Good News for July 16, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Jul 16
- 5 min read
In this Issue:
At His Feet, In the Kitchen
~ Conor E. Donelly
Saint Maron's Parish
Philadelphia, Pa.
As I reflect on today’s Gospel, I can’t help but think of my childhood home and two remarkable women who filled it with faith and love: my mother and my aunt. My mother loved to talk and to listen. She had the gift of presence. Like Mary in the Gospel, she could sit with you, really hear you, ask questions that made you think, and offer laughter or encouragement at just the right moment. Her way of loving was quiet but deeply attentive.
My aunt, on the other hand, was all Martha. If you visited, the kettle was already on. Something was coming out of the oven. Tea, toast, and homemade sweets seemed to appear before you’d even sat down. Her hands never stopped moving. Hospitality was her offering – generous, thoughtful, and done without any need for recognition.
As I write this, my aunt turns 80. I’ve been thinking a lot about how both she and my mother shaped my understanding of what it means to live a life of faith. One was always ready to sit and listen; the other was always moving, always making sure people were fed and cared for. They had very different styles, but expressed love in powerful, generous ways. Looking back, I realize how much I learned from simply watching them. How attention and service, presence and hospitality, each reveal something about how God loves us. And maybe the deeper lesson isn’t choosing one way or the other, but learning how to hold both together. To be active, yes, but not so busy that we miss what’s most important.
That’s where the better part is found. And it will not be taken from us.
Welcome to the Church, Owen!
On Saturday, July 13, we were so happy to welcome Owen Aschton Baptist into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism at St. Raymond. Please keep Owen and his family in your prayers as they grow in faith together. God bless Owen!
See you this Saturday!
We'll be showing The Six Triple Eight movie at 7 pm. BYO food and drinks. We'll provide popcorn and water!
Summer Camp Fun
Our first week of camp is off to a great start! Please keep our campers and staff in your prayers for a blessed summer season!
Join us Monday, August 4, from 7pm-9 pm
Our last FaceTime with Jesus was wonderful! Don't miss August 4, from 7-9pm. Feel free to invite a friend. Get more details and the full schedule here.
Join Our Tech Ministry Teams
We’re building out our liturgy tech teams and looking for members of our church family to join us! Training will be provided, but we also welcome your ideas and input to help us grow and improve.
We’re asking for a commitment of two weekends per month.
2-Member Teams – Saturday 5pm & Sunday 8am Masses
Soundboard Engineer
Visual Development & Delivery - Looking for artistic individuals to take our worship slides to the next level—using creative design, color, video, and other visual elements. You’ll also manage live slide display during the liturgy.
4-Member Team – Sunday 10am Mass
Soundboard Engineer
Visual Development & Delivery
Video Production via YouTube
Team Leader - Acts as the main point of contact for the team—communicates live with virtual parishioners and coordinates the sound, slides, and video components in real time. Responsible for blending the elements and troubleshooting as needed.
Interested? Contact brandi@saintraymond.net.
Vacation Giving
We can't begin to say how important your summer giving is to the financial stability of St. Raymond parish. The ideal way to support St. Raymond is with online giving! You can make a one-time or recurring gift by clicking DONATE HERE. Prefer to give on your phone? Text straymond to 833-363-7471 and follow the simple instructions.
You can also scan the QR code to donate.
Please note: We no longer accept Cash App for tithes. You can give via Venmo (@StRaymond-PenafortPhilly), PushPay, Parish Giving, or Envelopes. To request envelopes, email Brandi at brandi@straymond.net. Thank you for your generosity!
Parish Invitation
Please join us on Sunday, July 20, at the 10 o’clock Mass, at Saint Raymond Church, as we celebrate Gina (Bradley) Collier and Craig Collier’s 25th wedding anniversary with a renewal of their marriage vows. There will be Hospitality following Mass.
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.
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, July 13, 2025
Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00
Collection & Envelopes: $9,739.80
Monthly Church Maintenance: $427.70
REST: $50.00
Campaign Human Development: $200.00
Mission Appeal: $20.00
REST: $110.00
Total: $10,547.50
Special Collections
7/6- Campaign for Human Development Mission
7/27- Maintenance
Listening Session Update from Archbishop Perez
Read the full letter from Archbishop Perez below.
Bishop McDevitt 50th Reunion Celebration
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 Time:: 5:00-9:00 PM
Location: Sandy Run Country Club 200 E. Valley Green Road Oreland, PA 19075
Cost: $75.00 per person Includes: Buffet Dinner (cash bar)
Dress Code: Country Club Casual
RSVP by October 1 by mailing your check (payable to Mary Pat Wilkinson) to:
Mary Pat Wilkinson P.0. Box 5 Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
Also accepting Zelle – Mpwilk0211@aol.com
Please include your contact information with your payment and maiden names for the ladies
Let’s reconnect and celebrate 50 years of memories, laughter and Lancer Pride
Any questions contact:
Mary Pat Wilkinson - mpwilk0211@aol.com
Audrey Brabson Durkin - abd328@gmail.com
Seminarian Went from Aspiring to Walk in LeBron James’ Footsteps to Those of Christ’s
Editor's Note: A number of parishioners at St. Raymond requested that we publish the feature article below in our Good News this week. It is an inspiring story, and we hope you will enjoy reading it.
Faces of Hope By Barbara Fitzgerald of CatholicPhilly.com:
Josh Brooks looked for love on the basketball court, only to get cut from the team. The young man from Delaware County sought love in a relationship with a girlfriend, but he couldn’t escape the nagging feeling that something greater was calling him. Then, in despair one day he looked at the crucifix hanging on his wall and understood that his search for the perfect form of love need not go further. “Josh,” he heard, “I’ve been waiting for you your entire life.”
Registration is Open!
The 10th annual Catholic Women's Conference will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Through the generosity of the Martin de Porres Foundation, the registration fee will be covered. Anyone interested should contact mintabrown@saintraymond.net.
