Men's Welcome Sign Up
March 29 & 30, 2025

“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

“In early 2023, my friend Raul Quintana called and emailed me inviting me to a Men’s retreat weekend at St Raphael, an invitation I would have usually passed. To my surprise, and my wife's, I said YES, and I am forever thankful that I did. Raul had said that it had changed his life all those years ago, and he was right; it has certainly changed mine. I encourage every Catholic man to experience it. "
Joe Jimenez  

“St Raphael’s Men’s Welcome Retreat Weekend is such a rewarding experience! I had no idea how the weekend would reignite my faith and spirituality. I am very grateful I said yes (despite reservations about sleeping in a gym with a group of guys I really didn't know and giving up an entire weekend). The friendships I started during that weekend have grown into the relationships I was unaware I truly needed. I now feel fully connected and at home at St Raphael's and will be at the next retreat for the third time."
Brian Harvey

“When I signed up for the Welcome retreat, 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

“I have lived in St Pete since 1990 but have worked outside the State for all of that time. So, when I finally returned in December 2022, I knew no one. Even at the Church I attended for all those years, once every year or so when I came back, I might as well have been a new Florida arrival! So, when I saw the opportunity to attend a WELCOME weekend, I decided to try this as a way to 'merge' into the local social traffic. It worked! So many of us go to Church and 'attend,' we are polite, sit there, recognize our neighbors, and even sit at the same place each Sunday. But we don't know" anyone there. We recognize the faces, but we don’t know our fellow parishioners. The Welcome experience helped fill in some of that space. It helps isolate you and focus your attention on the matters at hand, getting to know yourself and your fellow parishioners better. The weekend is packed with content, and you won't be bored; trust me. There are some surprises that I won't give away, which you won't forget. It was well worth the time and effort. It will refresh your soul, scrub off the crust of isolation you may feel, and renew your family bonds. It will also allow you to look around the room during the weekly service 'Sign of Peace' moment and make true eye contact with fellow Welcomers you got to know better during the retreat! So, take it from me; it will be a memorable event you won’t soon forget.”
Riziero Montanari

“I attended WELCOME for the first time about one year ago. I had previously attended Christ Renews His Parish. Through Welcome, I met many of whom I had not met over the years at St Raphael's other than being a passing acquaintance. After the WELCOME experience, I felt the desire to look more deeply into my faith other than attending weekly Sunday Mass or Holy Days of Obligation. I felt more emotionally connected with the men of the parish and had a desire to be more invested in the parish activities.  I highly recommend attending a WELCOME retreat. If you do, you will come away a better Christian and really feel a part of the parish.”
Jim LaPolla

"WELCOME has made me a better father, son, husband, and friend - my family has noticed and said so. I am forever grateful for the invite and to the men in our parish who put this profound retreat together."
John L.

“I attended the Welcome retreat for men last year. It was totally worth it. I have a busy life and value my free time, so I was initially reluctant to go. What made it such a valuable experience was the authenticity of the weekend. Nobody was trying to impress each other. We all just shared where we are at in our lives and in our faith. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you need something until you experience it. Welcome events center around forming
genuine connections with each other and with Christ. Friendships formed in a Christ-centered setting are different than other relationships. They are genuine in a unique way because we are looking for the same thing (although we may not even realize it). As the saying goes, “We all have God-shaped holes in our hearts that can only be filled by Him.” We are just at different paths and stages in the journey. Sometimes, it’s good to be reminded of where we are at - to get off the roller coaster and look at our life from a different viewpoint. I wish I had gone to a Welcome retreat when I was first married. The gifts I received continue to resonate with me. They help me to become a better version of myself - a better husband, father, and human. When I go to Mass, I like seeing all the friends I made during that gathering. I invite you to pray over this decision. It could be a very important one for you and your family.”
Dr. Jim Connors

"I was not expecting it to be this impactful, but WELCOME has been a life-changing experience. It has changed not only my spiritual life but every other aspect of my life as well."
Frank D.

"I want to say Thank You! to the men who put on the WELCOME Weekend. My husband looked forward to attending but never imagined it would be such a gift to our family’s spiritual life. Seeing his renewed love for the scriptures and Christ made me join the Women’s Welcome, which was beautiful. We have found a wonderful group of families we call friends, which has enriched our lives and deepened our faith."
Madeline J.

"I love things that work, inspire people, and give them the tools to enhance their lives. I love things that help people in profoundly practical ways. That’s why I love WELCOME and what it has done for me and the other Men, my newfound fraternity in Christ."
Paul H.

"I have gone from being a ‘good Catholic’ who went to Mass every Sunday, simply because I was supposed to, to becoming an active Catholic who truly loves the faith and can’t wait to constantly learn more, do more, and inspire others when I can. WELCOME has been a true gift in my life."
Ray J.

“If you are looking for a deeper and more meaningful connection to your Catholic faith, parish, men's fraternity, community, family, and friends, I urge you to consider attending a WELCOME weekend. This upcoming WELCOME event will be my 3rd, and the retreat offers an embracing environment where you can explore your beliefs, connect with other men who share your faith, and gain insights that will enrich your spiritual life. For me, WELCOME helped galvanize my Catholic faith and introduced me to a community of men and friendships that will last a lifetime. Also, you are seeking guidance, renewal, or simply a break from a busy life to focus on matters of the soul. Whatever your reasons, .....It will change your life forever.“
Dan Cain

"WELCOME was a defining experience in my life. I really don’t know where I would be today if a friend had not invited me to it ten years ago. Most of the men I shared the experience with then are still a big part of my life today.”
Henry M.

"Saying Yes to WELCOME. As the weekend approached, I regretted having committed to going. Spending a weekend with men I did not know or barely knew? It was certainly the right thing for me to do. I knew something was missing, and I don’t know why I ignored that for so long, but Welcome helped me discover exactly what was missing, along with a fraternity of men and families that have enriched our lives."
Ken L.

“I attended my first WELCOME (Christ Renews His Parish) weekend in 1997. Prior to attending the weekend, going to Mass was an hour’s obligation with a bunch of strangers. By attending the weekend, I met a new group of men alive in the spirit. Attending Mass afterward was totally transformed from a nameless faceless obligation to one of being among friends. I have done several weekends since the original weekend and can truly say that the experiences have made me a better father, husband, brother, and friend in Christ. I pray you can have the same experience.”
Bob Hargrove

“I made my first Welcome retreat in 1993. Totally changed my focus to Let Go Let God. It also provided me a path to become a part of the St. Raphael's community even though I graduated in 1971 from the school. I've been a member of many retreat teams over the years. If you haven't made a weekend, now is your chance. It will change your St. Raphael experience
for the good.”
Scott Petrucci

“Attending my first WELCOME weekend over 30 years ago was a transformative experience that continues to shape my life today. The support, guidance, and camaraderie I found that weekend has been a source of solace through all the highs and lows that life brings. That weekend was an opportunity for me to get closer to the Lord and instilled a sense of purpose, humility, and compassion so that I could become the person I was meant to be. Looking back
on the close friends I made that weekend and beyond and the profound impact these men have had on my life; I am forever grateful for having said Yes to WELCOME.”
Raul Quintana