Good News for December 17, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
In this Issue:
Lessons from Saint Joseph's Quiet Touch
~Jennifer Dusza
Saint Mary Catholic Church + Schwenksville, Pa.
This Gospel is an interesting one because there is no “bad guy” here- no villain in the story; nobody disobeyed or strayed from God’s law. Mary is pure and full of grace, and Joseph is righteous and seeking to uphold the Jewish law. And yet they are in a real dilemma.
I’ve felt that way too - those moments when I’m trying to understand God’s Will, not because I’m choosing between right and wrong, but I have a choice to make between two or more reasonable choices. Do I stay at my job or look for a new one? Where should I send my kids to school? Do I buy a new car or ride this one out a little longer? Should I volunteer at the local shelter or be home with my spouse and children?
Between my work and home life, I am weighed down with hundreds of small choices each day. But I don’t have to face these questions alone. I am equipped with the Scriptures: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet” as it tells us in Psalms 119:105. Joseph grew up hearing and memorizing Scripture, especially those verses that prophesied about the coming Messiah, the One who would save the people from slavery and suffering. So, when the angel appeared to him and reminded him of the prophesy that “a virgin shall conceive and bear a son” he wasn’t teaching Joseph; he was reminding him. I need those reminders too. I need Scripture to shine a light on the dark areas of my life. And as Joseph learned, when we trust God’s voice above our own understanding, grace enters the world in ways far greater than we imagined.
Welcome to the church, Khaleel!
We were overjoyed to celebrate the baptism of our newest church member, Khaleel this past Sunday! Please pray for him!
Update from Fr. Zlock
Lots of fun at Cocoa, Cookies & Christmas Crafts
FaceTime with Jesus will continue in 2026!
We can't wait to see you for our first Facetime with Jesus of the New Year on January 5th!
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.
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 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.
St. Raymond School Children's Christmas Concert
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 & New Year Mass Schedule
Giving and Angel Tree Deadline Extended until December 22
Because of last week's snow, the deadline for returning your UNWRAPPED gift(s) to church or rectory has been moved to December 22nd.
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.
There is also an Angel Tree, with cards made especially for children of incarcerated parents.
Leave those gifts unwrapped as well.
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.
Special Archdiocesan Collection for World Missions
Archdiocese of Philadelphia World Missions
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is deeply involved in the world missions of the Church, with a rich history of missionary work. They provide food, education, and medical care to vulnerable communities. The global efforts of mission churches are celebrated on World Mission Sunday. Christmas is upon us; this weekend, December 20 and 21, please remember the poor and be generous in your giving. Envelopes are available in the back of church.
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 14, 2025
Collection & Envelopes: $9,191.50
Church Maintenance: $683.00
Christmas Offering: $290.00
Christmas Flowers: $220.00
REST: $73.00
Thanksgiving Offering: $100.00
Thanksgiving Basket: $50.00
Total: $10,607.50
Special Collections
12/7-Christmas Flowers
12/21-Maintenance
12/25-Christmas Offering
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.
Batter Up!
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
For information & registration (by Jan 5):
Please email newencounterscatholics@gmail.com
or contact program director Dr. Mary Laver: 610-324-9388
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Prayer Service
See the latest news from the Archdiocese
See the December Newsletter here.