Good News for December 10, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- 3 minutes ago
- 6 min read
In this Issue:
Faith in the Face of Doubt
~Dennis Mueller
Saint Albert the Great + Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
When my children were young and we visited the playground, they often became so absorbed in play that they forgot I was there—until one scraped a knee, bumped a head, or grew upset when a sibling wasn’t playing fair. In those moments, their eyes searched frantically for me among the crowd, panic rising because in the chaos they could not see me. Yet I had never taken my eyes off them and was already moving toward them.
My relationship with God is often no different, which is why I find comfort in this passage about John the Baptist. John—the one who leapt in his mother’s womb at the presence of Christ, who later proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God, and whom Jesus Himself declared “more than a prophet”—now wrestles with doubt. Imprisoned and facing the shadow of death, his faith falters. His uncertainty reminds me of my own struggle to hold onto faith when circumstances rob me of hope and leave me in despair.
Jesus’ response to John’s disciples is striking. He does not rebuke John for his doubt, nor does He answer directly. Instead, He points to signs of God’s activity: “The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them.” Jesus invites John to see beyond his prison walls and recognize that God is very much present and active.
I too must remind myself not to lose sight of God’s presence when I become panic-stricken by worry, anxiety, or the crosses of life. These obstacles can blind me to His blessings and constant accompaniment. In times of struggle, when prayers seem unanswered or hope feels distant, I need to look for the subtle yet powerful signs of His presence: the reassuring words of a loved one, the kindness of a stranger, the peaceful silence of adoration, or His grace poured out through the sacraments.
These glimpses of grace anchor me in hope when certainty slips away. Even in chaos, God’s gaze never leaves me. I simply need to refocus and see that He is right there with me and my faith is restored.
FaceTime with Jesus will continue in 2026!
Our last FaceTime with Jesus of the year may have moved indoors, but the fire and fellowship were just as strong. We’re so grateful for everyone who came out this season — and yes, we’ll be continuing it next year!
Be Renewed with our Homily Series!
Fr. Zlock, Deacon Michael and Deacon Bill have prepared a wonderful Advent Homily Series “Make This Advent Different”. You can get details here.
Family Day December 13
To register, click this link or email brandi@saintraymond.net.
Biblical Walk with Mary
Take a Biblical walk with Mary. We meet on Thursdays in person in the Sr. Rosemary Room for six weeks, from November 13 to December 18. Our Blessed Mother wants to be a part of your daily life.
View the latest member guide:
Christmas & New Year Mass Schedule
MERCH! - Don't Miss it!
St. Raymond merch will be on sale after all masses this weekend! Grab the perfect Christmas gift while supporting our church. Cash and Venmo accepted.
Christmas Concert December 21
Please join us for our annual Christmas Concert. This is the perfect opportunity to invite someone to experience the spirit of Christmas. We will also be hosting a reception immediately following the concert. All are welcome in the Sr. Rosemary Room for desserts, drinks and fellowship.
Giving Tree and Angel Tree
The Giving Tree is on display in the rear of the church. Please take a card and purchase one or more of the items indicated. Your contributions will be used to stock the Blessing Shop at our annual Home for Christmas Celebration. Men, women and children from area shelters will be our guests and will be allowed to select from the items that are donated. Gifts also will be provided for children whose parents are incarcerated. If you are supplying a gift card for a teen, please DO NOT place it in the donation boxes in the rear of the church; instead, place it in the collection basket or in the collection boxes in the church. Please return your gift(s) UNWRAPPED to church or rectory before December 17th.
There is also an Angel Tree, with cards made especially for children of incarcerated parents. Leave those gifts unwrapped as well, and return to the church or rectory by December 17th.
Thank you for your generosity.
Help Decorate for Christmas!
Please bring your enthusiasm and hands to help make the joy of Christ shine at St. Raymond Church on the morning of Christmas Eve. Please help during the following times if you're able.
9:00 AM
Decorators, plant-waterers, and heavy lifters needed in the church
10:00 AM
Decorate the church for the celebration of Christmas
Place figures in the outdoor crèche
Home for Christmas
Volunteers are needed to help St. Raymond Church welcome more than 200 guests from homeless shelters across the City of Philadelphia for our annual Home for Christmas event on December 25 from 12-3 PM! Everyone is served a delicious meal, receives items from the Blessing Shop, and shares in the joy of celebrating Jesus’ birthday together.
We are especially in need of volunteers to set up the school hall on:
Friday, 12/19 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, 12/20 at 10 AM to noon
Wednesday, 12/24 Transport food donations to the School Hall (young volunteers especially welcome!)
Click here to sign up for those tasks and other teams.
Please, all HFC volunteers must be registered to receive an assignment. If you just show up on Christmas morning to help, it will be difficult to place you. We ask that any unregistered volunteers come to the School Hall on Christmas morning between 9:30 & 10:30 am to receive an assignment.
Holiday Office Schedule
Holiday Rectory Office Hours
Wednesday, 12/24 (Christmas Eve): 9am-1pm
Thursday, 12/25 (Christmas Day)
Monday, 12/29: 9am-1pm
Tuesday, 12/30
Wednesday, 12/31 (New Years Eve)
Thursday, 1/1 (New Years Day)
Financial Facts
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Collection & Envelopes: $13,440.30
Church Maintenance: $690.70
Christmas Offering: $71.00
Christmas Flowers: $297.00
REST: $365.00
Social Ministry: $150.00
Thanksgiving Offering: $20.00
Total: $15,034.00
Special Collections
12/7-Christmas Flowers
12/21-Maintenance
12/25-Christmas Offering
Congratulations to Airea Matthews!
Our own Airea Matthews, formerly co-chair of Bryn Mawr College's creative writing department, has been named provost of Bryn Mawr. Airea, who is known for two award-winning books, is a former Philadelphia Poet Laureate. We are so proud of her achievement! Read more about her.
Jennifer Wright-Blackmon Service of Love
Repast after burial: Moriah Baptist Church, 901 W Spencer St., Philadelphia, PA 19141
Join our Daily Call to Prayer
Catholic Call to Prayer. Please Call TOLL FREE 1-877-309-2073, Enter Code 319-414-445#. 6:30 am (Monday to Friday): This call lasts 5-7 minutes and can have an amazing impact at the start your day, reflecting on God’s WORD!!
Noon Call to Prayer. Same number, Monday to Friday at NOON. We will pray the Angelus, reflect on the 1st reading from Daily Mass, say intercessory prayer for those in need and beg God to draw us all nearer to Him.
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.
Christmas Novena for the 83%
This Advent, all are invited to pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena (Nov 30-Dec 24) for the intention of the reconciliation of our loved ones who are part of the 83% of Catholics who do not attend Mass. To participate, visit https://www.phillyevang.org/novena/
New Encounters Invites You to its Quarterly Meeting on Racial Healing
Since March 2024, New Encounters: Catholics Confronting Racism has convened quarterly meetings with Catholics across the city and suburbs to respond to "We Are One Body," Archbishop Nelson Pérez' 2023 pastoral letter on racism. Please RSVP to join us at St Raymond's.
Presenter:
Stacy Williams, Director, Office for Black Catholics
Time & Place:
Sat., Jan 10, 2026, at St. Raymond in the Sister Rosemary Room (the rectory basement)
Doors open: 10:30 am
Program & Lunch: 11:00 to 2:00 pm
Free of charge, but registration is required
See the latest news from the Archdiocese
See the December Newsletter here.