The term “Hollywood Priest” has been attributed to different men at different times, but it definitely applies to Father Wilfred “Willy” Raymond, C.S.C., who passed away suddenly of natural causes on Feb. 16, at the age of 81.
And I know that, because he hired me.
From Father Peyton to Father Willy
Along with this blog and my screenwriting endeavors, I’m the Social Media Content Manager and Blog Editor at Family Theater Productions (FTP) in Hollywood, California, and that’s in large part because of Father Willy (as everybody called him).
In late 2015, when I was interviewing for the position, Father Willy was the president of FTP’s parent organization, Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM). Ultimately, he had to sign off on me — and I’m grateful he did.
HCFM is an apostolate of the Congregation of Holy Cross, and grew out of the work of Holy Cross priest Venerable Patrick Peyton, the “Rosary Priest” (1919-1992).
Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe to my content at Authory.com/KateOHare.
With the goal of getting millions of families to pray the Rosary, the Irish-born Father Peyton founded The Family Rosary in Albany, N,Y. in 1942. Wanting to get the word out to the broadest possible audience, he left for Los Angeles and founded FTP in 1947.
Father Peyton then began recruiting major stars to create uplifting radio plays, followed by movies and TV specials.
Eventually, it all became part of HCFM.
FTP did a documentary about the whole thing, called PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON (available to stream on the EWTN website and app), which included an interview with Father Willy.
Father Willy Welcomed Hollywood
FTP had its ups and downs over the decades, but when Maine native Father Willy became its national director in 2000, he brought a special dimension to the organization, through his boundless capacity for hospitality.
Father Willy inaugurated Prayer and Pasta, a monthly gathering at the FTP offices on Sunset Boulevard for the faithful (and others) working in the entertainment industry.
Following in the footsteps of Father Peyton, Father Willy not only reached out to the Hollywood rank-and-file, he also formed bonds with higher-level professionals. Father Willy became friend, mentor or spiritual advisor (or some combination of the three) to many celebrities and athletes.
His friends included Catholic actors like Jim Caviezel, David Henrie, Matthew Marsden, Clarence Gilyard (the Die Hard and Walker, Texas Ranger star later became an HCFM board member), Peggy Miley and Eduardo Verástegui.
Despite being a Red Sox fan, Father Willy was also a chaplain to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he got to know the team’s legendary Catholic announcer Vin Scully. He was also close to a former Kansas City Royals star, Catholic Mike Sweeney.
But Father Willy’s friendships weren’t limited to Catholics. Comic-book legend Stan Lee, who did not actively practice the Jewish faith of his youth, was a regular visitor to FTP.
Show Business, Evangelization and Prayer
From 2000 to 2014, Father Willy helmed FTP through many productions and administering a film festival — but he never stopped being a priest and missionary. As the HCFM president, he traveled the world to visit the organization’s far-flung ministries, from Asia to Africa to South America.
Whenever people would mention asking Father Willy about something, I would always wonder, “What continent is he on?”
In 2024, he released a book on the Mysteries of the Rosary, titled (after Father Peyton’s signature phrase) The Family That Prays Together Stays Together, based on Father Peyton’s Rosary reflections.
Father Willy visited Los Angeles that spring to promote the book. He held a signing at our offices and also had one at St. Monica Catholic Community in Santa Monica, California, where he was in residence during his time at FTP and an active part of parish life.
(I took the central photo in the montage above during that visit.)
Comments From Those Who Knew Father Willy
FTP’s current National Director, Father David Guffey, C.S.C., said: “Father Willy Raymond believed in the goodness to be found among people working in media and in Hollywood, from the film students he mentored, to professionals on set and in the offices, to actors both rookie and renowned. He believed in the power of story told on screen that could open hearts to God’s love. He was consistently full of hope and joy.”
Marsden shared on X: “The priest who was instrumental in bringing me back to the Catholic Church has just died. @FrWilly presided over my wedding, baptized a number of my children, and was godfather to one of them. He was patient with me as I wrestled with my faith. We will all miss you greatly.”
“Media Nun” Sister Nancy Usselmann, F.S.P., of the Daughters of Saint Paul stated: “Father Willy was a powerhouse of inspiration and love for people. His presence always brought light and joy to a room, whether it was with close friends or at a Hollywood event. He was truly the presence of Christ for others.”
Father Vince Kuna, C.S.C., producer-at-large and the head of Hollywood Outreach at FTP (and a USC film-school grad), just said, “He was awesome.”
Despite his celebrity friends and globe-trotting activities, I always found Father Willy to be unfailingly kind and gracious.
Remembering Father Willy
Last week, I made this video for FTP’s social media:
Weather permitting, the viewing for Father Willy will take place on Tuesday at the Chapel of Mary, at Stonehill College, in Easton, Massachusetts (near HCFM headquarters). The funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday at Holy Cross Parish in South Easton, Massachusetts. Click here to watch the funeral livestream.
Images: (clockwise from left), Father Willy with David Henrie, Stan Lee and Eduardo Verástegui, Pope Benedict XVI, and Jim Caviezel.
Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe to my content at Authory.com/KateOHare.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In