On Friday the Church remembers St. Teresa of Avila, a Spanish nun who died in 1582 after a life spent trying to reform the Church. St. Teresa was a strong woman who led many efforts at reform, but especially through her own personal holiness. One of her personal prayers was this one (perhaps you can make it your own):
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
DID YOU READ THIS WEEK'S CHURCH BULLETIN?
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The Women's Conference is BACK (but in a different way). Join women of faith from across the region for a day of prayer and fellowship on Saturday, October 23rd. Women will gather for a Communion Service at 8 am in Church, followed by a Light Breakfast in our School Hall. From 9 am to Noon you will watch videoed talks and have a lively conversation with other women in our School Hall and then have lunch! At 1 pm you will board a bus (or drive on your own) to The Shrine of our Lady of Czestochowa for a Holy Hour and live talk (as well as a chance to visit a great gift shop) and then return around 5 pm. Interested? Want to learn more? Contact arleen@saintraymond.net or mintabrown@saintraymond.net to reserve your spot (WE HAVE 9 SPOTS LEFT - PLEASE CLAIM YOUR SPOT, TODAY LADIES).
Last Saturday were blessed to welcome Wazmina Pashai and her nine (yes nine) children to St. Raymond (here are three of the boys enjoying some toys)! We are so grateful to all who donated clothing (extras have been shared with others who are in need) and other supplies which have been so gratefully received by the family. They are staying with Father Chris in the Rectory until we decide the next steps. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THEY WILL BE RELOCATING TO TEXAS IN THE DAYS TO COME TO BE RECONNECTED WITH FAMILY MEMBERS (which is always a goal for refugee resettlement, especially since her husband was killed in military service). WE WILL KNOW MORE BY THE WEEKEND - PLEASE PRAY FOR WASMINA AS SHE DECIDES WHAT IS BEST FOR HER FAMILY. How can you help? (1) PRAY for Wazmina, Farhad, Parwiz, Jawid, Gulmina, Arbaz, Bilal, Rohidullah, Fariba, and Mina (the children are 3 to 17; 3 girls and 6 boys) - pray for their peace of mind and spirit and the grace to trust us as we serve them in the days ahead; (2) VOLUNTEER to be a Rectory Host over the next few weeks - basically be here to assist in ways that are needed and offer support in this time (you need to have background checks and safe environment training as you will be in contact with minors; if you want to complete this so you can help contact brandi@saintraymond.net); (3) COOK or SHOP since feeding 10 people can be quite a task and we will need help; please do not drop off items at the Rectory but email Jessie at jm1625@gmail.com and let her know you are interested in helping food the family in the weeks to come; (4) SERVE this family with your gifts - teaching them English, helping with childcare, playing with kids, helping with the needs of the house in the months ahead, driving them to appointments and more...email Dan at rest@saintraymond.net and let him know what you might be able to do; (5) DONATE - yup, we need money since it is not likely that Wazmina will be able to work as she raises these nine children on her own...use THIS LINK (and choose REST/Refugee Ministry) or mark your envelope REST with cash or a check and put it in the offering boxes this week! IN THE EVENT THE FAMILY MOVES, WE ARE CONFIDENT WE WILL BE WELCOMING ANOTHER FAMILY FROM AFGHANISTAN IN THE DAYS OR WEEKS THAT FOLLOW SO FUNDS AND SUPPLIES COLLECTED WILL BE USED TO CARE FOR THAT FAMILY AS WELL.
The Pope has begun gathering with Bishops in Rome to discuss a new way of leading the Church through "synods" (gatherings guided by the Holy Spirit to discern where God is guiding the Church). Learn more about this Synod of Bishops (which will meet throughout the next four years).
The racial divide in American society and within the Catholic Church is one that needs to be bridged so that healing and progress can take place, said retired Bishop Edward K. Braxton. Read his speech at Notre Dame this week.
The treatment of the native tribes of our nation was in the news in recent months for good reason. The Catholic Church has had a difficult history with the Native American Tribes in various places and times but has also been a beautiful experience in many places. The Knights of Columbus have created a beautiful one-hour documentary on Catholicism with the Native People. Watch the video HERE!
One of our Church's great blessings is the cloistered nuns who spend their lives in prayer - praying for us and the salvation of the world. In order for there to be these nuns, women have the enter these Convents which thanks be to God many still do in the USA and elsewhere. The "entrance ceremony" is rarely seen but captured in this video as a young woman bids farewell and goes behind the door of the cloister (in some communities, their contact with family is very limited after this so it may be the "final embrace" for her parents). May she persevere in service to the Lord!
The Archdiocese provides news on the local, national and international Church through its website CatholicPhilly. You can sign up to receive a weekly email from them as well. Stay informed!
Check out the Office of Black Catholic's most recent newsletter
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 50 YOUNG PEOPLE. SIGN UP TODAY!!!
In six weeks we will celebrate the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving at St. Raymond means a few things: (1) a chance to gather to say thank you to God from whom all blessings flow; plan to bring your family to Mass at 9 am on Thanksgiving Morning; (2) each year we are able to share our blessings in a tangible way by giving away 50-60 Thanksgiving Food Baskets with Turkeys to families; if you or someone you know would welcome the blessing of a basket or if you want to help collect and prepare the baskets please contact Arleen at arleen@saintraymond.net (3) begin to express thanks this week (why wait?) - in a particular way Father Chris invites to express thanks to someone who ministers in our parish whose life and goodness have been a blessing to you and your family. There is currently a campaign to say thank you to a priest (and Father Chris is grateful for the notes and emails he has received). At St. Raymond, there are so many who make our parish the place it is and all the others deserve to hear from you and your thanks as well. Can you take a moment to send an email to someone whose ministry you especially appreciate? Deacon Bill (deacon@saintraymond.net), Richara Krajewski (richara@saintraymond.net), Arleen Daniels (arleen@saintraymond.net), Araminta Brown (mintabrown@saintraymond.net), Brandi Rose (brandi@saintraymond.net), Kenny Arrington (tua20523@temple.edu), and Father Chris (frchriswalsh@gmail.com). “No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” - St. Ambrose
We will celebrate All Saints Day on Monday, November 1st with Mass at 8 am and 10 am (with our school community). Please plan to join us for Mass this day (which is not just a Holy Day of Obligation...but a Day of Opportunity). YOU ARE CALLED TO BE A SAINT! The weekend of Nov. 6th & 7th we will celebrate our Annual Memorial Mass as we remember those of our parish who have died in the past year at 5 pm. 8 am and 10 am Masses. Why do Catholics pray for the dead? In addition, at 5 pm we will welcome the Bishop McDevitt Alumni Community for their Annual Memorial Mass and at the 10 am Mass we welcome the graduates of St. Raymond School for their Annual Homecoming Mass. Please spread the word and invite others!
Have you received the Sacrament of Confirmation? Something this sacrament is "missed" for various reasons. Please contact Father Chris at frchriswalsh@gmail.com so you can be prepared to receive the Sacrament with others at the Cathedral this November. This is for teens, young adults, and not-so-young adults! Come Holy Spirit!
THE STUDY CONTINUES!!! Join us for Bible Study Series as we study a portion of the 150 Psalms - prayers used by our ancestors and Jesus Himself As we face all the challenges of this time, let us imitate the holy women and men of old as we are nourished by God's Word! Sessions are in-person or virtual, Wednesday evenings (Teaching from 7 pm to 8 pm and Discussion from 8 pm to 8;30 pm) until October 27. Please sign up today! LEARN HOW TO JOIN HERE
We have a new APP for our parish. Please search for St. Raymond where you get your apps. Or you can text 'straymondapp' to (833) 363-7471, for a quick way to download the app. There are many wonderful features that will be a blessing for you as you experience our Digital Campus.
Faith without works is dead! You do not want a faith that is dead, do you? Have you thought about how you might serve others? The goal is two hours a week but you can start with two hours a month! Here are some possibilities:
Looking for an easier way to make the offering of your tithe? Our parish is using PushPay which is integrated with our data system and saves the Parish Staff a great deal of time processing donations. Please text straymond to 833-363-7471 to use PushPay. Questions? Contact brandi@saintraymond.net
