Good News for September 30, 2026
In this Issue:
Church Announcements
Saint Francis of Assisi - The Good Tenant
~Gia Myers
Immaculate Conception BVM Church + Douglasville, PA
The wicked tenants in today’s parable treat what was leased to them as if it belonged to them all along. The vineyard represents many things: creation, the Church, our own lives and our gifts. But none of it belongs to us. It is all lent, and we are always only tenants.
The Lord’s warning is very clear. He calls us to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God, or it shall be taken from us, same as the tenants of the vineyard.
This Sunday is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi during his Jubilee Year (January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027). He is the tenant who got it right.
Many people think of St. Francis as simply the saint who liked animals. But after reading the saint’s biography by Danish writer Johannes Jørgensen earlier this year, I learned that St. Francis was so much more than the inspiration behind many parishes’ annual blessing of the animals.
Francis responded to this call with radical conversion, humility, and joyful obedience to the Gospel. He lived in a state of constant prayer, which became an ongoing conversation with God. Though he was the son of a wealthy merchant, he came to freely embrace poverty and shape himself into a living image of Christ.
Where the wicked tenants hoarded, Francis gave everything he could: his clothes, his comfort, his inheritance. And in return, he received the very wounds of Jesus, the Son who was thrown out of the vineyard.
St. Francis bore fruit through letting the light of Christ shine through him. On Sunday’s feast of St. Francis, at the heart of his Jubilee, the Church places this parable before us as both a warning and an invitation. How will we respond?
Last Day to Take this Short Survey to Help Fr. Zlock
Congratulations to Father Charles Zlock – who has been selected a 2026-2027 “Preaching Fellow” in the Catholic Preaching Institute! And now he needs your help!
We invite you to complete an online survey that assesses your experience of Father’s preaching as he begins the program. It should only take about 5 minutes to complete.
Please take this opportunity to help Father Zlock, who so desires to be more helpful to you as a preacher of God’s Word.
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.
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!
A Special Blessing for our Catechists
Our catechists recently received a special blessing in honor of Catechetical Sunday. Please join us in praying for these dedicated parishioners who help form our children in the faith and lead them closer to Christ.
Thank you to our catechists for answering the call to serve!
Shabay Durham
Joan Schwarz
Nia Arrington
Aimee Della Porta
Peggy Evans
Natalie Richardson
Stacey Young
Minta Brown
Youth Mass This Weekend!
Look for our young people this weekend, serving as greeters, ushers and proclaimers of the Word, and thank them for their participation at Mass.
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!
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
Join us for Trunk or Treat!
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!
Big Wins at BINGO
A big thank you to everyone who came out and joined us for Bingo! We truly appreciate everyone who helped make the event such a great time. Your support means so much to us, and we hope you had as much fun as we did! We look forward to seeing everyone at our next Bingo!
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.
Last day to Sign up for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick this Weekend
This weekend, October 4th and October 5th, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be administered at the Saturday 5 pm and Sunday, 8 am and 10 am Masses. Parishioners who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness (cancer, diabetes, arthritis, lupus, diseases of the heart, lung & kidney etc.) undergoing treatment for another disease/illness or living at a very advanced age are encouraged to receive this Sacrament. If you qualify and desire to be anointed, sign-up sheets are available on the desk in the rear of the church, or you must call the rectory at 215-549-3760 no later than today. Should you have any questions please call the Church Rectory.
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 4 & 18
Next Face Time with Jesus October 5
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.
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.
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, September 27, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $6,922.51
Church Maintenance: $356.00
Black & Indian Ministry: $150.00
Stewardship: $125.00
Total: $7,553.51
Special Collections
10/4-Stewardship
10/18-Maintenance & Repairs
Rain or Shine, Your Support Matters
No matter the weather, we humbly ask you to remember that expenses at St. Raymond remain the same. Please continue your generous contributions each week, even when the sun refuses to come out.
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.
Pray the Rosary with the Office of Black Catholics
Seeking a Facilitor for Listening Sessions
Diaconate Discernment Day October 3
Spend a day in prayer, conversation, and discernment with permanent deacons, their wives,
members of the Clergy Office, and the Diaconal Formation Team. The day will begin with Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, discernment, and formation sessions, breakout session for men and wives, breakfast, lunch, fellowship, and a final Q&A for those exploring a possible call to the Permanent Diaconate. Want to learn more? Visit https://archphila.org/deacon
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
