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Good News for August 7, 2024


The specific functions of the Deanery structure include five major areas. We previously covered the first two. This week, we will look at the last three.

 

The third area of focus for the Dean is to provide support and care to the clergy of the Deanery. He does this in collaboration with the Vicar for Clergy. This includes: 

 

  • Encouraging priests on opportunities for continuing education, training, and spiritual renewal. This is often coordinated with the Office of the Vicar for Clergy.

  • Encouraging and supporting the priests of the Deanery. This is especially important for priests who are struggling or encountering challenging situations.

  • Ceremonially attending the installation of new pastors in his Deanery. The Dean reads the Archbishop’s Letter of Appointment at the Installation Mass.

 

The fourth area of responsibility of the Dean is consultative. The Dean provides a vehicle through which the Archbishop can consult parish communities. This can be on broad-based diocesan issues. Primarily, this means soliciting and recommending lay individuals. These parishioners serve on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. They can also assist with other archdiocesan commissions or initiatives requested by the Archbishop.

 

The final area of focus of the Dean is to provide a line of communication between the local parish and the Archbishop. This means:  

 

  • Joining the College of Deans in meeting with the Archbishop two times per year. Here, the Deans share important pastoral and administrative matters about their Deanery.

  • Conduct a parish visitation of each parish in the Deanery every three years. This means annually visiting three to five different parishes in his Deanery. These visits can provide information about which parishes are facing critical needs. It can also identify which unique issues exist throughout the Deanery.

  

Father Charles Zlock

Pastor, St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church


Follow me on social media!




 

Good Things are Happening at St. Raymond!



Join us, on Friday, August 23, from 4 pm-7 pm for our third annual Meet and Greet BBQ for our St. Raymond Church and School families. Food, games, and music will be provided. Donations of side salads (potato, pasta, tuna and macaroni, and garden salads) are greatly appreciated. To RSVP, please call the Rectory Office at 215-549-3760, use the signup sheets in the back of the Church, or this link.


 

Our Next Bibles, Boots and Backpacks is August 10!


Join us for our next hike this coming Saturday at Wissahickon Park. Get all the details at this link. Come alone, bring a friend, all are most welcome!


 

Donate Shoes for the Children of Ghana

Last year, we hosted a very successful Shoe Drive providing shoes for 175 children in Ghana. Please help us donate even more this year!

 

 

Benedictine Missionary Coming to us in August

Fr. Zlock is eager to share some background information about Pontifical Mission Societies, so you will have a clear understanding of the way that the opportunity for Catholic missionaries to speak in local parishes is organized.


Speakers visit parishes throughout the world twice a year. The visits in the fall are associated with World Mission Sunday. The funds collected from that weekend are sent to Rome to be used for missionary activities worldwide.


The second visitation is in the spring or summer. Funds collected from this weekend are sent to a specific, individual mission. Because of this, parishes are encouraged to have a speaker talk to the people about his or her particular mission. This way there is more of a personal connection between the story, the person speaking, and the people of the parish. 


Reverend Richard Migodela from the Benedictines will be the speaker at St. Raymond on the weekend of August 24 and 25.


Fr. Migodela comes from St. Maurus’ Hanga Abbey, a vibrant Benedictine community in Southern Tanzania.  Founded in 1957, Hanga Abbey was created to allow the Tanzanian population to live in the spirit of St. Benedict. Over fifty years later, the original mission of the  Abbey lives on as the Hanga community continues to grow and promote Benedictine values while remaining rooted in African culture.


Please mark your calendars; don't miss a unique opportunity to learn about, and support, this vibrant Benedictine community.


 

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. You can sign up here or complete a signup sheet on the table in the back of church (on the Williams Ave side). We want to hear from you! THE HARVEST AWAITS!


Volunteer Opportunities

Technology

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

  • Slide Operators – manage slides shown on TV screens during 5 pm, 8 am or 10 am Mass

  • Camera Operator – manage live streaming of 10 am Mass via YouTube

  • YouTube Host – Engage with parishioners during 10 am 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.


Bethany Team

We are grateful for the folks who have expressed interest in joining the Bethany Team. But we are still in dire need of people who regularly attend Mass at 5 pm Saturday and 8 am Sunday, and might like to welcome others who come to Mass at that time. Please contact Minta at mintabrown@saintraymond.net or by phone at 610-329-7256 if you can help her fill the empty spaces on her Bethany schedule.


To volunteer for any of the above tasks, please complete this form and someone will be in touch soon! Or, call Brandi at 215-549-3760.


 

Part-Time Employment Opportunities



We are excited to announce a fantastic part-time job opportunity at St. Raymond:


Director of Religious Education and Social Services

This role involves coordinating faith formation, religious education, social outreach, and related activities to enhance the vibrancy, religious development, and social services of the parish. View the job description: https://indeedhi.re/3RMQS2G


Please share this opportunity with anyone who might be interested!


 

We want to pray for you!

Please share your prayer requests and be assured of our prayers for you.


 

Explore Your Faith in a New Way with Formed

Did you know that you have access to an incredible resource called Formed? This wonderful faith formation tool will allow you and your family to experience our faith in a new way through e-books, audio recordings and a great variety of movies and video teachings, including a great variety of Bible Studies. Follow these instructions to sign in.

  1. Visit www.formed.org

  2. Enter St. Raymond Philadelphia

  3. Follow instructions to set up your own account and be formed in Christ!


 

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. We would love to have all our Middle School Kids involved. Brandi can be contacted at brandi@saintraymond.net or 215-549-3760.


There is a new email address for communication relating to religious education:  religious.ed@saintraymond.net.


Bowling Blast

On Saturday, our youth had a great time bowling together!


 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Assistants Needed


"All things should be done decently and in order. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace in all the churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:40 & 33)


We are looking for 6 people to support the Children’s Liturgy of The Word (CLOW) as Classroom Assistants. Commitment is 30 minutes during Mass, one Sunday every six weeks. The CLOW Assistant helps to keep order in the room, attends to the care of the children, sets up before and cleans up afterwards. In this way the Assistant supports the Disciple/Catechist who can then fully focus on imparting the Word of God and the story of Jesus Christ to the children. The only qualification is that you enjoy spending time with the children of our Parish. If interested or would like to review the list of duties as an assistant for CLOW, please contact Peggy Evans at peggy@saintraymond.net or 267-262-6594.


 

Church Announcements

Spammed Again!

It's a commonplace albeit annoying problem for clergy to have their email accounts spammed. It has happened again to Fr. Zlock. If you received a message like the one below (with a grammatical error, no less!) please ignore it:


Good day,

 I hope your day is going well and what are your plans today? I have an errands for you to kindly handle for me.

 Blessings!

Fr. Charles Zlock

 

Father would never, ever send an email like that, asking for money, help or errands. Report it as spam, and please delete it.


Feast of the Assumption

The Assumption of Mary is August 15. It is a holy day of obligation. There will be an 8 am Mass at St. Raymond. Please check schedules at nearby churches for other options.


A Reminder about Call to Prayer

St. Raymond offers a twice-daily opportunity, Call to Prayer on weekdays at 6:30 am and at noon. Taking a little time (five to seven minutes) to turn to the Lord will remove stress and restore peace in your life. 


Call toll-free 1-877-309-2073, then enter code 319-414-445#. At 6:30 am, we reflect on God's Word. During the noon call, we pray the Angelus, reflect on the first reading of the day, and have intercessory prayer for those in need.


Donate to Support St. Raymond Church

Online giving is a wonderful way to make a one-time or a recurring gift to St. Raymond. We greatly appreciate your goodness and promise to be good stewards of your gift. DONATE HEREYou can also make a gift with your phone: send a text with the message straymond to 833-363-7471. You will receive a text that will give you simple instructions to make a gift!


Or, scan the QR code to donate.








Please note that we are no longer using Cash App as a form of payment for tithes. 

We will accept Venmo (@StRaymond-PenafortPhilly), PushPay, Parish Giving & Envelopes. If you would like to receive envelopes, please contact Brandi at brandi@straymond.net and she will add your name to the list of envelope recipients. If you prefer to use PushPay, text straymond to 833-363-7471 to donate.


St. Raymond's expenses continue all year 'round. Your vacation giving is so important to us!


Collection Envelopes for July 7 through September 1 have been mailed out. If you did not receive yours, please contact Brandi at 215-549-3760 or at brandi@straymond.org


Upcoming Special Collections

August 19 - Mission Appeal

September 1 - Black and Native American


To our Online Parishioners

We at St. Raymond are extremely pleased that you continue to be part of our community via livestream. Although you may be unable to attend Mass in person, please remember that we need your financial support in order to remain a vibrant parish. You may give online anytime here: https://www.saintraymond.net/give  Feel free to contact the rectory for assistance at 215-549-3760.


Guidelines for Church Temperature

As we navigate through the changing seasons, the topic of our church's temperature during mass often arises. We appreciate when everyone speaks kindly—it really makes a difference.

We know it’s tricky to get the temperature right for everyone. While we can't make everyone perfectly comfortable, we're doing our best to keep things pleasant. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work together to create a welcoming atmosphere for all our Masses.


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.


Lost and Found

Have you lost any personal items during Church service and never retrieved them? Please check the bin in the back of Church labeled “Lost & Found." People turn in items often to the Rectory. All items turned in are put into the bin.


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

A 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.


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, 2024

Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00

Collection & Envelopes: $4,998.56

Electronic Giving: $5,745.00

Monthly Church Maintenance: $740.02

Human Development Campaign: $85.00

REST: $250.00

Mission Appeal: $65.00

Black & Indian Missions: $45.00

Total: $11,928.58


 

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



 

St. Athanasius Parish Women’s Club Prayer Lunch

St. Athanasius School Hall 7105 Limekiln Pike Philadelphia, PA 19138

Saturday September 28, 2024 12:00 –to- 2:00 P.M.


Mary, Our Role Model in Hard Times

Guest Speaker “Judge Lucretia Clemons”


Admission $30.00 Please see any Women’s Club Member for tickets

No tickets will be sold at the door.


 

Support Philly's Biggest Baby Shower

Saturday, August 24, 2024 – 10am-12pm


New and expecting mothers are invited to attend Philly's Biggest Baby Shower event sponsored by Catholic Social Services and the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia.


Free baby care items, prizes, food, informational tables and more will be available. Mothers with babies are invited to dress your cutie for the baby parade!


Location: Archdiocesan Pastoral Center Parking Lot, 222 N 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

More info: 


 

Mass to Honor St. Peter Claver, Minister to Enslaved

 

A New Issue of AMEN! from The Office of Black Catholics, by Stacy Williams 


 
 

Catholic Women's Conference

 

News From the Office of Black Catholics



Check out the Newsletter for many additional exciting events.

 

Archdiocese of Philadelphia Updates


The August newsletter is available here.

Please sign up to find out what is happening around the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.


 

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