On Monday, September 5th, we celebrated the feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta. One of the great things that I loved about her was her commitment to prayer, even though it was very dry for her.
She experienced the dark night of the soul. In a 2007 article in Time magazine, the following was said:
”In a letter to a spiritual confidant, the Rev. Michael van der Peet, that is only now being made public, she wrote with weary familiarity of a different Christ, an absent one. “Jesus has a very special love for you,” she assured Van der Peet. “[But] as for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great, that I look and do not see,–Listen and do not hear–the tongue moves [in prayer] but does not speak … I want you to pray for me–that I let Him have [a] free hand.”
We are reminded that when we pray, let the Word of God and the sacraments speak to your heart. We have many different tools at our disposal for prayer (scripture, rosary, liturgy of the hours, etc.), and the slow hand of God will touch your hearts in due time. Know that you are not alone if prayer is dry at times. We are on this journey together with Jesus and the saints. St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.
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 One - An Intimate Dialogue will be covered this week. Handouts will be available here and on Saintraymond.net
Last Call, The September 10th deadline is rapidly approaching. Save your seat!
Racial Justice and the Catholic Church Lecture Series
The story of Mother Mary Lange
Villanova is to coordinate the Mother Mary Lange Lecture in Black Catholic Studies. This event is Villanova’s marquee event for Black Catholic History Month. This year’s Mother Mary Lange Lecture will be held on Thursday, November 3 at 7 pm in Villanova’s Mullen Center for the Performing Arts. Fr. Bryan Massingale, a theology professor from Fordham University, and the author of Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, will be this year’s featured speaker. Villanova will provide transportation to and from the event if there are at least 20 people interested in attending. Sept 10th is the deadline to save your spot on the bus. Use the sign-up sheets in the rear of the church or call 215-549-3760 to sign up.
For Our Youngest Disciples Ages 5 and up Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Will be Returning 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.
Religious Education Program for Catholic (PREP) children attending public school, ages 5 - 12, resumes on Sunday, September 18th. Please contact Arleen Daniels at 215-549-3760, or sign up via the clipboard on the table in the back of the church.
Event: Are You Being Called? Permanent Diaconate Information Night Session - Thursday, September 22, 2022 - 7:00 PM
There is an information session for men who may feel called to serve the Church as a Deacon. Our parish would be blessed by additional men stepping into this essential role of service. Could it be YOU or someone YOU know? Please share the information. Catholic men (and wives if married) between the ages of 29 and 55 are invited to join an in-person panel of clergy about discerning a vocation to the Permanent Diaconate and admittance to the School for Diaconal Formation program.
Location: Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Vianney Auditorium, 100 East Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096
More info: Want to learn more visit https://archphila.org/deacon or the School of Diaconal Formation website https://www.scs.edu/diaconal-formation
Have you seen the new Prayer Wall? It is also in the back of the church and ready for you to leave post-it notes for prayer intentions.
As we are told in 1Chronicles 16 11: Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always!
St Athanasius is looking for a 4th Grade teacher. If you are interested, please call the rectory at (215) 548-2700 and speak to Todd or Fr Okonski.
https://catholicphilly.com/2022/08/news/local-news/book-club-finds-heaven-by-journeying-through-middle-earth/
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