ST. RAPHAEL'S COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN

O Lord of heavenly wisdom, who has given us your own Mother Mary to be our guide and counselor in this our life, grant that in all things we may have the grace to seek her maternal instruction and to profit by it in humility and love.

O Mother of Good Counsel, Patroness of the National Council of Catholic Women, help us to understand and fulfill the mind and will of your Divine Son, Jesus Christ. Under the blessing of the Father, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, may we be responsible and intelligent daughters of the Church. May we labor in the spirit of renewal to realize more perfectly the Kingdom of God here below as the only true preparation for our share in the Kingdom of Heaven. And may we, in all we think or do or say, be filled with the same love of God and neighbor that overflows from your own Immaculate Heart. Amen

Paintings by
Joan Grayson,
St. Raphael's CCW 

Hymn:  Our Lady of Good Counsel

Our Lady of Good Counsel, to thee we pledge our love;
Through thee to your divine Son, Who reigns in heav'n above.
Through thee to your divine Son, Who reigns in heav'n above.
United Catholic women beneath your banner blue,
This hallowed land of Florida we dedicate to you!
This hallowed land of Florida we dedicate to you

HANDMAIDEN of the LORD

COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN GOALS:

St. Raphael CCW will operate under a new and abbreviated Commission system in order to meet the following goals:
1.  to promote Catholic activities
2.  to unify and coordinate programs
3.  to collect information on programs in operation
4.  to challenge and encourage participation of members to bring about a
     general consciousness of belonging
5.  to implement Vatican II

The Commissions

A.  Church Commission is charged with the responsibility of all the facets of Catholic life contained in and revolving around the concept of a "Parish."

B.  Family Concerns Commission assists families in achieving a truly Christian life.

C.  Community Concerns alerts members to become aware of the needs of the people in their community.

D.  International Concerns awakens in all Christians a conviction of their responsibilities for international society and to create through their conviction a brotherhood of all people.

E.  Organization Commission is charged with establishing and maintaining well informed and trained members who are capable of carrying out the total program of the Diocesan Council.

F.  Legislative Advisory Commission has as its aim to help people become politically effective, to understand the legislative process, to make certain eligible citizens are registered to vote and to help voters understand issues.

STANDING RULES:

1. Dues are $15.00 per year, payable April 1st; delinquent after June 1st. Life Membership will be $200.00.

2. Membership dues envelopes will be included with regular Sunday church collection envelopes for March or April.

3. There will be a Mass at 8:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month (except in May- the second Saturday) for intentions of the living and deceased members of St. Raphael’s CCW. The members of the CCW are encouraged to attend this Mass in a group. Sept. to May, a continental breakfast and regular meeting will follow Mass.

4. Mass will be offered for deceased members and members of their immediate family (husband, parents & children) at St. Raphael’s Church. A Mass card will be sent to the family.

5. An Honor Guard will be provided at the funeral Mass said at St. Raphael’s Church for any CCW member or a member of her immediate family (husband, parents & children).

6. CCW members will be notified to attend funeral masses for members.

7. A Mass card or Spiritual Bouquet will be sent to members in the event of serious illness.

8. A donation, not to exceed $200 annually, will be given to St. Raphael School Library to purchase whatever media (books, videos, etc) is deemed necessary. In memory of deceased members of the CCW, their names will be inscribed on book plates on the various media.. The family of the deceased member will be advised of this donation by letter.

9. CONVENTIONS: The CCW will pay for one room only to be shared by the President and Vice President or designated alternate.

10. A membership book will be printed and distributed to each member with each incoming president.

11. A gift shall be given to each retiring President, maximum $100.00.

12. The President shall name all Commission and Committee Chairmen.

13. The CCW shall donate $50.00 each toward the First Communion and Confirmation receptions.

14. The CCW will send $15.00 to the March for Life Committee in Washington DC for “Roses” to be given to the President, Vice President and Supreme Court Justice of the United States on January 21, the anniversary of the “Roe vs. Wade” (Abortion) decision.

15. Christmas gifts will be collected for residents of Shore Acres Nursing Home on the first Saturday in December to be given out by members of the nursing home staff.

16. The CCW will support and be a patron of St. Raphael Girl Scout Troops, especially in religious awards programs and supplies.

17. The CCW will donate annually $100.00 to the Bishop’s Vocation Fund or to St. Raphael’s Parish seminarians with the Pastor’s approval.

18. The CCW will donate annually $50.00 in September to Morning Star School patrons programs.

19. The CCW will donate annually $100.00 in Oct. to St Vincent DePaul.

20. The CCW will donate annually $100.00 in Sept. to the School Band Boosters.
    Revised February 2003

Past Presidents:

1962/63   Mrs. Eleanor Barger 1963/64   Mrs. Walter B. Fries 1964/65   Mrs. Margaret Rehberg 1965/66   Major Mary Etta O’Brien 1966/67   Mrs. Kathryn McNulty 1967/68   Mrs. VivIan Frank 1968/69   Mrs. Eleanor Alderson 1969/71   Mrs. Loretta Czyzewski 1971/72   Mrs. Jean Killorin 1972/73   Mrs. Louise Haire 1973/74   Mrs. Josephine Boyles 1974/76   Mrs. Claire Schatz 1976/78   Mrs. Ann Kovach 1978/79   Mrs. Colleen Lally 1979/81   Mrs. June Balinski

1981/82   Mrs. Bernice McCune 1982/83   Mrs. Kay Yennie 1983/85   Mrs. Winifred Young 1985/87   Mrs. Mildred Bowski 1987/89   Mrs. Agnes Shoemaker 1989/91   Mrs. Jean Feldhaus 1991/92   Mrs. Kay Taylor 1992/94   Mrs. Lucille Perrin 1994/96   Mrs. Ann Kovach 1996/98   Mrs. Ruth Mattick 1998/99   Mrs. Rebecca Stern 1999/01   Mrs. Bernadette Bailey 2001/03   Mrs. Pat Oakley 2003/06   Mrs. Louise Barrett 2007- Present      Marlene D’Abramo

St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33704
Phone: 727-821-7989 |  Fax: 727-896-9619