St. Raymond Roman Catholic Church 1759 Castle Hill Avenue, The Bronx, NY 10462

"This is the worst parish I have ever been to, they are not looking for sinners but for saints to get the sacrament. They are greedy, they only think about money. I need two sacraments, but because I am married under civilian law, they are demanding my spouse to participate in an authoritarian way to be there, my spouse has the right to deny it, my spouse is not property to demand it, they want me to be there for 20 years, they do not recognize my marriage so they prefer myself get a divorce rather to allow the enter of one of God's children enter to his kingdom because according to the catholic church, there is no salvation without the sacraments and be member of the church, violation what the bible says. At 16 I was born again as a Christian WITH the HOLY SPIRIT and now I want to formalize my belief with an institution with brother and sisters who believe the same. This CANNOT BE THE CHURCH OF JESUS CRIST WHEN YOU EXCLUDE A PERSON, FROM BEING PART OF THE CATHOLIC CHUCH, THERE IS A NUN IN THERE SINCE THE FIRST DAY I ASKED FOR THE PROCCES WAS VERY JUDGY, THESE PEOPLE ARE JUST RELIGIOUS PEOPLE BUT THEY HAVE NO LOVE, THEY HAVE INSTITUTIONALIZED THE CHRISTIANITY, THERE IS NO SPACE FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, IF YOU HAVE A CIVILIAN MARRIED WITHA WOMAN AND SHE DOES NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE ON THE PROCEES YOU HAVE NO SPACE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, IF YOU ARE GAY YOU HAVE NO SPACE, IF YOU ARE A DIVORCE PERSON YOU HAVE NO PLACE. THIS IS JUST A GIANAT CULT NO DIFFRENT FROM THOSE SECTS WHO WANT TO CONTROL THE PEOLES LIFE. THE POPE LIED TO THE PEOPLE, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH EXCLUDE THE PEOPLE. A CORRUPT ORGANIZATION THAT FORGOT THE REASON OF THE GOSPEL, THE BIBLE AND JESUS CHRIST MESSAGE, Jesus says, "It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick" in Luke 5:31-32, Matthew 9:12-13, and Mark 2:17. Jesus also says, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" in Luke 5:31-32 and Mark 2:17. Some interpret this statement to mean that Jesus is inviting sinners to repent, outcasts, or people who recognize their need to repent. The catholic church violates the word of God, which can and will face judgment from God, keeping the need to be part of the Body of Christ. I am very disappointed, I believed that THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WAS THE REAL institution created BY GOD, I WAS WRONG JUST READ THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AND IN THE BEGINING WAS LIKE THAT NOT AFTER 1300 YEARS ON THEY ARE CORRUPT AN FAR FROM THE LOR AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, JESUS ALLOWED THE REFORMATION, THAT IS WHY I WILL BECOME A LUTHERAN, THE SAME DOCMAS but EVERYONE IS WELCOME. RUN FROM THIS PLACE LACL OF LOVE, IF THE CATHOLICS DO NOT MAKE A RENOVATION WITH COUNCILS ADDRESSING ISSUES FROM THE 21ST CENTURY THE SAME WAY THEY DID FOR ISSUES OF THEIR TIME, CATHOLISISM WILL BE LOSING EVERYTHING, THEY HAVE NOTHING TO PROVIDE TO THE SOULS."

"I literally just got back from the office inquiring about getting my two boys baptized. The experience off the rip was so uncomfortable, felt judged and felt as if I was being interrogated rather than feeling welcomed. I’ve lived in this community my entire life. I have two young boys who have shown and interest in learning about Jesus and God. I expressed this and expressed an interest in having my children attend. The information provided was vague and more for money I was handed a sealed envelope with smaller envelopes within. To attend and make sure I’m donating so this way they can keep track of our “attendance”. As I stated there was no welcoming feeling it was more of here “take this and be gone”. It’s a shame because I was looking forward to going through this experience with my children. So you’re aware it was an older lady who works in priest office. She’s who is supposed to provide information on getting baptized etc."

"I'm embarrassed to say I lived a few blocks away and never attended mass here, we tend to be loyal to the parishes we're brought up in (mine being St. Dominic, which my family helped build). Over the summer I decided to check out St. Raymond's Church and I was pleasantly surprised, their renovation was tastefully done, get this, they have cushioned pews, not the hard wood butt busters we have in all the other local churches. In another review someone wrote "the mother church of the Bronx" very accurate, what one of their priests told me (b/c I voiced my concerns about church mergers which seem to follow me wherever I go) "We can NEVER merge with another church due to the cemetery and schools." Church mergers and the land-grab and greed that ensue over the real estate and out buildings are disgusting, they ruined our Van Nest community and will ruin upper Morris Park too (just give them time). The other thing I love about St. Raymond's church is that they have a Mass at noon, a fail-safe if you miss 9 AM Mass (or other earlier Masses locally). Father Cruz (pastor) and Father Lorenzo are wonderful, young, relate-able priests with whom I've enjoyed their Homilies very much. The property surrounding the church is stunning, beautiful graveyard gardens / landscaping; its a presence in the Bronx and will be there long after I'm gone. Another nice thing to see is, the school children attend Mass; you can always go to another Mass if that bothers you (there are a few a day, how wonderful is that?). Lastly, the stained glass windows, marble inlays and other decorative elements are just awesome, I especially LOVE their Rose Windows and other stained glass windows; photographers will not be disappointed, nether will you."