Reverend Gerald F. Greaves

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Rev Gerald F. Greaves (Bio under revision) Father Greaves works in a collaborative model with his staff seeking ways to bring the parish forward in the ongoing growth in holiness and happiness.  As pastor, he oversees the administration of the parish and is directly involved in some of the parish ministries.  He hopes that more parishioners will see themselves as Stewards for Christ in the ways that they share their TIME, TALENT and TREASURE.

Yolanda Cifarelli

Yolanda Cifarelli comes to Saint Raphael from a six-year term as Pastoral Associate in charge of liturgy and RCIA at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Maplewood, New Jersey. A life long parishioner of Saint Raphael, she joined the staff in August of 2002 as a pastoral associate for the Religious Education Program: Pre-K through 7th Grade, Sunday, Wednesday and Summer. In the Summer of 2003 she assumed the duties of Director of Religious Education.  She also coordinates the Bethany Bereavement Ministry and the Women’s Cornerstone Retreats. Yolanda holds a BA in Art History and an advanced certificate in Museum Practices.  She is a graduate of the Christian Foundations for Ministry Program of the Archdiocese of Newark, for which she subsequently became an instructor.  Yolanda is a certified Bereavement Facilitator and RCIA Team Leader.  She has studied theology, ministry and spiritual direction on the graduate level at Drew University and has guided small groups in experiencing The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, as well as individual direction.  In addition to her professional responsibilities at Saint Raphael, Yolanda continues to be actively involved as a First Eucharist Sacramental Prep catechist and an on-going member of Saint Raphael’s RCIA team.

Saint Raphael Parish is a vibrant Catholic community located at 346 East Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ. It was founded on July 6, 1961 to serve the spiritual needs of those Catholics residing in the eastern part of Livingston and a portion of West Orange. For the first years of the parish’s existence, unday Mass was celebrated in borrowed space at various schools in Livingston, using a portable altar set up by dedicated parishioners. The first pastor, Rev. Richard D. Wall, set the groundwork for the construction of a new church, which was brought to a successful conclusion by Rev. Francis M. Mulquinn, our second pastor.  Our first Mass was celebrated on snowy Christmas Eve 1961, in an almost completed church.

The third pastor, Rev. Martin F. Sherry, assumed direction of Saint Raphael’s in July, 1965.  The community continued to grow with ever-increasing numbers of parishioners of different ages and national backgrounds moving into suburban Essex County. When Saint Raphael’s parochial school ceased to be a viable enterprise, the school building was converted for use in an expanded parish Religious Education Program.  The worship space was renovated as well.

Our fourth pastor, Rev. Msgr. G. Thomas Burns, took up his post in 1979. Under his leadership the church was again renovated, this time to conform more fully to the new liturgical norms set forth by Vatican II.  Under Msgr. Burns’ capable and inspired leadership the parish continued to flourish.  The sure conviction that the gifts and talents of all the people of the parish: clergy and lay, staff and volunteer, are necessary to the life and spiritual well being of the community took root.  Ministries grew and expanded.  The personal involvement of each and every parishioner was encouraged and celebrated.  Programs such as RENEW were brought to the parish.  Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation was revamped.  RCIA was begun. A vibrant Youth Group was established.  Cornerstone Retreats came to Saint Raphael’s.

Msgr. Burns retired in July 2001 after 22 years as pastor, and was succeeded by Rev. Msgr. Thomas A. Donato.  Under Msgr. Donato’s aegis the people of Saint Raphael continued to grow in awareness of their responsibilities as stewards of our Roman Catholic Christian tradition.  Many long-standing ministries offered to lay people have been revitalized and new ones initiated.  Sunday Eucharist remains at the center of our life as a Community in Christ. 

In June 2003, Msgr Donato was transferred to Seton Hall University as Spiritual Director of Immaculate Conception Seminary.  Rev. Msgr. Ronald A. Newland then assumed the pastorate of St Raphael Parish.  With his diverse background in both civilian and military parish settings he provided an interesting perspective in many areas of parish life.  He effected numerous ungrades to the parish facilities, to include computerization of the accounting system, and the extension of the parish telephone system and LAN throughout the rectory, the church and, finally, to include the Blue House; he unified administrative activites with new office arrangements resulting in a singular cohesive unit.  The Wednesday Senior Bus trips were again scheduled for departure from and return to the parish, the Loaves and Fishes Program was instituted to provide needed support for households, and the St Vincent dePaul Society was started to assist parishioners experiencing financial difficulties. He was released (August 2004) by Archbishop Myers to return to service in the Archdiocese for the Military Services in Washington, DC.

In August 2004, Father Gerald Greaves, recently returned from a Sabbatical in Rome and Israel for theological studies, assumed the pastorate of St Raphael's.

Growth in the spiritual life is the parish emphasis, and education and liturgy are the central activities.  All are welcome and encouraged to participate.  Liturgy of the Word with Children is offered regularly and continues to grow and deepen under the direction of dedicated lay members of the parish.  We look to the future with our 1400 families strong, and growing.