Dear St. Raphael Parishioners,


The expressions “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” have found their way from the Gospel into common use in the English language. Sometimes the words of Jesus have such power that people use them without knowing they are quoting the gospels! What’s even more remarkable is that metaphors (figures of speech) like this often don’t translate well between languages and cultures. But the words of Jesus have a power that transcends time and nations.

Building a Church community: This weekend should mark the return of after-Mass fellowship, after almost three years. When I took down the last “No Fellowship Served” sign last week, it had been up for so long the tape pulled off some paint from the wall. Don’t worry, we will get that fixed! More importantly, we will again have the chance to visit with each other after the Sunday Masses. St. Raphael has seen a number of new members during the past year or two, and unl now they had little chance to get acquainted with everyone. I recommend even to those who don’t plan to attend Fellowship regularly, come down the next few weekends. It will give us all a chance to reconnect as a parish.

My life experience has taught me to never underestimate the importance of informal connections. It can be a simple as one family looking for a babysitter; another family may have an older child looking to do that. A senior citizen may need a ride to Mass; another parishioner in the same neighborhood may be driving to Mass alone each week. Someone may have just read a good book about the Faith; someone else has quesons the book addresses. There are countless ways that connecons like these can enrich our daily lives.

The Archdiocese has asked each parish to take a new look at ways of reaching out to potenal new members. In the coming year, we will see some new programs to help us do this. The programs may be helpful, but I believe that personal connections strengthen our faith more than anything else.

St. Raphael Parish History: Most of you probably know about our unique building, and how it re-purposed older churches from Chicago. Some of our newer members may not know about the original “farm church” on Illinois 173. The past month has seen the passing of two members of the Pedersen family, who donated the use of their farm buildings as our first space for Masses. St. Raphael Church will always be grateful to the Pedersens and other first-generation parish families who helped us get established.

God Bless you all,

Fr. Matthew