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Alleluia! Christ is Risen! 50 Days of Easter Glory!

2012 Easter

 

This is the Day the Lord has made.

Let Us Rejoice and Be Glad!

 

This is the last week of the Easter Season.

Next Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord to Heaven!

Click here for photos!

Where will your child go to school next year?

Are you trying to determine the best school for your child? Come to Saint Raphael!

Early Childhood Center ButterflyOur Early Childhood Center provides a safe, nurturing environment that will make your child blossom. Call Nancy Scallion at 919-865-5728 if your child is between 2 and 5 years old.

School LogoOur Saint Raphael Catholic School educates the total person in a vibrant Christian community. Parents of prospective kindergarten through Grade 8 students should call Krista Ashe at 919-865-5750.

Catholicism: A journey to the Heart of the Faith Meets May 20

The RCIA will be hosting the Catholicism series by Fr. Robert Barron during the summer and all parishioners are invited to join with the RCIA candidates for this DVD led presentation illuminating what Catholics believe and why, while immersing you in the art, architecture, literature, music, and all the riches of the Catholic tradition. Come and join us on Sunday mornings after the 9:30 Mass in room 109.
Next meeting May 20     June 3,10, 24     July 1,8,15,22,29

For more information contact the RCIA office at 919.876.5743 or visit Catholicism Series.com

New Director of Life Long Faith Development!

IHS Jesus Christ Our Savior New Director of Life Long Faith DevelopmentI am pleased to announce that Leo Moreda has been chosen to be our parish’s Director of Life Long Faith Development.  This new position on our parish staff is a key element of progressing on one of our four parish strategic initiatives:  Enhancing Faith Formation for All Ages. We want to expand opportunities for learning at all stages of life, support spiritual growth and development, promote Jesuit charism and Ignatian spirituality, and insure that all we do is rooted in prayer.  As you know, Leo is currently serving as our Youth Minister, and he will continue to direct our youth ministry program while we search for a new Youth Minister.

We are grateful to the search committee for the Director of Life Long Faith Development:  Cathy Foley, Jennifer Luebke, Mickey McGoldrick, Mike Motsinger, Fr. Michael Proterra, and Deacon Hector Velazco.

Please welcome Leo to this new role in our parish.                        Father Bob Hussey, S.J.

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord – Next Sunday

Fecamp Benedictine Ascension

In the Diocese of Raleigh, as in many diocese in the United States, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord will be celebrated on Sunday, May 20 (next Sunday) rather than the traditional date of Thursday of sixth week of Easter. This means that Thursday, May 17, is celebrated as a weekday of the Easter season and is not a Holy Day of Obligation.

Stay Up To Date / Manténgase al Día

Our Cathedral One Faith One PeopleStay up to date on the exciting progress of the campaign as we work together to build our new Cathedral, Holy Name of Jesus.

Manténgase al día sobre los avances de la campaña mientras trabajamos juntos para construir nuestra nueva Catedral, Santo Nombre de Jesús.

Prayers for Nicholas Dickhut

Sgt. Nicholas Dickhut, nephew of John and Jennie Gunther, was killed in action in Afghanistan on April 30. Prayers are asked for peace and grace for Nick, and strength and comfort for his family.

New Principal Has Been Named!!!

New Principal John MihalyoI am pleased to announce that the Mr. John Mihalyo will be the next Principal of St. Raphael Catholic School.  Mr. Mihalyo comes to us from Wierton, West Virginia, where he is Principal of Madonna High School in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.  Members of our Principal Search Committee were universal in their strong endorsement of Mr. Mihalyo to be our next Principal.   Mr. Mihalyo will begin serving as Principal this summer.  Click for more detailed biographical information!

I am very grateful to the search committee for their hard work and careful discernment, and also to the teachers and staff who participated in the search process.  Members of the search committee are Pat Abel (Chair), Jorge Caceres, Mike DelaCourt, Theresa Haughey, Steve Mares, Mickey McGoldrick, Helen Mosca, Chris Panzl, Melissa Shaheen, and Mike Shinners.

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Mihalyo to our St. Raphael community.
Fr. Bob Hussey, S.J.
Pastor, St. Raphael Catholic Church

Almost Halfway to the Goal! Send in your Cathedral Pledge Card

Our Cathedral One Faith One PeoplePledges to the Our Cathedral: One Faith, One People Campaign are arriving every day.  Thus far, St. Raphael parishioners have pledged $930,267.  That’s 45% of our parish goal of $2,046,782.  Many thanks to the 418 families who have answered Bishop Michael Burbidge’s call to financially support the campaign.  That’s 10% of families in the parish.  Our participation goal is 100%.  For those still reflecting on a pledge, envelopes will be available at church.  This campaign will help build the new Cathedral, support the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, and benefit two projects here at St. Raphael.  If you have any questions, please contact Rick Gall (galls@bellsouth.net or 876-4221). Haven’t pledged yet? Click here for suggested gifts.

Nuestra Catedral Noticias de la Campaña

¡Estamos Frente A Un Gran Comienzo!Muchas gracias a todas las familias que entregaron sus promesas durante nuestra Semana de Compromiso. Sus promesas sacrificiales nos han traído más cerca a nuestra meta parroquial de
$ 2,046,782.  Por favor ayúdenos a construir el éxito y a lograr nuestro objetivo con el 100% de participación haciendo su promesa hoy.

Thank You from Catholic Parish Outreach

CPO Spring Food DriveThe Saint Raphael  “Feed-A-Family” food drive was a huge success.  Our parish donated 4,800 pounds of groceries and $3,295 for families in need.  Thanks so much to all of our generous parishioners.  Also, a huge thank you to all of our volunteers who passed out bags and worked on the truck.  We were especially pleased with the youth of our parish who volunteered their time for this worthy cause.

Did you know we have Gr 1-8 Summer Camp at St. Raphael?

SRCS 2012 Summer CampYes. Our school offers a wonderful camp with many session during June.

Read more about the 2012 SRCS Summer Camp Program.

2012 Summer Camp Registration

Don’t Delay Register Today! Middle School Camp

All middle school youth are invited to sign up for this summer’s Young Samaritan Camp. During the week long experience youth will engage in fun activities, prayers, discussions, community outreach, a sleep over on Thursday night and a variety of other engaging events in order to further draw youth into fuller participation in the life, and work of our Catholic faith, and ultimately, to dare them to make a change in our world.

The camp is scheduled for the week of July 9th – 13th. and will run daily from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., with an overnight segment Thursday night.  This opportunity is open to all rising middle school aged youth, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in the Fall of 2012.  High school youth are invited and welcomed to serve as peer leaders for the camp.  Click to register now!

A Few Mission Trip Openings – Want to Go?

Youth 2012 HS CHWC Mission Trip Prince Frederick MDAttention adults! Looking to make a change in Youth 2012 MS YW Mission Trip Savannah GAsomeone’s life this summer?  There are still a few open spots for adults to minister during this year’s middle and high school summer mission trips.  The trips are scheduled for the weeks of June 15-20 and 22-27.  For more information or to offer your time and talent please contact Leo at the office, 919-865-5708.

Attention middle school youth and families!  2 spots have become available for this year’s summer mission trip scheduled for the week of June 15-20 to Savannah, GA.  Click for more information or to register for the trip. 

Making Summer Plans?

Be sure to include the Youth Ministry summer Bible study opportunities in your summer plans.  Click the Young Samaritan Camp if you are in Middle School.  Click on T3  The Teen Timeline if you are in High School.

Did you miss out on signing up for the Diocesan High School Youth Convention?

2 female and 1 male spot have opened up for this annual gathering of high school aged youth from throughout the Diocese.  Over three hundred youth are expected at this year’s event which is scheduled for May 18-20 at Oak Island, NC.  Please click here or call the office 919-865-5708 to reserve a spot, today!

Are You a Leader?

YOUTH PEER LEADER GROUP—Are you a leader? Do you have good ideas for what Youth Ministry can be at St. Raphael? Want to be more involved as a leader? The Youth Ministry Youth Board peer leader group meets every Sunday from 3:30 – 5:15 PM in the Youth Room. There are still a few openings in this diverse and energetic group of youth who plan and implement youth events for the parish community. All high school youth are welcome and invited to attend.

Assistance For Those Seeking Aid

In recent weeks we have had people in front of church asking for assistance.  St. Raphael has funds to assist people seeking our help, though we do not distribute that assistance on weekends.  If someone asks you for a donation, you may tell them to call the Social Concerns desk at 919-865-5744, and we will respond to their request.  You may give them a bulletin and refer them to this phone number in the directory under “Social Justice.”  Ushers and Greeters also have this information, along with a list of other resources available in the community including shelters.  If you would like to contribute to our fund for providing this kind of assistance, place you contribution in one of the poor boxes.

Funeral Mass for Sarah Rowley

A funeral mass is scheduled for Sarah Rowley on Wednesday, May 16th at 3pm in Our Lady Queen of the Americas Chapel.  She died Saturday, April 28th.

Join Cub Scouts!

Cub ScoutsPlease join Cub Scout Pack 314 for a membership round-up on Tuesday May 15 at 7:00PM in Room 30 of the Parish Center. Boys who will be starting 1st thru 5th grade in August are invited to attend this session with their parents to learn more about the Cub Scout Program. Contact Mike Johann at 919-850-9422 or email JoinPack314@Pack-314.org with questions. For additional information visit www.pack-314.org.