As we honor the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th and bless our animals on Sunday, October 9th, from 12:30 to 1 PM, I would like to share with you a reflection on St. Francis from catholicgentlemen.com.
1. St. Francis was tough – The modern conception of St. Francis is sentimental and sappy. He was far tougher than the majority of us will ever be. Here are some of the things he endured in his lifetime:
He experienced frequent and debilitating sickness, He suffered from poor eyesight, and the doctors of his day decided that burning his eyes with red hot irons would solve the problem, so they cauterized his eyes; He would often fast for 40 days at a time in imitation of Christ; He would throw himself in the snow to fight temptation to impurity; He endured freezing conditions in the winter without adequate clothing. The list goes on.
In other words, St. Francis knew how to suffer, and he embraced it in imitation of Christ Our Lord. St. Francis reminds us that there is no sanctity without suffering. When we are faced with trials and painful experiences, we should embrace them joyfully as St. Francis did, uniting them to the sufferings of Christ.
2. St. Francis was compassionate - St. Francis felt compassion for everyone, from lepers to birds. He simply recognized that our Father in heaven loves everything he has made, and it only makes sense that we should too. If we have no compassion, it is a sign that we do not truly possess the love of Christ.
3. St. Francis found freedom in poverty – In America, the prevailing philosophy among men is, “Whoever dies with the most toys wins.” Having a garage full of expensive toys doesn’t bring happiness. True happiness is found in God alone. St. Francis knew that, and he embraced radical poverty to prove it.
While most of us can’t renounce all possessions as St. Francis did (it would be foolish for us to do so in most cases), we can still live in such a way that we are not obsessed with material things. St. Francis shows that the key to freedom from materialism is gratitude and praise.
Fr. Jeff
It is not too late to join us at 7 pm Wednesdays (through 10/12) as we open wide our hearts and minds to a series on prayer and how to pray with scripture. We will use the Lectio: Prayer series in FORMED (Lectio is pronounced Lex-E-Oh). Lectio Divina is a means to hear from God and then respond in conversation utilizing four separate steps: read; meditate; pray; contemplate. Meetings will be in the Church Basement.
If you are unable to attend in person, the video series (Lectio Prayer by Tim Gray) is available online at Formed.org. Episode Five - “Contemplatio: The Gaze of Love,” will be covered this week. Handouts are copied below and can also be found on Saintraymond.net
In the event of severe snow, the 8:00 am Weekly Daily Mass Schedule will be based on the Philadelphia Public and Parochial School Schedule. If St Raymond School is closed or delayed, there will be no 8:00 am Daily Mass that day, thus giving time to get the lot cleared safely. Please follow news coverage for closures and delays.
(This relates to 8 am Daily Mass ONLY! It is not applicable to the weekend Mass)
For Our Youngest Disciples Ages 5 and up Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Has Returned on 10/2/2022 during the 10:00 am Mass. Children will have the opportunity to Celebrate a part of the Mass that speaks to them in a more meaningful way.
Please join Sean Bradley
for an exciting and informative Nature Walk on Saturday, October 15, 2022,
to the Andorra Natural Area in Wissahickon Valley Park.
We will enjoy the sights and sounds of the Wissahickon Valley Park. We will meet in the St Raymond Church parking lot at 9:00 am and proceed to the parking Lot 1, which is on Northwestern Avenue off of Ridge Pike. The group will first hike a small section of the Red Forest Loop onto the Meadow Loop. (see map)We will then hike the Meadow Loop back to the Red Forest Loop and take the Red Forest Loop back to Parking Lot 1. The walk will last approximately 2 hours. Sign-up sheets will be available in the Church this weekend. For more information, contact Sean Bradley at bradleys9@lasalle.edu
Grown Folks Festival rescheduled to Saturday, 10/8
You're invited to a Halloween Party for kids 12 and under!!
Please join us Saturday, October 29, from 2 pm-4 pm for Fun, games, Snacks, and a Costume Parade!!!! The party will take place in St Raymond School Hall. Please register via this SignUp Genius link - https://saintraymond.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/19/responses/new or call the office at 215-549-3760. PLEASE LET US PROMPTLY KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING. YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE. Donations of Halloween treats/candy are also requested. Please pick all children up no later than 4 pm
National Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 in the United States began on
Thursday, September 15, and ends on Saturday, October 15
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, with the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.
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Legal Resources Guide prepared by the Law Library of Congress.
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CALLING ALL ST RAYMOND SCHOOL ALUMNI!
2022 REUNION MASS - 10 AM SUNDAY, 10/30 REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AFTERWARD IN THE SCHOOL HALL
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
On the weekend of Nov. 12th and 13th, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be administered at the Saturday 5:00 pm and Sunday at 8:00 am and 10:00 am Masses. Parishioners are invited to be anointed who meet the following criteria: a chronic illness (cancer, diabetes, arthritis, lupus, diseases of the heart, lung & kidney, etc.), undergoing treatment for a disease/illness, or living at a very advanced age. If you qualify and desire to receive this Sacrament, signup sheets are available on the desk in the rear of the church, or you must call the rectory no later than Nov. 7th. No names will be accepted after this date. Should you have any questions, please call Fr. Jeff or Arleen Daniels at 215-549-3760.
The church recently underwent a $1.6 million revitalization necessitated by a leaking roof. In addition to art and architecture restoration, we're excited to present four new murals of prominent and diverse Catholic figures, four culturally significant depictions of Mary on the nave ceiling, and unveil new Stations of the Cross by local artist Cavin Jones. The celebration will include a blessing of the church, tours of the revitalized parish interior, and light refreshments. All community members are encouraged to visit. Please feel free to bring along anyone you think would be interested. We look forward to welcoming you!
Sincerely,
St. Vincent De Paul Parish
We have two Special days to celebrate this week
10/04/22 Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi - St. Francis (1182-1226) was born and died in Assisi. He was the son of a rich merchant, Bernardone, received a good education, and in the beginning, followed the ways of the world. He was taken prisoner in the battle between the Assisians and Perugians, and after his release decided to abandon everything for Christ. His father became extremely displeased at his action and disinherited him. In 1220 he founded a new order which in ten years numbered five thousand brothers. His followers were called Friars Minor because they were to consider themselves as the least among religious. Out of humility Francis never accepted the priesthood but remained a deacon all his life. He had a great love for God's creatures and called them his brothers and sisters. His ardent love of God merited for him the name of Seraphic. This feast is celebrated today in both the current and the previous (1962) liturgical calendars.
10/7/22 Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary - The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary was instituted to honor Mary for the Christian victory over the Turks at Lepanto on October 7, 1571. Pope St. Pius V and all Christians had prayed the Rosary for victory. The Rosary, or the Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is one of the best prayers to Mary, the Mother of God. Pope Benedict XVI invites all families to pray the Rosary for the intentions of the Pope, the mission of the Church, and peace. "It is as if every year Our Lady invited us to rediscover the beauty of this prayer, so simple and profound." The Rosary, a "contemplative and Christocentric prayer, inseparable from the meditation of Sacred Scripture," is "the prayer of the Christian who advances in the pilgrimage of faith, in the following of Jesus, preceded by Mary," said the Pontiff.
This September represents the 17th annual 40 Days For Life Campaign. On Friday, October 28th, we will pray at Planned Parenthood from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We ask that you donate one hour of your time for prayer. That is it. Please contact Toni Reaves at 215-549-3760. Please stand up for those who have no voice, and we will continue to assist moms who choose life.
Blessing of Pets - Sunday, 10/9, 12:30 pm-1:00 pm on the front steps of the Church
The Blessing of the Animals is a beautiful annual ceremony celebrating the human-animal bond, originating from a Roman Catholic tradition as part of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
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Calling All Youth...
You Are
Altar Server (AS) Slides (CS) Live Stream (LS) Lectors (L) Musical/play (MP) Liturgical Dance (PD) Youth Choir (C)
We are looking for all of the youth to serve as; Altar servers, Youth choir, Liturgical dancers, Lectors, Church slides, and Live Stream operators. All Youth and Young adults. Call Ms. Toni, or sign-up after church.
...and Serve