Several dozen people from the parish turned out for our conversation about the life of the Church today that was held in our Fellowship Hall on July 31. I appreciated the honest comments, questions and concerns about some of the scandals and issues we are facing as a community of faith. I do believe that many, many people (clergy and laity alike) are committed to a spirit of conversion and turning toward the Lord that will be a source of renewal for the Church.
We are making available copies of Bishop Robert Barron's book "Letter to a Suffering Church" and hope that it will be helpful.

Watch the bulletin & Web Site for information about other events that will help our conversation continue. Thank you. Father Mike

Each year our parish invites those seeking the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to receive the anointing during a Sunday Mass. This year we are scheduling the Mass with the Anointing of the Sick at 11:00am on Sunday, September 1. Christ established the seven sacraments to help us grow in holiness and receive Christ's gift of grace. If you are suffering from an illness or the effects of being elderly and can come to church, please call the parish office and let the staff know if you will attending Mass and wish to be anointed. Also, for those who are ill and homebound, please contact the parish office for Fr. Mike to schedule a date to come to your home for the anointing. For more information, please call 847.395.3474.


 

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917) is one of the bright lights in the story of the Catholic Church in the United States. A native of Italy, Mother Cabrini formed a community of religious sisters that assisted Italian immigrants coming to the United State and South America. St. Raphael Parish will show a documentary about the life of Mother Cabrini on Sunday, September 8 in the Fellowship Hall at Noon. A classmate of mine from college, Lucia Mauro, produced the documentary and will join us for the viewing. Please join us.



 

Beginning in September, our parish will embark on another Bible study. This year we will explore the Book of Genesis. All meetings will be in the Fellowship Hall on the lower level of our church. We are now accepting registrations for either the

• Evening group (most Tuesdays at 7:00pm beginning September 10)

or

• Daytime group (most Wednesday at 9:10am beginning September 11)

We are asking participants to donate $20-30 to cover the cost of the workbook and supplies; however, everyone is welcome to join us even if the cannot make the donation. Please click on the link form and complete the registration form 

Bible Study: The Book of Genesis Registration Form

 — Fr. Mike

On September 21-22, after every Mass, there will be a parish-wide collection for Catholic Charities to buy diapers for needy families. Catholic Charities can buy diapers cheaper than you can (just 13 cents each), so dollars or change are the best. But it’s okay to bring in full or partial packages of diapers. Thank you for your support!
 

Sponsored by the
Altar & Rosary Sodality Women’s Club.

Last fall we installed a window of St. Anne and the Blessed Virgin Mary on the north wall of our church. With that, we have installed all the stained glass windows the Archdiocese of Chicago gave us from St. Peter Canisius Church in Chicago (closed in 2007). The windows were fabricated in Austria in the 1930s and they look absolutely beautiful with the bright sun shining through them in our church.

Thanks to all who continue helping us create such a beautiful church for the glory of God

If you are aware of an adult in our area who has expressed an interest in learning more about the Catholic Faith, or what is required to be baptized or become a Catholic, please encourage that person to contact me or Deacon Greg Webster.

In September we will begin a series of conversations for those who are seeking baptism or reception in the Church. Your personal invitation to a family member, neighbor, or friend can encourage people to make inquiry. Thank you!

For more information, please contact Deacon Greg Webster at (847) 395-3474.

PARISH LENDING LIBRARY
 

PURCHASING CLUB

If you love to do your personal or gift shopping online using Amazon.com, please sign up and use Smile.Amazon.com instead https://smile.amazon.com— and designate St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church as your preferred charity! OR - Simply Click on the Amazon Smile Box Above and Enjoy Your Shopping knowing that you are supporting your Parish.

AmazonSmile.com | Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice

It works just the same as regular Amazon.com — same shipping, same Prime, same everything — but you provide a gift to St. Raphael Catholic Church in the process.
 

Every Sunday at 10:20 am in church, we pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for the intentions of our parish, in particular for those written in the Intention Book located at the statue of St. Raphael the Archangel. Please add your intentions to the book so we can lift up your needs and be united in prayer. We read the intentions that have been put in the book the previous Sunday or during the week. This can be anonymous if you want. Let us prayerfully accompany you on your journey, in imitation of Our Patron, St. Raphael the Archangel.