I've been writing about the transition plan that the parish and staff put in place for me. Parish Staff and parishioners recommended this plan to me when I first arrived. (Three months already? Imagine that.) Much focus was on me as pastor and parish administration. This week let's look at reaching outside of that circle. Reconstitution of a Finance Council. We have reconvened a new Parish Finance Council. Several dedicated parishioners answered the call to help me in the stewardship of parish resources. The group is composed of men and women. Some are younger, some are older, and all come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. They have been monitoring parish financial statements and making suggestions and changes. The Council is currently preparing the parish budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024. To guide us, we put together a Finance Council Charter. This outlines guidelines, policies and procedures, values, and behaviors. It provides key responsibility areas and goals for the Council. We sent a copy to the archdiocese for their input. Changes in Parish Staff. A key addition was hiring a new Director of Finance. Bill Wechsler comes to us with experience of having founded, and run, several of his own companies. He brings a wealth of managerial best practices and technicalpertise. In February, Antoinette Reaves accepted a new position as Director of Campus Ministry at Cabrini University. Antoinette will remain active in parish liturgy, youth catechesis, and sacramental preparation. "Called for More" - Parish Vision and Direction. Archbishop Perez wishes to fine-tune the direction and focus of parishes and priests. He has asked every parish to choose three parties and six associated goals. The timeframe should be for the next 3 - 5 years. Over the past month, I met with a team of parishioners. They helped me discern and determine our three significant parish priorities. Next week I will outline what those priorities and goals are. Soon I will have a conversation with the entire parish on how we will put in place this vision. Back to Parish Staff: Our Parish Staff is small. They only have so much capacity. I intend to reconfigure their job descriptions and titles. They will synchronize with the new parish priorities and goals. Capacity for other ministries, programs, and initiatives will have to come from elsewhere. My conversations with you, the parishioners, will focus on that bandwidth issue. We will discuss how we - the Parish of St. Raymond - can begin to move into a new and exciting future together.
Fr. Charles
This Sunday, April 2nd is Palm Sunday. This is the beginning of Holy Week. Bring your family and friends to Church.
Church Helping Church
We Stand as One in Times of Need.
Our Mother of Consolation Parish School (OMC) was destroyed by fire on March 21st. St Raymond stands by to help in two ways:
1) A 2nd collection will occur at all Masses this weekend. 100% of those funds will be given to OMC. Please give from your heart.
2) Please consider donating to their Fire Recovery Effort today to help them rebuild and remain a strong Catholic witness to the Chestnut Hill community. Donors may log on to the school web page at omcschool.com. You may also donate via check or cash mailed to: 7 E. Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118 to the attention of Shane Sprandio. Please include a note indicating that your gift is for the Fire Recovery Effort.
All donations will help them meet immediate goals of continuity in learning and socialization for their children, and long-term needs of securing space for OMC to thrive in the future.
We are looking for volunteers for
1) washing of the feet for 7 pm Holy Thursday?
2) Decorate the Church at 10:00 AM Saturday, 4/8. Please contact the office if you are
interested.
Just a Reminder: Please return Rice Bowls. Place them in the basket in the rear of the church.
St. Raymonds IMS is doing Living stations Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 7:00 pm in the Church
Special Collection Envelopes
3/12 = Rice Bowl
3/19 = Easter Flowers
4/7 = Holy Land
CONNECT + GROW + SERVE
Life Groups are open to parishioners, family, and friends (pretty much anyone). If you have never joined a Saint Raymond Life/Small Group, now is the time! 90 minutes + once a week + 4 weeks = a new relationship with Jesus and others. What are the next steps? Pick up a flier from the back of the Church and look over the different groups. Then make a phone call to the Life Group Leader to save your spot at the table (or on the couch). YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE TO ENSURE YOUR PLACE. Want to know more? Call Minta Brown at 610-329-7256 or email mintabrown@saintraymond.net.
Holy Thursday, 4/6/23 Mass 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Good Friday, 4/7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
4/7 Pray- Stations of the cross 2:00 pm
Easter Vigil, 4/8/23 Mass 7:00 pm (No 5:00 pm service)
Easter Sunday, 4/9/23 Mass 8:00am & 10:00 am
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.
Mission Week Is Off to a Great Start! What an amazing kick-off to our first-ever network-wide virtual giving event! In just a little over 12 hours, we have already raised $34,150 with 99 contributing donors! Thank you to everyone that has already made a generous gift to one of our schools. YOU are making a difference in the lives of our students. We have already unlocked three of our match challenges, generating $2,500 additional dollars for our schools. We are lucky to have many other Matches and Challenges going on, so you still have a chance to increase the impact of your giving! Thanks to the generosity of our early donors, we are well on our way to our goal! We have 4 days left to get us there. Will you help us? Help Our Schools Meet Their Goal!
#JoinTheMission!
14 Schools – One Mission
St. Barnabas
SS. Cyril & Philomena
St. Frances Cabrini
The DePaul Catholic School
St. Helena-Incarnation
Holy Cross
St. Malachy
St. Martin de Porres
St. Martin of Tours
Our Mother of Sorrows/St. Ignatius of Loyola
St. Raymond of Penafort
St. Rose of Lima
St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Veronica
Share with a Friend! All IMS Mission Week information will be shared via email and social media. Invite your friends to join in on the fun by submitting their email address via this form to ensure they receive all event communications. Questions? Contact Marissa Keough, Director of Annual Giving at mkeough@imsphila.org or 610-200-5100 ext.: 124Independence Mission Schools | 1012 West Thompson St., Philadelphia, PA 19122Unsubscribe aramintam@msn.comUpdate Profile | Constant Contact Data NoticeSent by mkeough@imsphila.org
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
Friends of Bishop McDevitt will again be offering a limited number of $1000 grants to grade school students who are related to a graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School. These grants may be used at any Catholic high school, private or diocesan. #LancersForLife
St. Malachy’s Catholic Church
1429 N. 11th St Phila. Pa 19122
Presents “The Source” Holy Hour with Music
Come, Receive The Lord’s Mercy & Healing
Confessions are Available at 6:30 pm
On the following Dates:
April 15th & May 20th
Social to follow.
Archbishop’s Texting Challenge - Sign Up now!
Please log in to find out what is going on around the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
https://www.phillyevang.org/
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