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Parish Transformation Mission Narrative

“If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”  (John 13: 14-15)

We the people of St. Raymond de Penafort Church are called to be a spiritual home for all.  We strive to know, love and serve others in Christ’s name.

Our church and parish school were built in tandem in 1949, and both joyful liturgy and the education of all children remain pearls of great value at St. Raymond.  Our founding pastor, Fr. O’Brien, purposefully visited each parishioner in their home, encouraged social service to local migrant workers, was assisted by two lay apostles and engaged the Sisters of Mercy as school teachers.  From our beginning, dedicated clergy and religious, vibrant ministries, inspiring music and active lay leadership have been our Catholic traditions.  We look to continue these strong traditions as a parish while affirming our vocation to follow Jesus.

Pope Francis exhorts us to pursue “the culture of encounter!” To evangelize “without being presumptuous, imposing ’our truths,’ but rather be guided by the humble yet joyful certainty of those who have been….transformed by…Christ.” (July 2013)

We aspire to be a beacon of Christ’s love, to help our St. Raymond family feel a sense of belonging where all people, their gifts and talents, are valued.  We desire to share Jesus’ message beyond our parish and to transform others by our example of Christian living.

The Church teaches that “as Christian stewards, we receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.”  (Pastoral Letter on Stewardship)

We strive to foster a culture of gratitude that inspires parishioners to share their time, talent and treasure.  We desire a greater attendance at liturgy, a deepening of faith for young and old and a revitalization of our ministerial works that we recognize as the Holy Spirit in action.

We pray for God’s grace as we pursue a challenging path: Evangelization to introduce the living Christ to others that they may find a home in us and Spiritual Stewardship to discern and share our abundant blessings in joyful service to our own community and the wider world.


Parish Transformation Update

We need YOU!  There are lots of new ways to be involved. Please call the PMC at  847-253-8600 to join in! EVANGELIZATION: St. Raymond’s had a booth at the MP Farmer’s Market last weekend and gave away 300 St. Raymond market bags and 240 St. Raymond water bottles and made a lot of new friends. We […]

 

 

Have you noticed any changes here at St. Raymond?

A large team of parishioners has completed the Parish Transformation planning process. We have generated a plan including a “mission narrative” and specific action items focused on areas of evangelization and spiritual stewardship. This planning process culminated in a successful meeting with our Vicar, Bishop Rassas, and representatives of the Archdiocesan Parish Transformation Office on […]