Welcome to Saint Raphael’s Standing Committees

Here at Saint Raphael Parish we have many ministries and opportunities for you to share your talents with our community. Our standing committees are listed within these categories:

• Prayer and Worship
  This committee nourishes and gives direction to the liturgical aspect of parish life. They provide opportunities for parishioners to deepen their faith through a variety of prayer experiences and liturgical celebrations. They identify the spiritual needs of parishioners and maintain an ongoing program of education and training for liturgical ministers.
• Christian/Lifelong Faith Formation
  The role of this committee is to develop within the parish awareness that the parish community has the responsibility for promoting the educational/formational aspect of the mission of the Church. Christian/Lifelong Faith Formation is a lifelong process aimed at personal conversion and growth in faith. This committee is advisory to educational administration in the design, implementation and evaluation of the total Christian educational/formation programs in the parish, which include: sacramental preparation, adult and family ministry, and child ministry.
• Human Concerns and Social Justice
  This committee discerns needs of persons in the parish and wider community, especially the poor, and identifies resources to meet those needs enlisting the active cooperation of parish members. The committee fulfills the justice dimensions of scripture and our church tradition acknowledging that every Christian is called to service and to work for justice. The committee’s scope of responsibility is two-fold: 1) to meet immediate needs; 2) to work for changes in the structures of society which are oppressive. Committee members are not responsible to do all of the committee’s work but rather to involve others in actively accepting the responsibility of their baptism. The committee supports parishioners already involved in service, advocacy, justice education, and empowerment of people. The committee works with community groups and other parishes to help solve related problems. They keep parishioners aware of issues relating to justice, peace, hunger and homeless persons on local, national and international levels so that appropriate Christian action on such issues can be determined.
• Parish Life
  This committee supports the heart of Christian community by strengthening the relationships of individuals within the parish community, by involving all members of the parish community in fellowship, and by providing experiences that give a clearer vision of discipleship through community life. It seeks to build community by inviting and empowering parishioners to use their time, talent and treasure in shared ministry. Whether greeting a newcomer, or re-engaging a seasoned member, this committee creates opportunities for friendship and interaction. The Parish Life Committee encompasses activities that help build the parish into a faith community and provide for the social and communal needs of the parishioners.

Committee commitments are for one year, unless circumstances prevent you from committing to a year. Contact us at pcsaintraphael@gmail.com with any questions you may have about our opportunities.