This weekend, as we return to Ordinary Time, we will hear the Gospel of the Miracle at Cana when Jesus turned water into wine. That was an awesome miracle but the real miracle happens when Jesus helps husbands and wives love each other in good times and bad, in sickness and in health. The Church offers many supports for marriage. Our parish always wants to offer more (we encourage you to join one of our "couples only" Life Groups this Lent). If you are experiencing difficulty in your marriage, contact Fr Chris at pastor@saintraymond.net We encourage married couples to plan to join us after 10 am Mass on February 13th for our Valentine's Brunch.
DID YOU READ THIS WEEK'S CHURCH BULLETIN?
NEED INFORMATION ON COVID TESTING AND COVID VACCINES?
As a community of faith, we hold each other in prayer each day...
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Melissa, Earl, Craig, Mike, Ethel, Joe, Pat, John, Helen, Dolores, Bernita, Marjorie, Horace, baby Victor, Marjorie, Patricia, Lester, Chicquita, those impacted by the fires in Fairmount and the Bronx, and all who are sick with COVID or struggling with mental illness
FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING: Melissa (who lost her son), Fr. Andrew (who lost his sister), Vera (who lost her son), Earl (who lost his mom), Joann (who lost her sister), Donna (who lost her mother), Barbara (who lost her mom), those grieving a loved one from the fires in Fairmount or the Bronx
FOR SPECIAL NEEDS: that we choose faith over fear in the midst of the ongoing COVID Pandemic; that St. Raymond School is blessed with long term substitute teachers to serve two of our classes for the good of our students; that we find housing for Feenie, a single mom from Haiti who is pregnant and has two children (she is currently seeking asylum status in USA); for Wazmina and her children as they continue to adjust to life in Philadelphia; for those who will begin the ST. RAYMOND GOES OUT on Thursday in an effort to develop a culture of missionary discipleship in our parish.
Looking for a retreat? The Cranaleith Spiritual Center is offering a Day of Reflection on Rev. Martin Luther King's "Call to be a Beloved Community" on January 19th in NE Philadelphia. If interested, the Parish will reimburse you for the cost, contact Arleen Daniels in the Parish Office.
The MEN of the Parish are encouraged to make a weekend retreat at the Malvern Retreat House on February 26, 27 & 28. Fr Chris will be the presenter of the retreat. Scholarships are available to assist with the retreat. Interested? Please call Atiba at 267-588-8888. There is also a way to participate virtually is you would rather experience the retreat from home.
Villanova University, with the support of Sr. Cora Marie Billings and Dr. Tia Noelle Pratt, has launched a fully-funded graduate residential position for a lay Black Catholic interested in lay ministry in honor of Sr. Cora Marie’s work. This position will be awarded to an applicant who is committed to Sr. Cora Marie’s work of anti-racism within the Catholic Church in particular. And it includes full tuition remission for a 48-credit M.A. in Ministry and Theology, room and board for two years, and a substantial annual stipend. Learn more (and please share with young adults who may be interested).
Tired of Netflix and Amazon Prime? Why not feed your soul with something more? Watch some videos (even movies) on FORMED (our parish has a membership and you can create your own account). Watch classic films on Mary, the Mother of God, and St. Joseph and there are great videos for the little ones too! You can also download audiobooks and ebooks too! Resolve to get good content into your mind in 2022!
Check out CatholicPhilly. You can sign up to receive a weekly email from them as well. Stay informed!
Pope Francis calls us to be committed to being good stewards of creation. There is a workshop coming up that seeks to train parish leaders in this effort. Could you represent St. Raymond? Information:
We congratulate our parishioner Airea Matthews who has been named Philadelphia's Poet Laureate. Airea, her husband Emery, and their children are usually seen at the 10am Mass where Airea and Emery are readers. We were blessed with her poetry and her reading of others' poetry at gatherings in the past. We look forward to her sharing this role with us throughout the year. May God bless you in this role in our City.
We have a new APP for our parish. Please search for St. Raymond where you get your apps. Or you can text 'straymondapp' to (833) 363-7471, for a quick way to download the app. There are many wonderful features that will be a blessing for you as you experience our Digital Campus. There is another new app available called AMEN. Get it today and use it in your daily life of prayer.
For the remaining weeks of January, we are collecting NEW CHILDREN's SHOES that will be sent to Ghana. The effort is led by a parishioner, Daniel Adongo. Your goodness in providing strong shoes for children is appreciated. There is a donation box in Church.
Please plan to join us in person or on YouTube on January 16th for this wonderful concert. In addition, the Archdiocese will host a Prayer Service Monday, January 17th at 6 pm (note the time; not 7 pm as originally shared) at the Miraculous Medal Shrine. That prayer service will also be available virtually. Richara will be hosting two events for our young people; if you have a middle school or high school student, please contact her at richara@saintraymond.net May we live our lives in ways that make his dream come true!
On Friday, January 21st people will arrive in Washington, DC to March for Life. This event seeks to raise awareness among elected officials that every life matters, especially that of the unborn child. We gather that day because it was January 22, 1972, that the US Supreme Court rendered its decision in Roe v. Wade which made it legal to kill a child throughout the 9 months of pregnancy. God have mercy on our nation! Join Fr. Chris in Marching for Life, email him if you want to ride the bus with him (frchriswalsh@gmail.com)
WE START NEXT WEEK - PLEASE SIGN UP!!! Our Life Groups had a wonderful time watching Episodes 1, 2, 3 & 4 during Advent. In 2022 we will watch the remaining episodes of Season One in larger groups on Wednesday (at 1 pm or 7 pm) on January 19, 26, and February 2, 9. Please SIGN UP so we know who to expect.
Jesus wants you to be his disciple in 2022 (and every other year). At times we struggle with what this means. In 2022 we are offering SAINT RAYMOND GOES OUT to train more people in being Missionary Disciples of Jesus. In just 10 - 45 minute sessions over the year, you will be invited to walk more and more as a disciple. Interested? Want to learn more? Contact Richara at richara@saintraymond.net Check out the flier (and invite a friend to join you)...
The Cenacle is a new resource of the pro-life community to serve families in Frankford. The Cenacle is a joint venture between the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia (Fr. Chris is the Chair of their Board) and Catholic Social Services. They are currently serving 150 women, many of whom are "abortion-vulnerable" (would choose abortion without the practical resources and friendship being offered by The Cenacle). A group of St. Raymond parishioners scraped wallpaper months ago to prepare the beautiful space. Others have donated baby clothes and diapers. Come tour the space and be filled with awe of the work God's people are doing!
The life of Servant of God Father Augustine Tolton is inspiring to everyone who learns it! One of the ways people can encounter the amazing story of his life is through a "one-man" play that has been touring the nation for years. Many from our parish saw the play a few years ago at LaSalle University. The play is coming back! Join us Sunday, February 27th at 7 pm at Our Mother of Consolation Church in Chestnut Hill. Our parish will offer 100 complimentary tickets. Details to come. Interested in more information or helping to promote the play at St. Raymond? Contact Cynthia Brown at cynthiaarlenebrown@gmail.com
