• Home
  • About Our Parish
    • Contact Us
    • Map & Directions
    • Calendar
    • Our Story
    • Staff
    • Parish Council
    • Building Committee
    • Finance Committee
  • Faith Formation
    • Bible Study
    • Confession
    • Marriage
    • Religious Education Program
    • Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
    • Sacraments
      • Baptism
      • Penance
      • Holy Eucharist
      • Confirmation
      • Holy Matrimony
      • Holy Orders
      • Anointing of the Sick
  • Ministries
    • Liturgical
      • Altar Servers
      • Eucharistic Ministers
      • Lectors
      • Music
      • Ushers
    • Human Concern
      • Catholic Charities
      • Food Pantry
      • Pro Life
      • St. Vincent de Paul
    • Parish Life
      • Altar & Rosary Sodality
      • Family Faith Formation
      • Hospitality
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Volunteers
  • Give
    • Giving
    • Contribution Statements
    • Walk Of Faith
  • Resources
    • Faith Foundations
      • Additional Links - Faith Foundation Series
    • Today's Daily Readings
    • National Eucharistic Revival
    • Follow Us
    • Weekly Bulletins
    • Archdiocese of Chicago
    • Chicago Catholic
    • New American Bible
    • Saint of the Day
    • U.S. Conference of Bishops
    • Jubilee
|||
St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church

St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church
40000 North U.S. Highway 45
Old Mill Creek, IL 60046
847-395-3474

  • Map & Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Giving
Phone Email Facebook Custom Social Media Instagram
Search
  • Home
  • About Our Parish
      • Contact Us
      • Map & Directions
      • Calendar
      • Our Story
      • Staff
      • Parish Council
      • Building Committee
      • Finance Committee
  • Faith Formation
      • Bible Study
      • Confession
      • Marriage
      • Religious Education Program
      • Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
      • Sacraments
  • Ministries
    • Liturgical
      • Altar Servers
      • Eucharistic Ministers
      • Lectors
      • Music
      • Ushers
    • Human Concern
      • Catholic Charities
      • Food Pantry
      • Pro Life
      • St. Vincent de Paul
    • Parish Life
      • Altar & Rosary Sodality
      • Family Faith Formation
      • Hospitality
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Volunteers
  • Give
      • Giving
      • Contribution Statements
      • Walk Of Faith
  • Resources
      • Faith Foundations
      • Today's Daily Readings
      • National Eucharistic Revival
      • Follow Us
      • Weekly Bulletins
      • Archdiocese of Chicago
      • Chicago Catholic
      • New American Bible
      • Saint of the Day
      • U.S. Conference of Bishops
      • Jubilee
      • New Parishioner Registration Form
      • Volunteers Needed
      • 2025 Annual Catholic Appeal
  • Headline Section 1122971
    • MASS TIMES

      • Saturday: 4:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN
      • Sunday: 9:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN 11:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN
      • MonSat 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN Daily Mass (Monday - Saturday)
    • Confession

      • Sat: 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM Every Sat. Unless Noted
    • Adoration

      Adoration Date TBA
    • TODAY'S READIngs

      • Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
        Reading 1  2 Corinthians 11:1-11
        Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 111:1b-2, 3-4, 7-8
        Gospel  Matthew 6:7-15
    • Words from Father Matthew

      Dear St. Raphael family,

      The Holy Trinity:  Our fundamental belief in the Holy Trinity may be a mystery, but it is the only way to logically understand what the gospel tells us about God.  I recently watched an informative online video about the various ancient “Christological heresies”. It took the early Church decades of debate and study to settle this matter.  The Council of Nicea took place in AD 325, but it still matters today because there are small Christian groups that even today lack the correct understanding of Three Persons in One God. The most common Christian heresy today is held by various “Pentecostal” groups, who mistakenly think of the Trinity as only a figure of speech. This clearly contradicts what the gospels tell us about Jesus calling God his Father.

      The problem with any heresy is that it will eventually lead us into a contradiction, which in turn leads us away from true worship. For example, the ancient heresy of Arius held that Jesus was not actually God, but a kind of superhuman demigod who was assigned the job of redemption.  If that were true, we would be wrong to worship Jesus as God!  This is clearly in conflict with the gospel, yet it was very widespread among 4th century Christians.  The challenge of understanding the Holy Trinity is that there are many ways of getting it wrong, but only one way of getting it right!

      Picnic gratitude: The attendance at last Sunday’s parish picnic was probably the largest in my years here as pastor!  It was great to see the children enjoying the petting zoo animals and other activities.   The weather was just right until the rain rolled in as we were cleaning up afterward.  I want to extend a big thank you to the many parishioners who contributed in various ways.  The Knights in particular did excellent work on the grilling.

      Angel Wings: Our picnickers observed a release of balloons shortly after everyone had eaten.   This was not an official picnic activity, but a memorial for a departed loved one by a local family.  You might have noticed the balloons were white and shaped like small wings. All the more fitting for St. Raphael Church, since angels are usually depicted in artwork as having wings.  The wings that we commonly see on angels in artwork are a way of showing their spiritual nature.  Wings mean that the angel is not subject to gravity or other laws of the physical world. 

      Yet in the biblical accounts of angels appearing in human form, wings are not mentioned. In the case of St. Raphael, it can be assumed that he did not appear with wings! Because in the Book of Tobit, Raphael introduces himself as Azarias, a man hired to accompany the young Tobias on his journey.  The context makes it clear that Raphael had the appearance of a human being, a man suitable as a bodyguard for the long and possibly dangerous trip.  This is why St. Raphael is the patron saint of travelers.

      Rummage Sale Dropoff ends: This Sunday is the last day for drop-offs. Thank you to the many contributors so far this week! May your attic and garage stay uncluttered.

      Blessings in the Trinity,
      Fr. Matthew 
    • Weekly Bulletin
    • Giving To St. Raphael
    • Parish Staff
  • Updates & Announcements

    • Parish Picnic 2025
      • Picnic gratitude


        The attendance at last Sunday’s parish picnic was probably the largest in my years here as pastor! It was great to see the children enjoying the peng zoo animals and other activities.  The weather was just right until the rain rolled in as we were cleaning up afterward. I want to extend a big thank you to the many parishioners who contributed in various ways. 
        The Knights in particular did excellent work on the grilling.


                                    
    • Family Faith Formation Group - Upcoming Events! Dont Miss Out!!
      •     


    • Knights of Columbus Membership Drive

      • The Archangels Council, is recruiting new members. If you are interested in the Knights send an email with your name and phone number to "koc.15422 @gmail.com". 

        The Knights will add you to their email list so you get current information on upcoming events, council meetings, priorities. The Knights of Columbus meetings are normally held the first Friday of the month.

    • Registrations are being accepted for the 2025-2026 Religious Education Program

      • Classes begin on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 6:30 pm (Millburn Middle School). Parent night meeting will be on August 27, 2025 at 6:30 pm (Fellowship Hall in the church). Classes end in April 2026. The program meets regularly on Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at Millburn Middle School, 640 Freedom Way, Lindenhurst, IL 60046.

        Religious Education involves students from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Kindergarten classes are offered if enough students are interested. Students prepare for the reception of the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion during the second semester of 2nd grade. Students are required to have at least 2 years of religious educaon prior to the receipt of the
        sacraments.

        The Confirmation preparation program is a two-year program for 7th and 8th graders. Students attend at least two years of religious education and complete service and other activities to prepare for receipt of the Sacrament at the end of the 8th grade. Students preparing for the sacraments must attend in-person learning on Wednesday nights. The eLearning option is available for students in grades 3 to 6 who are not preparing for sacraments. Requests for eLearning should accompany registraon paperwork.


        For More information and to Register click on the link below:

         Religious Education Information & Registration


      • Thursday, June 19, 2025
        Thursday, June 19, 2025
        by Bishop Robert Barron
        Friends, today’s Gospel gives us the Our Father. It asks that God’s will be done “on earth as it is in heaven,” but biblical cosmology sees these two realms as interpenetrating fields of force.
    • Faith Foundation Series: Exploring Catholic Beliefs

      Introducing "Faith Foundations: Exploring Catholic Beliefs" – a series designed to equip Catholics with a deeper understanding of our faith and empower them to confidently articulate their beliefs. Join us on a journey of exploration as we delve into the rich traditions, doctrines, and teachings of the Catholic Church. From the basics of Catholicism to the complexities of theological concepts, each article will provide clarity and insight, inviting viewers to engage with their faith in a meaningful way. 

      We will also provide additional resources to explore the topics further. Whether you're a lifelong Catholic seeking to deepen your understanding or someone curious about the Catholic faith, "Faith Foundations" is your guide to discovering the beauty and richness of Catholic beliefs. Get ready to embark on a transformative journey of faith exploration and discovery!
       

      June 15th  2025 - Lost in the Lingo: Part 3 -  Bishop Wear 

    • News from the Vatican

      • Pope Leo calls for hope for those ‘locked in a dead end’
        In his Wednesday Audience, Pope Leo XIV urged people not to lose hope, even if they “feel ‘stuck’ and locked in a dead end.”
      • Reviving tradition, Pope Leo to spend July break at Castel Gandolfo
        Although popes had opted to take their summer vacations at Castel Gandolfo since the early 1600s, Pope Francis famous opted not to, preferring to remain instead in his residence at the Casa Santa...
  • MassES from holy name Cathedral

    • Official Website of the Jubilee

    • What is the Jubilee?

    • Jesus ThirstS - Miracle of the Eucharist

      Explore 52 lessons on the Catholic faith in this inspiring video series, presented by Norbertine Father Jacob Hsieh, to help you confidently share and defend Catholic teachings.

      This series builds on the documentary film Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist, now available on DVD through Ignatius Press or for purchase and rental on major streaming platforms.

      New video reflections will be released weekly starting Monday, February 10, and continue for 52 weeks. An archive of past videos will be available by clicking the playlist icon in the video.

    • ​​​​

      National Eucharistic Revival

      Official Website


    • “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”

       

      Matthew 25:31-46

    • Knights of Columbus
    • Family Faith Formation
    • Open Arms Food Pantry
  • Home
  • About Our Parish
      • Contact Us
      • Map & Directions
      • Calendar
      • Our Story
      • Staff
      • Parish Council
      • Building Committee
      • Finance Committee
  • Faith Formation
      • Bible Study
      • Confession
      • Marriage
      • Religious Education Program
      • Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
      • Sacraments
  • Ministries
    • Liturgical
      • Altar Servers
      • Eucharistic Ministers
      • Lectors
      • Music
      • Ushers
    • Human Concern
      • Catholic Charities
      • Food Pantry
      • Pro Life
      • St. Vincent de Paul
    • Parish Life
      • Altar & Rosary Sodality
      • Family Faith Formation
      • Hospitality
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Volunteers
  • Give
      • Giving
      • Contribution Statements
      • Walk Of Faith
  • Resources
      • Faith Foundations
      • Today's Daily Readings
      • National Eucharistic Revival
      • Follow Us
      • Weekly Bulletins
      • Archdiocese of Chicago
      • Chicago Catholic
      • New American Bible
      • Saint of the Day
      • U.S. Conference of Bishops
      • Jubilee
Login
powered by eCatholic®