP and my beautiful sisters in Christ. The priests were also a very special part of my journey in CRHP.

-- Jane Winstead

INTERESTED?: The St. Raphael Catholic Church Women's CRHP Weekend will be March 10 and 11. If you would like to participate, please send an email to Jocelyn Pedalino at jocelynp619@gmail.com

Nicole Dambroski: What CRHP means to me

I can't really say enough about what CRHP has meant to me. When I was invited to attend the CRHP weekend, I was a little hesitant because I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know anyone who was attending, and I really didn't know what the weekend was about.

I was new to Florida, and new to the parish, and although I enjoyed coming to Mass at St Raphael's, I wouldn't say that I knew very many people at all. But CRHP completely changed all of that. I got to meet so many amazing women, and make so many new friends, that I can't believe I was ever apprehensive about it at all. Everyone was so welcoming. The weekend was truly an eye-opening experience and it completely changed the way I thought about my faith. 


It meant so much to me that I even went through the process a second time! Whether you're looking to deepen your faith, make some new friends in the parish, or just take a weekend for yourself, you will not be disappointed.

The Lord knows the things that we need, and CRHP is definitely what I needed... it may be just what you need too! It's such a blessing to have this ministry at St Raphael's, and I hope you take the opportunity to be blessed by CRHP in the same way that I was!

-- Nicole Dambroski

INTERESTED?: The St. Raphael Catholic Church Women's CRHP Weekend will be March 10 and 11. If you would like to participate, please send an email to Jocelyn Pedalino at jocelynp619@gmail.com

Louise Barrett: What CRHP means to me

I made my CRHP weekend back in 1986, right after I joined St. Raphael's with two toddlers. It came at the perfect time for me, as I really needed a retreat and the support of other women as a mother of young children.

At the weekend CRHP Retreat, I met women who became my special friends at St. Raphael's for the past 25 years. Because of the CRHP weekend, I felt part of the Parish and learned that my Parish was a special place for me.

During the follow up after the retreat, my 54-year-old dad died unexpectedly. My CRHP sisters surrounded me with love and prayers. I will always be grateful for this very special program. It gave me so many blessings and the strength to endure the loss of my father.

I hope you have the chance to make this weekend, too.

-- Louise Barrett

The St. Raphael Catholic Church Women's CRHP Weekend will be March 10 and 11. If you would like to participate, please send an email to Jocelyn Pedalino at jocelynp619@gmail.com

Christina Winstead: What CRHP means to me

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

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

Women's CRHP weekend retreat

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.

Sign up for Women's CRHP

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.

Women's CRHP retreat -- Spring 2011

Photo by Jane Winstead

Women of the parish participated in the Christ Renews His Parish spring retreat the weekend of March 19-20. Father Dominic served as spiritual adviser for the retreat. Theme of the weekend of prayer and reflection was Shine Like the Son.

Heather Early becomes a Catholic

Photos by Jane Winstead

Father Tim blesses Heather Early during Confirmation Sunday.

Heather Early has been active in St. Raphael Catholic Church for the past seven years. On Sunday, February 27, she was formally received into the Catholic Church.

She was confirmed by Father Tim and received her first Holy Communion at 11:30 a.m. Mass.

She was supported in her faith formation by her husband, Mark, and her two daughters, Sarah, 5, and Kaitlyn, 4. Her sponsor was Barbara Alderfer.

In September, Heather made a Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) weekend, and with the encouragement of her husband and her CRHP “sisters” who made the weekend with her, she decided to make her commitment to the Catholic Church official.

Heather is on the team giving the next CHRP weekend, March 19-20, and is looking forward to sharing her new Catholic faith with those women who will attend.

Heather Early (center) pauses with her CRHP “sisters” to share the joy her Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

CRHP: Shine like the Son

Photo by Jane Winstead

Christ Renews His Parish Women's Weekend Retreat, September 2010

Women of St. Raphael parish. Mark your calendars for Christ Renews His Parish Women’s Retreat on the weekend of March 19 and 20.

Lent is not only a time of sacrificing; it is also about changing ourselves for the better. Please consider the Women’s Retreat.

This weekend will bring an opportunity to strengthen your faith, to rebuild your relationship with God, and to form a community at St. Raphael Catholic Church.

The weekend provides other church members testimonials, inspiring music, and a teaching mass. Do not pass up this amazing opportunity!

Please contact Martha Ford at (727) 492-2314 (martha_w_ford@yahoo.com) or Heather Early at (813) 263-4737 (heatherlearly@gmail.com), and they can provide you with answers of why you should attend.