In this week’s bulletin you will see some restated financial reports for the last few months. The restricted numbers on Sundays have caused a drop in collections, and in light of this the estimated budget numbers had to be revised. These numbers refer to the months after the end of the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year, which was reported in last week’s bulletin. Although St. Raphael has managed to cover our operating costs this past year, the reduced collections have put some pressure on our finances. I am very grateful to all of you who have supported St. Raphael and continue to do so. Once again I would like to remind all parishioners that online giving is an easy way to send your support. You can set up an account for online giving by visiting our website straphaelcatholic.org and clicking on the tab marked “Give”.

Belated thanks to the members of our Finance Council: Mark Gardner, JoAnn Osmond, Paul Pavelski, and Garry Ryan. Thank you also to Dean Pedersen who served as Chairman and has now retired from this service to our parish. The Finance Council was a profound support to me in the weeks following my arrival. During that time we hired Mark Mrowiec as our new Operations Director. Mark has quickly gotten up to speed on the job, and is looking into a number of financial challenges that face us. Expenses such as maintenance and repairs continue regardless of what our income is. The extra expenses for sanitation supplies (cleaning solution, disposable towels etc.) are modest but ongoing. I again want to thank our volunteers who give of their time to clean after Masses. We may be limited to 25% of our usual attendance, but I know how important it is to be at Mass in person, for those of us who can.

As I write this there has been another resurgence of Covid cases, and the State of Illinois is increasing some restrictions. There has been no change to the distancing and capacity rules for church services at this time. But as always, this is subject to change on short notice. The Council of Catholic Nurses Mass scheduled for November 28 has been postponed.

After eight months of social restrictions, most of us are more than tired of it. That may be an understatement, but complaining seldom changes anything. In the middle of the night, I sometimes recall dreaming about the usual social activities I used to take for granted! As we enter into wintertime, let us pray this will be the last season Covid-19 keeps us separated!

Yours in the Lord,
Fr. Matthew





 

PLEASE SUPPORT ST. RAPHAEL

Recognizing that many people are having financial issues related to the coronavirus, I hesitate to even mention this, but I am most appreciative of your continued support for St. Raphael. A number of parishioners have used the US mail to send in their donations. Others are now using the egiving option available on our website: 

https://www.straphaelcatholic.org/give

Knights of Columbus Christmas Tree Lot
The annual Christmas Tree Lot will again be located at the corner of US 45 and Route 173. This year we will offer Wreaths, Balsam, Fraser and Canaan Trees. The lot will open on Friday November 27. Hours of Operation:

Dear Friends,

One of Christ's greatest gifts is his merciful for­giveness of our sins. It is a gift that we need to re­ceive many times in our lives. Thoughtful prepara­tion for the Sacrament of Penance helps us name our sins and receive the Lord's pardon well. Please use this book as a means of bringing to mind your sins and to prepare your heart for the mercy Christ generously gives.

The Ten Commandments 
I Preparing for the Sacrament of Penance 
II. Examination of Conscience
III . Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance 
Act of Contrition