Good News for April 1, 2026
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Apr 1
- 8 min read
In this Issue:
The Tomb's Emptiness as the Fullness of Our Salvation
~Jeffrey Faneck
Saint Matthias Catholic Church + Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
In order to fully appreciate the events of Holy Week, we need to time travel to the Old Testament days and understand how things were back then. The punishment for sin was death, so let’s quickly abort and return to the present day!
This is more comfortable, right? We understand that we have Mass for the forgiveness of venial sins and the sacrament of reconciliation for mortal sins and those lesser sins that we still wish to bring to God.
So what specifically changed between the time of the Old Testament and modern day? The answer, of course, is Jesus Christ.
God sent His only begotten Son into the world as a man who would grow up to teach the scriptures and ultimately fulfill the foreshadowing done in the Old Testament.
John the Baptist started the movement with preaching repentance. He then decreased, so Jesus could increase. Jesus called four fishermen as well as a tax collector as those among the first to help build this new church, and they all did just fine with the big responsibility.
The group learned from Jesus and even were blessed with His healing power on some missions. Though they spent significant time around Him, they did not grasp what was about to take place during what we now call Holy Week. Mary Magdalene was the first to notice the tomb was empty.
Easter Sunday we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead, ultimately conquering death, taking away the sins of the world, and being our redeemer. He suffered death for us, for all of us.
That empty tomb has become the symbol of our total salvation from the impact of sin.
Now, those who believe in Him and lead a Christ-centered life on earth are given the hope of everlasting life with Jesus in heaven after this life is completed. We’re to repent, as John the Baptist instructed, and to utilize the sacraments, as our modern church teaches.
This coming Sunday is no ordinary Sunday. It’s even greater than Super Bowl Sunday. This is Easter Sunday…this is Salvation Sunday!
Worship with Us this Holy Week
LAST DAY to Pre-Order for Good Friday Fish Fry
Today, April 1, is the LAST DAY to pre-order your meal for the Fish Fry on April 3 from 12-7 pm! Platters start at $20 each. Place your order now.
If you prefer to order that day, walk-up orders will be available at the door while supplies last. Please note that day-of orders must be paid with cash or Venmo.
The fish served will be whiting, and all orders will be made fresh at the time of pick up.
Fellowship after the Easter Vigil April 4
All ages are welcome to join us for cocoa at our latest event run by the Events Committee.
Visit from the Easter Bunny
Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Easter, April 5th, after 10 am Mass, for ages 12
and under. Gather in the front of church, and wait for the "go" signal! You'll have an opportunity to be photographed with the Easter Bunny!
FaceTime with Jesus April 6
Friends, ages 10-25, we want to hear from you!!
All young people are invited to come hang out, have lunch, and share your thoughts on St. Raymond’s weekly Mass and activities.
Sunday, April 12th -Ages 10–17
Sunday, April 26th-Ages 18–25
Both meetings are in the Sister Rosemary Room (rectory basement). Lunch will be provided!
This is your chance to talk about issues, such as:
What you feel is going well and/or missing from Mass
How we can make it more meaningful and exciting
How we can keep you engaged during Mass
What would create enthusiasm for you
How you would use a youth space in the church basement
Your voice matters, and we want to build something together that truly connects with you!
St. Raymond membership is not a requirement for participation. However, the two age brackets must be followed. Please register by calling the office at 215-549-3760, or click the links below.
Youth Meeting Sign Up (ages 10 to 17) - Sign up here.
Young Adults Meeting Sign Up (ages 18 to 25) - Sign up here.
Each meeting will end promptly at 1 pm. So that youth feel comfortable voicing their opinions, sessions will not include parents. They can either wait in the church or rectory dining room, or return at 1 pm for pick up. The youth are our future!
Explore the Faith April 19
These sessions are open for all people, Catholic or non-Catholic, who simply wish to learn more about Catholicism and enter into deeper conversations about the Church.
A Night of Smooth Jazz & R&B hosted by The Men of St. Raymond
Volunteer for the Fish Fry
We’re seeking volunteers to help serve food and clean up in the school hall. We’ll have three shifts:
11:30-2:30 pm
2:30-5:30 pm
5:30-7:30 pm
Please sign up for a shift at this link by April 2, and we’ll be in touch with more details.
Charitable Initiatives for April, May and June
In the next three months, there will be many opportunities for community outreach through a new plan of volunteering. Here's what's on tap:
We're Partnering with St. Benedict Parish
April
St. Benedict's food pantry is in critical need of canned tomatoes, tomato sauce and pasta. Can you make a small contribution of these foods to help our neighbors? Bring them to church and put them in the designated space in the back by April 25.
On Sunday, April 26, we would appreciate a volunteer or two to transport our donations to St. Benedict following the 10 am Mass. Please let our director of parish outreach, Shabay Bryant, know if you can help. Email her at shabay@saintraymond.net
May
We have promised to send some volunteers to help give out food at Saint Benedict’s on May 18, 22 and 29. We'll need two people for a standing post, two more for a sitting post, and two additional people who can assist at the blood pressure station (one standing and one sitting).
A sign-up sheet will be available by the first week in May. Deadline to sign up is May 11.
Provide a Meal in Kensington
June
Saint Raymond will sponsor a pizza dinner for our brothers and sisters in Kensington. Details coming soon.
Help Keep Our Parish Beautiful
Do you enjoy caring for plants? Are you looking for a simple and meaningful way to serve our Church community?
We are urgently seeking volunteers to help water and maintain the plants in front of the Rectory, Church, and Chapel. This is a wonderful opportunity to help preserve the beauty of our parish grounds, and your help is truly needed and appreciated.
If you’re interested, please contact Brandi at 215-549-3760 or email brandi@saintraymond.net. You may also let Jenny, Olive, or Alicia know if you see them at Mass.
Thank you for helping keep our church beautiful!
Holy Week Office Closing Dates
The office at St. Raymond will be closed on Holy Thursday (April 2), Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Monday (April 6).
Join a Hub Life Session April-June
As the Trust & Hope Initiative continues to raise awareness of all the good work being done to renew the church, opportunities for you to be involved through Hub Life Sessions, post-Easter, are available for you to RSVP.
To continue and deepen our conversation about the pastoral vision and this next chapter in the Church of Philadelphia, you are invited to the next round of conversations, which are designed to discuss areas of interest that emerged from your questions and desires:
Hub Life Sessions
What is the purpose: To dive deeper into areas of interest from participants’ feedback and how that topic intersects with building a culture of missionary discipleship. Hear briefly about the developments in that area of ministry, participate in a focused conversation related to that topic in small groups, and learn of some next steps/ways to get involved following the session.
Who is invited: You, a family member, friends and neighbors, those who have particular interest in a Hub Life topic.
Where and when will it take place: Sessions will be hosted regionally on weeknights and Saturday mornings.
Click here to go to an updated list of Hub Life Sessions that are upcoming in April through June 2026. Additional sessions and new themes are added regularly!
Financial Facts
This winter's unusually bad weather has impacted Mass attendance and our weekly collection. Your safety and comfort have been included in our prayers. Please be sure to make up any missed contributions.
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $6,896.50
Church Maintenance: $326.00
Easter Flowers: $60.35
Easter Offering: $176.00
Holy Land: $30.00
Rice Bowl: $120.00
Total: $7,608.85
Special Collections
4/3 = Holy Land Sanctuaries
4/5 = Easter
Rice Bowls
This Lent, our parish is participating in Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl. As we pray, fast, and give alms, we are invited to place spare change in our Rice Bowls to support families experiencing hunger around the world and in our local community.
Rice Bowls are available in the back of the Church. Please return them by Holy Week. Thank you for your generosity and prayerful support.
Tax Statements are Available
Time is growing short for paying your taxes. If you still need a statement for your 2025 giving, please call Brandi at 215-549-3760 or email her at brandi@saintraymond.net. Statements can be picked up, emailed or mailed (mindful of delays in Postal Service at times).
New Phone # for Catholic Call to Prayer
Due to technical difficulties with Catholic Call to Prayer, we have had to update the phone number and access code. Please use the new information provided. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience.
You can dial in using your phone.
Phone Number: +1 (872) 240-3412
Access Code: 190-748-589
This call lasts 5-7 minutes and can have an amazing impact at the start your day, reflecting on God’s WORD!!
Noon Call to Prayer. Same number, Monday to Friday at NOON. We will pray the Angelus, reflect on the 1st reading from Daily Mass, say intercessory prayer for those in need and beg God to draw us all nearer to Him.
Cell Phone Reminder
Once again, we need to remind everyone to silence their cell phones during Mass. Unexpected electronic sounds lead others to lose their focus during a time that all hold sacred. So we ask you, please, to honor this request and double-check your phone when you enter church.
Catholic Charities Appeal
Did you know that 1 in 5 people across the Greater Philadelphia area rely on the Catholic
Charities Appeal for help and hope each year?
They are our neighbors, and they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. They are seeking comfort, support, and dignity in the face of challenges many of us cannot imagine. Your generosity touches their lives in profound ways because you embody Christ’s compassionate love and mercy by coming to their aid.
Your contributions go toward:
· Social Services
· Evangelization
· Special Education
· Mission Parishes
· Sick and Retired Priests
Catholic Charities envelopes are in the back of church. Please make your check payable to Catholic Charities and mail the envelope directly to the Archdiocese.
Spring Training is Happening Soon - Sign Up!
An Invitation to All Married Couples
Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 8:30am-1:00pm
St. Helena’s Church (Empress Room)
1489 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell
Come with your spouse or fiancé and listen to an engaging Catholic speaker who will inspire you to live out your marriage with greater fervor, love and joy. Meet other like-minded couples. Continental breakfast and lunch are included.
For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/MarriagesofGrace2026.
Charismatic Renewal Conference
See the latest news from the Archdiocese
See the March Newsletter here.
