Good News for July 2, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
In this Issue:
Faithfulness to the One Who Sent Me
~ Linda Davis
Saint Mary's Catholic Church + Lancaster, Pa.
As a mother, this gospel reminds me that I am sent – not just to my children, my husband and my parish, but also to the people God has placed in my life who are hurting and far from Him. Jesus sends the seventy-two out with little more than faith and a message of peace. No bag, no sandals. Just unwavering faith and trust. That’s often what I feel like I bring into conversations with friends who have drifted from the Church: not many answers, just love and steadfast prayer.
Jesus tells His disciples to enter homes and offer peace, and I strive to do the same, especially to friends who carry wounds from the world or who feel forgotten by God. I can’t fix everything, but I CAN show up. I can listen. I can plant mustard seeds of hope and truth, and trust my God is strong enough to do the rest.
When the disciples return, overjoyed by what they saw, Jesus reminds them: “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but because your names are written in heaven.” That hits home. My value isn’t in how persuasive I am or how many people I “bring back” or “convince”; it’s in my faithfulness to the One who sent me.
This Gospel calls me to walk gently but boldly, offering Christ’s peace to those near and far. Whether I’m tending to my family or reaching out to a struggling friend, I step forward bravely knowing He walks with me and He works through me.
Happy July 4!
Whatever you do on Friday, be joyful and thankful for God's mercies and goodness!
Join us Monday, July 7 from 7pm-9 pm
Our last FaceTime with Jesus was wonderful! Don't miss out this Monday from 7-9pm. Feel free to invite a friend. Get more details and the full schedule here.
Sign Up for Summer Camp by July 11!
Looking for a fun and faith-filled summer experience for your little one? St. Raymond Summer Camp is the place to be! Space is limited. Click here for more info and to sign up!
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
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!
Rest in Peace, Sandy Brown
We are saddened to share that our beloved parishioner, Sandy Brown, has passed away. Her funeral will be held on Thursday, July 10, with a viewing at 10:00 AM and Mass to follow at 11:00 AM. Please hold her and her family close in your prayers, and may God greet Sandy with open arms and welcome her into eternal peace.
Mission Appeal for the Apostles of Jesus
This weekend, St. Raymond welcomes Rev. Augustine Idra of the Apostles of Jesus, a Missionary Institute founded in Uganda in 1968. Rev. Idra will preside at all three of our Sunday Masses and share news of his Mission’s evangelization efforts in Africa and other parts of the world.
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, June 29, 2025
Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00
Collection & Envelopes: $8,626.25
Monthly Church Maintenance: $399.00
REST: $50.00
Total: $9,075.25
Special Collections
7/6- Campaign for Human Development Mission
7/27- Maintenance
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
Registration is Open!
Registration is now open for the 10th annual Catholic Women's Conference 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.
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