Good News for November 5, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Nov 5, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 5, 2025
In this Issue:
Purity of Our Hearts in Worship
~Jeannette Williams
Our Lady of Sacred Heart + Hilltown, Pa.
My husband and I just returned from a trip of a lifetime, visiting our daughter who is in Rome for the semester. My goal was to make our trip a pilgrimage, rather than a site-seeing adventure. While we did visit the Forum, we focused on visiting churches and saints, and we were able to pray at 25 different churches, walk through all four Holy Doors, and attend the canonization of one of my favorites, St. Bartolo Longo!
Every church we entered, even those small churches we happened to pass while we were strolling, left us in awe; no effort had been withheld in creating a church worthy of God. The Masses we attended, including Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and St. John Lateran, were reverent, beautiful, and transcendent.
This was certainly true of the temple of Jerusalem, as well. We can only imagine its beauty and the profoundness of its rituals! And yet, we see from Jesus’ actions that at least some people had lost their sense of awe and wonder in that sacred place; the sellers and money-changers were providing items necessary for worship, but it had become for them a business, a “marketplace,” not an act of service to the worshipers.
For me, this Gospel is a reminder to refocus. Jesus’ zeal for the right worship of His Father challenges me to examine where my priorities lie. Am I getting distracted by the exteriors, or am I seeking the Lord? Even in my church ministry work, is my heart focused on the work itself or on service to God and His people?
"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." With these words Jesus informs us that the Old Testament worship will be replaced with His infinite sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection – HE is now the true Temple, the House of God, the One through Whom true worship is offered. Beauty and reverence in the Mass are important because we are sentient beings – what our senses experience affects how we think and feel. For this reason, those involved in liturgy should always strive for the Mass to be as beautiful and reverent as possible. But our hearts must always be focused on Christ, even as we try to build His Church. Jesus is the one for whom we should have zeal; “zeal for your house consumes me.” Jesus is that House. May the Lord give us grace to keep our focus on Him, both in our worship and in our service to His people.
rusted to Him will be lost. He promises that every s
You're Invited - Town Hall Meeting
We at St. Raymond have a tremendous opportunity to enhance the faith life of our Parish
through the renovation of the church basement. The floods of this past Spring, and the resulting remediation efforts, have effectively rendered the space unusable in its current form. While ideas for transforming the space have been floated in the past, our current situation makes renovation imperative.
The Facilities Committee would like to meet with interested Parish members to discuss the results of our survey (take the survey here if you haven't already) and further develop planning objectives for the space that are important to the Parish. There are two opportunities:
1) After the 10 AM mass on Sunday, November 9, in the Sister Rosemary room, Our
architect, Erin Monaghan from Ford 3 Architects, will be with us.
2) Thursday, November 13, at 7 PM in the church.
We look forward to your input and hope to see you there!
Black Catholic History Month
November is Black Catholic History Month, a time to honor the rich legacy, contributions, and spiritual resilience of Black Catholics in the Church! Throughout this month, we’ll be sharing stories, historical highlights, and insights that shine a light on the profound impact of Black Catholic faith and culture.
Many are wondering why it is taking so long for these saints to be canonized. The answer is, each one needs additional miracles attributed to them. This month, do two things to help the venerable and blessed Black Saints on their way to canonization: First, pray! Second, if you are aware of any desperate cases, ask for intercessions!
Question: What aspects of liturgical spirituality do you think Sister Thea focused on in her efforts to recognize the unique gifts of spirituality among Black Catholics? Do you see those gifts in yourself when you are at Mass?
Challenge: How can you imitate Julia Greeley this week? Choose one way you can help someone less fortunate than you.
Biblical Walk with Mary: Nov 13-Dec 18
Instead of the usual Advent Life Groups program, this year we invite you to take a Biblical walk with Mary. We will meet in person in the Sr. Rosemary Room for six weeks, beginning Thursday, November 13. Please call the Rectory office (215-549-3760) to reserve your seat.
Our Blessed Mother wants to be a part of your daily life.
Healing for the Holidays Workshop November 15
St. Raymond parishioner, Jessie Marushak, is leading a special workshop, Healing for the Holidays, on Saturday, November 15 from 10 AM–12 PM in the Sr. Rosemary Room. Refreshments and materials will be provided. Space is limited, so be sure to save your spot by November 12. Click here to register.
NEW DATE! Christmas Concert DECEMBER 21
Help Needed for Church Clean-Up Day Nov 22
We’re organizing a church clean-up day and would love your help! It’s a great opportunity to work together, care for God’s house, and enjoy some fellowship. Saturday, November 22nd from 9am-12pm. We need at least 25 people able to lift heavy objects to make quick work of the job. Please come help us: we promise snacks, good company, and lots of teamwork!
Thanksgiving Food Collection
We are, once again, collecting donations to bless families in need this Thanksgiving. Food Bags are available in the rear of the church, as well as envelopes for monetary donations. Food donations can be left in the vestibule of the Church or dropped off at the Rectory. Monetary donations can be placed in the Sunday collection basket or dropped off at the Rectory. Consider purchasing a gift card from a grocery store. Please bring your contributions on or before November 18.
If you or someone you know are in need of a Thanksgiving Food Basket, please contact the Rectory Office at 215-549-3760.
Local Food Resources
We know that so many of our brothers and sisters are in need of food as SNAP payments are on hold. Please share this list with folks in need. And if you're in a position to donate, please do.
Hurricane Relief
We are currently working with parish members to identify the needs of those affected by Hurricane Melissa. If you feel called to help, below is a list of reputable organizations where your donations will directly support those who need it most. We will continue to share additional resources and opportunities to assist as they become available.
WHYY has a page listing what items are most needed and where people can drop off items
Seminarian to Speak This Weekend
Cory Bishop, a second-year seminarian at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Ambler, PA,
will speak at all the Masses at St. Raymond this weekend, asking for help to support himself and the other 140 seminarians currently enrolled there.
He is studying for the Diocese of Allentown, where he lives, and he says, "Bernie Faia and Luke Lenhard told me what a loving and lively parish you are, so I'm excited to be with you to see your strong faith and joy for God."
Please extend to Cory Bishop the warm welcome that is so well-recognized among the people of St. Raymond.
Rest in Peace, Stanley Jones
A Memorial Mass for Stanley Jones will take place Saturday, November 8 from 11-12:30 pm. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
Anointing Mass - This Weekend - November 8 and 9
An anointing Mass will be held at the 5 pm, 8 am & 10 am Masses on Saturday & Sunday, November 8 and 9. Please join us in praying for healing for our church family members.
Men's Group Meat Raffle
The Men of St Raymond (Men’s Group) are having a Meat Raffle Fundraiser!
Tickets are $5 each, and will help to fund scholarships for two of our 8th grade students entering high school in the 2026-2027 school year. Tickets can be purchased in the rectory office or after Mass in the rear of the church. Drawing will be Sunday, November 23. Cash and Cash App accepted. $Cconquest
Proceeds to Benefit St. Raymond School
Financial Facts
Sunday, November 2, 2025
Collection & Envelopes: $11,316.39
Church Maintenance: $669.70
REST: $365.00
Stewardship: $10.00
Thanksgiving Offering: $22.00
Black & Native Mission: $10.00
Catholic Relief: $70.00
Total: $12,463.09
Increased Giving Update
Our Increased Offertory Appeal has been warmly received by our parish community. So far, 100 parishioners have increased their weekly offering, resulting in a combined weekly increase of $1,455.00. The current average increase per household is $14.55.
Many have also expressed interest in our Electronic Giving Program. The parish office will be contacting you this week. And if you haven’t yet submitted your commitment, please take a moment to complete it this week. Commitment Cards are also available in the back of the church if needed.
Special Collections
11/8-9 St. Charles Seminary Appeal
11/15-Maintenance
11/26-Thanksgiving Offering
Facetime With Jesus - December 8
Please note that FaceTime next month is December 8 (the second Monday) at 7 pm.
Join our Daily Call to Prayer
Catholic Call to Prayer. Please Call TOLL FREE 1-877-309-2073, Enter Code 319-414-445#. 6:30 am (Monday to Friday): This call lasts 5-7 minutes and can have an amazing impact at the start your day, reflecting on God’s WORD!!
Noon Call to Prayer. Same number, Monday to Friday at NOON. We will pray the Angelus, reflect on the 1st reading from Daily Mass, say intercessory prayer for those in need and beg God to draw us all nearer to Him.
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.
Fr. Bozeman's Anniversary - You're Invited!
Mother Mary Lange Lecture in Black Catholic Studies
Monday, November 10, 2025, at 4 p.m.
The fifth annual Mother Mary Lange Lecture in Black Catholic Studies will be held on Monday, November 10, at 4 p.m. in the Connelly Center’s Villanova Room on the Villanova University campus. This year's keynote speaker is Tia Noelle Pratt, PhD, who is the Special Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Mission Engagement and Strategic Initiatives for the Office for Mission and Ministry, as well as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Villanova University. She also serves as the Editor of the Journal of Catholic Social Thought at Villanova University. A sociologist of religion by training, Dr. Pratt earned her PhD in Sociology from Fordham University in 2010.
For more than twenty-five years, Dr. Pratt has researched and written about systemic racism in the U.S. Catholic Church and its impact on African-American Catholic identity. Dr. Pratt is also the curator of the #BlackCatholicsSyllabus. Her work has been featured in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion, multiple edited volumes, as well as Faithfully, Commonweal, The Revealer, National Catholic Reporter, U.S. Catholic, and America. Her recent book, Black and Catholic: Racism, Identity and Religion, was published by the University of Notre Dame Press in 2025.
The Mother Mary Lange Lecture, Villanova's signature event for Black Catholic History Month, is free and open to the public both in person and via livestream, but registration is required. Seating is limited. Please register here or visit the Mother Mary Lange Lecture homepage for more information on program details, registration and parking.
A complimentary reception will follow the meeting.
Subscribe to stay up to date with events from the Office for Mission and Ministry at Villanova University and follow us on Facebook or Instagram @novamissionandministryUnderstanding the Immigration Crisis.
Caring for Friends: "Our Supply is Low!"
Rita Ungaro-Schiavone started Aid for Friends in her home in 1974. Rita began a food program at the Archdiocese, delivering home-cooked meals to homebound people.
Fifty years and one name change later, Caring for Friends has expanded to a network of 10,000 volunteers & 200 food pantries providing food and friendship in five counties.
The parishioners at St. Raymond are generous participants in this program.
At present, supplies in our freezer are very low. If you are able, please pick up some trays this week (in the back of church or at the rectory) and prepare some home-cooked meals to fill our freezer so that needy neighbors will not go hungry.
Fall Celebration and Bonfire
What's happening?
Fall Festival and Bonfire. We will have food from our new chef, drinks, music, raffles, and more. Celebrate Fall and the harvest season with your Caring for Friends family. This free event is in appreciation and recognition of our volunteers, donors, and community partners. Without your compassion, none of the work we do would be possible. Bring a friend or family member and join us for a nice night of food and friendship.
When? Friday, November 7 between 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where? Caring for Friends12271 Townsend Rd. Philadelphia, Pa 19154
Tickets: This is a free event; however, please register and reserve your ticket at this link.
Can’t come but still want to help out?
Consider a donation of $50.00 via our website. Every bit helps! Donate
Hope to see you soon!
Caring for Friends
Cana Night is Coming!
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
See the latest news from the Archdiocese
See the November Newsletter here.
