Good News for October 8, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Oct 8
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 3
In this Issue:
Would I Have Thanked Him? The Entitlement of Comfortable Faith
~Jennifer Dusza
Saint Mary Church + Schwenksville, PA.
Clearly entitlement isn’t a 21st Century problem. It’s funny how I think the people who lived and walked with Jesus Christ in A.D. 30 must have had it so much easier trusting and following Him than we do now. Surely, if God talked to me and physically healed me and blessed me abundantly, I’d fall at His feet and my life would forever be changed, right?
The scripture paints a different picture. God led the Israelites in the desert by the pillar of cloud during the day and fire at night and He fed them manna and quail for 40 years and they complained. In the New Testament, He physically healed 10 lepers- people who were completely ostracized from the community. Jesus restored not only their health, but their social standing, their ability to live in town, to eat with their families, to have jobs and make a livelihood. And yet only ONE came to thank Him? How could they be so blind?
Pridefully, I read the Bible and think, “Wow! I would never do that!” That is as I sit in my warm house, paid for with the money I earn from my job that I can get to with the car in the driveway, sipping a warm cup of coffee with a full belly from breakfast, while listening to my kids play with their toys in the other room and my healthy, loving husband watching TV.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that we’ve learned nothing through the centuries. I have a handy little guide book called the Bible, and yet I make the same mistakes that my predecessors have made. Lord, please forgive me for my slowness. Please forgive me for my pride. Please forgive me for not coming back to thank you again, and again, and again.
And so today, I choose to come back. I choose to be the one who says, “Thank You.” Thank You, Lord, for breath in my lungs, for the people I love, and for Your patience with me. Help me to live a life marked not by entitlement—but by gratitude.
Don't wait! Sign up for Trunk or Treat by October 16!
Our Second Annual Trunk or Treat is back! Get all the details and sign up here.
Children's Choir Returns October 25
We’re excited to share that our Children’s Choir will return to sing at the 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday, October 25. If your child is interested please bring them to Mass at 4:15 pm. Call the Church Rectory if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting our young parish musicians!
Fr. Zlock Will Lead 40 Hours Devotion at St. Luke the Evangelist October 19, 20, 21
Fr. Zlock will lead a 40 Hours Devotion at St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 2316 Fairhill Ave, Glenside, PA 19038, over three evenings centered on the theme of forgiveness and healing. The devotion will include prayer services on October 19 and 20 at 7:00 p.m., with Jessie Marushak joining Fr. Zlock on October 20 to share a reflection on forgiveness. The celebration will conclude with a Closing Mass on October 21 at 7:00 p.m. All St. Raymond parishioners, family and friends are welcome.
Starting in November: A Biblical Walk with Mary
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.
Save the Date for our Christmas Concert!
Altar Server Training
Do you feel called to serve at the altar? We are looking for new altar servers! Training will be on Saturday, October 25 at 10 am in the Church. If you’ve already made your First Communion, you are welcome to join us! Current servers are encouraged to come for a refresher. Parents, this is a wonderful way for your children to grow in faith and service.
New Dates for Anointing Mass - November 8 and 9
An anointing Mass will be held at the 5pm, 8am & 10 am Masses on Saturday & Sunday, November 8 and 9. Please note the new dates. Parishioners who are facing surgery, or have chronic illnesses or other serious health issues are encouraged to register by contacting Brandi at brandi@saintraymond.net, calling the Rectory or signing up in the back of Church.
New Program for First Penance & Communion
St. Raymond is launching a new sacrament preparation program! We recently selected a new curriculum from Ascension Press called Renew and Receive.
As we prepare, we need to know how many families wish to have their child(ren) receive First Penance/Communion this year. If you have a child whom you want to receive First Penance/Communion this year, please email sgandy@saintraymond.net as soon as possible.
We also need adults who are willing to help prepare our young people to receive the sacraments. We are not looking for catechists or professional teachers. We're looking for people of faith, who wish to share that and have a heart for young people] While there are challenges in not having a dedicated catechist or Director of Religious Education on staff, we believe there is also a real opportunity here. There is great richness and depth within our parish, and we must be the village that raises our children in the faith.
If you are interested in helping prepare our young people to receive their sacraments - or if you know of someone else who might be interested - please email sgandy@saintraymond.net.
Please note: the safety and protection of young people is an integral part of this ministry. If you are feeling a call to join in this exciting and fruitful ministry, it is critical that you are aware of - and in compliance with - policies, procedures and laws concerning child protection. Please contact Brandi Whitehead (brandi@saintraymond.net), Shelley Gandy (sgandy@saintraymond.net) or call them at 215-549-3760 if you have questions.
Do you enjoy plants? Are you looking for a way to serve at church? Volunteers are
urgently needed to help water the plants in front of the rectory, church and chapel. This is a wonderful way to maintain the beauty of the Church, and your help is greatly needed.
Please contact Brandi at 215-549-3760 or at brandi@saintraymond.net or tell Jenny, Olive, or Alicia if you see them at Mass.
Share Christ’s Hospitality!
Join the Bethany Ministry at St. Raymond Parish
Be the Welcoming Face of Our Church Community
Are you looking for a meaningful way to serve at St. Raymond Parish? Our Bethany Team plays a vital role every weekend—they are the first smiling faces guests and members see as they enter our church!
Team members welcome and greet everyone with warmth and kindness, provide directions where needed, guide communion lines, and embody a spirit of hospitality reminiscent of Mary and Martha’s gracious welcome to Jesus in Bethany.
Qualifications
A love for Christ and His Church
A special devotion to St. Raymond Parish
A heart for service and a welcoming attitude
Your Next Step
If you feel called to share Christ’s love through hospitality, please contact Minta (215-549-3760, ext.3) to get started and become a part of this important mission!
Let’s make St. Raymond Parish a place where everyone feels at home—from the moment they walk through our doors.
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.
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.
Be Part of What God Is Doing at St. Raymond
This weekend is Commitment Weekend — the high point of St. Raymond's Increased Offertory Appeal.
Over the past two weeks, we’ve shared the reasons for this appeal and our hope to increase our ordinary income so that we can be more intentional with our ministries, our campus upkeep and improvements, and our community outreach.
During Mass this weekend, you will receive pencils and a special envelope containing a commitment card and suggested guidelines for giving. We are asking each household to prayerfully consider a small, sacrificial increase in their weekly giving.
On the card, you’ll also find the option to request offertory envelopes or to receive information about our electronic giving program. You may also contact the parish office directly to request this information. Your response — even a modest one — makes a real difference. If every family responds, we will succeed together.
We are deeply grateful for the positive response we’ve already received. We are confident that our faith-filled community will respond generously to this appeal and help secure the future of St. Raymond Parish for generations to come.
We thank those parishioners who, recognizing God’s gifts to them, make their response in our weekly collection. Let us continue to pray for the success of this effort — and for one another — as we work together to strengthen our parish mission.
Financial Facts
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Collection & Envelopes: $11,537.80
Monthly Church Maintenance: $534.70
REST: 300.00
Stewardship: $33.00
Black & Native Missions: $50.00
Total: $12,455.50
Special Collections
10/18 - Maintenance
Pew Envelopes
In order to help us in our financial record-keeping, please use envelopes in the pews instead of loose cash. (Add your name, of course.)
Notable Dates
This Sunday, October 12, is the birth date of Fr. Richard Kearney, founder and rector of St. Raymond of Penafort parish. He was born in 1896 and died on December 20, 1964. His gravesite is on the grounds of the church.
Monday, October 13 is Indigenous People's Day. Please remember our Native Americans in prayer.
St. Martin de Porres Mini-conference is Free!
To register, go to Office for Black Catholics – Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Immigrant Law Enforcement Guidelines
Here are the Archdiocesan recommendations on handling the arrival of law enforcement-including Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)- on parish grounds in the context of an immigration matter.
STEP 1 - Underlying premise: always greet law enforcement in a calm, respectful manner.
STEP 2 - The Pastor (with Principal, if involving a parish school) shall be the person who interacts with law enforcement agent. Should the Pastor be unavailable and unreachable (if celebrating Mass, for example) he should train others in advance with the procedures.
STEP 3 - A good initial response to the agent is as follows: “We are happy to cooperate; however, I need to contact counsel at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to be able to respond properly to your request.” Ask for whatever paperwork the law enforcement agent may have, the purpose of the visit and how you can help them. If they are there to address a law enforcement matter, kindly ask for their credentials. Write down details of the encounter such as names, badge numbers, documents and their activity. Quickly get in contact with the Office of General Counsel.
STEP 4 - If law enforcement arrives in such a way that would disrupt Mass, remind them they are interrupting a sacred celebration and that they are on sacred property.
STEP 5 - If a law enforcement officer takes action, DO NOT interfere with the law enforcement officer.
Immaculee Ilibagiza Program
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Prayer for Life
Join Us in Prayer for Life!
On Thursday 10/16/2025, from 8 AM to 3 PM, come pray outside downtown Philly abortion centers 777 Appletree for 1-2 hour shifts. Be a bold witness for life, standing in peaceful prayer to support the unborn. For training and to be paired with a prayer partner, contact Pat Stanton at (267) 718-4851 or Monique Ruberu at (469) 231-9084. Your presence can make a difference! Learn more here.
Introductory Training in Missionary Discipleship
