Saturday, May 1st is the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. Please offer this prayer as we celebrate the Feast in the midst of our Year of St. Joseph. Joseph, by the work of your hands and the sweat of your brow, you supported Jesus and Mary and had the Son of God as your fellow worker. Teach me to work as you did, with patience and perseverance, for God and for those whom God has given me to support. Teach me to see in my fellow workers the Christ who desires to be in them, that I may always be charitable and forbearing towards all. Grant me to look upon work with the eyes of faith, so that I shall recognize in it my share in God’s own creative activity and in Christ’s work of our redemption, and so take pride in it. When it is pleasant and productive, remind me to give thanks to God for it. And when it is burdensome, teach me to offer it to God, in reparation for my sins and the sins of the world. Amen.
Did you read last week's BULLETIN? Please plan to worship with us this weekend on Saturday at 5 pm or Sunday at 8 am or 10 am. Worshipping in person is safe for you, please be with us! You are welcome to worship from the front lawn at the 10 am Mass. As we continue our reflections on Saint Joseph, please watch this Reflection from Deacon Bill.
Are you praying for our young disciples? They need the prayers of our entire Church Family…not just their parents and grandparents. Let’s cover them in prayer as they persevere in a difficult school year (and their parents as well). Please continue to share these CHILDREN’S LITURGY reflections with our young disciples so that they are formed in the ways of Christ! Please share FATHER CHRIS' REFLECTIONS and please download the worksheet as well.
Our parish delights on the Baptism of Natalia, daughter of Zena and John, who was baptized at the 5 pm Mass last weekend. Praise God for the gift of children and especially for children reborn in Christ!
While we have only started the Spring Season, it is also time to plan for the summer. If you have children or grandchildren who need some wonderful engagement in a safe environment this summer we need to hear from you as our staff makes plans. We hope to have a three-week Summer Camp option as well as an opportunity for a babysitting co-op to keep children safe without costing too much for parents. In order to help us plan, please complete the interest form for SUMMER DAYS AT SAINT RAYMOND as well as the interest form for BABYSITTING CO-OP AT SAINT RAYMOND. Thank you!
We hope this was not the way you looked at your First Holy Communion! We delight in welcoming children to the Eucharist for the first time this weekend (one at 5 pm and seven at 10 am). Please pray for them and that their parents will remain fruitful witnesses to the children. Need a refresher on HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION? How about a refresher on THE EUCHARIST AS THE REAL PRESENCE OF JESUS?
On May 15th and 16th, we will have our Annual May Devotion in honor of the Mother of God at all Masses. This year, we invite all girls ages 3 to 10 to join in the May Procession and honor Mary. The girls will wear a white dress and present a flower to our image of Mary. Sign up to be a part of the May Devotion. In addition, that weekend we will offer the Anointing of the Sick at all masses to parishioners who desire this sacrament of the Church. Sign up to receive the Sacrament of Anointing.
We will return to our study of St. John's Gospel from 7 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, May 5th (and continue through June 9). You can join on ZOOM or in person in the Rectory Basement. Following Bible Study, you are invited to participate in a group discussion in person or on zoom. Please sign up so we can properly prepare for this Bible Study given the needs presented by technology and COVID. If you have questions, contact the Parish Office.
May, when we honor our earthy mothers, we also honor our heavenly mother, Mary. Jesus gave her to us at the Cross to be our guide, friend, and intercessor. If you have not had a "relationship" with Mary, perhaps now is the time. Take 2 minutes to reflect on WHY MARIAN DEVOTION IS IMPORTANT FOR CATHOLICS. Join Father Chris in praying the Rosary for the intentions of the parish (as well as the end to the pandemic) on the Sundays of Mary at 7 pm on ZOOM or his Facebook Page. Join the St. Raymond Family anytime and pray the Rosary on our YouTube Channel. Pray the Joyful Mysteries on Monday; the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday; the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday; the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday. Join us in prayer the Rosary live on Tuesday and Thursdays after 8 am Mass in the Church. You may also download FREE Rosary Guides that you can print out and use in praying the rosary!
If you have been at the corner of 66th Avenue & Old York Road you have seen the building pictured above. It is the Carmelite Monastery and has housed cloistered religious sisters for more than 120 years. In recent years a group of young sisters from Nebraska arrived and moved in but earlier this month they returned to Nebraska leaving only Mother Pia at the Carmel, she is 80 and now alone. The graces that come from the prayers and sacrifices offered in this holy place are essential for the conversion of our City. Please pray for new sisters to come and live and pray there. Please pray for the Pope and those who advise him on this decision. Please join in this Novena to St. Joseph each day of May:
Our parish date system is being upgraded. St. Raymond has been using the same data system since the Parish Office got a computer. The time has come. The new system will operate like the data systems used by your doctor's office, allowing you to access information, set up appointments, request information, join groups and so much more. It will take a few months to become fully operational but it will be a great asset in many ways once we are fully updated. You will be hearing more...for sure!
Know someone in need? Want to volunteer? Plan to join this effort the day before Mother's Day. God is doing great things in our City if you have the eyes to see them!
The Church celebrates the Ascension of Jesus on Thursday, May 13th. There will be Mass at 8 am and 10:30 am (with School Children). If you desire an evening Mass, Saint Athanasius has a 7 pm. You are also encouraged to find a Mass close to your home or place of work.