God, our hearts are broken with pain at the senseless deaths caused by gun violence - in Texas this week and in Buffalo last week. Families mourn, children live in fear, and some in our nation respond by arming themselves with more guns with greater capacity to end life. Our disconnection and alienation have caused some to turn to guns for protection and safety. We ask that you touch our hearts with your love, heal our brokenness, and turn us away from violence toward peace. Help us to transform our own hearts and to seek peaceful ways of resolving our differences. Let our hands reach out and connect with those who feel alone, those who live in fear, and those suffering from mental illness. Let our voices be raised asking our legislators to enact gun laws to protect all in our society, especially those most vulnerable. Let our pens write messages demanding change while also scripting words of hope and transformation. We ask this in the name of the God who desires that we live together in peace. Amen
Who will you invite to join us for Mass this weekend? God needs you to do the inviting!
DID YOU READ THIS WEEK'S CHURCH BULLETIN?
NEED INFORMATION ON COVID TESTING AND COVID VACCINES? Please note that vaccines are no longer offered every Friday.
As a community of faith, we hold each other in prayer each day...
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Msgr. O'Brien, Deacon Bill, Hazel S., Patti L., Bonnie W., Dolores M., Ernestine, Ed S., Ruth H., Tom S., Charles M., Carmelo C., Deacon Ralph, for victims of recent shootings in our neighborhood; and all who are sick with COVID or struggling with mental illness
FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING: For the families of victims in Buffalo and Texas; those who lost someone to the violence in our City. Lord, have mercy on those who have died!
FOR SPECIAL NEEDS: for refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan who are looking for employment, priests being transferred to new assignments, and for recent college graduates as they look for work..
Pope Francis commented on the tragic school shooting
The new pastoral administrator, Fr Jeff Rott, is a fan of the NY METS!
Speaker Pelosi has been denied holy communion by her bishop because of her support of abortion
Have you visited the Black Catholic Congress site lately?
We are currently restructuring our food pantry to better serve those who face food insecurity. We are grateful for your many kind donations but please HOLD OFF any further donations until we are ready to receive them again. Thank you!
Have Left Overs? Don’t toss them out! Why not package them for Caring for Friends? We are in constant need of a variety of meals for ailing seniors. The one meal that you discard can be a meal for an ailing senior living alone. Containers are located in the Sacristy. Frozen meals can be dropped off at the Rectory between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. For more info, contact Arleen at 215-549-3760.
Check out CatholicPhilly. You can sign up to receive a weekly email from them as well. Stay informed!
Our parish is partnering with Artcinia to bring great music to our neighborhood. Please plan to be with us for the first of three concerts in 2022 on Pentecost Sunday. Tickets are $10 and are purchased ONLINE. Limited scholarships are available, contact the Parish Office.
On Sunday, May 29th we will have lunch after the 10 am Mass in the School Hall. This is free and a chance to gather as a Church Family during the Easter Season - and celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. THIS IS ALSO A CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE TO FATHER CHRIS. If you plan to join us, please call the Parish Office to reserve your place or email brandi@saintraymond.net - WE NEED TO HAVE A COUNT BY THURSDAY AT NOON
As we bid farewell to Father Chris and prepare to welcome Fr. Jeff Rott, please be mindful...
You can attend the party this Sunday after 10 am Mass; please call by Thursday at Noon
You are invited to a meeting with parish leaders, key ministry leaders and other stakeholders on Tuesday, May 31st at 7 pm in the Rectory Basement. Please let Fr. Chris know you are coming by emailing pastor@saintraymond.net
You can sign up for a 15-minute time slot to either talk with Fr Chris on the phone or visit him in the Parish Office.
There will be a Farewell Cabaret (BYOE) on Saturday, June 18th from 6 pm to 9 pm in the School Hall. All are welcome. Please let us know you are coming.
Please pray for Fr. Jeff, Fr. Chris, and the Parish Staff during this time of transition. God is able!
