Good News for August 13, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Aug 13
- 7 min read
In this Issue:
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
--Rev. Michael Johnson
Imagine your life as a high-stakes job interview or the critical role you play in your family. Just like you’d prepare meticulously for an important work meeting or be there fully present for your loved ones, it’s crucial to stay prepared for the return of our Lord. Jesus calls us to be like diligent employees awaiting their CEO’s arrival, ready to act the moment he steps through the door. Are your actions today reflecting your readiness and anticipation for His return?
Family Movie Night - August 16
Join us for Family Movie Night on August 16 at 7 PM. We'll watch The Princess and The Frog (great for all ages!). BYO food and drink. We'll have popcorn and water. See you there!
4th Annual Meet and Greet BBQ - August 22
Join us Friday, August 22nd from 4:30pm-6:30pm for our 4th Annual Meet and Greet BBQ for our St. Raymond Church and School families. Food, Games and Music will be provided. The event will be moved to the School Hall if weather conditions do not permit the day of.
Please click here to RSVP, sign up on the sheet in the back of the Church or call the Church Office. Let us know if you can bring a salad also!
An Invitation for the Men of St. Raymond
Want to grow as a man and reach your full potential?
Looking for deeper spiritual growth?
Longing for real community and ways to give back?
Hoping to strengthen your marriage and relationships?
Interested in encouraging vocations for future priests or deacons?
Fr. Zlock invites men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s to join a conversation about launching a Men’s Ministry at St. Raymond. You’ll hear what some men in the parish have been doing this past year to pursue these goals—and explore how you can be part of it.
Pizza and wings provided — BYOB & BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair)
Saturday, August 23 at 7:00 PM School parking lot (next to the garage)
New Program for First Penance & Communion Starts This Fall
We're excited to announce that beginning this fall, St Raymond is launching a new sacrament preparation program! We recently selected a new curriculum from Ascension Press called Renew and Receive. We are busy working to flesh out the details of the program.
As we prepare, we need to know how many families wish to have their child(ren) receive First Penance/Communion this year. If you have a child whom you want to receive First Penance/Communion this year, please email sgandy@saintraymond.net as soon as possible. Look out for more details in the coming weeks; we anticipate having a kickoff meeting for all interested families in September.
We also need adults who are willing to help prepare our young people to receive the sacraments. We are not looking for catechists or professional teachers. We're looking for people of faith, who wish to share that and have a heart for young people] While there are challenges in not having a dedicated catechist or Director of Religious Education on staff, we believe there is also a real opportunity here. There is great richness and depth within our parish, and we must be the village that raises our children in the faith.
If you are interested in helping prepare our young people to receive their sacraments - or if you know of someone else who might be interested - please email sgandy@saintraymond.net.
Please note: the safety and protection of young people is an integral part of this ministry. If you are feeling a call to join in this exciting and fruitful ministry, it is critical that you are aware of - and in compliance with - policies, procedures and laws concerning child protection. Please contact Brandi Whitehead (brandi@saintraymond.net), Shelley Gandy (sgandy@saintraymond.net) or call them at 215-549-3760 if you have questions.
Confirmation Meeting - August 24
Saint Raymond is excited to invite you to an information session on Sunday August 24 directly after 10 am Mass in the Sister Rosemary Room.
The 2025 Sacrament of Confirmation preparation classes will begin on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
FaceTime with Jesus
Save the date for our next FaceTime with Jesus: September 8, from 7-9 pm. After an hour of adoration and quiet prayer with soft music in the background, we'll gather for fellowship around a bonfire with full hearts, to share our stories, hopes and prayers. Get more details and the full schedule here.
Vacation Giving
We can't begin to say how important your summer giving is to the financial stability of St. Raymond parish. The ideal way to support St. Raymond is 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.
Please note: 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!
Donate Shoes for the Children of Ghana
Feast of the Assumption
Friday, August 15 is a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass is at 8 am, or check schedules of nearby parishes.
Funeral for Earleston Hill
The funeral service for Earl Hill, an active member at St. Raymond for many years, will be held on Friday, August 15. The viewing begins at 9:30 am; Mass at 11 am. May his soul rest in peace.
Fr. Augustine Says Thank You
A note of appreciation was received from Fr Augustine for the parish’s hospitality and generous support for the Apostle of Jesus.
Cell Phone Reminder
Once again, we need to remind everyone to silence their cell phones during Mass. Unexpected electronic sounds lead others to lose their focus during a time that all hold sacred. So we ask you, please, to honor this request and double-check your phone when you enter church.
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, August 4, 2025 Sunday, August 11, 2025
Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00 Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00
Collection & Envelopes: $9,632.75 Collection & Envelopes: $10,887.00
Monthly Church Maintenance: $474.70 Monthly Church Maintenance: $367.00
Campaign Human Development: $25.00 REST: $1,200.00
REST: $50.00 Mission Appeal: $25.00
Mission Appeal: $20.00 Total: $12,479.00
Total: $10, 302.45
Special Collections
8/17 = Mission Appeal
8/24- Maintenance
Don't Wait to Register!
This event sells out each year, so sign up soon!
The 10th annual Catholic Women's Conference will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Through the generosity of the Martin de Porres Foundation, the registration fee will be covered. Bus transportation to/from St Raymond will also be available. Anyone interested should contact mintabrown@saintraymond.net.
Cardinals' Forum on Unity
Black Catholic Formation Program
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez Releases Pastoral Message to Immigrant Communities Throughout the Philadelpha Region
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Recent news reports detailing the arrest of immigrants throughout the country, including the Philadelphia region, have produced a great deal of fear and unleashed a broad range of other emotions. These events have impacted the migrant community in deeply troubling ways. I am witnessing your sorrow with great sadness and concern as are people of goodwill from all walks of life.
As the son of immigrants, I have found recent events particularly heartbreaking. Today, I write to express my prayerful solidarity, and that of our local Church, with you. You are not alone. The Church is a community of faith, and the divine person of Christ, who was forced to flee his homeland as a child, holds you in his compassionate arms.
As Catholics, we believe our eternal homeland is heaven, and that as citizens of earth, the dignity of every person means everyone should have a safe place to live, with the opportunity to work for a just wage. Many of you came to the United States seeking new opportunities far away from oppressive regimes and endured difficult and dangerous circumstances to start life anew here. Your presence and your contributions to society through hard work and upright living are a blessing to our country and to our Church. No one should be forced to live in fear of unjust persecution.
I encourage you to remain close with the members of your parish communities and the priests who provide you with pastoral care.
We recognize that our country is rightly safeguarded by law enforcement officials. They uphold the common good by protecting all of us from human trafficking, the exploitation of children, and any other criminal offense against human dignity. At the same time, we strongly advocate for immigration policies that guarantee the protection of life, liberty, and property of all those who call the United States of America home, natural born citizens and those working toward citizenship alike.
While there is no instant solution to the challenges pervading immigration policy, I urge everyone in parish communities to unite through prayer and social unity with the immigrant faithful under the leadership of parish pastors.
The Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph cared for the child Jesus in the mystery of the flight into Egypt and their intercession is with us today. I pray with you and for you that you experience the protection of God.
May our Lord bless our country with peace and inspire comprehensive immigration reform that respects the law and provides meaningful opportunities for all those who wish to call the United States of America their home.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
Ecumenical Service for the Jubilee Year Commemoration of the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea
The battle was raging. The Arian heresy had gripped large swaths of the Church, leading many to deny the divinity of Christ. But at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, the Holy Spirit, working through the Council Fathers, definitively affirmed the Church’s inerrant faith in Jesus Christ, Second Person of the Trinity, consubstantial with the Father.
Seventeen hundred years later, Christians from across the region are invited to gather as we offer our gratitude to God for His self-revelation in Jesus Christ and for the Council of Nicaea that affirmed and protected the essential truth that Jesus is God. The celebration includes:
Proclamation of the Word of God
Reflections offered by ecumenical leaders
Litany of Thanksgiving with citations from the Council of Nicaea
Sung Nicene Creed in English, Latin and Greek
Sisters of Saint Joseph Pilgrimage of Hope
