The Holy Cross Family Ministries Board announced that Rev. Wilfred Raymond, C.S.C, has been named new president of Holy Cross Family Ministries effective July 1, 2014.
Fr. Willy is currently the director of Family Theater Productions. The Catholic media company is based on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood. Through its mass media programs, Family Theater entertains, inspires and educates families.Fr. Willy has served as director since 2000.
As president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, Fr. Willy will oversee the vision and direction of Family Theater Productions, Family Rosary and Father Peyton Family Institute, which provides educational resources to families in Peru.
The current president, Rev. John Phalen, C.S. C., has served for 18 years. The HCFM Board acknowledged Fr. Phalen for his many accomplishments, including opening offices in Bangladesh, Chile, East Africa (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania), France, Ghana, Haiti, India and Mexico to better serve families culturally in their own countries.
Fr. Phalen enhanced the ministry’s outreach by embracing and expanding HCFM’s electronic communications with social media, daily Gospel prayers and weekly Gospel reflection emails, as well as e-newsletters. More than 1.5 million people last year were reached last year. The organizations’ websites were enhanced, including adding online stores for Family Theater and Family Rosary products; and mobile apps were also launched. All while maintaining HCFM’s more traditional forms of outreach, such as Rosary rallies, family retreats and other events. Fr. Phalen will become the Novice Director in Peru in 2015.
True to the Congregation of Holy Cross, Holy Cross Family Ministries promotes and supports the spiritual well-being of the family by encouraging family prayer, especially the Rosary. Founder Servant of God Patrick Peyton’s motto was “the family that prays together stays together.”
