Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother! The Church celebrates the birth of Mary, Mother of Jesus, today! Mary's birth is one of three birthdays on the Church Calendar: that of Mary, her Son (Christmas), and the birthday of the John the Baptist. All three births are celebrated for the same reason: they initiate the work of salvation for the human family! Be sure to speak a greeting to your heavenly mother!
Our nation remembers the tragic events of 9-11-01 this weekend. We will include remembrances at Mass this weekend. If you know someone who was especially impacted by those events, please consider inviting them to join you at 5 pm on Saturday or 8 am or 10 am on Sunday. If you did not have a chance to see the bulletin last week, PLEASE VISIT HERE.
Interested in attending? Contact richara@saintraymond.net
Join us for laughter, fellowship, and a chance to be with the Church Family. All are welcome as we sit together and share life on Saturday, September 25th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. The event is BYOE (bring your own everything - a chair, food, drink, games). God delights when His people gather in love and peace! Can you join us? Please complete THIS FORM so that we know who to expect! If you would like to help put the party together, please email mintabrown@saintraymond.net
September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. One of the great needs at this time, and often, is for blood. Would you consider being a blood donor? Please consider...
You have likely heard about the US Supreme Court decision on a Texas law about abortion. The Court will be hearing another case about abortion later this year. Each case has to do with fetal development - which we have learned a great deal about since Roe v. Wade in the early 70s. Read more...
Do you stay up on news in the Black Catholic Church? The National Black Catholic Congress website offers great articles of interest!
We STILL have a need for a kind person who loves children to serve in our After School Program Monday to Friday, 3 pm to 6 pm. They can contact the school at 215-548-1919.
The Archdiocese provides news on the local, national and international Church through its website CatholicPhilly. You can sign up to receive a weekly email from them as well. Stay informed!
We are now using our new data system called Church Community Builder. Please watch this message from Fr. Chris and use the instructions below to take the next steps in using this wonderful new system. As always, if you have questions, contact Brandi at brandi@saintraymond.net
In a recent discussion, Father Chris and the Parish Staff were having for a study course, they were challenged to reflect on the VISION and MISSION of St. Raymond. Most organizations have these simple statements that guide the WHY (vision statement) and the WHAT (mission statement) for an organization (business, church, community group, etc.). We have had a Mission Statement (on the front of this bulletin) for years. It has guided us for more than a decade. I believe it needs to be “refreshed” at this point and so does the staff. So we are proposing to you the following (this is very much a first draft and we want to gather lots of feedback from YOU and will in various ways in the weeks to come).
The proposed vision statement will motivate us to be zealous and keep us mindful of why we do what we do it: A Philadelphia that knows loves, and serves Jesus.
The proposed mission statement that will keep us focused on what we are to do (and thus, what we are to not do) is: We exist to introduce people to Jesus so they grow their faith, discover their purpose, and make a difference because, with Jesus, life is better.
What do you think? Write Fr. Chris a note. Give him a call (215-549-3760). Send him an email at pastor@saintraymond.net or wait for a survey to be emailed next week. Our neighborhood and City have many challenges. There is much work to do. God needs us to do it but before we begin let’s know where we are headed and how we want to get there!
Have you received the Sacrament of Confirmation? Something this sacrament is "missed" for various reasons. Please contact Father Chris at frchriswalsh@gmail.com so you can be prepared to receive the Sacrament with others at the Cathedral this November. This is for teens, young adults, and not-so-young adults! Come Holy Spirit!
Join us for our next Bible Study Series as we study a portion of the 150 Psalms - prayers used by our ancestors and Jesus Himself As we face all the challenges of this time, let us imitate the holy women and men of old as we are nourished by God's Word! Sessions are in-person or virtual, Wednesday evenings, September 22 to October 27. Please sign up today!
Our Church Family delights in the new life of grace poured out on Celeste Marie Alvarez who was baptized in our Chapel last Saturday. Praise God for this day and the blessings shared with her. She has been through so much and is truly a miracle - the fruit of great medicine and amazing prayers! We look forward to praying with her very soon - as soon as she is healthy enough to be with us in Church!
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