Good News for July 23, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
In this Issue:
Structured Prayer for Unstructured Days
~ Linda Davis
Saint Mary's Catholic Church + Lancaster, Pa.
As a mother, there are many days when self generated prayer feels unattainable. My mind is scattered with a hundred to-dos, my body is tired and my heart carries concerns too heavy to name. In these moments, I am so grateful for the gift of structured prayer, especially the Lord’s Prayer. In this Gospel, Jesus gives us the perfect prayer to shape how we can pray when the words will not come.
The cadence of these prayers steadies my heart. It draws my focus from my daily chaos to God’s and His eternal goodness. These prayers aren’t about my feelings or my overwhelm, they’re about entering into a relationship with my Father who already knows what I need.
Jesus then encourages persistence in prayer. Like a child asking their mother something again and again (…and again, and again…) we are called to persist as we ask, seek and knock. Not because God forgets, but because our hearts grow in trust with each call for help.
If I, as a wildly imperfect mom, know how to give good gifts to my children, how much more will our Heavenly Father pour out His gifts on us through the power of the Holy Spirit?
In the busy, uncertain moments of motherhood, I return to the structure of prayer. It holds me when I don’t know what to say and reminds me that my Father is listening. Always.
Congratulations to Gina and Craig Collier
On Sunday, Gina and Craig Collier renewed their vows in honor of their 25th Anniversary! Please keep them and all married couples in your prayers!
Movie Night Recap from Fr. Zlock
Our first movie night was so much fun! We watched Six Triple Eight, a movie about the only all black women's battalion to serve in Europe during World War Two. Not only that, some of our parishioners are related to the women who served! Watch until the end to find out who!
We'll host Family Movie Night every third Saturday at 7 PM. Save the date for our next showing: August 16th. We'll watch the Princess and the Frog.
4th Annual Meet and Greet BBQ
Join us Friday, August 22nd from4:30pm-6:30pm for our 4th Annual Meet and Greet BBQ for our St. Raymond Church and School families. Food, Games and Music will be provided. The event will be moved to the School Hall if weather conditions do not permit the day of.
Please RSVP by scanning the QR Code below, sign up sheet in the back of the Church or call the Church Office. Let us know if you can bring a salad also!
Monthly Prayer Team
Bring your needs and praises to God after Mass this coming weekend. Our prayer team awaits you!
Hospitality Sunday
Week 2 of Summer Camp was a blast!
Our campers dove into new adventures, built stronger friendships, and learned valuable skills while having tons of fun. Highlights included a trip to Turkey Hill Ice Cream Factory, Tie-Dye Day, S’mores making, a Pizza party and a Scavenger hunt! We’re so proud of everyone for their energy, creativity, and teamwork. On to Week 3!
Don't miss our next FaceTime with Jesus August 4, from 7-9pm. Feel free to invite a friend. Get more details and the full schedule here.
ThankYou from Fr. Okafor
Dear St. Raymond parishioners and staff,
I understand that some parishioners from St. Raymond were recently inquiring about me and how I am doing in my new assignment as Administrator at Holy Cross Parish. I am deeply touched by your inquiry, interests and concern. Let me express my heartfelt greetings and gratitude to you and to the entire St. Raymond family.
My transition to Holy Cross Parish in Mount Airy has been going well. I continue to feel the warmth, support, and spirit of my new parish family at Holy Cross every day. They very much reflect the generous spirit that I experienced at St. Raymond while I was there on East Vernon Road.
I would like to especially offer my sincere appreciation to all the wonderful women and the parish staff of St. Raymond who helped to prepare a place for me in the rectory. Your kindness, encouragement, and prayers during my transitional time with you meant a great deal to me. Your sense of community and joyful service truly embody the love of Christ.
I am now fully present in the rectory at Holy Cross. Even though I no longer reside at St. Raymond, I hold many cherished memories of my time there. I ask that you continue to keep me in your prayers, as I also keep you in mine.
With gratitude and every blessing,
Fr. Kevin Okafor Administrator
Holy Cross Parish
154 E. Mount Airy Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19119
Tel: 215-438-2921
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 one weekend 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!
Pat Hughes - May She Rest in Peace
Please keep our beloved parishioner, Pat Hughes, in your prayers. A viewing will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 9:00 AM at Saint Raymond Church, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. May God welcome Pat into eternal peace.
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 20, 2025
Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00
Collection & Envelopes: $9,164.00
Monthly Church Maintenance: $464.00
REST: $305.00
Campaign Human Development: $40.00
Social Ministry: $5.00
Catholic Relief: $10.00
Total: $9,988.00
Special Collections
7/6- Campaign for Human Development Mission
7/27- Maintenance
Get Fresh For Free - Produce Vouchers for Older Philadelphians
Older adults can enjoy locally grown fruits and vegetables — at no cost. PCA is now distributing free Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) produce vouchers.
Income-eligible Philadelphians, aged 60 and older, can receive $25 in produce vouchers to use at certified farmers markets in Pennsylvania. PCA distributes vouchers each summer to help older adults eat well and stay healthy. The program also supports local agriculture.
Voucher distribution for the 2025 season has begun and will continue while supplies last. Vouchers must be picked up in person at the following locations:
PCA, 642 N. Broad St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Participating senior centers in Philadelphia.
Immigration Workshop
St. Athanasius Mental Health Series - Part 2
Ecumenical Service for the Jubilee Year Commemoration of the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea
The battle was raging. The Arian heresy had gripped large swaths of the Church, leading many to deny the divinity of Christ. But at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, the Holy Spirit, working through the Council Fathers, definitively affirmed the Church’s inerrant faith in Jesus Christ, Second Person of the Trinity, consubstantial with the Father.
Seventeen hundred years later, Christians from across the region are invited to gather as we offer our gratitude to God for His self-revelation in Jesus Christ and for the Council of Nicaea that affirmed and protected the essential truth that Jesus is God. The celebration includes:
Proclamation of the Word of God
Reflections offered by ecumenical leaders
Litany of Thanksgiving with citations from the Council of Nicaea
Sung Nicene Creed in English, Latin and Greek
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!
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. Bus transportation to/from St Raymond will also be available. Anyone interested should contact mintabrown@saintraymond.net. This event sells out each year, so timeliness is important.
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