Good News for October 7, 2026
In this Issue:
Church Announcements
Receiving and Responding to God's Invitation
~Dennis Mueller
Saint Albert the Great Church + Huntingdon Valley, PA
When I hear this parable, my first instinct is to distance myself from the chief priests and elders. These were His antagonists and I don’t see myself that way. Yet, if I’m honest with myself, every time I abuse my freedom and choose sin, I oppose Christ, and reject His invitation. I turn away from the identity He gave me and the promises I made as His disciple.
Still, I know that God’s desire is always to love and to save. God loved me into existence. He created me for relationship with Him that begins now and stretches into eternity. This invitation is freely given, and it must be freely received. I can’t muscle my way into heaven, and God will never drag me there against my will. God’s love, heaven, and salvation are all gifts.
But these gifts require a response and Jesus states in this parable that my response involves two things: accepting the invitation and putting on the wedding garment. That invitation is to love and be loved and the garment is Christ himself.
In baptism, I was provided with that garment when I was clothed in Christ. St. Paul urges me to “put on the mind of Christ” and be “conformed to his image.” Christ alone saves and by cooperating with His grace, His own divine life within us, I am equipped to hold fast to the salvation He has won for me. Yet, there are moments when I set aside that garment for far less flattering attire.
I need to be reminded that God’s invitation is not a one‑time moment but is offered daily. Every morning, Christ hands me the wedding garment again and asks me to step into the life He has prepared for me, and even when I set it aside, He never withdraws the invitation or tires of calling me deeper. Heaven awaits and Christ Himself is the garment that makes me worthy to enter. My hope and prayer is that I keep choosing Him, keep returning to Him, and keep allowing His love to shape me into the person He created me to become. In the end, the only thing I truly bring to the banquet is my willingness to be loved and transformed.
Praise God for the Gift of Healing and Grace!
We give thanks to God for the gift of the Sacrament celebrated at our Anointing Mass last weekend. Through this sacred anointing, we are reminded of Christ's love and mercy.
Please join us in praying for our brothers and sisters, that they may find healing in the Lord.
Be Part of Our New Church Directory!
St. Raymond parish has not updated its Church Directory since 2019, but a new directory is on its way. Family portraits will be taken November 3 to 7. Here's what to do:
To schedule your photography appointment online, simply go to www.ucdir.com, click on Photography Session Sign Up Scheduling login on the right side. Enter the Church Code: pa1302 Enter the password: Gospel
Follow the prompts to schedule your family’s appointment time. If you have 6 or more in your family, please use two consecutive time slots. The online scheduling option is available Monday through Friday. Appointments fill up quickly, so schedule as soon as possible to secure your preferred date and time.
Blessing of Pets October 10
Blessing of Pets will occur Saturday, October 10 from 3-4 pm in the front 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.
Our Christmas Concert will be December 20
Our beloved Christmas Concert will return Sunday, December 20 at 3 pm. Save the date and spread the word!
Thank You to Our Youth for Your Dedication
Every first Sunday of the month, our youth members serve in all aspects of our 10 AM Mass. We are so grateful for their willingness to get involved, and their faith is inspirational!
Join us for Trunk or Treat October 17!
All are welcome to our annual Trunk or Treat on October 17 from 1-3 PM! We'll have a DJ this year and lots of fun for kids and adults, too! Sign up to be a trunk or a treater!
Liturgical Dance Ministry October 17
The next meeting of the Liturgical Dance Ministry has been rescheduled to October 17, from 10 am to noon in the school hall.
Ages 12-18
No Experience Necessary
10 am Mass performance dates are TBD
Practice Every Other Saturday
Next Confirmation class - October 11
following the 10 AM Mass
Welcome to our current Confirmation candidates as they begin this special journey of faith. Here is the Confirmation Class schedule:
October 11
October 25
November 8
November 22
December 6 - PARENT CAFE - NO CLASS
December 20
The Parent Café on December 6 will happen immediately following the 10 am Mass. This planning and fellowship meeting is open to past and current candidates and their parents. We will discuss upcoming trips, fellowship opportunities, and ways to continue building a strong and connected Confirmation community. We welcome everyone’s ideas, input, and participation!
A Request from the Sisters of St. Joseph
Can You Help?
The Sisters of Saint Joseph Newcomers Alliance is looking for 4 to 6 volunteers from our parish family to help prepare their property at 6127 North 5th Street by setting up second-floor bedrooms.
The commitment is for 3 hours (10-1 pm) on a single day. Since a few people have already expressed interest, we hope to coordinate a group of at least 4 volunteers to attend together.
If you are available on Friday, October 16 or Thursday, October 22, please contact Mary Bell at 215-219-5667.
Be A Blessing
Help us fill snack bags for homebound clients of Caring for Friends. Your donations will delivered along with their weekly meals.
Items Needed
Individual-size items only
100% Juice boxes
Granola Bars
Cheese/Peanut Butter Crackers
Fruit/Pudding Cups
Fruit Snacks/Raisins
Potato Chips
Pretzels
Please place all donations in the bin in the back of the church by October 10.
Church Office Closing
The parish office will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day (also known as Columbus Day).
Men's Group Meeting
The Men's Group will meet in the Sr, Rosemary Room on Tuesday, October 13 at
7 pm. All men of the parish are welcome.
Men's Meat Raffle is Back!
All proceeds from the raffle will benefit our parish school. Contact Steve Lawrence 856-430-1726, the parish office 215-549-3760, or purchase tickets from a Men’s Group member after each Mass. Drawing will be Sunday, November 22.
Next Family Faith Formation - October 18
Next Face Time with Jesus November 2
Explore the Faith - Sunday, October 18
Grow in Faith with FORMED
Have a little extra time during the day? Spend a few minutes growing in your faith with FORMED!
FORMED offers videos, talks, movies, daily reflections and other great resources to help you learn more about your Catholic faith and grow as a disciple of Jesus.
Getting started is easy:
Visit formed.org
Create your free account using our parish code: 8TjNV2
Start exploring!
You can also sign up for daily emails with short video reflections to bring a little faith into your day.
How to Receive Holy Communion
Recently, Fr. Zlock shared an important message about receiving Holy Communion. We ask all parishioners to watch this video clip, reflect on how you receive the Eucharist, and let a staff member know if you see anything out of the ordinary. We are blessed to receive the most precious Body of Christ, and we all have a role in making sure our Lord and Savior is received with reverence and respect.
Gluten-Free Hosts
Do you require a gluten-free host due to a gluten intolerance or allergy? If so, please let our pastor or a member of the parish staff know so we can ensure your needs are accommodated at Mass.
Financial Facts
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $11,495.70
Church Maintenance: $670.50
Black & Indian Ministry: $10.00
Social Ministry: $50.00
Stewardship: $25.00
REST: $75.00
Total: $12,326.20
Special Collections
10/4-Stewardship
10/18-Maintenance & Repairs
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. We ask you, please, to honor this request and double-check your phone when you enter church.
Welcome the Stranger - This Saturday!
The NSM (New Sanctuary Movement) committee at St. Vincent's is organizing a potluck meal for next Saturday October 10, 2026 from noon to 3 PM. It is an opportunity to discuss how to welcome the stranger and will include three presentations. Tree Ford will talk about the NSM Philadelphia, other members will talk about St. Vincent's NSM committee, and Dan McVay will talk about R.E.S.T (Refugee Empowerment Support Team).
Pray the Rosary with the Office of Black Catholics
Seeking a Facilitor for Listening Sessions
Northwest Catholics Cross-Parish Meeting at St. Raymond Postponed to October 11
You're Invited - St. Martin dePorres Mass
Free Men's Retreat Nov 20-22 at Malvern Retreat House
Join fellow men from St. Raymond for the Knights of the Immaculata Retreat, November 20–22 at Malvern Retreat House, featuring Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. Known worldwide as the “Dynamic Deacon,” Deacon Harold is an EWTN host, award-winning author, and internationally recognized Catholic speaker known for his powerful, no-nonsense approach to the faith, particularly male spirituality. The weekend includes conferences, Confession, Adoration, prayer, and daily Mass.
Thanks to a grant from the Martin de Porres Foundation, St. Raymond men can attend for FREE. To express interest, contact brandi@saintraymond.net or call 215-549-3760.
Events Across the Archdiocese
