LETTER FROM FATHER MICHAL
Dear Parishioners of Saint Raphael's Church,
Thank you for welcoming me as your new Administrator to your extraordinary church and beautiful community. I look forward to a warm and enduring relationship with all of you in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. I have some large shoes to fill with the passing of Father Dennis Cooney and hope that I will not disappoint.
First, a word of introduction. My name is Father Michal Szyszka. I am from Poland and my last name, "Szyszka", means "pinecone." If you have a problem saying my last name you can call me Fr. Michal or Fr. Pinecone. I came to the U.S. in 2006 and this was a day when my big dream came true. I studied in the Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan. I was ordained a priest on May 21, 2011 at the Cathedral in Venice by Bishop Frank Dewane. My last four years I spent in Bradenton, at Ss. Peter and Paul Church with a wonderful Pastor, Father Mark Heuberger. And here am I, at Saint Raphel Catholic Church. What an honor. Yes, indeed, it is an honor for me to be your Administrator.
Let God's mission be our mission. And together, let us do our very best to be part of that mission, building up God's Kingdom here in this great community.
I thank God for all of you in my prayers and I do need your prayers, help and support. May the peace and grace of God be with you. God bless you!
Saint Raphael, pray for us! Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Michal
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATES
e are a Roman Catholic community of believers in Jesus Christ in Lehigh Acres and surrounding areas, located in the Diocese of Venice, Florida. Our Bishop is Bishop Frank J. Dewane .
Please feel free to visit the pages of our Parish Site, learn about who we are as a community of faith and the services our parish provides. If you are thinking about moving to the Lehigh Acreas area, we cordially invite you to make St. Raphael your parish home.