Good News for May 28, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
In this Issue:
When the Plan Changes
~ Linda Davis
Saint Mary's Catholic Church + Lancaster, Pa.
In today’s gospel, Jesus gathers His disciples one last time. He speaks truth, blesses them with peace and a mission, and then He ascends to His Father’s house. It’s a powerful, holy moment — but it’s also a goodbye. Not only to Jesus’s humanly presence, but to the trajectory the disciples thought their lives were going to have.
As a mom, this hits me deeply. Motherhood has been full of moments when I’ve had to let go of what I thought life would look like. The birth plan that changed. The job I left behind. The dreams reworked by the needs of little ones. Sometimes the letting go is dramatic, but more often, it’s quiet and daily ... like laying down control, perfection, or timelines I once held tightly to.
Jesus’ Ascension reminds me that letting go isn’t always about loss; it can also be about release. The disciples could have been devastated by the change. Instead, they returned with joy to Jerusalem. They trusted that even though the plan was shifting, the presence of Jesus hadn’t gone. He had simply made room for something greater: an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and an abundance of trust.
Maybe that’s what God is doing in my life, too. In the letting go, He is making space for new growth, deeper trust, and unexpected joy.
So today, I’m opening my hands to welcome what will be, with faith that He is already there.
Congratulations to our First Communicants!
God bless Joseph Benise, Julian Nicholas, King James Koroma, Antoine Rose Jr, and Naimah Ekouevi on receiving their First Communion! Please pray for them as they grow in their faith!
Thank you for Celebrating Deacon Bill!
More than 300 people gathered to celebrate Deacon Bill's legacy at St. Raymond. Thank you to everyone who helped plan, set up, serve, cleanup and attend this very special event honoring Deacon Bill and Cindy Bradley.
Spring Fling Jazz Night May 31
To purchase tickets, you can also call the rectory at 215-549-3760.
Join us for something new on June 2!
Before we make big decisions about the future of St. Raymond, we need to be sure we’re turning first to God.
We’ve looked at the numbers. We’ve heard the feedback. But something’s still missing from our discernment: more time with the Lord.
Beginning in June, I’m inviting you to join me for First Mondays with the Lord—an hour of Eucharistic Adoration from 7 to 8 pm in church. Each month will focus on a different intention:
June 2 – Prayer for Moms and Children (bring a young person with you!)
July 7 – Prayer for Holy Rest
August 4 – Prayer for Healing (includes a healing prayer during Adoration)
September 8– Prayer for Men, Sons, and Dads
October 6 – Breaking Through Spiritual Bondage (includes a short teaching and sample deliverance prayer)
November 3 – Prayer of Thanksgiving for Graces Received
December 1 – Prayers for Miracles
Part of the hour will include music, part will be silent prayer. I will be available for Confession, and we’ll close with Benediction at 8 pm.
Then from 8 to 9 pm, we’ll gather for informal conversation and community. We can discuss that month’s intention as a conversation starter or discuss any topic on the minds of those who attend.
As St. Katharine Drexel once said, “It starts with the Eucharist. It is the source of strength; it is the inspiration of our service.”
We need more opportunities to come before the Lord—to bring our burdens, give thanks for graces received, and pray for St. Raymond as we discern our next steps together.
I hope you will join me and bring someone with you. I look forward to our time together with the Lord - and each other.
-Fr. Zlock
Graduation Honors!
Cap and Gown Season is upon us, and it’s time to honor our students. Please call Brandi in the rectory office 215-549-3760 and tell her the names of your graduates and their academic achievements (high school, bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, other).
Baby Bottles for Guiding Star Ministries
Guiding Star Ministries is a maternity home in Germantown for pregnant women and their children. They also provide life skills for future success. Please take a bottle in the back of church and fill it with your donation. Bottles are available, and the return date is May 31 - June 1.
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! Click here for more info and to sign up!
Do you have a child in grades 6th-8th? Please contact Brandi to get them involved in our Middle School Youth Ministry: brandi@saintraymond.net or 215-549-3760.
Parents of 5th-8th Graders: We’ve Got Something for Your Kids.
Looking for a safe, fun, and meaningful way for your child to connect with others and explore life, faith, and purpose? St. Raymond Church invites 5th-8th graders to join us every 4th Sunday for real conversations, great company, and free food!
When: Next meeting is June 8 and again June 22.
Time: 11:45 am - 1:45 pm
Where: St. Raymond Church
Each session unpacks a big topic designed to spark discussion and help kids think deeply about who they are and what they believe—in a welcoming and fun environment!
All are welcome: Register here.
Fr. Zlock is sharing an update on the church renovations.
Monthly Prayer Team
Following the 5 pm Mass on Saturday and the 8 am and 10 am Masses on Sunday, the Prayer Team awaits all parishioners in need of comfort, healing and blessing.
Holy Day of Obligation
Tomorrow, May 29, 2025 is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Join us for Mass at 8 AM or find one nearby: https://masstimes.org/
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, May 25, 2025
Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00
Collection & Envelopes: $7,946.50
Monthly Church Maintenance: $743.00
REST: $50.00
Catholic Home Missions: $300.00
Catholic Relief Services: $10.00
Social Ministry: $50.00
Total: $9,099.50
Special Collections
May 11-Catholic Home Missions
May 25-Maintenance
Update on DMI Survey from CLI
THANK YOU for participating in the DMI. To date, over 30,000 surveys have been completed for the Archdiocese in total. Catholic Leadership Institute is beginning to process the paper surveys sent forward so that your Pastor will be able to access the full results, understand the DMI reports and communicate those to the parish. The timing for post-DMI sessions for Pastors/Points-of-Contact/Key Leaders will be communicated in the near future.
Donate to Support St. Raymond Church
Support St. Raymond 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!
St. Cyprian is Celebrating - And You are Invited!
PraiseFest will be held, Saturday, May 31, 2025, 3:00 pm at St. Cyprian Church. The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament are celebrating the 25th Canonization Jubilee of their foundress- St. Katharine Drexel as well as St. Josephine Bakhita. Both were canonized October 1, 2000. The event features musical selections by African American and African choirs and liturgical dancers. A goodwill offering will benefit St. Cyprian Food Pantry/Bank. All are welcomed to this cross-cultural celebration of saintly witnesses from America and Sudan. Doors open at 2:30 PM.
Registration is Open!
Registration is now open for the 10th annual Catholic Women's Conference on Saturday, October 18, 2025. We invite you to join us as we explore the beauty of our feminine genius, and we encourage you to bring a friend. An early sellout is expected.
Through the generosity of the Martin de Porres Foundation, the registration fee will be covered. Anyone interested should contact mintabrown@saintraymond.net.