Good News for September 10, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Sep 10
- 8 min read
In this Issue:
Gazing Upon the Crucified Cross
~ Jeanette Williams
Our Lady of Sacred Heart+ Hilltown Twp, PA
Sometimes I think for us Catholics the image of the crucifix can become too familiar. We wear crucifixes around our necks and hang them on our walls, but they are a far cry from the reality of the horror of a crucifixion. Still, a sanitized-looking crucifix is better than a bare cross without a corpus.
I once had someone accuse me of “keeping Christ on the cross.” He is risen, I was smugly informed, and the cross is empty. But really, what does an empty cross represent but a torture stick? Only Christ on the cross represents salvation and forgiveness of sins. Only Christ on the cross speaks of infinite love.
I think that’s why Jesus compared His upcoming crucifixion to the odd story of the bronze serpent. Jesus’ comparison challenges me to look deeper at this strange event. The seraph serpents were a punishment upon Israel in the wilderness. The Israelites’ venomous thoughts toward God, who had done so much good for them, led to venom eating away at their lives through the snakebites. Sin does this. It turns back around and bites us, poisons our lives, and eats away at our souls.
Through the bronze serpent on the pole, the sign of their sin was publicly displayed before them, and they were forced to recognize their sin by gazing upon the serpent to be healed.
The depiction of Jesus on the cross exposes our sin, as well. Jesus took all the venom of our sin upon Himself to take away the condemnation we so justly deserve so that we might be saved. Our crucifixes don’t show even a fraction of the suffering our Lord endured.
When I behold the crucifix and reflect on the anguish Jesus endured—caused by my own sins—I begin to grasp the gravity of even the smallest transgression and the boundless love of the Father, who gave His only Begotten Son to redeem me. By meditating on the crucifix, I begin to be moved to love Him in return.
People in the Pews
Gayle Perry-Johnson, M.Ed
Vice Principal, St. Raymond Independence Mission School
by Bonnie Dalzell
Gayle Perry-Johnson – known to her students as “Ms. PJ” – has just begun her second year in administration at St. Raymond Independence Mission School, and she is loving every minute of it. In fact, she has loved learning all her life.
Back in high school, she says she “put Abington on the map” when it came to her Science Fair projects. That led to a major in environmental science at Bowdoin College where, shivering in the Maine winters, she switched to History/Education.
“My Mom (Marsha Perry, who sits in a pew the back left corner at the 10 am Mass at St. Raymond) gave me a love of museums,” PJ said, fondly recalling her city year in Philly with AmeriCorps where she focused her learning on museum education before accepting a position in New Orleans, LA. There, she taught first grade for six years. Although she loved the warmth and friendliness of NOLA (“It’s such a Catholic city!”), she returned to Philly in 2018 to earn her Master’s in Education at Temple.
She’s not finished learning; maybe she never will be. Even with an engagement ring on her finger, PJ recently has begun working toward her doctorate in Educational Leadership at St. Joseph’s.
Still, it’s what makes St. Raymond IMS unique that she wants to talk about.
“What sets us apart from other Catholic diocesan schools is our mission,” she declared. “Here at St. Raymond School, only about 2% of our student body is Catholic. We welcome all faiths, and everyone qualifies for financial aid. Our academics are transformative and innovative. We make space for our Muslim students during their holy times, and this year we’re making a big push with ELA – English Language Arts. Our school is big on giving kids who may have gone astray a second chance. But they have to prove themselves.”
Many of the students walk to school; a special neighborhood feeling prevails. And many of the faculty are from the area. “Some, like Melissa Scutt, even went to school here,” PJ noted. “We have a reputation for being a safe place. We’re a faith-driven community. And when you’re located next door to a church – well, you just naturally become a little better-behaved.”
One of the goals of IMS schools is for 90% of 8th grade students to go on to Catholic high schools. “The 14 mission schools in Philly network averaged 81% at the end of last year. We achieved 85%,” she noted proudly.
Aside from the Advisory Council effort to blend church and school, the hope for this year is to restart the student-led St. Raymond Alumni Mass. Another is to expand the after-school program known as Beyond the Bell. This year, ESF (education, sports and fun) will be enhanced by dance and cooking classes, book club, soccer clinic, board games, snacks and homework help. Parents pay a small trimester cost for this educational enrichment and know that their children will be happy and safe until they return home.
“One of our mantras is Believe, Belong, Become,” said PJ, adding that the faculty carries out each IEP (Individualized Education Plan) using yet another acronym: WIN – What I Need. There’s no stigma attached to being in the WIN Block – even gifted students enjoy the opportunity to actualize their unique potentials with WIN.
And then, like a proud Mama showing off pictures of her kids, PJ whipped out her phone and opened it to the St. Raymond School Instagram page she curates. “Tell your readers to check us out,” she said. Here’s the handle: @st.raymondphila
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.
New Program for First Penance & Communion Starts This Fall
We're excited to announce that beginning this fall, 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.
Special Catechetical Blessing
On Sunday, September 14 at the 10 am Mass, all catechists and disciples of children will be invited to come forward to receive a special blessing as they begin their ministry of forming young hearts in faith.
Anointing Mass - October 12
An anointing Mass will be held at the 5pm, 8am & 10 am Masses on Saturday & Sunday, October 11 & 12. 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.
Save the Date for Trunk or Treat!
Our Second Annual Trunk or Treat is back! Get all the details and sign up here.
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 homecooked 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 homecooked meals to fill our freezer so that needy neighbors will not go hungry.
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.
Financial Facts
We thank those parishioners who, recognizing God’s gifts to them, make their response in our weekly collection. Your continued support is vital, necessary, and deeply appreciated.
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00
Collection & Envelopes: $9,596.80
Monthly Church Maintenance: $338.70
REST: $50.00
Black & Indian: $157.00
Mission Appeal: $20.00
Campaign for Human Development: $15.00
Social Ministry: $100.00
Total: $10,277.50
Special Collections
9/7-Black and Native Missions
9/21-Maintenace
Festival of the Word
Noah Bus Trip with Holy Cross Parish
Are You Being Called to the Deaconate?
Free Tickets for AbbeyFest
St. Raymond has free tickets for anyone who wants to attend AbbeyFest. Email Brandi at brandi@saintraymond.net to claim yours.
Rachel's Vineyard Retreat
Educating in Christ with Dr. Gerard O’Shea and Sr. Mary Michael Fox, O.P.
This webinar may interest anyone who is helping children in their faith formation at home, in the parish, in a Catholic School, or as a parishioner who wants to support that good work. The follow up questions and online foundational workshops might also be a help, while for some people those foundational workshops might lead to a commitment to learning how to put the method into practice as a teacher in a Catholic Parish School or IMS.
Anyone who would like to talk more about this can contact Betsy Puntel by emailing her at jmjbetsy@gmail.com
Catholic Women's Conference
This event sells out each year, so sign up soon!
The 10th annual Catholic Women's Conference will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Through the generosity of the Martin de Porres Foundation, the registration fee will be covered. Bus transportation to/from St Raymond will also be available. Anyone interested should contact mintabrown@saintraymond.net.
Introductory Training in Missionary Discipleship
Ecumenical Service for the Jubilee Year Commemoration of the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea
The battle was raging. The Arian heresy had gripped large swaths of the Church, leading many to deny the divinity of Christ. But at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, the Holy Spirit, working through the Council Fathers, definitively affirmed the Church’s inerrant faith in Jesus Christ, Second Person of the Trinity, consubstantial with the Father.
Seventeen hundred years later, Christians from across the region are invited to gather as we offer our gratitude to God for His self-revelation in Jesus Christ and for the Council of Nicaea that affirmed and protected the essential truth that Jesus is God. The celebration includes:
Proclamation of the Word of God
Reflections offered by ecumenical leaders
Litany of Thanksgiving with citations from the Council of Nicaea
Sung Nicene Creed in English, Latin and Greek
Sisters of Saint Joseph Pilgrimage of Hope
