1386 S. West End St., Springdale, Arkansas 72764 Tel 479-756-6711 Fax 479-756-8818 www.straphaelcc.org email: info@straphaelcc.org Facebook @StRaphaelNWA

Church Office Hours: Monday—Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm, Friday 9:00am– 12:00pm

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT We the people of St. Raphael Roman Catholic Church bring together diverse gifts and backgrounds to form a growing vibrant community centered in the Eucharist, the source and sign of our unity. In pilgrimage to the Kingdom of God, our mission is to demonstrate God's presence and love through: worshipping together, spreading the Good News, serving others, and enjoying Christ-Centered activities. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are committed to

sharing our time, our talents, and our treasures to fulfill God's will for our parish.

April 26, 2020 Third Sunday of Easter

Reflections on today's Gospel LUKE 24:13-35

(Acts 2:14,22-33; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:17-21)

KEY VERSE: "With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him" (v. 31).

TO KNOW: As two disciples returned to their home in Emmaus from their Passover pilgrimage to Jerusa-lem, they discussed the meaning of the events they had witnessed there. As they journeyed along the road, the Risen Christ appeared to them, but they mistook him for another pilgrim. They told the "stranger" that Jesus was a mighty prophet, but their hope that "he was the one to redeem Israel" (Lk 24:21) was shattered at the crucifixion. They also told him of the rumor that some women went to the tomb and found it empty, but the apostles dismissed their story as nonsense. Jesus listened to their an-guished tale, and then explained that God's plan had been revealed in Moses and the prophets (the Jewish scriptures), and that it was necessary that the Messi-ah should suffer so as to enter glory. At nightfall, the disciples urged Jesus to stay and share a meal with them. Though the disciples’ eyes had been closed to Jesus’ presence, they recognized him "in the breaking of the bread" (v. 35). Then he vanished from their sight. Unable to keep the good news to themselves, they hastened back to Jerusalem with great joy. There they discovered that the apostles had already experienced the Risen Christ. Although Jesus is physi-cally absent, he continues to be with his followers through the Word and Eucharist. His resurrected body is a foretaste of what God intends for all of us.

TO LOVE: How can I help others discover Jesus on their spiritual journeys?

TO SERVE: Risen Lord, open my eyes to your pres-ence in word and sacrament.

We are so glad you joined us! If you are new to our parish, we would like to invite you to become a member.

The Welcome Booth in the vestibule is open the first full weekend of every month or come by the Parish Office.

Visit our website for a registration form or more information.

Temporarily Closed

We would ask that you prayerfully consider giving to our food pantry Personal Care Items. We have in our lines, many homeless people or people living in their cars. Aside from food, they have a different type of

basic needs, such as, hand warmers, wet wipes/baby wipes, Blistex, medicated hand moist-urizer, insulated goves, Neosporin, Band-Aids’, clinical strength deodorant, antibacterial gel, toilet paper, medicated foot cream, thick socks, cushioned insoles, large Ziploc bags, dental care items, Vitamin Water, nutritional drinks. During our season of Lent, we will also accept, only brand new, clothing items.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Philippians 4:6

—Msgr. Scott Friend—Sherry Pianalto—Mary England—Gabe Peters—Andrew Lampe —Sean Wendland—George & Shirlene Gonzalez—Andrea Perez—Millie Connell —Dean Cannon—Tracy Brugger—Barbara Hancock—Kevin M Cunningham—Herman Seiter —Carol Ann Schlinger—Candace Page—Jack Ledbetter—Sherry Ledbetter—Sondra Horn —Jim Swearingin

Pray for our Troops, especially: —Samuel Atkinson, PV2—Arturo Rodriguez, CPL—Sgt. Jeff Mader—Sgt. Jon Mader —Lcpl Jarod Mader—Spec. Michael Gray—PVT. Captain Nathan Brown—David G. Hill, W5 —PFC Christopher Sharp—Michael G. Jaro, Pvt.—Jerod Dalke, PVT—Sgt, Malachi Bucao —Brandon Hayes, Spc—Jeremy Riedel, PVT.—Cpl Christopher Main—Lt. Greg Abide —Spc Medic, Fredrick Tober—Mark Pittman, PFC.—1LT Kyle Rudolph —PO3 Chris Rudolph —Aaron Wolfe, A1C—Bryan Phillips, PO 1C.—Lt. Richard Carter—Sgt. James Lee —Capt. Benjamin Gonzalez—Jorge Gonzalez, PVT.—Andrew Swalley, PFC.—Josh Hall, A1C —Cadet Isaac Antony—Midshipman Megan LaMendola—Sgt. Ellen Cox—Julia M. Puma, AMN —Cadet Corin Mellone

Please pray for all Seminarians & Diaconate Candidates of the Diocese of Little Rock, especially our Seminarian: Jaime Nieto

and our Diaconate Candidates: Eduardo Andrade, Oscar Lopez, Ernesto Peña, Rob Phillips, Luis Sanchez

The Pope's Monthly Intention for April Universal prayer intention ‐ Freedom from Addiction

We pray that those suffering from addiction may be helped and accompanied.

FOOD Pantry

Pastor:

Rev. John Connell

Associate Pastors:

Rev. Daniel Ramos

Rev. Jon Miskin

Deacons:

Chuck Marino

Dan Cashman

Jesús Ramos In order to keep this prayer list up to date, all names will be removed and this list will start over quarterly; Sept. 1st, Dec. 1st, March 1st & June 1st.

New names will always be added as requests come in. To add or remove a name from this list please contact the office

or e-mail Nancy: nphillips@straphaelcc.org

Prayer Requests

From Arkansas Catholic: The Arkansas Catholic is our main vehicle for communicating during this crisis.

Contact the diocese to sign up for the print version.

call (501) 664-0125, or email mhargett@dolr.org.

The digital version is for free and available to everyone in your family, coming to each member in their personal email account.

Signing up is simple:

1. Log on to www.digital.arkansas-catholic.org and sign up for free.

2. Click the red “Sign Up” link.

3. Register for your free account and set up your password and hit “Submit.” You will probably never need to use this password again unless you log in from your browser rather than from the email you will get every Tuesday afternoon with a link to access the latest edition.

4. Click the red link and you now have access to the digital edition, plus all issues back to 2002.”

From the Pastor ’s Desk

CONFESSION TIMES & DATES Please be mindful of your spacing and stay on the green

numbered spaces while you wait in the vestibule.

Tuesdays at St. Raphael—2pm — 6pm April 28—Fr. Miskin

Saturdays at St. Raphael— 9am — Noon May 2nd—Fr. Ramos

Just a reminder: Although the office is officially closed, we do have limited staff

here for our regular office hours,

Mon-Thurs: 9am-5pm and Fri: 9am-Noon, to answer any

questions you might have.

OUR PARISH STILL NEEDS YOUR HELP: Our only means of support is your generosity.

While we are unable to come together each week for Mass, we ask that you still try to maintain your weekly donation to the church. We know that we are living through some difficult times, but we do appreciate your generosity. Please place your weekly donation in the brass mail slot just outside the front entrance at circle drive. There will be a sign with an arrow to help show you the location. Other great options are to sign up for online giving or mail your donations. Staff will be checking for dropped off donations & mail most days.

St. Raphael Book & Gift Shop FYI…With the shop being closed during Covid 19

we can still help you shop by scheduling an appointment to visit.

We will open the shop for you as long as you shop one at a time and you wear a mask & gloves.

Please call 479-756-6711 #236 or email giftshop@straphaelcc.org

or leave a message at front office.

May is the Month of Mary. Here are some ways to honor Mary our heavenly mother: Flower your Mary Statue, pray a Novena to Our Lady, spread devotion to the Rosary, learn about a new Marian devotion, share the miraculous medal, memorize a Marian prayer or hymn, wear a scapular, read a book about Mary or pray the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mother's Day is May 10th Every year you have the opportunity to tell your mom how special she is with a unique Mother's Day gift that will warm her heart. Browse our collection of Mother's Day gift ideas and find everything you need right here or order the perfect Mother's Day gift today and have it in time to give her on her special day. We have a beautiful line of jewelry from VSA that would make a very special gift that she would cherish for many years to come.

Please schedule your appointment soon!

Click the Facebook logo

To watch St. Raphael Mass

Live each Sunday

10:30am in English

12:30pm in Spanish

Click the link below to see Mass LIVE for St. Joseph Tontitown at 9am

https://www.facebook.com/stjoetontitown

Dear Parents, In response to the troubling atmosphere of today's world, the Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents created for the near future several virtual reflections to minister to your suffering hearts. The information is provided below and I encourage each of you to participant according to your schedule. Additionally, if you know of someone who might benefit from this ministry right now please feel free to forward this information to them. God Bless you, Mary Lou Wender

The Virtual Gatherings are open to any grieving parents; however, you do need to register for each one. After you register, we will send you your meeting codes and password.

April 29, 2020—Fr. Dennis Schuelkens

May 6, 2020—Fr Jurgen Liias

Road to Emmaus through Lectio Divina (www.togetherwithgodsword.com)

Lectio Divina -- Reading and Praying Scripture Lectio Divina (Latin for divine reading) is an ancient form of meditation on scripture where one reads slowly through a text until a word or phrase attracts the reader and moves the heart to prayer. The Word of God is different from other forms of literature. Other books may in-form the mind while scripture opens the "eyes of the heart" (Eph 3:16-17). Lectio Divina allows God's word to penetrate us with God's heal-ing, forgiveness, and love. As you read the scriptures, something may strike you ̶ a word, a verse, a paragraph or a scene. The Monastic tradi-tion says it is better to pray one verse from scripture well than to read whole volumes poorly. At the table of the Word, the Lord forms our hearts and minds so that we can approach the table of the Eucharist properly. Thus, a profound relationship exists between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist since both "form one single act of worship" (SC #56). Pope John Paul II advised: “It is especially neces-sary that the listening to the Word becomes an essential meeting, following the ancient and present-day tradition of Lectio Divina, enabling us to discover in the biblical text the living word that challenges us, directs us, that gives shape to our existence” (Novo Millennio # 39).

1. LECTIO ‒ (Read) What does the text say? We read to understand the passage. Sometimes it may be good to read the text several times. 2. MEDITATIO ‒ (Meditate) What does the text say to me? Which word, phrase or verse has a particular meaning or message for me? 3. ORATIO ‒ (Pray) How can I respond to God to what the text has said to me? This prayer may be an expression of joy, sorrow, petition, praise, etc. 4. CONTEMPLATIO ‒ (Contemplate) This is the time to savor the special moment of connection between you and God's Word. This is a time for silence. Treasure God's word in your heart, and like Mary to respond, "I am your servant. Be it done unto me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Road to Emmaus—Picture yourself as one of the disciples of Emmaus walking along the road. Only one of them is named in the story, "Cleopas." Perhaps the unnamed disciple is you on your own journey as the risen Jesus walks beside you. He said, "Where two or three are gathered, there am I in your midst" (Matthew 18:20).

Open your Bible and read Luke 24:13-16 Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

All of life is a series of Emmaus moments ̶ meeting the broken stranger in the broken word, the broken bread, and the broken world. But sometimes, our eyes are blinded to that encounter. We are all pilgrims trying to reach the same destination as we walk in the footsteps of Christ. But even when we walk along together, we may not be on the same pathway because no one's spiritual journey is exactly like any oth-er. A Christian should be a person who walks toward the light, to a dawn that breaks forth, not to a night that falls. But sometimes we may be walking in the wrong direction, away from Christ and the path that leads from Jerusalem -- away from the cross, away from the sunrise of Easter toward the nightfall of Emmaus. The disciples were discouraged and disheartened. Though Jesus walked alongside them, they failed to recognize him because their eyes, ears, minds and hearts were closed. Are there situations in your life where it seem as if Jesus is totally ab-sent and silent? Does it seem that he has deserted you in your hour of need, and that you are alone in your pain? At such moments, it may be Easter week for some, but for you it is still Good Friday.

Read Luke 24:17-21 He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel

What are you discussing as you go along your way? When the disciples failed to recognize Jesus, he did not say to them, "Open your eyes and see! I am Jesus risen from the dead!" Rather, he entered into their experience, asking "What are you talking about as you walk along?"Jesus listens to our stories. What is your story, your concerns, your disappoints, your hopes that you can share with him? Perhaps it is a marriage failure, the loss of a job, a disappointment from a friend, or the diagnosis of a doctor. As we read the scriptures, our minds and hearts run back and forth between the page and our human experience. We make connections between the sacred word and our story: "This is my situation. It really is like that!"

Jesus told his disciples: "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free" (Jn.8:31-32). Were the disciples of Emmaus looking for a political liberator to set them free? They utter some of the saddest words in Scrip-ture, "We had hoped that he would have been the one to set Israel free" (v.21). On another road, the road that led toward Jerusalem, Jesus told his disciples: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34). The disciples of Emmaus did not want a suffering Messiah, but if we follow God's plan, Jesus' way, it is the path of suffering that leads to glory. Paul had to come to terms with the cross. He realized that for many it was a scandal, a stumbling block, a disgrace or a curse. But for those who believe "it is the power of God" (1 Cor.1:18-23). Unless we enter into the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection, God's Word, will remain a closed and locked book, and we will read with closed minds and hearts. We will be like those who "look at the words but do not per-ceive, who hear the words but do not understand" (Is 6:9).

Road to Emmaus through Lectio Divina continued

Prayer to the Virgin Mary for Protection O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus' pain, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the en-treaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. --Pope Francis

Read Luke 24:25-27 And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messi-ah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what re-ferred to him in all the scriptures. Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into glory?

Jesus says that is "necessary" that he suffer these things so as to enter glory. We might ask, "Why should it be God's will for anyone to suffer in order to be glorified? Is this the way God shows love for us?" In moments of tragedy and loss we are not satisfied with simple answers. At such times we are up against the mystery of God who says: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD" (Isaiah 55:8).

Jesus' dying and rising challenges the notion that a broken body is a sign of God's punishment and rejection. Jesus transforms it into a symbol of salvation. God was not absent on the cross, nor at Auschwitz or at the World Trade Center. We only know and believe that God, with his mysterious thoughts and ways, is good, loving and caring and wills the best for us. If it is necessary that Jesus should suffer so as to enter glo-ry, might it not be necessary that we should walk a similar path? It is the risen Christ who opens the scriptures and unlocks our hearts. Slowly, the disciples began to understand, but something more was needed to fan that spark of hope into a burning flame. It was late afternoon, and soon it would be dark. If Jesus left the disciples now they would remain in the dark.

Read Luke 24:28-29 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

The disciples plead, "Stay with us!" "Abide with us!" Jesus said that he is the vine and we are the branches that we can not live apart from him, "If you abide in me and I in you, you may ask what you will and it will be done for you" (John 15:7). Jesus wants to abide in us. He wants us to meet him in word, prayer and sacrament. He waits for our invitation. "Here I am, standing at the door. If anyone hears me calling and opens the door, I will enter his house and have supper with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).

Read Luke 24:30-32 And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?

Recognition of Jesus happens within the context of a sacred meal. In the "Breaking of the Bread," their eyes were opened. The disciples had come to know Jesus in the word, and now they recognize him at the table. With that Jesus disappeared from their sight. The disciples no longer need Jesus' physical presence. When our eyes of faith are opened we no longer have to depend on our physical senses, like Thomas, wanting to see and touch. Jesus says, "Blessed are you who have not seen, yet believe" (John 20:29). Jesus eternally abides in the church in his Sacred Word and Eucharistic presence. The Lord has risen indeed! Has the Lord risen in your heart? What is your response to this story? Ask the Lord to set your heart on fire with love for Jesus in Word and Sacrament. Pray in thanksgiving for his presence in your life.

Click the link for more… http://www.togetherwithgodsword.com/lectio-devina----reading-and-praying-scripture.html

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in The Trumpet email nphillips@straphaelcc.org

PARISH COUNCIL OF MINISTRIES

Chairman:

Dave Louk

Vice Chairman:

Tom Maddock

Secretary:

Nathan Bearden

Other Members:

Bárbara Barroso

Cristobal Cartegena

Oscar Lopez

Bill McGowan

Matt Mendenhall

Phuong Mueller

Gary Reed

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

New Hours for

Adoration in the church

Monday-Saturday

9am to 5pm

Sunday

2pm to 5pm

Weekly Mass and Reconciliation Schedule —St. Raphael (Springdale)

Date Time Event Priest Intention

Mon, April 27 12:00pm Mass/English CANCELLED

Tues, April 28 8:30am Mass/English CANCELLED

2-6pm Confessions Fr. Ramos In the Cry Room

6:00pm Misa/Español CANCELLED

Wed, April 29 12:00pm Misa/Español CANCELLED

5:00pm Confessions CANCELLED

6:00pm Mass/English CANCELLED

Thurs, April 30 8:30am Mass/English CANCELLED

5:00pm Confessions CANCELLED

6:00pm Misa/Español CANCELLED

Fri, May 1 8:30am Mass/English CANCELLED

12:00pm Misa/Español CANCELLED

Sat, May 2 9am-Noon Confessions Fr. Jon In the Cry Room

3:00pm Confessions CANCELLED

4:00pm Mass/English CANCELLED

Sunday, May 3 7:00am Mass/English CANCELLED

8:30am Misa/Español CANCELLED

10:30am Mass/English Fr. Miskin Live Streaming on Facebook

12:30pm Misa/Español Fr. Connell Live Streaming on Facebook

5:00pm Misa/Español CANCELLED

7:00pm Misa/Español CANCELLED

Weekly Mass and Reconciliation Schedule—St. Joseph (Tontitown)

Date Time Event Priest Intention

Mon, April 27 No Monday Masses

Tues, April 28 5:00pm Confessions CANCELLED

5:30pm Mass/English CANCELLED

Wed, April 29 7:30am Mass/English CANCELLED

Thurs, April 30 7:30am Mass/English CANCELLED

Friday, May 1 7:30am Mass/English CANCELLED

Sat, May 2 3:00pm Confessions CANCELLED

4:00pm Mass/English CANCELLED

Sunday, May 3 9:00am Mass/English CANCELLED

4:30pm Mass/Latin CANCELLED

Diocese of Little Rock website:

www.dolr.org

MASS IN TRANSIT: Going out of town? Go to www.masstimes.org

to find the mass time for churches throughout the United States.

Buy a

Brick

Leave a legacy

honor loved ones

& help reduce

our building debt

at the same time.

Call the church office for

more details.

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy

Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You

into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into

my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself

wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

—Amen.

O my God, my only hope, I have placed all my trust in

you, and I know I shall not be disappointed. —Diary, 317

Shopping on-line these days??? Now you can shop &

help St. Raphael all at the same time!!

is a website operated by Amazon

with the SAME products, prices & shopping

features as Amazon.com.

The difference is when you shop AmazonSmile,

they donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products back to us.

Click the link to update your settings. Amazon Smile – St. Raphael Link

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/71-6087779

Do you shop at Harps/Price Chopper

or 10 Box Cost Plus stores?

Our Women’s Council collects Best Choice bar code labels!

Each label is worth .06¢ & can add up quickly when enough

are collected. Please cut out any labels you may have, place

them in an envelope marked for Women’s Council and drop

them in the mail slot at the office.

(The words “Best Choice” are printed above the UPC symbol)

Need another gift idea? We still have some gift cards for sale!

$25 cards Buffalo Wild Wings (8), Chili’s(7)

& Red Robin (2)

Contact nphillips@straphaelcc.org or stop by the office if you are interested in buying some cards

Collection Last

week Month to date

Monthly needs

Surplus (Short Fall)

Stewardship 8,372.98 $35,840.98 $75,800.00 $(39,959.02)

Building 2,421.47 $12,546.81 $28,000.00 $(15,453.19)

STEWARDSHIP Thank you

for your generosity to the parish!

Go to straphaelcc.formed.org to sign up for full access to so many Catholic resources and materials.

Just use the Parish Code: GFGBDV along with your email, then just explore and enjoy!

FREE MEMBERSHIP!!!!

Visit our website

www.straphaelcc.org

to sign up

MORE WEBSITES FOR DAILY MASS https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/ http://

www.catholictv.org/masses/catholictv-mass

https://mass-online.org/daily-holy-mass-live-online/

https://www.catholicfaithnetwork.org/

WEBSITES FOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS Stations of the Cross | Bishop Robert Barron

Stations of the Cross | National Shrine of Divine Mercy

Stations of the Cross for Youth

Financial Report-April 2020

3rd weekend of the month

Chris Stefanick is excited to announce a new Facebook LIVE Series, The Life You Were Made For. Each week, he will sit down with one of many amazing guests to have a con-

versation about how we can make the most of this time & claim the new life God is drawing us into.

The show will be airing live on Facebook on my page and EWTN's Facebook page

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 AT 8 P.M. ET Dom Rosso on How to Cope with Fear Dom Rosso is a retried SEAL Team Six. He has been on over 300 com-bat missions and has become an expert on how to manage your fears.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 AT 8 P.M. ET Elizabeth Zelasko on Making Sacred Space in Your Home Elizabeth Zelasko is a Colorado-based artist, iconographer, and sister of Chris Stefanick. She works with Catholic publishers and institutions, creating commissioned pieces and gives talks on the theological aspects and material processes of writing a traditional icon.