Redemptorist Brother Raphael Rock dies at 91 October 23, 2023By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries A funeral Mass for Redemptorist Brother Raphael Rock was offered Oct. 23 at Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesus in Highlandtown. Brother Raphael died Oct. 13 at the St. John Neumann Residence, Timonium. He was 91. Born William Charles in Baltimore, Brother Raphael grew up at Sacred Heart of Jesus parish. He became a candidate to the Redemptorist brotherhood at age 16 in 1948, professing his first vows on March 15, 1950 in Ephrata, Pa. He professed final vows in 1954. Brother Raphael was a skilled machinist, earning his certification from the Utilities Engineering Institute of Chicago. He used his talents in his pastoral assignments, caring for everything from kitchen appliances and heating and cooling systems at Redemptorist parishes and institutions. He served as physical plant director at Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, N.Y., between 1950 and 1985, planning and managing the heating system and rewiring the facility to meet codes. In the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Brother Raphael served for many years at his home parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesus while he also assisted at other Redemptorist parishes in the community. He volunteered at Beans and Bread in Fells Point and its affiliated learning center. He also helped out at the Frederick Ozanam House, a program run by St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore to provide transitional housing to men without housing. He was known for his easy-going manner and for making tens of thousands of rosaries. In a 2001 interview with the Catholic Review, Brother Raphael said his work connected him to God. “For us, work is a prayer,” he said. “You can’t let prayer slip away from you or else being a brother loses its meaning.” Also see Deacon Jack Ames, Project Rachel volunteer and educator, dies at 74 Oblate Sister M. Felicia Avila, who ministered at St. Ambrose, dies at 89 Exploring Catherine O’Hara’s Catholic roots Sister Joan Elias, leader in Catholic education, dies at 94 Deacon Lee Benson, who ministered in Harford County, dies at 73 Jesuit Father Vincent de Paul Alagia dies at 99 Copyright © 2023 Catholic Review Media Print
