OLD TOWN — Growing up in Old Town, Wilfred Raymond never imagined that life would take him to the bright lights of Hollywood and then on to become president of an important organization. All he wanted to do was to be a priest. He got his wish — and more.
For nearly 14 years, Father Willy Raymond led Family Theater Productions on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood, using mass media to entertain, inspire and educate families.
This past July, he became president of Holy Cross Family Ministries in Easton, Massachusetts. Family Theater Productions is the media ministry of Holy Cross Family Ministries, which in the spirit of its founder, Patrick Peyton, promotes and supports the spiritual well-being of families throughout the world.
Father Raymond is one of 12 children raised by Joseph and Lydia (Belanger) Raymond. Though he once was chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New England native remains ever faithful to his beloved Boston Red Sox.
Father Raymond has served as director of Family Theater Productions since 2000. For nearly 70 years, the ministry has created family-friendly programs. Family Theater reaches families around the world through television, radio, film, billboards and the internet with quality programming and messaging.
“What better way to gather families together than television, a medium they are comfortable with and always watching,” said Father Raymond. “As families watch a video and then discuss the stories, they enrich their spiritual life and increase unity within the family.”
Father Raymond took over as president of Holy Cross Family Ministries on July 1. He oversees the vision and spiritual direction of its member ministries, Family Theater Productions; Family Rosary, a prayer ministry in 17 countries; and The Father Peyton Family Institute, based in Peru, which provides educational resources to families.
Father Raymond replaced Father John Phalen as president of Holy Cross Family Ministries. Father Phalen accepted a new assignment as novice director in Peru.
For information, call 800-299-7729 or visit FamilyRosary.org or HCFM.org.