Looking to grow deeper in your faith this summer? Join us for a 5-week Scripture Study exploring the powerful story of Judith — a woman of courage, conviction, and complete trust in God. 

Through prayer, reading, and small group discussion, participants will discover how Judith’s faith can inspire us to stand firm in our values and follow God’s will in our daily lives.

 Wednesdays, June 3 – July 1
 7:00–8:00 PM
 Led by Sandy Beris
 Weekly readings completed at home with one-hour group gatherings

 Space is limited to 40 participants
 Registration required by June 2 at 6 PM

 Register here:
https://forms.gle/pAZe2gWsVsgLJU3i7

Come spend your summer growing in Scripture, fellowship, and faith! 

The parish Office is closed on Monday, May 25th. Mass will take place at 8:45am as usual.

💙🙏 An Update from Father Steve 🙏💙

Dear St. Raphael Parish Family,

With both gratitude and heartfelt emotion, we share that Fr. Steven Borello will be transitioning from his role as Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Joliet and becoming the Administrator of St. Petronille Catholic Church in Glen Ellyn effective July 1, 2026.

Over the past 6 years, Father Steve has blessed our parish community through his ministry, compassion, guidance, and faithful witness to Christ. We are deeply grateful for the many Masses celebrated, confessions heard, prayers shared, and joyful moments experienced together. ✨⛪

While we will greatly miss Father Steve, we pray for continued blessings upon his new journey and ministry. Please keep Fr. Steve, Fr. James, and the St. Petronille community in your prayers. 🙏❤️

📅 Farewell Reception for Father Steve
🗓 Sunday, June 28th
⏰ Following the Noon Mass
📍 School Gym

Please join us as we thank Father Steve for his faithful service and wish him God’s abundant blessings in this next chapter. 💛

Are you called to serve?

St. Raphael is seeking new mentors to join our Transitional Housing Team in partnership with Bridge Communities! 💛

By becoming a mentor, you can help local families:
💵 Learn budgeting skills
🎯 Set short & long-term goals
🤝 Build accountability
🏡 Work toward self-sufficiency

Bridge Communities provides transitional housing to over 100+ DuPage County families each year, and YOU can make a lasting impact in someone’s life. 🙏

📅 New mentor training: June 5 & 6
📍 St. Raphael Catholic Church
📧 Contact: Margaret Foye (mfoye@st-raphael.com)

✨ Mentor. Encourage. Empower.
Together, we can build a stronger community! 💛

❤️🤝 SERVING THE UNDERSERVED 🤝❤️

Join us every 4th Thursday of the month as we serve our neighbors in need through Hesed House. 🏠✨

Hesed House provides meals, clothing, showers, laundry services, and a safe place for those experiencing homelessness. Together, we can be the hands and feet of Christ in our community. 🙏💙

📅 Next Service Ministry Event
🗓 May 28, 2026

There are many ways you can help:
🍽 Donate food
🎁 Donate gift cards from GFS or Aldi
🙋 Volunteer your time

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome.” — Matthew 25:35 ✝️

📞 Contact:
Nancy Manzie — 630-913-2703
Paula Schumacher — 630-209-0176

🌐 Learn more about Hesed House:
Hesed House

Thank you for helping us share Christ’s love with those most in need. ❤️

On Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 PM, the Sacred Voices Choir will perform live at St. Raphael Church—an extraordinary, one-night-only event and their only appearance in the Diocese of Joliet.

This 40-member choir features singers from leading Roman and Vatican musical institutions. Under the direction of Pontifical Cantore Adriano Caroletti, they will be accompanied by Josep Solè Coll, organist of the Pope and St. Peter’s Basilica

The program highlights the rich tradition of sacred music, featuring works by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, often called the “Prince of Music,” along with compositions by Lorenzo Perosi and Domenico Bartolucci, who both served as directors of the Pope’s Choir in the 20th century. These timeless pieces have accompanied papal liturgies in the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica and represent some of the most solemn and beautiful music of the Catholic Church. The Sacred Voices Choir also had the honor of offering a concert for Pope Leo XIV.

Tickets are now available, including premium front seating and general admission. St. Raphael parishioners have early access before tickets are released to the wider Diocese—so don’t wait to reserve your seats. Please use the link to learn more and purchase tickets

Bishop Dennis E. Spies invites the St. Raphael Parish Community to join him for a weekly video reflection on the theme of “Christ’s Peace”. Each week’s reflection will be available using the link below.

Christ’s Peace Video

https://www.diojoliet.org/es/eastertide

🔥✨ CONSUMED ✨🔥
High School Teen Ministry at St. Raphael

The world is constantly filling our minds and hearts with noise 📱🌎⚡ — distractions, pressures, opinions, and endless chaos. Without even realizing it, we can become consumed by it.

But what if we allowed ourselves to be consumed by something greater? ✝️🔥

Consumed Youth Ministry is a place where high school teens gather in community to grow closer to Jesus Christ through:
📖 Scripture
🙏 Prayer
💬 Discussion
🤝 Friendship & Community

Together, we explore how to shift our focus from worldly distractions to a faith-filled relationship with Christ that transforms our hearts and lives. ❤️‍🔥

👥 Under the leadership of Deacon Jerry Afeltra

🗓️ Meets the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month
⏰ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 St. Raphael Catholic Church

🙌 All High School Teens Are Welcome!
Bring a friend and come be CONSUMED by Christ! 🔥✝️

📧 Questions? Contact Deacon Jerry Afeltra
jafeltra@st-raphael.com