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St. Raphael's 50th Anniversary Events

​We welcome all past, current and new parishioners to 
 join us during our Jubilee Year celebratory events.

 

June 30, 2012      Jubilee Year Kick-off Mass
                                Participants are invited to gather at 4:30 pm in the gym for a slide show and music from the early years. Mass will begin at 5:00 pm in the gym            
                                (commemorating where masses were held prior to the building of the new church) and will then move to the current church.  A wine and
                                cheese reception will follow at 6:30pm.

July 1, 2012         Parish Picnic 
                                The kick-off weekend festivities continue with a parish picnic from 1:15 - 4:00 pm on the church grounds. Family-friendly activities include a DJ,
                                inflatables, games and plenty of food. Feel free to bring your own lawn chairs and "adult beverages".

Sept 28, 2012      African Children’s Choir 
                                At 7:00 pm, the African Children's Choir is making a not-to-be-missed return engagement to St. Raphael, entertaining us with their uplifting music and  
                                youthful energy. These orphaned children come to us from Uganda and will raise funds (free will offering) to provide for an education for themselves
                                and other children in seven East and South African countries. 

Sept 29, 2012      Feast of St. Raphael 
                                     Loaves and Fishes Founders Day Celebration                     
                                     As the founding parish of the Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, parishioners will have the opportunity to spend our Feast Day assisting 
                                     with the Saturday morning food distribution followed by an afternoon barbeque and open house.  Running from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, families are  
                                     welcome to come for all or part of the day to serve the hungry and to view the spacious new facility of this agency which began in a closet at
                                     St. Raphael in 1984.

                                     St. Raphael Spaghetti Dinner
 
                                    All are welcome to join us after 5:00 pm mass for food and fellowship as we celebrate the feast of our patron saint.

Sept. 30, 2012      Pet Blessing
                                 We will have a special blessing of all pets on at 1:45 pm on the pavers outside the front doors of the Church. All pets (and their owners!) are welcome
                                 to attend. This is the Sunday before the feast of St. Francis of Assisi which is observed on Oct. 4.

Oct 14, 2012         Newman Singers Concert
                                 Joe Mattingly and the Newman Singers are returning to St. Raphael for an encore performance Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm. A liturgical & concert  
                                 group from the Newman Catholic Student Center in Iowa City, Iowa, the Newman Singers have toured the country for the past fifteen years, building a
                                 reputation for leadership in contemporary liturgical & inspirational music.  As a special treat, they will perform the song "The Journey" which Joe  
                                 Mattingly wrote for our 50th Anniversary using text from our anniversary prayer and mission statement).

Nov 3, 2012         Trivia Night 
                                It is who AND what you know!  Back by popular demand is Trivia Night!  Test your knowledge and join us for a fun-filled evening with good friends in
                                the Parish Activity Center. Purchase a table or individual tickets ($50 each). Choose a theme for your table and decide what food and beverages you  
                                want to bring. Click here to see a short video about Trivia Night. Don't miss this great evening of fun and fundraising!          

Dec 2, 2012         Messiah Concert
                             
 Enjoy the masterpiece of Handel’s Messiah during this beautiful concert event with the Chicago Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.

Dec 7, 2012         WINGS Live Nativity
                               Experience the story of Jesus' birth from the perspective of angels, shepards and three wise men. There will even be live animals.

Jan 26, 2013       Sock Hop II
                             
 Dig this!!!  “Let’s Go to the Hop” takes place from 6-9:30pm.  Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $5 for kids under 12, or a family charge     
                               of $30. Our menu features meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and veggies, sliders, hotdogs, chips, soft drinks and floats!!!   We'll have a DJ, door prizes, kids'
                               games and other surprises!!!  

Feb 13, 2013       Lenten Family Activity
                               We are bringing back the Lenten Family Activity from the 1990s. Families will first gather for the Ash Wednesday Prayer Service. After the service,  
                               enjoy a pizza dinner and make a special Lenten Project to take home and use throughout the season.

Feb 15, 2013       Choral Concert with Cor Cantiamo
                               An a cappella chamber choir from Northern Illinois University, of which our own JoEllyn Caulfield is a member,  will perform at 8:15pm, following    
                               Stations of the Cross.

Feb 18, 2013       President's Day of Service 
                               A Spirit of Service has been a hallmark of St. Raphael since its inception 50 years ago. Parishioners young and old are invited to celebrate that
                               charism of service during this drop-in event offering a wide variety of fun projects benefiting area social service agencies.  You choose from a menu
                               of service projects;  materials and instructions will be provided. Celebrate Service! 

Mar 15, 2013      St. Patrick's Day Concert with Gavin Coyle
                              St. Raphael's own Irish Tenor, performs a special concert for our parish.  An accomplished singer, songwriter and recording artist, Gavin's musical
                              range covers both pop and folk music as well as traditional music from his homeland. Born and raised in Ireland, Gavin's performances often reflect this
                              versatility as he mixes traditional and original compositions. In addition to being an excellent guitarist, he plays several other instruments including the
                              bodhran (an Irish drum) and the flute. The concert will begin at 8:15 pm after the Fish Fry and Stations of the Cross.

Mar 29, 2013       Good Friday
                                    Cross Walk
                                    Be a part of this special walk through Naperville commemorating Jesus’ journey to Calvary. There will be opportunities to stop and pray as well as a
                                    chance to carry the cross. 
This profound meditational experience will be an amazing testimony to the community. 
                                    Journey to the Cross
                                    Travel through six activity stations experiencing Jesus’ love and forgiveness. This event teaches about the life-changing message of the crucifixion
                                    in an easy to understand and unforgettable way. 
                                    Living Stations
                                    The Stations of the Cross come alive during this annual live reenactment of Jesus’ journey. This moving event, complete with costumed actors and 
                                    music, is open to all ages and takes place in the church.

Apr 13, 2013        Day of Prayer
                                Adult Faith Formation will be sponsoring a very special day of prayer.

Apr 14, 2013        John Angotti Praise and Worship Event
                                John returns to St. Raphael for a 4:00 pm praise and worship event.  Angotti is a full time music missionary who travels throughout many parts of the
                                world providing inspirational music and witness to all ages through concerts, workshops, retreats, missions, conferences, and worship. With the style
                                and likes of Billy Joel and Elton John, John Angotti delivers a dynamic blend of contemporary styles and meaningful lyrics, leading him to be granted
                                awards for "Male Vocalist of the Year," "Pop/Contemporary," and "Praise and Worship Album of the Year." His powerful voice and writing style includes
                               contemporary rock, pop, and Latin rhythms, along with his ability to give new life to traditional classic in chant and classical genres.

April 21, 2013      Baroque Trumpet, Violin & Harpsichord concert, 4:00 pm

May 19, 2013       Harvest Sunday
                                Harvest Sunday is a Youth Faith Formation tradition at St. Raphael. Every year teens spend an afternoon collecting, sorting, boxing and loading food 
                                for Loaves and Fishes food pantry. This is neighborhood food collection is Loaves and Fishes' second largest food drive of the year (second only to
                                the mail carrier drive). This year, in honor of the 50th anniversary, all parishioners are invited to participate in the
                                food collection, sorting, etc. Please contact Barry O'Donnell for more information.

June 15, 2013     50th Anniversary of our Founding
                                We will celebrate our first 50 years in style at Bobak's Signature Events at Seven Bridges. Dinner and dancing will be only a part of the memorable      
                                events planned for this special evening. Cost will be $150/couple or $75/ individual in either check or cash (no credit cards). Tables of 10 are also
                                available.  Invitations will be mailed in May

June 29, 2013     Alumni Choral Concert
                               St. Raphael has had a long tradition of beautiful music and magnificent choruses. Choir members and singers from the last 50 years will gather on this
                               special evening to perform in an unforgettable concert.

June 30, 2013     50th Anniversary of our First Mass
                                On June 30, 1963, Fr. William Condon celebrated the parish's first mass in a converted school classroom in St. Raphael mission school. We'll mark
                                this momentous date with a special mass at 12:15 pm.  Bishop Daniel Conlon will preside and many of our former pastors, associate pastors and
                                religious will be in attendance.

August 2013       Parish Picnic
                               We'll wrap up our celebration much like we started, with our annual parish picnic.

Sept 2, 2013       Labor Day parade
                             
Just like we did for our 25th anniversary, St. Raphael will once again celebrate its anniversary with a float in the Naperville Labor Day parade. 

Sept 17 - 27, 2013  St Raphael Choir Trip to Spain & France
                              Join Fr. Jason Stone and the St. Raphael Choir on our 50th Anniversary trip to Spain & France. The group will visit Madrid, Avila, Toledo, Zaragoza,  
                              El Escorial, Lourdes, and Paris.  We will enjoy these rich and diverse cultures as we experience their faith, music, art, architecture, customs,
                              food, and dance while visiting historic cities, stunning cathedrals, powerful religious sites, and world class museums.  Click here to view the
                             travel brochure and registration form.