| Ministry | Person to Contact |
| AAA | Ralph Bonanno |
| Altar Servers | Fr. Andy Prachar |
| Bereavement | Maryann Archesi |
| Bingo | Sonny Ciamillo |
| Caregivers | Maryann Archesi |
| CommuniquÈ | Barb Chekijian |
| Harold Ferguson | |
| Finance | Frank Mastromano |
| Greeters | Fr. Andy Prachar |
| Holy Name | Frank Jimenez |
| Lectors/Eucharistic Ministers | Maryann Archesi |
| Liturgy Committee | Fr. Andy Prachar |
| Maintenance | Bob Martin |
| M.O.M'S Ministry | Maryann Archesi |
| Music Ministry | Toni Cecere |
| Nursing Home | Bette Ann Dillon |
| Parish Life | Sue Koval |
| Picnic Committee | Maryann Archesi |
| R.C.I.A. | Dennis Bizub |
| Religious Education | Cathy Martin |
| Renew 2000 | Bobbie D'Onofrio |
| Respect Life | Marge Scanlon |
| Senior Citizens | Al Beatrice |
| Separated and Divorced | Maryann Archesi |
| Social Concerns | Pat Gartenberg |
| Stewardship | Barbara Chekijian |
| Sunday Collection Counters | Sue Koval |
| Supermarket Vouchers | Rocco La Manna |
| Ushers | Sonny Ciamillo |
| Women's Guild | Phyllis Mutone |
| Marlene Paglianite | |
| Youth Ministry | Brenda Mansheim |
Ministry Of Religious Education
Mindful that Christian education is also formation, the ministry of Religious Education includes programs for our youngest parishioners as well as our senior parishioners.
The mission of Christian education desires to form as well as inform, to feed the mind and to satisfy the heart, to instruct in the traditions of the past and to stimulate new attitudes for the future. It strives to satisfy our own spiritual needs and to help us see why we must reach out to the needs of others beyond our parish.
Religious Education Pre-school Through Eighth Grade
Each family is given the choice of a variety of options for religious education.
Weekly Religious Education
Sessions are held on Sunday and Wednesday. Groups meet once a week from September through May.
Family Religious Education
Monthly one and a half hour sessions for youngsters and their parent(s) or guardian. Families supplement these gatherings with home activities. Meeting days and times are flexible to meet the needs of the participants.
Summer Religious Education
Sessions are held for the young people for three hours a day for four days a week for two weeks each summer. The children and their parent(s) or guardian(s) attend a group session in the Advent (Christmas) season and another one and a half hours in the Lent (Easter) season.
Home Instruction
Families who wish to instruct their children at home may do so. Texts and support materials are available from the parish. Parent(s) or guardian(s) meet at least twice during the year with the Director of Religious Formation.
Scripture Study
Bible Study is offered every Sunday morning from 9:40 to 10:40 in the rectory chapel. Bring a Bible and join the group. Each week a member of the pastoral staff works interactively with the members of the group on a specific book of the Bible.
Small Sharing Groups
Small groups of people, no more than 12, meet weekly during Advent and Lent for a prayerful discussions and sharing of the scriptural readings of the liturgical season.
Parish Library
A small but select collection of books and VCR tapes are available for parishioners of all ages and as a learning resource of our many ministries. All of these are available in the vestibule of the Church on a self-service basis.
In its mission statement, the parish community recognizes the special care and attention to be given to its youth. Consistent with sensitivity, specific programs are designed to meet the needs of the youth.
All high school youth are invited to take part in the program of activities until they complete grade 12 and even beyond.
Programs are designed by a group of students designated as the youth core group who meet on a monthly basis to plan the calendar of events. This group has input on all decisions and programs to ensure the genuine needs of the youth are met.
Activities of the Youth Ministry include community building, prayer and worship, guidance and counseling, social justice, community outreach and personal ennoblement.
Weekly meetings are held on Sunday evenings. A very popular event is the annual Antioch Youth Retreat, a weekend for young people to share their own faith experiences with one another and to explore their relationship with themselves, family, friends, community, and God.
Liturgical Ministries
All Liturgical as well as all other ministries are directed by various members of the parish staff or various parishioners. Anyone having any interest in becoming a part of a ministry should advise the Rectory office of your interest; the appropriate person will contact you.
Rite Of Christian Initiation Of Adults (RCIA)
Established at Vatican II, the RCIA is directed to non-Catholics, who are inquiring into the Catholic faith, and to those Catholics, who wish to complete their sacramental initiation through Confirmation. The RCIA also guides the searching adult and the one seeking preparation for sacramental rites. The program sheds more light on the Catholic Church and its traditions, and builds a community of inquirers and deeper believers.
The RCIA gathers those who want to share the Good News with those who want to hear it. It is not just an instruction in the doctrine of the Church.
Those involved have realized not only a stronger prayer life, but better communication within their own families and beyond. They experience better attitudes about themselves, and are able to cope with the stresses and anxieties of their lives. Through their openness to God's presence, many find new peace and inner healing.
Inquirers are encouraged to attend evening sessions held every other Tuesday to explore various aspects of the Catholic Church. Those who desire to become Catholics or to receive Confirmation can select or be introduced to a parishioner sponsor, who will accompany the inquirer through the RCIA experience.
After reception into the RCIA program, the inquirers, called 'catechumens', are invited to attend The Liturgy of the Word portion of the Mass. The group will then retire to a private session to reflect on the meaning of scripture. During the ensuing seeks topics, like the history of the Church, the significance of the rituals, the Church's position on morality and the meaning of the sacraments will be discussed.
At the Easter Vigil, all those who have completed the RCIA program and who wish to be initiated into full sacramental participation, are invited to do so. They are then welcomed into full community membership of St. Raphael Parish.
Music adds a distinctive dimension and feeling to the prayer of the sacred liturgy that words alone cannot give. Worthy of mention are the words of St. Augustine: "He who sings, prays twice".
The music ministry strives to make the parish community more aware of the mystery of God's presence through sung prayer. Good music enhances the prayer of the assembly and more readily allows the mind and heart to be raised to God in worship and praise.
The spirit of singing in one of the choral groups can be rewarding spiritually. A choir member praises God and serves the liturgical needs of the parish community.
Lectors, as Ministers of the Word, with proper preparation are called to proclaim God's word to the people in such a way that "their hearts will be set afire with Gods love". We invite you to come forth and partake in this critical liturgical ministry. People of faith who accept the responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God to the community are expected to be people in love with the Scriptures or who desire to grow in love with God's Word. You will be one of the vehicles for God to "feed" the Church (the assembly) as we gather to be strengthened for our week.
Eucharistic Ministry grew out of Vatican II's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. The privilege and responsibility of assisting the priest in the distribution of the Eucharist under the forms of bread and wine is the function of the Eucharistic Minister.
The men and women who take part in this ministry are sharing in the priesthood of Jesus Christ accorded to all of us by virtue of our Baptism. In addition to assisting at Mass many Eucharist Ministers carry the Eucharist to the homebound and those in area hospitals.
Mass Greeters
Almost all people, whether visitors or regular parishioners agree that one of the strongest assets of our parish is our welcoming atmosphere. Mass greeters help make that happen by standing in the vestibule before Mass and with a warm smile, greet those arriving for liturgy.
The Mass greeters participate or invite others to take part in bringing forward the offertory gifts of bread and wine.
Ushers are dedicated members of our parish community give of themselves to assure the comfort and appropriate atmosphere for those gathered to celebrate Mass. They greet parishioners entering the Church, help with seating or any other special need of those attending Mass.
Ushers take up the collections at the appropriate time, aid the disabled in the reception of the Eucharist and distribute the bulletins as well as other documents at the conclusion of the Mass.
Altar servers belong to the ministry of assisting the priest at the sacred liturgy. They are youngsters of the parish from grades 4 through 8. By this participation, young people gain a better understanding of the Eucharistic celebration and represent the community around the altar.
Liturgical Art and Environment Committee
This committee works to set the environment of our liturgical space ( the body and the sanctuary and surrounding areas) primarily for the liturgical seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter. No detail is forgotten when it comes to this committee's working to touch our human senses of sight, hearing, touching and smelling. God touches us not just in the spoken word but through all of our senses. We invite you to consider being a part of us. Share your creative talents. Let us teach you as well.
The arrangements and ordering of the flowers, plants and decorations are done in advance. Decorating is usually done a day or two prior to the Holy Day. Tasks include wrapping and arranging the plants and decorations within the Church.
Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)
When we gather at Sunday Eucharist, we listen to God's Word. This committee of dedicated parishioners works to present the Word of God to the children of the 8:45 AM Sunday Eucharist. The children are blessed and dismissed to a separate room after the opening prayer of the Mass. On a level relatable to children, the Word of God is proclaimed and the children are led through activities to better understand and apply the Word of God in their lives. This celebration of God's Word is not a catechetical program but a liturgical experience for the children. Children's Liturgy of the Word is generally celebrated during the seasons of Advent and Lent and at other publicized times throughout the church year.
Serving Those Who Suffer Loss
Bethany ministry is an outreach program for members of our parish community who are experiencing personal loss through death, divorce or illness. Parish groups have been formed to provide comfort, support and encouragement as well as educational and social opportunities for persons who share the same life crisis.
Trained volunteers as well as the welcoming embrace of those who share the same difficult challenges becomes an initiation to a new outlook, renewed determination and a deeper trust in God's power and presence. Various groups meet on a regularly scheduled basis; they are:
Widows And Widowers Support Group
Widows and widowers group is basically the next step after the initial bereavement with Bethany. If you feel you do not need time with Bethany, you would be welcome to come at any time you like.
The group offers understanding and hope for a better outlook through new friends and is always ready to listen and help in any way that it's members can assist. The members meet at times to go out to dinner, brunch or just a movie. The group meets every fourth Thursday of the month.
Serving Others
The purpose of this committee is to make the parish community more aware of issues of social justice as they impact on our community, our society and world at large. It also promotes those actions or services in support of the poor and disadvantaged.
There are a number of on-going services that our parish community provides through Social Concerns. A food pantry is maintained to provide emergency food to parishioners as well as the local community. Parishioners can donate items each time they come to the Church by leaving food and staples in the baskets at the entrances. There is also a box for money donations that is utilized to buy fresh food as needed and to provide short-term financial assistance to anyone in need. Social Concerns also sponsors a craft and flea market at St. Raphael each Fall as a fund raiser in order to assist individuals and groups in need of some financial assistance. On occasion there is a used clothing and furniture collection for the poor and needy.
Volunteers from Social Concerns visit the elderly at the Summit Ridge Center for Restorative Services as well as serving the poor at St. John's Soup Kitchen on the 4th Saturday of each month.
As a parish St. Raphael serves the Summit Ridge Nursing Home on Mount Pleasant Avenue in West Orange. Lay people from our parish conduct a Communion Service every Tuesday from 10:30am to 11:30am. Each Saturday one of the parish priests celebrate Mass at the Nursing Home at 10:45am.
We are always in need of volunteers for patient transport, set-up for Mass, etc. Participation by volunteers for only one of the Tuesdays or Saturdays each month would be greatly appreciated.
Ministry At St. John's Soup Kitchen
Volunteers serve at least 500 of our Lord's poor, hungry and homeless at St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark on the fourth Saturday of each month. Very generous people from our parish community perform one or more tasks each month.
Volunteers cook the menu items to be served at the soup kitchen, donate the menu items and/or go to the soup kitchen from 1:00pm to 4:30pm to make the necessary arrangements to serve food to the hungry.
Confirmation candidates may also fulfill their community service projects at the soup kitchen.
The Giving Tree
The first Sunday in Advent a Christmas tree is put up in the Church vestibule and is designated as our "Giving Tree". It is decorated with many paper ornaments, each designating a request for a gift of clothing or a toy.
Parishioners are invited to take one of the ornaments and fill the request written on the ornament. Prior to a scheduled date the gifts are left around the tree.
The gifts that are received are delivered a few days before Christmas. The Giving Tree extends to our parish family the opportunity to give a gift to families in our parish and the surrounding communities, who are in need. As a result of the generosity of our parishioners, children and their families are able to know the joy of opening a present on Christmas morning.
Respect Life ministry, established in February 1994, is aimed at protecting human life in all its forms. In addition to focusing on various means of discouraging abortion, the group also targets issues in areas like euthanasia and child welfare, such as, pornography and child abuse.
The Respect Life Committee strives to promote awareness of these issues through various educational, assistance and prayer programs. One program entitled 'Project Rachel' is a post-abortion reconciliation ministry. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. "Holy Hours for Life" are conducted periodically.
Parish Groups & Activities
Pastoral Leadership Committee
First established in 1978, the original Parish Council was restructured in 1985, and was revised to become the Pastoral Leadership Committee in 1994. As one of the most significant expressions of the participation of the laity in the life of our Parish Community, it has changed and grown over the years.
The Pastoral Leadership Committee meets to envision the future of St. Raphael Parish, discern a direction for the Parish, plan ways for the parish to approach its vision and propose ways for the Parish to minister within this framework.
The Pastoral Leadership Committee consists of six parishioners plus the Pastor and one other Staff member.
In addition to our Parish bulletin, a committee develops, writes, publishes and circulates a Parish newsletter entitled "The CommuniquÈ". It is published on a quarterly basis.
The newsletter informs parishioners of the various events and activities that are scheduled or have taken place in the parish.
Bingo ministry, one of the oldest committees of St. Raphael Parish, is supported by faithful men and women who provide the stewardship and care of the facilities and materials necessary for holding a night of bingo. Guests of St. Raphael are able to enjoy a game of chance on Monday evenings.
The committee has developed a sense of camaraderie among themselves, and their efforts have contributed mightily to the financial sustenance of the parish. The committee needs and welcomes the help of any parishioner who is willing and able to do so.
Cornerstone Retreats
Cornerstone is a 27 hour parish based retreat open to men and women in our parish community. It is an effective renewal process which calls together members of the Parish to experience personal conversion and Christian community.
There is an opportunity during the 27 hours for prayer, reflection, discussion, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The retreat closes with Eucharist at the closing Mass.
The Women's guild, founded in 1961, was named for its dedication to the Blessed Mother.
The Women's guild promotes activities with the intention of supporting parish needs. Some of these activities include service functions, social function, an annual Communion Breakfast, Santa Luncheon, cake sales and a Spring fund raiser.
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month. Meetings include occasional guest speakers on topics of interest to the group as well as social activities including craft demonstrations.
All women of the parish are welcome to attend any meeting and/or function.
The premise of the ministry is to nourish life in our community with actual food as well as spiritual food. To this end it encompasses hosting coffee hours following Sunday Mass, assisting in preparing breakfast in celebrating the opening of Religious Education semester, and preparing a reception to welcome the RCIA Candidates. It periodically will assist as host for the "covered dish" suppers for newly registered parishioners.
Parish life will join with the Liturgy Committee to host receptions for parishioners following special liturgies as Thanksgiving, Mass of Remembrance, Easter Vigil, First Eucharist, and Confirmation.
Holy Name Society, founded in 1961, is a men's organization whose purpose is the spiritual development of its members with special emphasis given to the reverence for the sacred name of Jesus. Any male parishioner, 18 years or older, is encouraged to join the Holy Name Society.
Meetings held on the second Thursday of each month from September to June are divided into two parts, the first being the business part and the second being social. Refreshments are served at the end of each meeting.
The Holy Name Society consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, all of which are nominated and elected by the membership. The moderator is one of the priests of the Parish.
Activities include a spiritual program, choir, social functions, service projects, and an annual men's weekend retreat at Loyola, all of which are voluntary.
Senior citizens of the parish formed the Senior Citizen Society in September 1994. To become a member you or your spouse must be 60 years old. The group meets the third Thursday of each month, September through May.
To be a member in good standing you must attend at least 2 meetings or social events a year. The meetings are held in the All Purpose room at 2:45pm. There is a program for each meeting and refreshments are served.
Care Of Parish Needs
Tenants of Church Cannon Law require every parish to have a Finance Council. Its membership is appointed by the Pastor and consists of homemakers, business, legal, and financial representatives.
The Council meets once a month to address three economic aspects of the parish.
Fund raising.
- The council directs the fund raiser functions, such as, "Strike It Rich".
Financial Reporting
- Prepares an annual budget.
- Maintains the books of account.
- Prepares and reviews monthly financial statements.
- Prepares required semi-annual financial reports for the Archdiocese.
Long Range Planning
- Evaluates the future funding and financial needs for anticipated projects.
Parishioners assigned by the Pastor volunteer their services for three hours on Sunday mornings four times a year to process the collections taken at the Masses. Monies are counted, properly arranged for deposit at the bank, and a report of receipts by individual Mass prepared.
Building and maintenance committee regularly evaluates the physical condition of the entire parish complex and makes recommendations for an ongoing maintenance program. It looks to the continued improvement and development of the material properties of the parish. The committee performs repairs and organizes two annual work days to involve the whole parish community in the care of our buildings and grounds.
As a parish, we serves the Summit Ridge Nursing Home located off Mount Pleasant Avenue in West Orange. Each Saturday one of the parish priests celebrate Mass at the Nursing Home at 10:45am.
We are always in need of volunteers for patient transport (within the facility), set-up for Mass and assisting in the distribution of the Eucharist. More importantly, your presence to these people is a source of encouragement and hope for them. You are invited to participate by volunteering for one of the Saturdays each month.