| ALTAR SERVERS |
Altar Servers have a genuine and vital role in the liturgical assembly. They assist the priest at the altar during Masses and other special services. Altar Servers bring a fuller understanding of the liturgy and a greater love for God to the parish community.At San Rafael the server should be a fourth grader or older, be Baptized and have received the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Penance, attend Mass regularly, and be alert and a team player.The parish Sacristan provides individual training upon request. Call (858)487-4314, ext. 1227. To follow-up on this, we ask that all servers attend a mandatory meeting, usually in September of each year, to refresh them on altar server procedures. Contact: Jackie Kramer |
| BEREAVEMENT |
Mission Statement: As disciples of Jesus Christ, the Bereavement Ministry of San Rafael Catholic Church exists to provide spiritual support and care in a safe and confidential environment to parishioners who are grieving a loss. The Bereavement Ministry will work in concert with other parish ministries, as appropriate, to fulfill this mission. Contact: Deacon Bob Holgren |
| CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP |
Meets for Centering Prayer in Meeting Rooms A & B in the Pastoral Center Building every Wednesday from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Contact: Audrey A. Spindler |
| ECUMENICAL-INTERLIGIOUS MINISTRY |
Mission Statement:
The mission statement of the San Rafael Ecumenical/Inter-religious Ministry is to promote mutual understanding and unity among local faith communities. We intend to carry out this mission by: 1. Offering continuing education opportunities, Contact: Jarvis Nolan |
| EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS |
Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priests in serving Holy Communion at Mass. Contact: Mary Van Hee |
| EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION |
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion take Holy Communion to and visit and comfort those who are ill in convalescent homes, bedridden or homebound. If you are interested in joining this ministry, please watch our video. Contact: Mary Ann Scott |
| COMPASSION MINISTRY |
The San Rafael Compassion Ministry Team exists to touch the lives of chronically ill and cancer patients and their families by offering God’s hope and love through encouragement, practical support and prayer. The volunteers of the Compassion Ministry are cancer survivors, family members, and others affected by cancer. They have a heart for giving. Let our volunteers share some of the things they have learned on their cancer journeys, walk through your cancer experience with you, or support you in whatever way they can. The team offers support for all who cope with cancer including survivors and their families whether they are men, women or children. Please contact the parish office at (858)487-4314 if you would like to refer someone to the Compassion Ministry team, or be contacted by a member of the team. |
| GREETERS |
Greeters welcome parishioners and visitors as they gather for the celebration of the Mass. Contact: Theresa Jewett |
| ANNUAL INTERFAITH SHELTER |
An Annual Homeless Shelter held in the winter months of each year in association with the Interfaith Community Service Shelter Network. Contact: Joe Larkin |
| KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS |
Schedule: Valley of the Angels Council #9710 meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Meeting Rooms H & I in the Pastoral Center Building. The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization involved in supporting the parish; promoting family, youth, community and patriotic goals; providing funds for seminarians and the missions. For more information on the Valley of the Angels Council #9710 please contact the Grand Knight. Contact: Grand Knight Julius Jones Schedule: Fr. Joseph T. O’Callahan Assembly meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Meeting Rooms D & E in the Pastoral Center Building. For more information on the Fr. Joseph T. O’Callahan Assembly please contact the Faithful Navigator. Contact: Faithful Navigator Bill Uberti |
| LECTORS |
Our Lectors are commissioned to proclaim the Word of the Lord with faith and reverence. Contact: Deacon Bob Holgren |
| LEGION OF MARY |
Have you ever wanted to join an Army with the Holy Spirit and Mary as your Leaders? Well, now you have the opportunity! Every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in Meeting Room F in the Pastoral Center we will welcome any man or woman who would like to join the Legion of Mary, Mother of Mercy Praesidium. This Lay Apostolate performs the Spiritual Works of Mercy as it seeks to develop in each member his or her own Spirituality in “Mary’s School.” Come and pray and work with us to see how the Holy Spirit will use your Gifts to serve Jesus in others. Contact: Mark Pedote |
| MARRIAGE AND FAMILY FOR LIFE |
Schedule: As God’s children, “Marriage and Family For Life” seeks to celebrate and experience LIFE the way God intended, by promoting and defending the dignity of ALL human beings from conception to natural death. Through prayer, discernment and action we hope to enrich our community life as well as help those who serve to promote a culture of life in our society. Contact: Richard and Aida Estrada |
| MEN’S CLUB | Schedule: Activities to be announced each month. Meetings are held as announced in the parish bulletin in Meeting Rooms D & E in the Pastoral Center Building. The Men’s Club promotes fellowship and Christian ideals among members of the parish, their families and friends through charitable, religious, social and educational endeavors for the parish community. Events include Santa Sunday on the first Sunday in Dcember and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic on Holy Saturday. Contact: Tony Heinrichs |
| MENTAL HEALTHY MINISTRY |
The San Rafael Parish Mental Health Ministry partners with the Diocese of San Diego to offer support for families in the parish that are experiencing mental health challenges. By interfacing with county, local non-profit, and private mental health providers, Catholic families will be introduced to healing professionals and services able to facilitate their healing journeys. Prayerfully supported by parish lay leaders, and receiving professional care, families strive for wholeness and an end to the stigma that still endures when mental health is challenged. For more information contact: Rebecca Fontaine at (858)832-8741, or Val Benya at (858)613-9202 or the Parish Office at (858)487-4314. |
| MIGRANT MINISTRY |
Schedule: Spanish Mass is offered at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. Mass is sometimes followed by food and fellowship in the church hall. Sometimes we need to change the date of the Mass, so it is good to call first to make sure of the date you are planning to attend. Purpose: To minister to the needs of the Migrant Community. To accompany the migrants in their faith journey while they are in our midst. To allow them to worship in a culturally appropriate manner. Contact: Andrea Avila |
| MINISTRY COUNCIL |
The purpose of the Ministry Council is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Pastor and the parish concerning the present and future needs of the parish. All ministries of the parish are represented on the Council through the following ministry groups: Liturgy, Education and Faith Formation, Service Ministries, Hospitality and Social Concerns. Parish staff members also serve on the Council. Council meetings are held in Meeting Room J in the Pastoral Center Building as announced in the parish bulletin. Contact: Beverly Rossio, Ministry Council President |
| MOTHERS’ SPIRITUALITY GROUP |
Sharing your faith? We have so much to learn about the Catholic faith. Every Thursday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. we meet in Classroom 4 in the Parish Hall Building. Childcare is available right next door in Classroom 3. We support the role of mothers and discuss our own faith and how to shape the Catholic faith of our families. There is always a presentation using a current book and then time for small group sharing. We always pray for those in need and give thanks to God for the families we have. Moms range in age from 26 to 56 with children from newborn to adult. Parenting and praying doesn’t end because they graduate high school. Contact: Beverly Rossio |
| PARISH HEALTH MINISTRY |
Contact: Parish Office |
| SOCIAL INTERESTS MINISTRY |
Contact: Lynn Leclercq |
| SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL | Schedule:
Third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Meeting Room J in the Pastoral Center Building. St. Vincent de Paul Society assists the poor and homeless within the parish and provides support to a number of needy and worthwhile organizations. We conduct an ongoing clothing drive that is given monthly to inner-city parishes. Contact: Georgia Nally |
| USHERS |
Ushers assist our parish community in welcoming parishioners at the weekly Eucharistic celebration, providing bulletins and hospitality. Contact: Frank Aloisi |
| NEWCOMERS MINISTRY | Schedule:
Please watch the weekly bulletin for scheduled events. We welcome all newly registered parishioners and help them come to know fellow parishioners, the staff and become involved in their new parish. Contact: Lea Gomez |
| WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP | Schedule:
Meets on the second Monday of each month, September through May, at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. The Women’s Fellowship is comprised of Christian women united in fellowship to: 1. Encourage greater love, understanding and support for all members. Contact: Co-President Eileen D’Souza Contact: Co-President Diana Sisson Women’s Fellowship Bylaws |
| YARN MINISTRY |
Do you enjoy knitting and/or crocheting? Would you like to learn how? Come join the San Rafael Yarn Ministry. Our purpose is to knit and crochet all kinds of things for those in our parish and community who are ill, elderly or in need, while praying for them and for each other, to bring comfort and to show Christ’s love.One group meets every Thursday from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in Room G in the Pastoral Center Building.Another group meets every Friday afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Meeting Rooms H & I in the Pastoral Center Building. Contact: Susan Van Winkle Contact: Barbara Birchim |