St Raphael’s Men’s Welcome Weekend

WELCOME is an incredible experience that will recharge your faith life, help you develop lasting friendships, and fill you with newfound energy and purpose. For more information: Click below “Get more information” below.

SIGN-UP IS NOW CLOSED, PLEASE JOIN US IN THE SUMMER OF 2027!

Here is what St Raphael parishioners have to say about the WELCOME WEEKEND EXPERIENCE.

“The Welcome Weekend offered me the opportunity to step back and reflect on my faith journey among the fellowship of other men in the parish. Beyond the weekend, this community of men has become an active and ongoing source of encouragement, support, and accountability in my life.

Daniel Zepp

“When I signed up for Welcome, I had no idea what to expect. The weekend was full of powerful moments, which I will not spoil here for future participants. It was a wonderful realignment towards what is truly important. I am so very glad I said yes to the invite.”

Dan Mageras

“WELCOME is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Since the retreat, I have recommitted my life to prayer, the parish community, and the spiritual growth of my family.”

Roy Binger

What is this Welcome Thing?

Hundreds of thousands of people have had life changing experiences through CRHP, which has been renamed Welcome.

It’s an experience that helps you discover what’s missing in your life and what to do about it.  Most people want to work this out, but they have no idea how, or even where to start.

The Welcome experience is an amazing thing! Welcome is a life-changing experience. Twenty years from now you will look back and this will be one of the defining experiences of your life.

Why Should I go to Welcome Weekend?

We believe that Welcome is the first step in helping people make sense of life. You see, people often have this nagging feeling that something is missing in their lives. They want to work this out, but they have no idea how or even where to start. (See Video!)

How Does Welcome Weekend Work?

Welcome is an overnight weekend experience for men and women given by men or women who have previously attended Welcome at your parish.  Through fellowship, faith sharing, hospitality, music, individual and group activities, Mass, and more, participants have the opportunity to step back from the everyday to reflect on their lives and their spiritual journeys and build meaningful relationships with other men or women in the parish. (Men and women attend separate weekends.)

Since we make the Sign of the Cross before and after our prayers, many Catholics don’t realize that the Sign of the Cross is a prayer itself. It should be said with reverence; we shouldn’t rush through it on the way to the next prayer.

Men’s Welcome Weekend

Register is now Closed

Joinus in the Summer of 2027!

Women’s Welcome Weekend

Coming January of 2027

Welcome Weekend Retreat FAQs

What is the Welcome Weekend ?

Do you sense that something’s missing in your life? Do you feel that if you weren’t so busy you would be happier, healthier, more effective, more fulfilled, and maybe even a better person? Welcome (formerly called Christ Renews His Parish or CRHP) is a spiritual renewal retreat that helps you discover what’s missing in your life and what to do about it.  It is also an excellent opportunity for Catholics to renew their understanding of the basic beliefs and traditions of their faith.

Weekends are held at St. Raphael Church and begin on Saturday at 8:00 am and conclude on Sunday at 2:00 pm. An overnight stay is part of the weekend. When staying the night, you will want to bring a pillow and toiletries.

All are welcome! Welcome is for anyone seeking spiritual renewal. You do not have to be a spiritual person to attend the retreat. In fact many people attend because they are not as spiritual as they would like to be. All participants will be welcomed and received with unconditional acceptance.

The program is designed to help strengthen our parish communities. This is an excellent opportunity for those who have stopped attending Mass or who have lost interest in the church to reconnect with their Parish Family.

There is no charge for attending the retreat!  The weekend is hosted and run by previous attendees of the Welcome Weekend and funded by their donations.

During the weekend, you will listen to a number of individuals who have volunteered to give a witness to the Power of Jesus Christ in their lives. Group discussions and responses follow each presentation. There will be readings from Scripture, time for prayer, and time for personal reflection in the Chapel.

Sacraments are an integral part of the weekend, including a private Mass.

Participants from past Welcome weekends come together to facilitate the next weekend.  The Teams work together in prayer and love to share the experience with you.  It is a fun-filled uplifting spiritual journey that you will not regret!  So what about you?  Say a prayer.  Ask God what you should do. We would love for you to join us.