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In JULY…
...you can “meet” online in our AFF Facebook Group.
You are welcome to join us at any time. Feel free to post your ideas, questions, inspirations, and add to the discussions.
If you have a Facebook account, just search on  St Raphael Church AFF and apply to join. Or, ask someone who is already in the group to “invite” you through the Facebook app.
During July we will be discussiong the Q&A & Reflection Questions. 

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A Poetic Reflection on Hospitality 

Let us, like Abraham, peel back the flap of our tent and  lovingly sweep the sand from the entrance.
Let us gracefully pour the wine, watching in wonder as strangers quench their thirst.
Let us remember a time, long ago, or not long ago, when we too were the strangers.
Let us see that we are blessed, as we break the still-warm bread and silently, or with song, share our ordinary abundance.
Let us hold others close, in our arms or in our hearts, wordlessly or with words, recognizing the Sacred in them.
Let us know that love is stronger than fear, than difference, than misunderstanding.  
Let us do what it takes to serve the Guest. Amen.                                               
 

–adapted from Jennifer Hoffmann

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The Trinity, is a fifteenth century Russian icon by Rublev. A copy hangs in our church. It is also called The Hospitality of Abraham – which we read about today in Genesis 18:1-10.

 

The “hospitality” theme connects the liturgical Readings today.
What did you hear?

 

How do you interrelate service and prayer?
 

What can you do to grow in understanding and love of the Blessed Trinity?

 

Enjoy this interactive explanation of the icon.       http://wellsprings.org.uk/rublevs_icon/rublev.htm

Make a visit to the church and pray before the icon.   
 

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FORMED  
An online AFF platform
The good news is
our parish has a subscription and  
you can access any of their programs
on your computer. 

To sign up for FREE, just visit us here: https://straphaels.formed.org

 

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St Raphael Church AFF FACEBOOK GROUP

Join us.
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1457324274578094/
 

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BOOKS & LINKS 

• Bishop Barron and the Nones – June 13, 2019 https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/06/13/catholic-church-should-focus-on-getting-nones-back-bishop-barron-says/                                                                                                              
• USCCB Conference, June, 2019   Missed the live stream? Don't forget the Video OnDemand page to view video of public sessions and press conferences. Find it here: http://www.usccb.org/about/leadership/usccb-general-assembly/index.cfm                                                                                                  
• God the Father: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual-growth-for-kids/trinity/god-the-father                                                                                     
• Leisure, the Basis of Culture by Josef Piefer, 1963.                                              
• Christian Morality: In the Breath of God by Russel B. Connors, Jr., 2002.                   
• Leadership Roundtable – Online resources from an organization of laity, religious, and clergy working together to promote best practices and accountability in Church management, finances, communications, and human resource development in the U.S. https://leadershiproundtable.org/what-we-do/our-resources/                                                                                                      
• FORMED -  Sign up for FREE, just visit us here:  https://straphaels.formed.org                                                                                    
• THEM: Why we hate each other and how to heal, by Ben Sasse, 2018

• A Season of Holiness by David Knight, 23rd Publications, 2018.

• The Art of Getting Over Yourself  by Jon Leonetti, 2017.

• Christian Self-Mastery: How to govern your thoughts, discipline your will, and achieve balance in your spiritual life, Basil W. Maturin’s update of a classic, 2001.

• Sharing the Wisdom of Time, by Pope Francis and Friends, 2018. A collection of personal stories in which grandparents and elders from around the world share from their “reservoirs of wisdom” to inspire and guide.

AFF at OTHER PARISHES