I wanted to revisit a homily I gave a few weeks ago. I spoke about Four components. They were: The Call to Identity, The Call to Repentance, The Call to Forgiveness, and The Call to Mission. This week I would like to focus on the first one: The Call to Identity.
I was listening to a podcast hosted by Bret Weinstein & Heather Heying. Heather and Bret are evolutionary biologists. They earned PhDs in Biology from the University of Michigan. Their research on evolution and adaptation earned awards for its quality and innovation. They talk about current issues from a scientific, biological, and evolutionary perspective. They have sometimes run afoul of social media personalities, academics, and others. The reason is because, as Heather says, “I’m a biologist. So, they don’t like my science.”
Even so, domestically they have been invited to address the US Congress, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Education. They have spoken before international audiences across the globe. You can hear them on their “Darkhorse” podcast.
Heather was lamenting about her observations of university students. She does this from her biologist's point of view. She sees many of them struggling and troubled emotionally. As Heather said, “They are looking for identity and purpose and meaning. The problem is that parents and adults and other mentors in their life only focus on identity. ‘What am I feeling? What is important to me? What am I doing with my life?’ (Paraphrasing Heather …) Becoming so self-focused will never lead to purpose or meeting. It only leads to a self-absorbing and narcissistic personality.
The only way someone finds purpose and meaning is with an outward focus. You look at how you can help other people. You look at what needs to be done in the world to improve the world. It is a process of evolution to discover purpose and meaning in your life. By moving in that direction, you begin to discover what you are good at, what you’re not good at, and what you are meant to do.
What is the identity of the parish of Saint Raymond? Are we getting this right? I believe that we are moving in the right direction. Consider the three parish priorities that we discerned earlier this year. The first one deals with discipleship. This is outward and other-focused. A disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ. The first focus is immediately on the other – the Lord. From there the Rabbi guides us on what we should be doing to help others.
The second parish priority had an outward focus embedded in its title: “Outreach.“ One part of the SMART goals dealt with reaching out to those in need. The other part of the goal focussed on those who have been away from the church. How do we reach out to the disenfranchised, the disgusted, the discouraged, and the youth?
Even the third priority - music, liturgy, and worship - has an outward direction. The idea is not to come to church to be entertained. The focus on Mass should not be to come to church to let the music stimulate you or to enjoy a nice spiritual talk. We need to feed people. But it can not end there. It is about being fed for a reason. We are nourished to go out and feed the rest of the world. We should empty out our mental, physical, and spiritual gas tanks by the end of the week. Then you need to run to the filling station. There, have yourself renewed and refreshed with the purpose of going out and doing the same for others.
We only do this as a parish if we do this as individual parishioners. Thus, one of the SMART Goals is asking parishioners to invest two hours a week to go out and serve others. Another SMART goal dealt with discipleship. Parishioners were encouraged to enter into some type of discipleship discernment process. In this way, people can determine what their gifts, talents, and charisms are. Then they understand how the Lord wants to use these charisms and talents to serve others.
Having looked at The Call to Identity, next week we will look at The Call to Repentance.
Fr. Charles Zlock
Sunday, June 11th
Julia Greeley (c. 1840–1918) was born into slavery in Missouri. Around 1880 she moved to Denver and became a Catholic.
On June 7, 1918, the feast of the Sacred Heart, Julia died in Denver. She had given away her burial plot to a man who was going to be buried in a pauper's grave. In repayment, Julia was buried in her Franciscan habit and laid in state in Sacred Heart Church. In 2017, Julia's body was exhumed and buried in Denver's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. She is the first person to be interred in the Cathedral, pictured to the right.
Servant of God Julia Greeley, who dedicated her life to loving others fully—pray for us!
St. Raymond of Penafort
“Called for More”
Parish Priorities and SMART Goals
Update from Fr Charles Zlock
June: PRIORITY: WORSHIP, LITURGY & MUSIC
UPDATE on SMART GOAL #1 - TECHNOLOGY: A comprehensive worship technology platform is drafted. Prices are being examined for microphones, microphone chords, mic stands, a new keyboard, new larger TV screens, and screens. Finance Council has approved funding.
2023 Philadelphia March for Life
March for Life will be June 24, 2023.
Please plan to join others on a walk to save our unborn Children.
9:00am-Mass at the Cathedral
10:30am-March down Race Street
11:30am-Rally at Independence Mall
Congratulate Fr. Zlock
as he celebrates
the 29th anniversary
of his ordination.
Congratulate Deacon Bill
as he celebrates
the 10th anniversary
of his ordination.
Any graduates in your family? Special awards received? Email Brandi at Brandi@saintraymond.net We want to acknowledge all of our achievers!
Opportunities to Reflect, Renew & Restore
Cranaleith Spiritual Center, 13475 Proctor Rd, Phila. Pa 19116
Gaelic for “sanctuary of trees,” Cranaleith offers serene and rejuvenating space to those who wish to reflect on what matters deeply in their lives, renew their spirit for life and work, or restore themselves from life’s traumas. Individuals and groups are invited to participate in retreats and other programs offered in a spirit-rekindling environment of well-being, respect, and harmony. Cranaleith is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy. For program, information log on to, www.cranaleith.org
CALLING ALL SINGERS!
As more people have returned to in-person mass, we’ve had lots of questions about joining the choir at St Raymond. If you’d like to become a part of this amazing ministry, please reach out to our Director of Music, Kenny Arrington, at Tua20523@temple.edu so that he can set up a time to meet and conduct a voice assessment to determine where your voice may fit. We’re looking for people who are moved to Praise God through song, are humble, patient, and able to commit to attending weekly practices and singing for our 10:00 mass.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Congress XIII (2023)
Announcing the Congress Theme
“Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive”
July 20-23, 2023
The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745
Saturday, July 8 – Sunday, July 16
Event: Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Annual Parish Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel begins on Saturday, July 8th, at the 5 PM Vigil Mass. For nine consecutive evenings, we will honor Our Lady with devotion and prayer. Throughout the Novena, which will take place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Doylestown, speakers will lead us in prayer, psalms, meditations, devotions, and preaching.
Location: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Doylestown.
Our Parish Website:www.ourladymtcarmel.org
Monday Evenings, 8 PM
Event: Virtual World Mission Rosary
Join hundreds of people throughout the Archdiocese who have regularly been praying the ROSARY LIVE! United in this most powerful prayer, we ask for the miraculous intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to hear our intentions and renew our Catholic faith as we pray in unity for our brothers and sisters in mission lands worldwide. On Mission Mondays, we pray the World Mission Rosary, created by Venerable Fulton Sheen, in which we offer each decade for one of five Mission areas, including the US.
Location: Use this Zoom link to join each Monday: https://zoom.us/s/494480541
More Info: Sponsored by the Pontifical Missions Societies (phillymissions.org)
Called & Gifted - Charism Discernment
"Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire," - St Catherine of Siena
Attention Ladies
Catholic Women’s Conference
Sat. Oct. 28, 2023
Registration Information Packets are located on the desk at the rear of the church. Please
complete the pink form and return it to the basket provided to ensure that you are registered for the session of your choice. Please note, you may only select one session.
Sign up early- the event fills up quickly!
Archdiocese of Philadelphia Eucharistic Revival
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Sunday, June 11, 2023, 11 AM Mass followed by Eucharistic Procession The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
Please log in to find out what is going on around the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
https://www.phillyevang.org/