On December 2nd we began the Season of Advent, during which the Church gratefully recalls the first coming of Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, and looks forward to the Lord's second coming at the end of time. Advent is a time for spiritual growth: come to Mass during the week, pray the rosary, go to confession, and pray a little longer in the morning or the evening. There are helpful books in the church narthex that you are most welcome to take for spiritual reading during Advent. May this season be for us a time rich in the Lord's presence and love.

Beginning Friday, Nov. 23, the Knights of Columbus, Archangels Council 15422, will be selling Fraser and Balsam Fir Christmas trees in a variety of sizes at the corner of U.S. Highway 45 and IL Route 173.

Each year we accept donations for our Families in Need Fund. This fund helps our parish assist people in our parish family who are hurting financially and need help during the Christmas Season and beyond. There is a lot of "quiet good" that goes on in our parish thanks to the kindness of parishioners. If you can contribute to this year's fund, please place a donation in an envelope marked "Families in Need"; you may place the envelope in the collection or see me in church. Thank you for helping some of the families in our parish this year.

Monday, December 24, Christmas Eve Mass at: 4:00pm, 6:00pm and 10:30pm. Tuesday, December 25, Christmas Day Mass 9:00am, 10:30am, and Noon

RENEW MY CHURCH: EVANGELIZATION In October a group from our parish participated in three days of meetings in Rosemont learning how we can share our Catholic faith with one another and the wider community. Every parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago will participate in these meetngs with the goal of becoming more effective in living and spreading the gospel. With that in mind, I encourage you to invite your friends, neighbors and families to come to St. Raphael for our liturgy or any of the programs we are offering. If you have ideas about how we can better connect with people in the community please let us know. There is a "suggestion box" in the narthex; please feel free to write a note and share your ideas. Thank you.

Interested in becoming Catholic? Are you baptized and in need of completing full ignition into the Church? Catholic and desiring to update your catechism? The Church's process for this is called RCIA, or the "Rite of Catholic Initiation of Adults. At St. Raphael, we begin each year in late September. Times and location vary with participation needs. If interested, contact Fr. Mike (mmcgovern@archchicago.org; 847.395.3474) or Deacon Greg (brotherinthestole@gmail.com; 517.258.1463).