World at Prayer blog

Reflections of Family and Faith

"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton

Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C.

Father Wilfred J. Raymond, C.S.C. (Father Willy), a native of Old Town, Maine, is the eighth of 12 children. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in 1967 and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. He served in ministry at Stonehill College (1979-1992), Holy Cross leadership (1994-2000), National Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood (2000-2014), and President of Holy Cross Family Ministries (2014-2022). In addition to English, he is conversant in French and Spanish. He remains a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he has served as Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Celebrating family life

The Legend of Saint Valentine - Family Reflection Video

According to the legend, Roman Emperor Claudius II forbade young men from marrying. He believed marriage weakened soldiers. A certain Bishop Valentine, however, believed in the power of love and the institution of marriage. He bravely held secret marriage ceremonies in direct opposition to Claudius’ laws.

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Heaven on Earth - Family Reflection Video

Once, the great Evangelist and Preacher, Billy Graham, found himself in a strange town to speak at a revival. The day before the event he was walking about town looking for the post office. Not finding it he stopped a young boy of 12 years of age and asked him if he knew where the post office was. He said, of course, and gave Rev Graham directions.

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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.

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How Does Jesus Present Himself to You? - Family Reflection Video

Dear Friends, last summer at the NAPA Institute in California, we had a panel discussion on being Catholic in Hollywood. On the panel were two actors and a priest who served in Hollywood at Family Theater Productions. The actors were David Henrie, a committed, intelligent young Catholic who starred in the Wizards of Waverly Place, and Jonathan Roumie, who is now starring as Jesus in the ground-breaking show, “The Chosen.”

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Prayers and Miracles - Family Reflection Video

Last week when the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, defeated the Buffalo Bills in overtime, the Chiefs were on top of the world, celebrating with unbridled exuberance and joy. Some sportswriters called that the best game in NFL history. I was so excited at half-time that I called one of our priests and said "...you have to come to the TV room because I can't watch this alone!"

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The Word of God - Family Reflection Video

The seed is the word of God. The word of God is performative. This is an amazing fact about the word of God. It accomplishes what it signifies. God said, "Let there be light!" and there was light. We see and hear God's word in many ways. Today's image is a Galilee panorama taken from the Mount of Beatitudes, which is believed to be the place where Jesus gave Sermon on the Mount. God speaks directly, and through His beloved Son, and His word is creation.

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The Gentleman Saint, Francis de Sales - Family Reflection Video

Patron of writers, Journalists and the Deaf. 1567-1622. As the elder son of a noble family in the Duchy of Savoy, he was intended to succeed his father as Duke. Instead, despite initial opposition from his father, he relinquished his place as eldest son to a younger brother to devote himself to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

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