About Saint Raphael · Glendale, Arizona
Saint Raphael Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Glendale, Arizona, founded in 1974 and entrusted to the pastoral care of the Diocese of Phoenix. Since 2004 it has been joined in a linked-parish arrangement with neighboring Our Lady of the Valley (OLV) in northwest Phoenix, and the two communities now operate as sister parishes under one pastor, sharing clergy, staff, a website (olvstr.net), and a unified Mass schedule that alternates between the two campuses. The parish church sits at 5525 West Acoma Road, where a multi-purpose building that originally served as church, school, and social hall has been progressively remodeled; the first phase of a major renovation was completed in 2021.
- Established
- 1974
- Patron
- St. Raphael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Jerome Cayetano
- Diocese
- Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
St. Raphael offers the warmth of a long-established parish in northwest Phoenix/Glendale with a multicultural liturgical life — English Masses every Sunday at the Glendale campus, plus a Filipino Mass at 5:00 pm Sunday at Our Lady of the Valley and other language offerings across the linked parishes. Daily Mass is available on the campus, weekly Adoration is offered, and confessions are heard regularly Thursday mornings and Saturday afternoons. The parish supports OCIA (formerly RCIA), youth faith formation, adult catechesis, a music ministry, and St. Vincent de Paul outreach — giving new parishioners and visitors multiple ways to belong, be formed, and serve.
Mass times at Saint Raphael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 9:30-10:30 am (St. Raphael)
- Saturday 2:30-3:30 pm (Our Lady of the Valley)
- 30 minutes before Sunday Masses (at both OLV and StR)
- Other times by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday-Friday 9:00 am [following daily Mass times] (Adoration published for the linked parishes)
History of St. Raphael Parish
St. Raphael Parish was founded in 1974 under Fr. Henry Hodges, beginning life in a single multi-purpose building that doubled as church, school, and social hall. Over time the campus grew to include an Education Building, an Administration Building, and Hibner Hall. After the Carmelite Order's tenure and a 20-year pastorate led by the Congregation of Holy Cross (under Fr. Ed Kaminski from 2004), the parish was returned to diocesan care in 2024. A major renovation of the original building was completed in 2021, and the parish marked its 50th anniversary in 2024.
- Founded 1974 by Fr. Henry Hodges
- Served by the Carmelite Order after Fr. Hodges
- Joined with Our Lady of the Valley under one pastor in 2004
- Holy Cross Fathers served 2004-2024
- Diocesan priests resumed care in 2024
- Original building renovation completed 2021 (Phase One)
- 50th anniversary celebrated in 2024
Sister Parish: Our Lady of the Valley
Since 2004 St. Raphael has shared pastoral leadership with Our Lady of the Valley Parish, founded July 24, 1973 in northwest Phoenix by Bishop Edward McCarthy. The two parishes operate as one faith community under a single pastor and staff, with Masses, confessions, formation programs, and ministries distributed between the two campuses at 5525 W. Acoma Road (Glendale) and 3220 W. Greenway Road (Phoenix). The arrangement gives parishioners at both sites daily Mass, weekly confession, adoration, and multicultural liturgies including a Filipino Mass.
- OLV established July 24, 1973 by Bishop Edward A. McCarthy
- OLV church dedicated May 9, 1976
- OLV received a Papal Blessing from Pope Francis at its 40th anniversary — the first parish in the Diocese of Phoenix to do so
- Parish offices: 3220 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85053 (OLV); 5525 W. Acoma Road, Glendale, AZ 85306 (StR)
Clergy and Staff
St. Raphael and Our Lady of the Valley are currently served by Rev. Jerome Cayetano as Pastor and Rev. Guido O. Ditalo as Parochial Vicar, supported by five active and retired deacons and a lay staff that includes the Director of Music, Coordinator of Catechesis, Youth Ministry Coordinator, Parish Administrator, and Pastoral Associate.
- Rev. Jerome Cayetano — Pastor
- Rev. Guido O. Ditalo — Parochial Vicar
- Dcn. Richard Meidl — Deacon
- Dcn. Eduardo Mirasol — Deacon
- Dcn. Dick Rein — Deacon
- Dcn. Robert Manthie — Deacon (Retired)
- Dcn. Bill Vivio — Deacon (Retired)
- Leah Johnson — Pastoral Associate
- Amelia Sury — Director of Music
- Veronica Duarte — Coordinator of Catechesis
- Mark Mellis — Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Rick Maner — Parish Administrator
- José Hernández — Custodian
Faith Formation and OCIA
The linked parishes support lifelong catechesis from childhood through adulthood. Adult Faith Formation gathers monthly at Hibner Hall on the St. Raphael campus for study of the Hebrew Scriptures and other topics. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) walks unbaptized adults, Christians from other traditions, and Catholic adults seeking Eucharist and Confirmation through the journey of initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Adult Faith Formation: Hebrew Scriptures, 2nd Saturday of the month, 9:30 am-12:00 pm at Hibner Hall (St. Raphael)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA)
- Youth Faith Formation and sacramental preparation
- Coordinator of Catechesis: Veronica Duarte
Youth and Music Ministry
Mark Mellis coordinates Youth Ministry across both parishes, walking young people through faith, fellowship, and service. Liturgical life is supported by Amelia Sury, Director of Music, who leads the parish music program that undergirds Sunday and weekday Masses at both campuses.
- Youth Ministry Coordinator — Mark Mellis
- Director of Music — Amelia Sury
Outreach and Charity
St. Raphael parishioners participate in parish outreach including the St. Vincent de Paul Assistance ministry, which serves neighbors in need in the Glendale and northwest Phoenix area.
- St. Vincent de Paul Assistance
Contact, Office Hours, and Location
St. Raphael is located at 5525 West Acoma Road, Glendale, AZ 85306. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to noon. Phone is 602-938-4227 (fax 602-978-0305) and email is [email protected]. The linked OLV office is reachable at 602-993-1213.
- St. Raphael — 5525 W. Acoma Rd., Glendale, AZ 85306 — 602-938-4227 — [email protected]
- Our Lady of the Valley — 3220 W. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85053 — 602-993-1213 — [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon-Thu 8:00 am-4:00 pm; Fri 8:00 am-Noon
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Henry Hodges1974 (founding)
Founding pastor of St. Raphael Parish.
- Carmelite Order priestsafter Fr. Hodges
Several years of Carmelite leadership following the founding pastor.
- Fr. Ed Kaminski, C.S.C. (Holy Cross)2004-2024
Holy Cross Father who served as pastor of both St. Raphael and Our Lady of the Valley from 2004; oversaw the 40th anniversary of OLV in 2013 and received a Papal Blessing from Pope Francis.
- Fr. Camilo Devilla
Listed as Combined Parish Pastor on an older secondary record of the parishes.
- Rev. Jerome Cayetano2024-present
Current diocesan pastor of both parishes after the Holy Cross order concluded their assignment in 2024.