Mission StatementCalled by God, centered in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Roman Catholic faith community of Our Lady of the Valley and St. Raphael embrace a vision of full, conscious and active participation in the total life of the church. We are committed to form a single Christian community which honors our diversity through vibrant liturgy, engaging faith formation for all ages and outreach to people in need. 
CLICK BELOW to listen to a welcome message from our Pastor: Fr. Ed Kaminski C.S.C. 
|
Office Hours
Our Lady of the Valley Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm [Summer: 8:00 - 12:00] 602-993-1213 (phone transfers to St. Raphael after hours) St. Raphael Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm [Summer: 8:00 - 4:00] Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm [Summer: 8:00 - 12:00] 602-938-4227 |
|
A Brief History of Our Parishes
|
Our Lady of the Valley
Founded: July 24, 1973 Patronal Feast: August 15, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Anniversary of Dedication: May 9, 1976 Our Lady of the Valley Parish was erected by Bishop Edward McCarthy July 24, 1973, and designated the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary (August 15) as the parish feast day. Prior to the acquisition of the current parish property on Greenway Road at 32nd Avenue daily Mass, parish business and Baptisms for the fledgling parish took place in the home of founding pastor, Fr. James Kelly, on 33rd Avenue. Weekend Masses were celebrated in the cafeteria of Desert Foothills School across the street from Fr. Kelly’s house. Besides the school, several area Protestant churches opened their doors to Our Lady of the Valley for weekend Masses until the community established a home of its own. The first Christmas Eve Mass for Our Lady of the Valley was celebrated at the First Assemblies of God Church on Country Gables & 29th Avenue. Today that site is the current home to Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, the Roman Catholic Polish pastoral mission. Bishop McCarthy broke ground for Our Lady of the Valley Church on February 9, 1975. The multi-purpose facility opened its doors for the first time the weekend of March 27-28, 1976, and the church was dedicated May 9, 1976. In 2000, during the pastorate of Fr. Scott Brubaker, the parish converted their multi-purpose building into a dedicated worship space in the spirit of the liturgical renewal of the Second Vatican Council. Since 2004 Our Lady of the Valley and neighboring parish, St. Raphael in Glendale, have shared one pastor and one core staff. Holy Cross Father Edward J. Kaminski (CSC) has pastored the combined faith community since 2005. |
St. Raphael
Founded: July 30, 1974 Patronal Feast: September 29, Feast of the Archangels Anniversary of Dedication: October 24, 1977 St. Raphael Parish, Glendale, was erected by Bishop Edward McCarthy July 30, 1974. The parish patronal feast is September 29, the feasts of the archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Fr. Henry Hodges was named founding pastor. Prior to the acquisition of the present parish property on the corner of 55th Avenue & Acoma Drive and the construction of a multi-purpose facility to serve the parish family, the St. Raphael community gathered for Sunday Mass at the inter-faith chapel on the campus of the Thunderbird School of International Management on Greenway Road & 59th Avenue. Because the space was inadequate for the growing community Mass was moved to the school’s auditorium and later to Sunburst Elementary School at 47th Avenue & Hearn Road until the parish facility was completed two years later. The first Mass was celebrated in the new St. Raphael Church November 20, 1976 and Bishop James Rausch formally dedicated the church October 24, 1977, the traditional feast of St. Raphael. In 1980 St. Raphael Parish was entrusted to the Carmelite Order who served the community until 2004. Parish growth continued with the construction of the education building in 1982 and an administrative building in 1989. In 1995 the decision was made to build a parish hall, which was blessed by Bishop Thomas O’Brien in 1998. A special moment of grace for the St. Raphael community occurred in 1999, the silver jubilee year of the parish, when St. Raphael Church was designated as a stop for the national pilgrimage of the relics of the great Carmelite mystic and Doctor of the Church, St. Therese of Lisieux, December 22-23. Since 2004 St. Raphael Parish and neighboring parish, Our Lady of the Valley in Phoenix have shared one pastor and one core staff. Holy Cross Father Edward J. Kaminski (CSC) has pastored the combined faith community since 2005 |