PARISH MISSION STATEMENT:

San Rafael Parish exists to bring the Lord to all people in our area through faithful proclamation of the Word and celebration of the Sacrament. The Sacred Liturgy is our primary focus, from which all else flows. In light of this, we strive to create awareness that each person is special to the Lord. Consequently, each person shares in the Lord’s work of teaching and reaching out to those in need. San Rafael Parish endeavors to do this through its many ministries, as well as reaching out to the poor and less fortunate both here at home and in the missions.

ABOUT ST. RAPHAEL

St. Raphael – San Rafael in Spanish – (“God heals”) is one of the seven Archangels named in the apocryphal book of Enoch who stand before the throne of God. Besides Raphael, Michael (“Who is like God”) and Gabriel (“God is strong”) are the only Archangels mentioned in the Christian Bible. Raphael was sent by God to help Tobit, Tobiah and Sarah, and his story can be found in the Book of Tobit of the Bible. Raphael instructed Tobit how to enter safely into marriage with Sarah, whose previous seven husbands had all died on their wedding night! Tobit was also blind, and it was Raphael who provided Tobit’s son, Tobiah, with the knowledge of how to cure the blindness by using a medicine made of fish gall. This knowledge was given to Tobiah as he and Raphael journeyed together to Media and back. Raphael is also identified as the angel who moved the waters of the healing pool of Siloam in Jerusalem. Raphael is patron of the blind, of happy meetings, of nurses, physicians and travelers.

Raphael’s Feast Day is celebrated with Michael and Gabriel on September 29, the Feast of the Archangels.