Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It serves as a preparation for the celebration of Easter, focusing on inner conversion and renewal of the heart. During Lent, Catholics are encouraged to give up certain luxuries, practice self-control through fasting, and engage in acts of charity and service.

Lenten Regulations on Abstinence & Fasting

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, as the “pascal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. Source: USCCB.org

Come to the St. Raphael Community Pancake Breakfast on March 1 in the gym!

Books are located in the Narthax. This year we will be reading Lenten Gospel Reflections. A $3.00 donation per book is suggested.

Clergy Chats begin Monday, February 23 at 3:30pm during Lent.

Click here to watch Clergy Chats on Mondays at 3:30pm.

Bishop Dennis Spies has been appointed Apostolic Administration for the Diocese of Joliet. See below press release. Join us in prayer and support for Bishop Spies.

Are you called to serve?

We are seeking new mentors to participate on the Transitional Housing Team at St. Raphael. We are a Program Partner with Bridge Communities to provide this ministry.

With Program Partner support, Bridge Communities provides free transitional housing to 100+ DuPage County families each year. During the two years each family spends in the program, they can save money, learn budgeting and life skills, use family resources provided by Bridge, and obtain better employment so that they can live self-sufficiently once they graduate. Mentors meet with their assigned Bridge client for 1 hour per week or the length of the program (approx. 2 years) to provide the budget structure, help with debt pay-off strategies, set short and long-term goals, and serve as an accountability partner.

If you are passionate about discipleship and feel called to invest in another journey, please contact Margaret Foye (mfoye@st-raphael.com). Bridge will be holding a two day training course for new mentors on February 20 and 21.

Let’s build a stronger community together!

Click this link to register for the next mentor training session held on Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21.

See below information for a list of our volunteering opportunities along with our gathering events. All High School Teens are welcome to the CONSUMED youth gatherings!

Events:

Consumed Youth will gather on March 5th at 7pm in the Rose chapel and on March 19th at 7pm in the teen room. All are welcome  and bring a friend.

Reflection opportunities: 

• Stations of the Cross:-March 6th, 13th and 20th (Taize) 7pm in the church.
• Family Holy Hour-Spend time with Jesus; reconciliation will be available:
• March 3rd,10th,17th,24th (Praise and worship music) and 31st  from 6pm-7pm.

Volunteer opportunities:

• Walk with Jesus on the road to Calvary. Help lead Tazie stations on March 20th. See Dcn. Jerry.
• Vacation Bible School: Week of June 15th, your help is needed in many areas. If you are confirmed you can be a group leader. If not confirmed your presence will be greatly appreciated and you can help in many other ways. Further information to follow. Prayerfully consider giving of your time.

Consumed Youth ongoing Formation:

Sit in the wilderness and the quiet of your heart and come to know and listen to our Lord and savior on Tuesdays in Lent 6-7pm  .

“WORTHY”  Youth Conference, June 26-28 2026  Benedictine University Lisle IL.

Last summer we were all Consumed by the love of the Father.

This summer;  we all are “Worthy” of His love –no strings attached. 

All teens 9th -12th grade are welcomed.

See bulletin for registration and further details.