Crystal, MN

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The following report comes to us from evangelist Phil with our St. Raphael parish team in Crystal, Minnesota:

As St. Raphael celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, the Reaching for Faith and St. Paul Street Evangelization (RFF/SPSE) ministry continues our parish’s long tradition of faith, fellowship, outreach, and service to the wider community.

Throughout June and July, St. Raphael hosted weekly community gatherings featuring free meals, lawn games, conversation, and fellowship in a welcoming environment for all. These gatherings provide opportunities to build relationships with neighbors while connecting them to resources related to food security, mental health support, and housing assistance. For those seeking to grow in faith, prayer and spiritual resources such as Bibles, Catholic Catechisms, and inspirational materials were also available.

This summer, we were blessed to welcome both familiar faces and many new guests. Attendance reached its highest average to date, growing by 19% compared to last year. On July 9, we celebrated a record turnout of approximately 170 attendees during a special joint event with St. Raphael School.

One of the highlights of the summer was a joyful visit from the Little Brothers and Little Sisters of the Lamb (Community of the Lamb) from Kansas City, who were staying at our parish’s Tobit House. They shared music, fellowship, and an engaging Gospel reflection experience that enriched the evening and inspired all who attended.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us as guests (even “the pope” made a visit!) and to the many dedicated volunteers whose generosity and hard work made these gatherings possible. We would also like to offer a special thank you to an anonymous parishioner and to Hy-Vee of New Hope for their generous donations and support.