SACRAMENTS
BAPTISM
The Sacrament of Baptism is our entry into a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus commands water baptism and from the earliest days, the Church has done this, as St. Raymond of Penafort Parish does today. Our Church family welcomes all people who are interested in learning more or who would like to be baptized. Please call the Parish Office at 215-549-3760 to register or for more information.
EUCHARIST
When Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples at Passover, He gave them the gift of Himself so that He could remain with them and with those who would come after them forever. In order to receive Holy Communion, a person must be at least 7 years old, have been sufficiently prepared, have been baptized and gone to Confession. In addition, a person must believe that the Eucharist is the Body & Blood of Jesus, desire to live in charity with all other people and have fasted (eaten nothing) for one hour before Holy Communion (ideally so we are aware of our truest hunger for Jesus). Email Deacon Bill to learn more.
RECONCILIATION
Sin is ugly. Sin hurts our relationship with God. Sin hurts our relationship with ourselves. Sin hurts our relationships with others. Jesus understood this and it is why He began His ministry with the words: Repent and believe in the Good News. Jesus wants us to turn away from our sins and begin to live in a new way. One of the ways this happens is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. God gave us this Sacrament because it is the way He wanted to reach out to us, forgive us and give us the grace to start again. Prepare for confession and celebrate confession.
Click here for Examinations of Conscience.
​
Confession is available Monday 6-7 PM, Tuesday 6:30-7:30 AM, Saturday 4-4:45 PM, or by appointment by emailing Father Zlock or calling the rectory at 215-549-3760.
CONFIRMATION
The Church has continuously shared the Gift of the Holy Spirit with Christians following the Sacrament of Baptism through the Sacrament of Confirmation. This special sacrament “confirms” the graces of Baptism, completes a person's “initiation into the Church” and fills them with the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that they can the live the life of an authentic Christian as God desires.
​
The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated at St. Raymond in the Fall, every other year. Students spend two years preparing for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation through our Parish School or our Religious Education Program. Adults who were never confirmed are welcome to receive the sacrament of Confirmation as well.
MARRIAGE
The future of society passes through the family. It is God’s plan that the foundation of family life is the marriage of a man and a woman. St. Raymond Parish invites couples who feel God calling them to the Sacrament of Marriage to contact Father Zlock at 215-549-3760.
Learn more about the Church’s teaching on Marriage view of marriage.
Pray for married couples and those preparing for marriage!
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Jesus healed the sick. He used these miracles to draw people to greater faith and continues this work in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. While the priest prays for the physical healing of the person, the grace of the sacrament goes beyond to strengthen the soul and preserve the person from despair through an outpouring of hope. There is a Mass with Anointing of the Sick within the Parish Community on a Sunday during the Easter Season each year. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is available at any time for those who are seriously or chronically ill and desire God’s healing presence. Please call Father Zlock at 215-549-3760.
HOLY ORDERS
Holy Orders is a Sacrament through which the ministry of Jesus Christ, the High Priest, continues in the Church and our world. In His ministry on earth, Christ established a Church and promised to remain with the Church ALWAYS. One of the ways in which Christ has done this is through the ministry of the Bishop, Priest and Deacon. The Priest served as a co-worker of the Bishop, ministering to the people of God in a variety of settings. Since the earliest days of the Church, the Bishop has also been assisted by Deacons whose primary service is one of charity. In addition, Deacons baptize, assist at the Eucharist and preach the Good News.
If you are a man who feels God may be calling you to the priesthood, learn more.
​
If you are a man who feels God may be calling you to explore a vocation as a Deacon, click here.