Good News for February 11, 2026
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Feb 11
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
In this Issue:
The Law
~Conor Donnelly
Saint Maron Parish + Philadelphia, Pa.
Until a year ago, it would have been impossible to hear this Gospel proclaimed and let the usual stereotypes of the scribes and Pharisees come to mind, always out to trip up Jesus with arguments over the priorities or the precision of each of the 613 Mitzvot laws.
So, what changed last year? Villanova Law School created an opportunity for law majors and research theologians to study side by side under author and professor Chaim N. Saiman. We were immersed in the history of Jewish Law, Halakhah, the devout study of sacred scripture, legal arguments, examples and counterexamples, and a dialogue between leaders over the centuries. Words like Torah, Talmud, Mishneh, and Responsa all came alive. Even today, the annual cycle of reading a selected Torah text weekly forms an amazing part of devout Jewish culture.
That brings us back to today’s gospel. Let’s bring fresh ears to the words that Jesus spoke. Our world has become too convenient. We are tempted, we sin, we go to confession - and even then not as frequently as we should. Society, has given us permission to soften the basic ten laws because everybody else is doing it. But that is not what we heard Jesus say. In our lives as Catholics we are called to be scrupulous in our obedience to God’s law, and not only for ourselves but in the example we give to others. Jesus steps us through several challenges to our honesty, our anger, our fidelity to our marriage, and how we behave in our community to our neighbors. Let’s consider the example of Jewish tradition and renew our understanding and obedience to God’s Law, refreshed by the words of Jesus.
Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, we’ll be sharing a reflection each Sunday during the 10 AM Mass.
February 15 – A reflection on Ida B. Wells, a courageous woman who stood up for justice and leadership at a time when few women — and even fewer Black women — were allowed to lead.
February 22 – A look at gospel music, how it came out of prayer and struggle, and how it went on to shape so many other kinds of music and people’s lives.
Black History Month
Ida B. Wells: Faith That Speaks and Faith That Acts
During Black History Month, we pause to remember those who bore witness to truth when truth was dangerous to speak. Ida B. Wells (1862–1931) was one of those witnesses. She was a daughter of formerly enslaved parents, a teacher, a journalist, and a fearless advocate for justice—one whose life reminds us that faith is not only something we profess, but something we live.
Born into slavery in Mississippi just before emancipation, Ida B. Wells came of age in a nation still wrestling with sin—personal and social. When her parents died of yellow fever, she took on the care of her siblings, trusting God while doing what needed to be done. She learned early that survival required courage, and that dignity must sometimes be claimed.
That courage was clear in 1884, when she was violently removed from a segregated railroad car despite holding a valid ticket. Wells sued the railroad company, standing up to a system that denied her God-given worth. Long before such acts were common, she insisted that justice belongs to everyone.
Ida B. Wells is most remembered for her tireless fight against lynching. After three of her friends were brutally murdered in Memphis, she refused silence. Instead, she investigated, documented, and exposed the truth: lynching was not justice, but terror—used to control, intimidate, and dehumanize Black people. Her work shines a light on what our Catholic faith teaches clearly—that every human life is sacred, and that violence rooted in hatred is a grave sin.
Speaking truth came at a cost. Her newspaper office was destroyed, and her life was threatened, forcing her to leave the South. But she did not stop. She carried the truth wherever God opened a door—across this country and across the ocean—calling both church and society to repentance and action. She believed that faith without justice is empty, and prayer without compassion is incomplete.
Later in life, Wells helped found the NAACP and fought for women’s suffrage, always insisting that freedom must belong to all. Though her leadership was often overlooked, her witness endured. Like the prophets of Scripture, she spoke even when her voice was unwelcome.
At St. Raymond, we know that faith has rhythm and responsibility. We sing, we praise, we pray—and then we go to work. How is God calling us to imitate Ida B. Wells -- to live our faith—out loud, and in action.
Bring your Palms to Church
The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are made from the burning palms blessed in the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Please bring your palm from last year to Church over the next few weekends so it can be burned to make the ashes you will receive on Ash Wednesday. We will be accepting palms through Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Ash Wednesday February 18
Also, invite a friend – especially those who have not been to Mass in a while.
Make Lent Meaningful - Sign up today!
Please RSVP to mintabrown@saintraymond.net today to reserve your spot!
Soup & Social - RSVP!
Our Soup & Social is free for all, but we ask that you RSVP to ensure we have enough food. Please complete this form if you plan to attend. Daniele will also be taking RSVPs in person after the 10 AM mass on 2/14 and 2/21.
Fish Fry: April 3
We'll host a Fish Fry Dinner on Good Friday.
Cocoa & Community: April 4
We'll serve hot cocoa after the Easter Vigil Mass.
A Night of Smooth Jazz & R&B hosted by The Men of St. Raymond
Volunteers Needed February 14 from 9-12 PM
To keep renovations on schedule, we need volunteers for one final cleanup Saturday, February 14 from 9-12 PM. Many hands make light work—thank you for helping us prepare the space for this exciting next step!
Donations Needed for Kensington Ministry
Several of our parishioners volunteer in Kensington on Thursday nights through an organization called The Grace Project. Each week, they provide a meal, clothing, blankets and wound care for up to 200 of our unhoused brothers and sisters. Donations are often low in the winter months, so we're asking you to donate the following items. Please place donations in the bin at the back of the church by February 22.
Needed items for women and men:
New socks
New or like-new gloves, hats, and blankets
Hand warmers
Pray for Vocations
Two seminarians, Bernie and Ed, spoke at Mass recently. They asked for our prayers and invited us to attend adoration as often as possible, either in our own parish or at the seminary. Our next FaceTime with Jesus will be on Monday, March 2, and we would love to see you there! Or, remember that there is adoration following the 8 am Masses on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Feel free to pray the following prayer or explore other prayer resources here.
St. Raymond School Appeal
THIS Sunday, February 8, St. Raymond School will be making its annual appeal at all the Masses. Our parish has a long tradition of support for the children who attend our Independent Mission School, and we ask that you continue your generous response to their education.
Career Day at St. Raymond School
St. Raymond School’s Career Day will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 1-3 PM. This special event is proudly sponsored by the St. Raymond Men’s Group and will provide students with an opportunity to learn about various careers and hear from professionals in our community. We look forward to an engaging and inspiring afternoon for all participants. If interested please call the Church Rectory.
What Do You Know About the Catholic Church?
Fr. Zlock is announcing an "Office of Christian Initiation for Adults" (or OCIA) program, starting Sunday, March 15 at 12 noon. The program will meet on the third Sunday of each month.
OCIA is the process by which a person is received into the Roman Catholic Church. Yet the course is open for all people, Catholic or non-Catholic, who simply wish to learn more about Catholicism and enter into deeper conversations about the Church.
Some topics we will discuss include:
The Journey
Who is God really?
The Bible
Creation, Fall, Redemption, Salvation, Sanctification, Justification
Who is Jesus Christ?
What happens after we die? Purgatory and Limbo
The Holy Spirit
Why do we even need the church?
Mary
Stay tuned for sign up and other information.
Snow and Inclement Weather
In the event of severe snow or ice, the 8 am Weekly Daily Mass Schedule will be based on the Catholic School Schedule. If the school is closed or delayed, there will be no 8 am Daily Mass that day. At all times, please use sound judgment before leaving home, and proceed with care when traveling to and from your car and the church.
Financial Facts
The recent inclement 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, February 8, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $10,211.30
Church Maintenance: $394.70
Catholic Relief: $10.00
REST: $1,720.00
Social Ministry: $1,000.000
School Appeal: $1,730.00
Total: $15,066.00
Special Collections
2/8 = St Raymond School Annual Appeal
2/15=Maintenance
Tax Statements are Available
As you prepare your taxes, Brandi in our Parish Office is happy to provide a statement for your 2025 Giving. Please call her 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).
Join our Daily Call to Prayer
Catholic Call to Prayer. Please Call TOLL FREE 1-877-309-2073, Enter Code 319-414-445#. 6:30 am (Monday to Friday): 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.
Help shape the future of the Catholic Church of Philadelphia. Your voice matters.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez is inviting parishioners to share their perspectives as part of a planning study to help discern the future of the Catholic Church of Philadelphia. Please take the survey here.
A Day of Recollection for Healing Racism
Peace in the Vineyard - Thursdays in Lent - 7pm
Join us for a Lenten conversation series on cultivating peace and racial healing, guided by Bishop Edward Braxton’s 2015 pastoral letter, The Racial Divide in the United States.
Facilitated by Marcelle McGuirk (chair, Archbishop’s Commission on Racial Healing), the conversation gatherings will discuss Bishop Braxton’s text alongside other supplemental materials. Conversations will explore the historical wounds of the sin of racism, the response of Catholic Social Teaching, and our co-responsibility to cultivate peace and racial healing as a synodal, missionary Church.
Sessions will last about 90 minutes, and will take place on Zoom at 7pm on Thursdays in Lent.
Dates: Feb 19, Feb 26, Mar 5, Mar 12, Mar 19, Mar 26.
Register by Wednesday, February 18th.
Participation is FREE and open to all.
Questions? Email openwideourhearts@archphila.org
This program is made possible by the support of the Martin de Porres Foundation.
Walking With Jesus February 28
St. Vincent de Paul and the Office for Black Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is hosting a one-day Lenten retreat. This retreat features dynamic speakers, praise and worship, Adoration, Holy Mass, a children's track, and more! We invite your parish to participate, please share in your bulletin or e-bulletin.
To register for the retreat use the Registration Link here or scan the QR code on the flyer.
Man Up Philly February 28
35th Annual Catechetical Convention March 7
This year’s theme, “Echoing Christ: Forming Future Saints,” calls us to reflect deeply on our mission to be Christ Jesus to those we catechize. As catechists and evangelizers, we strive to lead them to encounter the love of Christ in very real and personal ways—ways that inspire them to become the saints God has destined them to be. Hosted by the Office for Catechetical Formation, this event is designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding, and enhance your skills as a catechist. A day full of inspiration, formation, and community! Additional information can be found here.
Keynote speakers: Dr. Bob Rice (English Track) and Rev. Remigio Morales (Spanish Track)
Location: Archbishop John Carroll High School, Radnor, PA
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Open House
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School invites middle school girls to explore all that our school has to offer during our upcoming admissions season. Opportunities include practice entrance exams, 7th grade half-day visits, and morning tours designed to give students an authentic experience of life at Gwynedd. Families are also welcome to attend our Open House on March 22. Learn more and register at gmahs.org/visit.
Family Retreat March 15
See the latest news from the Archdiocese
See the February Newsletter here.
