Recently I was writing to describe details about my new appointment as Dean of the Northwest Philadelphia Deanery. My intention was to describe these details over the course of several weeks.
Recently, an unfortunate event occurred at this year’s Summer Olympic Games in Paris. The event goes to the heart of our Roman Catholic Faith. Kindly allow me to interrupt the original flow of the articles about my Deanery appointment to address this other issue. I shall return to cover further information about our Deanery in the following week.
During the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Paris, a depiction of da Vinci’s Last Supper was presented. It was more than just distasteful. It was vile and blasphemous. Bishop Roberts was one of the first prominent Catholics who immediately expressed his disgust and dismay. In the following days, the outcry from around the world grew. In response I sent letters to several people in positions of authority to express my sentiments. A copy of that letter is below. Recipients were:
Denise Campbell Bauer
United States Ambassador to France
Thomas Bach
President, International Olympic Committee
Thomas Jolly
Artistic Director, Opening Ceremonies - International Olympic Games
Michael J. Cavanaugh
President, Comcast Corporation
==========
“Dear ___________
I write about the recent opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Paris. Specifically, this concerns the bigoted and offensive depiction of da Vinci’s Last Supper.
The Last Supper captures the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus Christ. This is the most important aspect of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also sacred to people of all Christian faiths. It is not something to be mocked or parodied. One United States Bishop captured the sentiment of the Catholic faithful and good people of faith. He wrote, “The Last Supper was depicted in heinous fashion. It left us in such shock, sorrow and righteous anger that words cannot describe it." I ask you to express these sentiments to those responsible.
As reported, soon after the April 15 fire in 2019, the French Heritage Society received $2.45 million in donations. Most of this came from the US. The Catholic Archdiocese of Paris tried to raise over 5 million euros to restore the cathedral. American churches, societies, foundations, and private citizens contributed to this noble endeavor. Thousands were Catholic. I was one of them. I wish I could get my money returned.
The re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is scheduled for December 8, 2024. The day is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. It is one of the holiest feast days in the Roman Catholic calendar. There is a bitter irony in this. Paris and France appealed to the religious faith of Catholics to help restore this treasure of the faith. Now the faith of those same people is hideously mocked.
During the Opening Ceremonies, South Korean athletes were accidentally mislabeled as North Korean. The Olympic Committee quickly and vociferously apologized to South Korea. IOC President Thomas Bach spoke with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to further convey an apology over the incident.
Where is the apology to the Catholic Church and other Christian people of faith around the world?
Bigotry against Christianity remains the one prejudice that is accepted with few consequences. That is a naive belief in this case. In the Catholic Church, we will not call for, nor accept, violence against our detractors. Jesus said to, “pray for our enemies." He said that "they do not know what they do." Even so, we will not let this stand. Our voices will be heard. We are insisting on justice for the wrongs done. We will ask for respect for our faith, even from those who disagree with it.
I would be grateful for anything that you can do to address this most regrettable situation. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Father Charles Zlock
Pastor, St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church
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Good Things are Happening at St. Raymond!
Join us, on Friday, August 23, from 4 pm-7 pm for our third annual Meet and Greet BBQ for our St. Raymond Church and School families. Food, games, and music will be provided. To RSVP, please call the Rectory Office at 215-549-3760, use the signup sheets in the back of the Church, or this link.
Thank you for joining us for Hospitality Sunday!
We're always so blessed to gather together as a church family! Thanks to all who stayed after the 10am mass for some food and fellowship. Save the date for next month: August 18th!
Blessings to Bernie!
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Seminarian Bernie Faia, whose official last day with us is August 5th. However, we hope Bernie will continue to visit and worship with us as his schedule allows in the coming months. It has been a joy to get to know him and to share in his gifts. Please keep him in your prayers as he heads back to the seminary.
Bon Voyage to the Pashai Family!
The Pashai Family who fled Afghanistan to Philadelphia in 2021, and has been supported by the St. Raymond Refugee Empowerment Support Team is moving out of the city! Please pray for their safety and abundant blessings as they embark on this new chapter. We are grateful to God for all He has already provided for this family and thankful to everyone who has donated their time, talent, and treasure to support them over the years.
Benedictine Missionary to us in August
Fr. Zlock is eager to share some background information about Pontifical Mission Societies, so you will have a clear understanding of the way that the opportunity for Catholic missionaries to speak in local parishes is organized.
Speakers visit parishes throughout the world twice a year. The visits in the fall are associated with World Mission Sunday. The funds collected from that weekend are sent to Rome to be used for missionary activities worldwide.
The second visitation is in the spring or summer. Funds collected from this weekend are sent to a specific, individual mission. Because of this, parishes are encouraged to have a speaker talk to the people about his or her particular mission. This way there is more of a personal connection between the story, the person speaking, and the people of the parish.
Reverend Richard Migodela from the Benedictines will be the speaker at St. Raymond on the weekend of August 24 and 25.
Fr. Migodela comes from St. Maurus’ Hanga Abbey, a vibrant Benedictine community in Southern Tanzania. Founded in 1957, Hanga Abbey was created to allow the Tanzanian population to live in the spirit of St. Benedict. Over fifty years later, the original mission of the Abbey lives on as the Hanga community continues to grow and promote Benedictine values while remaining rooted in African culture.
Please mark your calendars; don't miss a unique opportunity to learn about, and support, this vibrant Benedictine community.
ATTENTION: ST. RAYMOND NEEDS YOU!
Matthew 9:37-38: Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Numerous needs have been communicated here and in the bulletin. Unfortunately, responses are nearly non-existent. A vibrant parish has members responding to the call for help. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Please scroll below for several opportunities. You can sign up here or complete a signup sheet on the table in the back of church (on the Williams Ave side). We want to hear from you! THE HARVEST AWAITS!
Volunteer Opportunities
Technology
We are in urgent need of support from those with basic technology skills:
Slide Operators – manage slides shown on TV screens during 5 pm, 8 am or 10 am Mass
Camera Operator – manage live streaming of 10 am Mass via YouTube
YouTube Host – Engage with parishioners during 10 am Mass
Requirements are a love for your parish, and a willingness to learn and serve. Teenagers and adults can contact Brandi at 215-549-3760.
Bethany Team
We are grateful for the folks who have expressed interest in joining the Bethany Team. But we are still in dire need of people who regularly attend Mass at 5 pm Saturday and 8 am Sunday, and might like to welcome others who come to Mass at that time. Please contact Minta at mintabrown@saintraymond.net or by phone at 610-329-7256 if you can help her fill the empty spaces on her Bethany schedule.
To volunteer for any of the above tasks, please complete this form and someone will be in touch soon! Or, call Brandi at 215-549-3760.
Part Time Employment Opportunities
We are excited to announce two fantastic part-time job opportunities at St. Raymond:
Director of Religious Education and Social Services
This role involves coordinating faith formation, religious education, social outreach, and related activities to enhance the vibrancy, religious development, and social services of the parish. View the job description: https://indeedhi.re/3RMQS2G
Finance Manager
The Finance Manager collaborates with the Pastor and Finance Council to manage the financial and temporal affairs of the parish. This role ensures compliance with the policies, procedures, and guidelines of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (AOP) and supports the stewardship of the parish’s resources. View the job description: https://indeedhi.re/3RMnlWP
To apply, please send your resume to Saunja Johnson at saunja.johnson@verizon.net and/or Minta Brown at mintabrown@saintraymond.net.
Please share these opportunities with anyone who might be interested!
We want to pray for you!
Please share your prayer requests and be assured of our prayers for you.
In Case You Didn't Notice...
We're Having a Heat Wave!
Here are some tips to stay safe this summer:
Stay hydrated:
Drink plenty of water. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks.
When you’re outside:
Avoid working, exercising, or playing outside during the hottest part of the day (usually noon to 5 pm).
Slow down. Rest in the shade or a cool place when you can.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothes.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella for shade.
At home:
Use air conditioners and fans. If you use a fan, make sure your windows are open to release trapped hot air.
Use drapes, shades, or awnings in your home. Outdoor awnings can reduce the heat that enters the home by up to 80 percent.
Take a cool shower or bath.
Visit a friend with air conditioning or spend time in a cool place like a mall, library, senior center, or cooling center. Even a few hours in air conditioning during the hottest part of the day can help your body recover.
Remember:
Never leave older people, children, or pets alone in cars.
Check on older adults who live alone.
You can always call the Heatline: 215-765-9040 for help in keeping cool.
And take a look at this site - "It's a Summer Thing" - for lots of ideas to keep your kids cool, safe and happy: #ItsASummerThing 2024! | Department of Human Services | City of Philadelphia
Our Next Bibles, Boots and Backpacks is August 10!
Join us for our next hike at Wissahickon Park. Get all the details at this link. Come alone, bring a friend, all are most welcome!
Explore Your Faith in a New Way with Formed
Did you know that you have access to an incredible resource called Formed? This wonderful faith formation tool will allow you and your family to experience our faith in a new way through e-books, audio recordings and a great variety of movies and video teachings, including a great variety of Bible Studies. Follow these instructions to sign in.
Visit www.formed.org
Enter St. Raymond Philadelphia
Follow instructions to set up your own account and be formed in Christ!
Celebrating Our Youth with Generation Grace
Do you have a child in grades 6th-8th? Please contact Brandi to get them involved in our Middle School Youth Ministry. We would love to have all our Middle School Kids involved. Brandi can be contacted at brandi@saintraymond.net or 215-549-3760.
Saturday, 8/3-Bowling
There is a new email address for communication relating to religious education: religious.ed@saintraymond.net.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Assistants Needed
"All things should be done decently and in order. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace in all the churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:40 & 33)
We are looking for 6 people to support the Children’s Liturgy of The Word (CLOW) as Classroom Assistants. Commitment is 30 minutes during Mass, one Sunday every six weeks. The CLOW Assistant helps to keep order in the room, attends to the care of the children, sets up before and cleans up afterwards. In this way the Assistant supports the Disciple/Catechist who can then fully focus on imparting the Word of God and the story of Jesus Christ to the children. The only qualification is that you enjoy spending time with the children of our Parish. If interested or would like to review the list of duties as an assistant for CLOW, please contact Peggy Evans at peggy@saintraymond.net or 267-262-6594.
Church Announcements
Feast of the Assumption
The Assumption of Mary is August 15. It is a holy day of obligation. There will be an 8 am Mass at St. Raymond. Please check schedules at nearby churches for other options.
Remembering Denise Derrick
After a long illness, our long time parishioner, Denise Derrick, passed peacefully in the night on Monday July 29. Funeral arrangements are pending. Please pray for Denise’ soul and the souls of all the faithful departed.
A Reminder about Call to Prayer
St. Raymond offers a twice-daily opportunity, Call to Prayer on weekdays at 6:30 am and at noon. Taking a little time (five to seven minutes) to turn to the Lord will remove stress and restore peace in your life.
Call toll-free 1-877-309-2073, then enter code 319-414-445#. At 6:30 am, we reflect on God's Word. During the noon call, we pray the Angelus, reflect on the first reading of the day, and have intercessory prayer for those in need.
Donate to Support St. Raymond Church
Online giving is a wonderful way to make a one-time or a recurring gift to St. Raymond. We greatly appreciate your goodness and promise to be good stewards of your gift. DONATE HERE. You can also make a gift with your phone: send a text with the message straymond to 833-363-7471. You will receive a text that will give you simple instructions to make a gift!
Or, scan the QR code to donate.
Please note that we are no longer using Cash App as a form of payment for tithes.
We will accept Venmo (@StRaymond-PenafortPhilly), PushPay, Parish Giving & Envelopes. If you would like to receive envelopes, please contact Brandi at brandi@straymond.net and she will add your name to the list of envelope recipients. If you prefer to use PushPay, text straymond to 833-363-7471 to donate.
St. Raymond's expenses continue all year 'round. Your vacation giving is so important to us!
Collection Envelopes for July 7 through September 1 have been mailed out. If you did not receive yours, please contact Brandi at 215-549-3760 or at brandi@straymond.org
Upcoming Special Collections
August 19 - Mission Appeal
September 1 - Black and Native American
To our Online Parishioners
We at St. Raymond are extremely pleased that you continue to be part of our community via livestream. Although you may be unable to attend Mass in person, please remember that we need your financial support in order to remain a vibrant parish. You may give online anytime here: https://www.saintraymond.net/give Feel free to contact the rectory for assistance at 215-549-3760.
Guidelines for Church Temperature
As we navigate through the changing seasons, the topic of our church's temperature during mass often arises. We appreciate when everyone speaks kindly—it really makes a difference.
We know it’s tricky to get the temperature right for everyone. While we can't make everyone perfectly comfortable, we're doing our best to keep things pleasant. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work together to create a welcoming atmosphere for all our Masses.
Silence Cell Phones
Please remember how distracting cell-phone noises can be during Mass. We prayerfully ask you to silence your phone when you enter church, so that no one is disturbed during this holy hour.
Lost and Found
Have you lost any personal items during Church service and never retrieved them? Please check the bin in the back of Church labeled “Lost & Found." People turn in items often to the Rectory. All items turned in are put into the bin.
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers are back, and they meet here at St. Raymond every Thursday from 4 pm to 6 pm. If you are interested or know someone who is, please contact Brandi in the Church Rectory at 215-549-3760 or email her at brandi@saintraymond.net.
Church Safety Equipment
A first aid kit as well as an automated external defibrillator (also known as an AED device), are located in the sacristy. Both are on a table to the left of the sacristy sink. This ensures that St. Raymond has sufficient means to address significant medical emergencies during liturgical events.
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, July 29, 2024
Budgetary Goal: $13,500.00
Collection & Envelopes: $3,847.00
Electronic Giving: $2,773.00
Monthly Church Maintenance: $396.00
Human Development Campaign: $25.00
Total: $7,041.00
Calling all Young Adults!
Sign up for Fr. Zlock’s Young Adult WhatsApp community for prayers, videos, reflections and events for the young adult community. Click here to join the group.
Connect with Us Online
Be part of our awesome virtual community! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get the latest scoop, see fun pictures, and hear about our exciting events.
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Community Events & Announcements
St. Athanasius Parish Women’s Club Prayer Lunch
St. Athanasius School Hall 7105 Limekiln Pike Philadelphia, PA 19138
Saturday September 28, 2024 12:00 –to- 2:00 P.M.
Mary, Our Role Model in Hard Times
Guest Speaker “Judge Lucretia Clemons”
Admission $30.00 Please see any Women’s Club Member for tickets
No tickets will be sold at the door.
Support Philly's Biggest Baby Shower
Saturday, August 24, 2024 – 10am-12pm
New and expecting mothers are invited to attend Philly's Biggest Baby Shower event sponsored by Catholic Social Services and the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia.
Free baby care items, prizes, food, informational tables and more will be available. Mothers with babies are invited to dress your cutie for the baby parade!
Location: Archdiocesan Pastoral Center Parking Lot, 222 N 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
More info:
Mothers, please register to attend here.
Want to donate gift items or volunteer at the baby shower? Click here for details
Mass to Honor St. Peter Claver, Minister to Enslaved
A New Issue of AMEN! from The Office of Black Catholics, by Stacy Williams
Catholic Women's Conference
News From the Office of Black Catholics
Check out the Newsletter for many additional exciting events.
Archdiocese of Philadelphia Updates
The August newsletter is available here.
Please sign up to find out what is happening around the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
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