We welcome our new Associate Pastor Fr. MM Cerna!
My name is Fr. Jose Menemil P. Cerna. I studied at Mundelein Seminary and I am one of the Class of 2020 graduates. My family and friends have been calling me by my nickname, MM, since I was a child. I prefer to be called Father MM Cerna.
I was born and raised in Cebu, Philippines and I have been here in the United States for four years now since I moved in June of 2016. I got my American Permanent Resident Visa from the immigrant petition filed for me, way back in 2004 by my mother, Milagros P. Cerna, who is an American Citizen. I received it, together with my Green Card, in May of 2016. There are thirteen children in my family, and I am the youngest. One of my brothers died a few hours after he was born; hence, we are twelve living children. I have six siblings who live in the Philippines and there are also six of us siblings who live in the United States. My mother is currently living with my brother’s family in Joliet.
My vocation to the priesthood started when my father was admitted to the hospital due to lung cancer when I was 11 years old. During the hospitalization of my father, many members of my family and friends and members of our church’s Charismatic Renewal Prayer Group prayed over my father and I also joined them. Eventually, my father died. After the death of my father, I became an active member of the Charismatic Renewal Prayer Group in our parish and became an altar server for two years. This was the beginning of my vocation to the priesthood. At that time, I already had a gut feeling that God was calling me to become a Priest. So, at that time, I had already decided to become a Priest someday.
But my plan to become a Priest was delayed for many years because I took a bit of a detour first. After graduating from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, I worked in the corporate world for 14 years. I worked in a hotel for two years, then I worked as a Ballroom Dance Instructor (D.I.) for seven years, and then I worked as a Real Estate Broker for five years.
In 2009, I realized that the call of God to the priesthood still existed within me because it never went away during all those years. The call was so persistent. It might have gone away for a time, but it would come back, again and again, no matter how much I ignored it. My pastor was the first one who enlightened me that indeed I still had the calling from God when he saw me attending morning Mass every day in our parish. I divulged to him that it had been my desire to become a Priest since the time I was 11 years old.
After consulting with my family, I quit my job, and I applied to be a seminarian for our Archdiocese of Cebu, Philippines in order to pursue my plan to become a Priest. I was accepted and became a seminarian in Cebu, Philippines for five years. In 2015, I decided to transfer to the Diocese of Joliet because my American Resident Visa petition was about to be granted. I moved into the United States in June of 2016 after I received my American Permanent Resident Visa. I was formally accepted into the Diocese of Joliet by our previous Vocation Director, Fr. Burke Masters, and Bishop Daniel Conlon in July of 2016.
The Lord has continually affirmed my call to the priesthood, and I am filled with joy to be a seminarian and then a Transitional Deacon for the Diocese of Joliet. I have been serving at St. Walter Parish in Roselle, IL for three years now under the guidance of the pastor, Fr. Mario Quejadas.
I became so excited and grateful when I learned that after my priesthood ordination I would be assigned to serve as an Associate Pastor here at St. Raphael in Naperville. Thank you so much, Fr. Dan Bachner, Fr. John Honiotes, and to all of you for accepting me and welcoming me as your new Associate Pastor.
May God bless you abundantly!
Parish Reopening Information
We are happy to be able to offer two masses on Saturday and three on Sunday!
As we continue to make the phased transition back into the sacramental life, we want to echo the recommendations from the Diocese for all who are vulnerable or uncomfortable to stay safe and remain home for the time being.
Masses will be held Saturday, July 4 at 4:00 & 6:00pm and on Sunday July 5 at 8:00 am, 10:00am (live streamed) and 12 Noon. Mass will be held in church. Sign up at link below. No changes or additions can be made after Saturday at 1:00pm.
Safety precautions to observe at all times:
- Prior to coming to church, please take a moment to go through a health protocol self-checklist. If you experience any of the symptoms, we ask that you stay home.
- You must sanitize your hands upon entering the church. We will have sanitizers at the doorway.
- You must wear a mask or face covering upon entering the church and for the duration of your time inside.
- You must stay within the designated areas that are in place to adhere to the social distancing measures.
- Only one door off the main parking lot will be open to enter, you may exit any Narthex door.
- Follow the 6’ social distancing at all times.
- Please follow the guidance of the ministers present who will direct you, seat you, or answer questions.
- We will be working hard between the Masses to sanitize our Worship Space and prepare it for future use throughout the day.
- The dispensation from the Sunday obligation remains in place indefinitely.
- If you are fearful or have any reluctance to return to Sunday observance at this time, you should not do so.
- Those most susceptible to contracting COVID-19 by virtue of age, medical condition or other vulnerability should not attend the in-person Mass.
- Online reservations are required for Weekend Masses. Please click here to register. For those who do not have access to a computer or need assistance with this process, please contact the parish office at 630-615-7656.
- No changes or additions can be made after Saturday at 1:00pm.
- Please arrive to Mass early; the doors will open at 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm on Saturday and 7:30 am, 9:30am and 11:30 am, respectively on Sunday. Ministers will escort you to your seats. The doors will be locked at 5 min prior to start time to allow the Mass to begin on time.
- There will not be worship aids or hymnals in the pews.
- At the present time we are asking the congregation not to sing as advised by the CDC.
- There is still no handshake of peace.
- Follow directions of the usher and observe social distancing to receive communion.
- Communion will be distributed in the hand only. Communion from the cup is discontinued indefinitely.
- After receiving communion, step to the side, remove your mask and consume the precious host, then secure your mask.
- After the final blessing and dismissal, you will be guided by an usher for departure.
- Please follow social distancing at all times upon departure.
- With regard to our weekly collection, we encourage you to continue to give online or by mail for the safety of our ministers and money counters. This can be done by clicking here and creating an account. For those who cannot do so, we will place a collection basket in the narthex for you to drop off your offerings upon entering or exiting the church.
- Weekday Masses: The doors will be locked at 8:25 am allow the Mass to begin on time.
- Please follow the same social distancing protocols in place for Sunday Masses.
- For those who do not have access to a computer or need assistance with this process, please contact the parish office at 630-615-7656.
- We will continue to livestream the daily Mass.
Confession – Saturday, July 4 from 11:00am-noon
- Two priests will be outside of church.
- You must maintain six feet distance between each other.
- Masks or face covering should be worn.
- One priest will be outside church on the front brick-pavers and one priest will be by the administration building entrance.
- You DO NOT have to sign up for confessions.
Church Open for Private Prayer – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 1:00 – 3:00pm
Baptism
We will begin just baptizing one infant at a time in July. Number of people present will depend on what is allowed at that time. Please call Deacon Kurt to set up time. Masks or face covering will be needed.
Weddings
At this point weddings can be scheduled, but we are limited to 100 people. Guidelines are the same as mass.
The parish staff is working during the Covid-19 pandemic. If you need to conduct business during these times, please make an appointment with the staff member you would like to meet with. Walk-ins are not allowed in the parish office at this time.
This guideline will be updated as things change.
Pax,
Fr Dan
Here’s a snapshot of some of the other things going on:
- Masses are live-streamed daily. You can view the Masses at anytime by clicking on the link above or visiting our Facebook page.
- We are filming “Church Chats” on Facebook – short videos by staff and parishioners about a variety of topics from personal stories to special teachings. Click here to go directly to our “Church Chats” video playlist.
- Mass Intentions are still able to be booked. Contact Lois at ltyznik@st-raphael.com. She can give you a firm date for the Mass and mail the memorial card.
- The Service Commission has been making face masks for parishioners in need, please contact Barry if you need one. We are in need of elastic and elastic bands to make more masks. Please contact Barry if you have some to donate.
- We are collecting food for Hesed House and the West Suburban Food Pantry in Woodridge. Hesed House needs single serve non-perishable microwaveable food, water bottles and single serve pop top foods that do not need can openers (chunky soups, tuna, Dinty More Stews). West Suburban would take any contributions like Loaves and Fishes. Loaves and Fishes is still receiving our envelope financial contributions. Any food contributions can be left outside the church doors on the right side between the hours of 8am-2pm. Any questions please email Barry.
- The leaders of the Monday Rosary are praying together via Zoom. Join them at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/
73275681473?pwd= ZHJlYkFIM2sreFgvSmQyNXFIdFNyUT 09. CODE: 732 7568 1473 Password: 3FWLLC - While music groups will probably not gather until the Fall , Julie and Robert are Zooming with them to stay connected, pray and sing a bit. They will be learning some new music pieces over the summer. Anyone interested in joining a choir or liturgical ministry, please email Julie or Robert respectively.
- Teen groups are meeting virtually every week for RPM, small group discussions and Lectio Divina.
Spiritual Communion Prayer (with Anima Christi)
Jesus, I desire to receive you into the poor dwelling that my heart offers. While waiting for the happiness of sacramental Communion, I wish to possess you in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, since I for my part, am coming to you. May your love embrace my whole being in life and in death. I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. Amen.
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ’s side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee
With Thy saints and with Thy angels
Forever and ever.
Amen