The Raphaelites group was started in 2014 to sing and play for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Holy Angels Church. It is part of Holy Angels Music Ministry: a Youth Group and Choir. Younger children, who have made their First Communion, may participate usually if joining older siblings.
We sing and play at the p.m. Vigil Mass second Saturday of each month (except August!).
We gather to prepare in Church usually around p.m. or just after. We also provide musical accompaniment on special occasions e.g. Education Sunday, Carols by Candlelight and Good Friday Stations of the Cross for Young people.
All youngsters are invited to join who feel drawn by the Holy Spirit to offer their musical talents and gifts to enrich the Sunday Liturgy. N.B. Most people are able to sing!
This means actively participating: helping to lead the assembled community at Mass with singing and instrument-playing.
Soloists sing the psalm, the Gospel Acclamation and the Communion Antiphon. We also lead the Hymn-singing.
The experienced Youth are also invited to read: to proclaim the Word of God and pray the Prayers of the faithful. Adults co-run the group and parents help prepare the readers.
If your youngster feels called to join The Raphaelites please be in touch with either Amanda or Mary.
All young people are needed and most welcome especially as the five eldest members have gone to university!!(2026)
Contact details:
Amanda Buchan (Piano/Organ/Guitar)
Mary Nono: (Guitar/Vocals/Readers)
Why we encourage our young people to participate in the Liturgy!
The Raphaelites and their families, most often Mums, but Dads and grandparents too, who accompany them in particular, are most especially graced by God! When we come to Mass we all participate in different ways; we listen to the Scriptures proclaimed: the history of our salvation, we respond to the invitations to express our sorrows and our joys, we praise and thank God, we glorify God’s name. We join together, journeying, as a pilgrim people, we pray together and we receive the risen Lord God. We eat the body of Christ so as to become the body of Christ for the world. We grow in trust of God, faith and Christ-likeness almost without realizing it! We become more and more a dwelling place for God’s Holy Spirit. Our young people receive many graces as they prepare to play and sing. The words of the hymns and the singing of them deepen their awareness of God’s Presence. As they prepare to read the Prayers of the Faithful and most particularly when they read the Scriptures their minds and hearts are opened to receive God’s Word. In doing so they are participating in the ancient spiritual tradition of prayerfully Listening to God speak through the Scriptures: a spiritual practice called Lectio Divina.
We are named after Raphael, one of the Archangels whose name means ‘God heals’. Being part of the Raphaelites means we are partaking in God’s healing power.
Amanda and Mary thank you all for supporting and being part of this beautiful group called The Raphaelites here at Holy Angels.
