Important Advent Post

Experience hope, peace, love, and joy at St. Raphael.

As we prepare for Advent we wanted to share with you our events. We look forward to seeing you and your family during this upcoming new liturgical year.

Advent is a four-week season, Advent, begins on the Sunday closest to November 30th and concludes on Christmas Eve, December 24th. It marks the beginning of the new liturgical year in the Catholic Church. So for the 2026 Liturgical Year, Advent begins on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

In essence, this season is a bridge between the past, present, and future. It allows us to look back on the hope for the Savior of the World, experience anew the joy of his arrival and also his reign in the present through his Church, and to prepare ourselves for his glorious return at his Second Coming.

Source-Catholic.com

*Please note that our postcards that went out to all of our parishoners noted the Simbang Gabi Mass was at 7:00pm. It is correct on this image and Mass begins at 7:30pm.

On December 16 at 7:00pm our Parish will have a Advent Penance Service.

Join us on December 12 with Fr. Alex for Advent Praise & Worship!

Please see below message from Deacon Jerry

Begin your day centered, focused and with prayer.

I invite all of you to join us in Morning prayer in the chapel, Monday through Friday at 8:15am, before mass.
Morning prayer lasts 15 minutes and is pretty easy to learn.

The Liturgy of the Hours is a daily prayer cycle in Christianity, consisting of specific prayers, psalms, readings, and hymns that are prayed at set times throughout the day, such as morning, midday, and evening. Also known as the Divine Office, it is considered the official prayer of the Church and aims to sanctify the hours of the day by immersing the faithful in the mysteries of Christ and the liturgical year. While traditionally prayed by clergy and religious, it is open to all the laity as a way to deepen their spiritual connection with God and the wider Church.

Key components of the Liturgy of the Hours

• Scriptural readings: The foundation of the prayer is the Word of God, with the psalms being especially central. It also includes readings from other parts of the Bible and writings from Church Fathers and saints.
• Hymns and prayers: These are integrated to correspond with the time of day and the liturgical season.
• Canticles: These are the Gospel canticles (like the Magnificat and Benedictus) and other biblical songs that are used for meditation and reflection.
• Intercessions: The prayers often include petitions for the needs of the Church and the world.

If this is something that you might like to participate in and feel a bit reluctant, please contact me Deacon Jerry at 630-615-7609

Interested in decorating an Advent Wreath? Join the Community of Catholic Moms on November 18. Please fill out this form to RSVP and note what supplies you will need. RSVP Form

Join us on Saturday, December 6th. St Raphael will host a Women’s Advent Tea in Room 162 from 1:00pm – 3:30pm.

Step away from the secular rush & rediscover the sacred heart of the Christmas season. Join us for an afternoon of fellowship, presentation, prayer, and reflection.

Small Bites, Hot Cocoa Bar, Punch, Coffee, Tea, and Spirits will be provided

Special guest speaker Suzanne Carter: Portiuncula in Frankfort’s Program & Spiritual Director, and Boundless Compassion Facilitator. Sue will guide us in embracing a spirit of preparation, joyful hope, & humble surrender, inspired by Mary’s quiet strength & luminous faith.

Register Today – Space is Limited!  (SignUp Genius)

MAKE is a call to action — rooted in Catechesis, Evangelization, and Faith into action — to follow Jesus’ Great Commission: Go and make disciples. It’s time to live our faith boldly. Together, let’s make disciples — starting now!

Click here to read Bishop Hick’s Letter

“Having fallen in love with Jesus, we are impelled by a sense of mission to share His unfathomable love with everyone we meet and to serve others. He now sends us to put our faith into action.