I went to St. Raphael school K-8 and attended / served Mass here growing up. I have been to both…read morethe original and newly renovated church. I hate to be critical here, but I'll try to justify my rationale of why I'm upset. Here are the highlights:
~ The Church: Since the renovations, it's become a more modern looking church, even though it still has the same Altar and crucifix as the original. Being so close to the original church as I was growing up, I couldn't help but feel sad and disappointed in the renovations. To me, it lost its holiness. The original church just had that feeling that I was entering into God's presence. When I go the Cathedral downtown or St. Mary in Avon, I get that same feeling. It definitely enhances my worship to God and makes all the difference. Certainly, the modern churches like this one are beautiful looking, but to me they lose that holiness I long for in my worship to God. See pictures of each attached.
~ Music: The long time music director/ organist / cantor here is special. I love his rendition of the hymns: the Magnificat (Chepponis), Jesus The Lord (Roc O'Connor), One Bread One Body, I Am The Bread of Life, and Taste and See, to name a few. Since the renovations, though, he hardly sings anymore and they have assigned cantors for each Mass, which is unfortunate.
~ Priests: Over the years, St. Raphael has been blessed with many priests starting with who I grew up with: Fr. Callahan, Fr. Tom, Fr. Craig, and of course Fr. Tim. I also loved serving for some of the substitute priests (their names escape me). From what I've heard, it sounds like the other priests who have now come and gone are great too, which is a wonderful thing and what you hope for in every parish.
Overall, it's a great parish, community, and school. I enjoyed it during my younger days, but I've since moved on and attending other parishes that will enrich my love for God even more -- and that's most important for all of us to find.