Good News for August 5, 2026
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Aug 5
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 6
In this Issue:
Jesus Walks on Water
~Angela Lawlor
Nativity of Our Lord Parish + Warminster, Pa.
In this Gospel, Peter does something remarkable — he steps out of a boat in the middle of a storm. He does not step out because the conditions are right, but because Jesus calls him. For a moment, with Christ, he walks on water. Then the wind picks up, and as his fear takes over, he begins to sink. He cries out, "Lord, save me!" and Jesus reaches out immediately, catching him before he goes under.
I am most drawn to this moment in this Gospel as a mother to young children.
Some days feel like the calm before Peter ever left the boat — reading books before bed, hugs from little arms, and goodbye rituals before leaving for school, happy days at the pool, and small hands reaching for mine. But other days, the storm rolls in fast and catches me off guard. A meltdown in the grocery store. A sick child in the middle of the night. Chatter and sibling disagreements, varied and changing needs, and the nagging feeling that I am not doing enough. In those moments, my eyes shift from Jesus and — like Peter — and I start to sink.
Raising children means living in a beautiful, exhausting in-between. They still need you for everything, and yet you can feel so alone in the weight of it. The laundry, the lunches, the homework, the after-school marathon of activities — can often not feel holy in the moment. But I believe God meets us right there, in the ordinary chaos of it all.
What strikes me most is that Jesus did not wait for Peter to get it together. He reached out immediately. As I continue to take in these summer days and memories and prepare for a new school year, that is the God I am leaning on — one who catches me before I go under, every single time.
St. Michael's Lent for the Men at St. Raymond
Do you long for more in your life as a husband, father, and friend? St. Michael’s Lent could be the beginning of a life more fulfilling than you could ever imagine.
During his life, St. Francis of Assisi observed this summer-time 40-day Lenten-like period of prayer, asceticism, and fraternity starting August 12 in preparation for the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel on September 29th.
Following St. Francis of Assisi, several men of St. Raymond will withdraw to a mountaintop for prayer and fasting. We will pull back from distractions and focus on the things that matter most.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Take away the distractions, reduce the dopamine hits, and create the space to traverse the deep caverns of your heart. Over the 40 days, Fr. Columba will unpack the Book of Daniel, and you’ll meet weekly with a fraternity of men for a 45 minute conference call.
The marquee discipline is the 2AM Night Vigil on Friday mornings. Our theme for St. Michael’s Lent this year is to “Stand Firm.” Even as Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, and his friends entered the burning furnace, they remained unscathed because they put God first and refused to make any compromise in fidelity to him. It’s in the silence of prayer and with the necessary support of other men in the bonds of brotherhood, that we will find freedom in Christ. Encounter the Lord in prayer Remove distractions Grow in friendship.
Whether you are local or long distance, download the Exodus90 app or contact Fr. Zlock at czlock@saintraymond.net or 215-549-3760 for more information.
RSVP by August 16 - Meet and Greet BBQ August 21
Join us on Friday, August 21 from 4:30pm-6:30pm for our 5th Annual Meet and Greet BBQ for our St. Raymond Church and School families and alumni. Food, Games and Music will be provided (the event will be moved to the School Hall if weather conditions do not permit).
Please RSVP by August 16 so we have plenty of food for everyone. RSVP here or call the Church Office at 215-549-3760. We're also looking for volunteers to bring a salad, and help with set up, break down, serving and transporting food between the kitchen and yard. Sign up here to help.
Family Faith Formation - Next Session is August 9
Save the Date for Fall BINGO!
St. Raymond Fellowship Committee will host Fall BINGO on September 26, from 2-6 pm in the School Hall. Please save the date and spread the word. More details and a link for tickets coming soon!
Our Youth Lead the Way
Our Youth Mass is celebrated at 10 AM on the first Sunday of every month, and our young people continue to do a wonderful job! They welcome parishioners with warm smiles, proclaim the Word of God, take up the collection, present the gifts, and help make each Mass a joyful celebration. Anyone interested in participating in a future Youth Mass can email brandi@saintraymond.net.
Sign up for Youth Day at Dorney Park August 19
Spend the day with church friends at Dorney Park! More details coming soon. Sign up here.
Eagles Training Camp Trip Coming in August
Kids in our parish age 7 and up are invited to attend The Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp! The date for this event will be in August. The exact date will be announced soon.
Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to sign up here! Once all spots are filled, no additional admissions will be available.
Sign up for the Liturgical Dance Ministry
Help Stock St. Benedict's Food Pantry this August
Our neighbors are counting on us. St. Raymond is collecting donations for St. Benedict's Food Pantry, and we invite you to help by donating the following items:
Canned tomatoes
Tomato sauce
Pasta
Please place donations in the collection bin at the back of St. Raymond Church by Sunday, August 31.
We also need one volunteer (and one backup volunteer) to deliver the donations to St. Benedict Church on Thursday, September 3, between 8:30–11:00 am. To volunteer, email shabay@saintraymond.net.
Thank you for your generosity and continued support of this important ministry.
Health Care for Clergy
Do you have a healthcare background? Do you love your Catholic faith and have a desire to help priests set and meet healthy living goals? Our archdiocese is seeking applications for a unique, mission-driven position dedicated to providing essential healthcare navigation and support for our clergy members. This role does not require hands-on clinical care. Please submit your resume to REC@metacareusa.com. Learn more.
Explore the Faith - Sunday, August 16th
These sessions are open for all people, Catholic or non-Catholic, who simply wish to learn more about Catholicism and enter into deeper conversations about the Church.
Thank you from Alex Pauling
Alex Pauling departed on Saturday for his missionary trip to Kenya. He left a card with a special message of thanks for his Saint Raymond family near the prayer board in the back of church. Be sure to take a look next time you're at Mass. And please keep Alex, his team and those who they'll be helping in your prayers!
Gluten-Free Hosts
Do you require a gluten-free host due to a gluten intolerance or allergy? If so, please let our pastor or a member of the parish staff know so we can ensure your needs are accommodated at Mass.
Financial Facts
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $9,426.50
Church Maintenance: $889.00
Catholic Home Missions: $10.00
Campaign for Human Development: $3.00
Total: $10,328.50
Special Collections
8/16 - Mission Appeal (Archdiocese of Phila.)
We will continue to collect donations for the Pontifical Missions this weekend. Collection envelopes will be in the back of the church.
Summertime Giving
Too often, our collections taken during the summer months decline when our parishioners go away on vacation. Make a plan to give electronically or put a little extra in the basket before you leave. Be mindful that air-conditioning the church is costly!
Special Help for Venezuela Earthquake Victims
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. We ask you, please, to honor this request and double-check your phone when you enter church.
AbbeyFest at Czestachowa - Free to St. Raymond!
General admission tickets are are $63, but the event is free for St. Raymond members and their guests! To register, please email brandi@saintraymond.net or call 215-549-3760.
Summer Nights at Malvern Retreat House
Free Registration for Catholic Women's Conference
This event sells out each year, so sign up soon!
The Catholic Women's Conference will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
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.
Events Across the Archdiocese
