Apr 109 min read

Good News for April 10, 2024

We have been looking at the "Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy." They are steps on the way to achieve holiness. They offer a pathway to grace.

Here is a question: Why can’t we just receive God’s grace directly from God? St. Thomas Aquinas helps us with an answer. We are not angels. Angels are spirits. We are both body and spirit. Thus, any healthy and fruitful spirituality must incorporate both aspects.

One of the issues facing the church today is that certain groups overemphasize one side or the other. On the one hand, you have the “I’m spiritual, not religious” group. Their emphasis is on the spiritual aspect only. They are not interested in the messy, sinful, physical, church. This is a form of an ancient heresy called Gnosticism. Gnostics held that the human body was broken, dirty, and sinful. It could not be an acceptable vessel for the Second Person of the Trinity.

On the other hand, you have people that over-emphasize the human aspect of faith. These are well-intentioned people. They focus on social justice, helping the poor and reaching out to others. Yet they do so in an inordinate way. They emphasize the human at the cost of the exceedingly-difficult task of personal spiritual development.

Echoing Thomas Aquinas, the Catholic Church says that we need to emphasize both aspects. Although difficult, they need to be held in a dynamic tension. Thus, the Corporal Works of Mercy emphasize the physical needs. The Spiritual Works of Mercy focus on spiritual needs.

The Works of Mercy can seem daunting. They are difficult. Bishop Barron says, “Well, that’s why they are called works.” They are supposed to be challenging. They show us how far we need to go to achieve holiness. They send us to Christ who gives us the grace - and the means - to fulfill the requirement of the Works of Mercy.

Lent has ended, but do not stop the spiritual practices of this holy season. As the Easter Season concludes, pick just one. Start there with just one small step. The Holy Spirit will provide the rest.

Fr. Charles Zlock

Follow me on social media!

Confessions

Saturdays from 4:00 - 4:45 pm (Please NO Confessions after 4:45. Fr. Zlock is will be preparing for the liturgy)
By appointment. Call 215-549-3760 to schedule a convenient time.

PLEASE NOTE: Effective the beginning of April, there will no longer be 6 pm Monday evening and 6:30 am Tuesday morning Confessions. As noted above, you may always schedule a time to receive this sacrament of Mercy with a call to the office/rectory, or text or email Fr. Zlock. No matter when, take advantage of this opportunity to experience grace and forgiveness at no charge!

Good Things are Happening at St. Raymond!

Last Chance to RSVP for Fr. Zlock's Anniversary Party! Please Respond by April 14th

Join us in celebrating Father Zlock's 30th Anniversary on May 4th from 6 pm to 9 pm in the St. Raymond School Hall. Come and enjoy an evening filled with food, drinks, music, and wonderful fellowship as we honor Father Zlock's three decades of dedication to the priesthood.

RSVP by April 14th at this link.

RSVPs are required. Don't miss out on this joyous celebration!

Anointing of the Sick - Sign Up Deadline is Today!

On the weekend of April 13th & 14th 2024, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be administered at the Saturday 5 pm and Sunday, 8 am and 10 am Masses. Parishioners who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness (cancer, diabetes, arthritis, lupus, diseases of the heart, lung, kidney, etc.), undergoing treatment for another disease/illness or living at a very advanced age are encouraged to receive this Sacrament.

If you qualify and desire to be anointed, sign-up sheets are available on the desk in the rear of the church, or you must call the rectory no later than today, April 10. Should you have any questions please call Arleen Daniels at 215-549-3760.

Hospitality Sunday Returns April 21!

Spring has sprung, and the St. Raymond tradition of Hospitality Sunday will return on the third Sunday, all through the warm-weather months. This is a time of conviviality, when we can welcome visitors and chat with friends after Mass while we're munching on some good old Philly soft pretzels and other treats.

In order to make everything run smoothly, we need some help in the following areas:

Purchasing food and supplies
Set up on day of hospitality
Breakdown and clean up on day of hospitality
Keeping the supply room stocked

Please contact Brandi at at 215-549-3760 or email brandi@saintraymond.net if you'd like to be part of our Hospitality Team.

Ministry Moment: Refugee Empowerment Support Team (REST)

It’s That Time of Year…

Cleaning out your closets and changing over from winter to spring and summer clothes is

upon us. It’s also a chance to help Hamira, a young woman from Afghanistan who has recently resettled in Philadelphia, sharpen her skills with a needle. If you have some hems to be shortened, buttons to be sewn on, knitted or crocheted clothing that needs mending, Hamira would love to make those items like new again.

Our parishioner, Bonnie Dalzell, is happy to be the go-between. Just call or text her at 215-823-9910 if a favorite item needs fixing. Then bring your items to the 10 am Mass any Sunday and tell her what you need. She'll take them to Hamira and return them to you when she has worked her wonders with repairs. It’s a possible start to a cottage industry for one of our most-willing workers.

PS Prom time is upon us. Do you know anyone who needs a dress hem shortened?

Bibles, Boots & Backpacks

Join us for "Bible, Boots, and Backpacks" — a series of unique hikes led by Father Charles Zlock. On these journeys, we'll explore nature while reflecting on Pope Francis' message in Laudato Si’, an invitation to care for our planet and each other. It's a chance to walk, reflect, and connect with both creation and our Creator. Everyone is welcome, so grab a friend and come along for inspiration, community, and a breath of fresh air. Let's walk, reflect, and grow together!

Get detailed information about each hike here. Call Fr Zlock if you have further questions at 215-549-3760, ext 1.

Celebrating Our Youth with Generation Grace

Do you have a child in grades 6th-8th? Please contact Brandi to get them involved in our Middle School Youth Ministry. Below is the schedule that was created for the children. We would love to have all our Middle School Kids involved. Brandi can be contacted at brandi@saintraymond.net or 215-549-3760.

Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 - Youth Ministry Bake Sale After all Masses - (please note new bake sale dates)

Sunday, May 26 - Caring for Friends Food Preparation

Support our Youth

Family Faith Formation Sessions

"Let the children come to me”

Attention Parents/Guardians: Family Faith Formation Sessions will run September 17, 2023 – June 2, 2024.

Parents with children entering grades K through 7th grade are encouraged to attend. Sessions are held immediately following the 10:00 Mass every other Sunday in the lower church. Enrollment forms are located on the desk in the rear of the church. Contact Arleen Daniels at 215-549-3760 or arleen@saintraymond.net to receive a form via email. The greatest gift you can give your child is the gift of faith formation. If children do not experience how to live for God, the world will certainly show them how not to!

Jazz Concert Benefiting St. Raymond School

Join us Saturday, April 20 from 7-11pm for Smooth Jazz / R&B featuring Shirley Lites & Company. Enjoy complimentary wine, cheese, and crackers while supplies last. Feel free to bring your own beverages.

Purchase your tickets in advance for $25 by calling the rectory at 215-549-3760. Tickets will be $30 at the door.

Sponsored by the Men of St. Raymond, all proceeds from the concert will benefit St. Raymond School.

Church Announcements

Silence Cell Phones

Please remember how distracting cell-phone noises can be during Mass. We prayerfully ask you to silence your phone when you enter church, so that no one is disturbed during this holy hour.

Upcoming Sacrament

Daniel Jaffe will make his Confirmation @ 10am Mass, 4/21/2024

Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers are back, and they meet here at St. Raymond every Thursday from 4 pm to 6 pm. If you are interested or know someone who is, please contact Brandi in the Church Rectory at 215-549-3760 or email her at brandi@saintraymond.net.

Church Safety Equipment

Recently, the Parish purchased two items that are important to church safety. A fully- equipped first aid kit, as well as an automated external defibrillator (also known as an AED device), are located in the sacristy. Both are on a table to the left of the sacristy sink. This ensures that St. Raymond has sufficient means to address significant medical emergencies during liturgical events.

Trauma Kit Now in Sacristy

Did you know that trauma cases are one of the leading causes of fatalities for people over 40? To increase the possibility of addressing medical issues requiring trauma first aid, a "Stop the Bleed" trauma (or tourniquet) kit is now in the sacristy. It is located next to the Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED), to the left of the sink.

The trauma kit includes:

Tourniquet with windlass rod
Heavy gloves
Compression dressing
Packing gauze
Marker

Using the kit is not difficult but does require a bit of familiarity with the items in the kit. A five-minute instructional video can be found here. It's worth taking the time to watch, just in case.

Tax Time

As you prepare your taxes, Brandi in our Parish Office is happy to provide a statement for your 2023 Giving. Please call her at 215-549-3760 or email her at brandi@saintraymond.net.

Financial Facts

We thank those parishioners who, recognizing God’s gifts to them, make their response in our weekly collection. Your continued support is vital, necessary, and deeply appreciated.

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00

Collection & Envelopes: $6,256.55

Electronic Giving: $5,692.00

Monthly Church Maintenance: $306.20

Rice Bowl: $44.00

REST: $50.00

Easter Offering: $230.00

Holy Land: $205.00

Christmas Offering: $50.00

Total: $12,833.75

ATTENTION: ST RAYMOND NEEDS YOU!

Matthew 9:37-38: Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Numerous needs have been communicated here and in the bulletin. Unfortunately, responses are nearly non-existent. A vibrant parish has members responding to the call for help. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Please scroll below for several opportunities. We want to hear from you! THE HARVEST AWAITS!

Technology

We are in dire need of support from those with basic technology skills:

Slide Operators – manage slides shown on TV screens during 5pm, 8am or 10am Mass
Camera Operator – manage live streaming of 10am Mass via YouTube
YouTube Host – Engage with parishioners during 10am Mass

Requirements are a love for your parish, and a willingness to learn and serve. Teenagers and adults can contact Brandi at 215-549-3760.

Prayer Team Help Needed

Are you comfortable having a conversation with God? St Raymond’s Prayer Team is seeking volunteers to pray for and with others. The monthly Prayer Team Partners gather on the first weekend of the month after each Mass to hear and respond to prayer needs. The primary requirements are a love of Christ and love of your neighbor. We will help you with the rest. To learn more or volunteer, please email Deacon Bill or call him at 215-549-3760.

Wanted: Servers and Sacristans!

Attention, young people of St. Raymond’s! We are in need of new altar servers – and we also wonder whether any students or young parishioners would be interested in being hired as sacristans.

Fr. Zlock and Deacon Bill will work with a few adults at St. Raymond to mentor all applicants. They will pray daily for them, observe how they do at Mass, encourage them and offer advice when needed.

Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” If you aspire to be one of God’s workers, please contact Brandi at 215-549-3760 or brandi@saintraymond.net.

Job Search Assistance Needed

St. Raymond needs to fill 2 - 3 positions over the coming months. The positions are in (1) Social Service Outreach, (2) Sacramental Preparation/Religious Education of our youth, and (3) Director of Parish Finance and Accounting.

Fr. Zlock is looking for someone to lead this task. This would include working with Parish Staff to make adjustments to existing job descriptions, posting the jobs on various media and job channels, initial evaluations of any resumes received, initial interviews and helping manage the process for final interviews and hiring.

The work is important to fill positions that are critical to running the parish. If interested, please contact Fr. Zlock at 215-549-3761 (Ext 1) or czlock@saintraymond.net.

Calling all Young Adults!

Sign up for Fr. Zlock’s Young Adult WhatsApp community for prayers, videos, reflections and events for the young adult community. Click here to join the group.

Connect with Us Online

Be part of our awesome virtual community! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get the latest scoop, see fun pictures, and hear about our exciting events.

Follow us on Instagram	Follow us on Facebook

Community Events & Announcements

Christ in the City

Presenting the National Black Catholic Congress April Webinars

Calling All Parents of Teens!

Mark your calendars for April 13 to watch a half-day conference offering practical help to parents of teens. Engage24 is a uniquely-tailored event offering practical help, experience and wisdom to parents from one of today's leading voices on the subject of parenting teens. Mark Gregston, author and host of Parenting Today's Teens podcast and radio broadcast will share offer thoughts about the joy and challenges of raising teens in today's fast-paced culture. The event is free, and promises to be fun and informative.