Church Bulletin: April 23, 2023
Fr. Ignatius Valentine
Newest Announcements .
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Holy Week and Pascha be the best in many years. Special thanks goes out to our three choir directors: Lori, Kristi and Lizzy and all our choir members. You help us to worship and your voices really enhance the life of our community. Thank you to Todd and Karen who do so much, mostly behind the scenes. Thank you to altar servers Paul, Justice and Evren. Thank you to our parish council chair Alli and our entire council, who help Fr. Ignatius administer the parish. Thank you to Lucy who thoroughly cleaned the narthex and nave after we made such a holy mess with bay leaves and flower petals. Thank you to all who brought friends and other guests to experience the joy that must be shared!
Theological Discussion Group, April 22
The first ever St. Raphael Theological Discussion Group was a great success on April 8. Our next meeting will be April 22 at 3pm, discussing Early Syriac Christianity. All are welcome. Contact John Michalski at jmic...@yahoo.com if you want the links for related material to be discussed.
No Vespers at St. Raphael April 22
We are invited to join our brothers and sisters at St. George Church (3650 Cottage Grove Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids) as they celebrate their patronal feast day of St. George the Great-martyr with vespers at 5pm.
Food For Hungry People Collection Boxes
If you took a collection box to fill up, please bring them it back to church soon so we can consolidate the funds and send them in. Thank you!
Bishop Anthony Visit April 29-30
His Grace Bishop Anthony will join us for the weekend of April 29-30. Please make every effort to be present for Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on April 30. He will be meeting with the parish council, Sunday School student and OCF at various times on April 29.
Parish-wide Potluck April 30
April 30 is the fifth Sunday of the month and as we do not have a specific food team assigned, all are encouraged to bring food to share.
Fundraiser for Catholic Worker House
Fiesta Fundraiser 2023- Sunday, April 30, 5:30-7:00pm at St. Patrick's Church (4330 St. Patrick's Dr., Iowa City), Live Music, Food & Drink, Silent Auction; entrance fee is $20 per person or $50 per family. Any questions should be sent to Emily or David at iowacitycat...@gmail.com.
Update!- Feed Christ’s Sheep: Campaign to Build a Kitchen at St. Raphael
We now have $39,958.74 pledged to this project. That's just over 75% of our total! We are so excited to be taking the next step in fulfilling our mission to serve those in need and connect in fellowship by building our kitchen so we can feed Christ’s sheep, and we invite you to be a part of it! Construction is slated to begin in summer 2023, and we need to raise $53,000 by April 30, 2023 to make this happen.
Please help us get the rest of the way! Learn more about our post-kitchen goals (including free cooking classes, more free hot meals, enhanced Sunday fellowship, and more) and donate online at raphaelchurch.org/kitchen. Clearly designated donations and pledge forms (available in the narthex) can be dropped in a donation box. You will have until March 4, 2024 to fulfill any pledges.
Book Group News
We finished up our last book and are now taking off a few weeks for Holy Week and Pascha. Our next title is "On Social Justice" by St. Basil the Great. Hard copies are available for purchase for $18. E-book versions are available to purchase online. We will start on May 4 and spend six weeks discussing.
Recurring Announcements
No Fasting During Paschal Season
According to Antiochian custom, there is no fasting during the entire Paschal season which concludes with the Feast of the Lord's Ascension on May 25.
