Good News for April 9, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Apr 9
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 9
In this Issue:
Entering this Holy Week at Saint Raymond Church
Palm Sunday
On April 13th we will enter into Holy Week on Palm Sunday, where we will hear the reading of the Passion (story of Jesus’ last days; it is read “in parts”)
What do you “do” with the Palm when you get it home? Perhaps place it near a Crucifix or Cross; perhaps place it in your Bible or devotional, perhaps put it somewhere as a reminder to Praise the Lord with Hosanna in the Highest each day of this Holy Week.
Palm Sunday and Holy Week Schedule
Please note: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil services will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Palm Sunday
April 12 @ 5 pm
April 13 @ 8 am
April 13 @ 10 am
Holy Thursday (Mass of the Lord’s Supper)
April 17 @ 7pm (No 8 am Morning Mass) - Office is closed.
Good Friday (Service of the Lord’s Passion)
April 18 @ 3pm (No 8 am Morning Mass) - Office is closed.
Good Friday (Stations of the Cross)
April 18 @ 7 pm (No 8 am Morning Mass)
Decorating the Church for Easter Saturday
April 19 at 9 am
(No 8 am Morning Mass)
Easter Vigil (Vigil Mass)
April 19 @ 7 pm
(No 5pm Vigil Mass)
Easter Sunday
April 20 @ 8 am
April 20 @ 10 am
Washing of Feet will be part of our Holy Thursday service. Volunteers are still needed. Please call the office (215-549-3760) if you are able to participate in this sacred ritual reminding us of the humility of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Easter, April 20th after the 10 am Mass for ages 12 and under. We are asking for candy donations (please no peanuts; individually wrapped candy only) and plastic eggs. Please drop off in the box in the back of the Church or the Church Rectory during the week between 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Your kindness is greatly appreciated!!
Join our Bible Study!
Many Catholics want to read the Bible because they know it is God’s Word, but they give up because it seems so complicated. Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible helps you get the “big picture” by showing how fourteen narrative books of the Bible tell the complete story from Adam and Eve to Christ and the Church. Presenter Jeff Cavins shows you how to read the Bible so that you can actually understand it.
Can't make it in person? Join us on Zoom! Simply click this link at 6:30 pm to join the call.
Bible study resumes on April 21. Click below to download that week's study guide.
Learn how to Pray in our Book Study
(No meeting on Holy Thursday)
Have you ever felt like you're not sure how to pray? Are you curious about meditative prayer? Join our seminarians, Bernie Faia and Luke Lenhard, as they guide you in learning how to have a real conversation with God, using the book Conversation with Christ by Peter Thomas Rohrback as a guide. To RSVP, email lavernemjones@gmail.com.
Time is Running Out! Take the DMI and help shape the future of St. Raymond!
Only 2 days left! Help shape the future of St. Raymond. Take the quick, anonymous survey now: https://bit.ly/41SuBo5. The survey will closes April 10—don’t miss the chance to share your opinion!
Celebrate Deacon Bill - May 24!
Join us for a special evening to celebrate Deacon Bill Bradley’s retirement on Saturday, May 24 from 6–9 PM in the School Hall. We’ll provide dinner, wine, and beer—feel free to BYOB as well! Please RSVP here by Sunday, May 18.
Summer is a-Coming!
Looking for a fun and faith-filled summer experience for your little one? St. Raymond Summer Camp is the place to be! Click here for more info and to sign up!
Spring Fling Jazz Night May 31
Please note: The next meeting of the Men's Group is Tuesday, April 15 at 7 pm in the dining room of the rectory.
Parents of 5th-8th Graders: We’ve Got Something for Your Kids!
Looking for a safe, fun, and meaningful way for your child to connect with others and explore life, faith, and purpose? St. Raymond Church invites 5th-8th graders to join us every 4th Sunday for real conversations, great company, and free food!
When: Next Alpha meeting is April 27, then every 4th Sunday through December, 2025
Time: 11:45 AM - 1:45 PM
Where: St. Raymond Church
Each session unpacks a big topic designed to spark discussion and help kids think deeply about who they are and what they believe—in a welcoming and fun environment!
Spots are limited, so sign them up today! Register here.
Your child will love it—and you’ll love knowing they’re part of something meaningful.
REGISTER NOW: May 3 Info Session at St. Raymond
The St. Raymond school hall will hold an information session on the Archbishop's letter on May 3, from 9 to 11 am. Please sign up for a conversation about our Church. Your voice and presence are essential as we plan a new way forward together as the Catholic Church of Philadelphia. Learn more about the vision for us to come together to encounter each other with open hearts to build the strongest possible Church of Philadelphia. Sign up here.
You can read his entire letter at https://trustandhope.org.
Support the McMillan Family with an Item from Their Amazon Wishlist
We are collecting essential items for the McMillan Family as they settle into their temporary rental while their home is rebuilt following a fire in January 2025. Any item you purchase from this list will be delivered to St. Raymond Church and then provided to the family. View their Amazon Wishlist here. Thank you for your generosity.
Prefer to donate instead?
Donate online - Please select "McMillan Family" for the fund.
Venmo - @StRaymond-PenafortPhilly - Please add McMillan Family in the note.
Mail or drop off a check or cash in an envelope labeled McMillan Family.
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 6, 2025
Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00
Collection & Envelopes: $10,750.26
Monthly Church Maintenance: $750.00
REST: $300.00
Holy Land: $45.00
Rice Bowl: $15.00
Easter Offering: $20.00
Easter Flowers: $166.00
Stewardship: $25.00
Black & Native Missions: $25.00
Christmas Offering: $25.00
Thanksgiving Offering: $25.00
Christmas Flowers: $25.00
Total: $12,171.26
Special Collections
April 18-Holy Land Sanctuary
April 20-Easter Offering
April 20-Maintenance
Job Opportunity at St. Raymond
Pastoral Associate for Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation (Part Time)
Description:
Prepare young Catechumens and Candidates, as well as Catholic students of St. Raymond School, for Sacraments.
Coordinate scheduling and parent communications for Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation
Main Catechist for school children using Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program
Coordination of Children’s Liturgy of the Word during Sunday Mass
Please contact Fr. Zlock at czlock@saintraymond.net or 215-549-3760, Ext 1 to apply.
Want to Learn More about your Catholic Faith?
The Order of Christian Initiation in Adults (OCIA) is under way. This is for any adult and teen 16 or older, who has not received the sacraments of Baptism, Penance, First Communion and Confirmation. We meet on the first Sunday of every month, immediately following the 10 am Mass in the SRR. Jesus is calling you! “It’s never too late to decide to follow Jesus."
Also, anyone with a desire to have a “refresher” is welcome to join. Contact Deacon Bill or Cindy Bradley at 215-242-5725.
Two Reminders:
1) If you know someone not receiving our Wednesday email blasts, please let us know.
2) Let us know if you have not received collection envelopes for March - May.
Donate to Support St. Raymond Church
Support St. Raymond with online giving! You can make a one-time or recurring gift by clicking DONATE HERE. Prefer to give on your phone? Text straymond to 833-363-7471 and follow the simple instructions.
You can also scan the QR code to donate..
Please note: We no longer accept Cash App for tithes. You can give via Venmo (@StRaymond-PenafortPhilly), PushPay, Parish Giving, or Envelopes. To request envelopes, email Brandi at brandi@straymond.net. Thank you for your generosity!
MY LIFE: THE STRUGGLES, SUCCESSES, & SONGS OF BILLY JOEL
MICHAEL S. MONAGHAN SCHOLARSHIP CONCERT AT ARCHBISHOP WOOD
Contact: Bill Monaghan at 215.357.3370 or email Willie.Monaghan@gmail.com
Monaghan Music presents My Life: The Struggles, Successes, & Songs of Billy Joel, performed by local musician, Bill Monaghan and his band, Some Assembly Required, at Archbishop Wood High School in the Sophia A Friedman Auditorium, 655 York Road, Warminster PA 18974 on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 2 pm. Suggested Donation $15 at the door, general seating, and all ages are welcome. All proceeds to benefit the Michael S Monaghan Scholarship Fund at Archbishop Wood High School.
Did Billy Joel really flip a piano? Play in a heavy metal band?
And lose most of his money? Twice? Find out this and more!
Billy M presents an hour of the life of singer/songwriter extraordinaire Billy Joel: story teller, Rock n Roller, Piano Man.
Billy Joel’s career has been far from a simple, sweet melody, and Billy M will bring you through his life and music. Audience members relive their own lives as they learn about Billy Joel’s struggles and challenges, successes and triumphs, and of course, the songs and albums and their place in pop culture and modern history.
Billy M performs hit songs, fan favorites, and obscure masterpieces as he connects the dots along the timeline of Billy Joel and his music.
Bill Monaghan is a Bucks County singer, songwriter, musician, and producer who is active in the community and has original music sales worldwide. Bill and the band have been performing music for more than three decades.
For more information, email Willie.Monaghan@gmail.com or visit www.MonaghanMusic.com.
For more information about the Michael S Monaghan Scholarship, visit http://www.monaghanmusic.com/Scholarship.html.
Go Make Disciples
Black Catholic Formation Program
The Office for Black Catholics has recently announced their Black Catholic Formation Program. The program aims to deliver catechesis in Catholic theology, trace Black
Catholic history, explore Black Catholic spirituality, and promote faith formation/evangelization. The courses are in conjunction with St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
The Spring semester begins the week of April 21st and ends the week of June 9th. You are encouraged to attend. Tuition is free. St. Raymond will assist where needed. For details contact Minta Brown at 215-549-3760, extension 3.
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