Good News for February 18, 2026
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- 4 hours ago
- 9 min read
In this Issue:
Triumph Over Temptation
~Jeffrey Faneck
Saint Matthias Catholic Church + Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
“Lead us not into temptation” - we recite that line with every Our Father. In doing so, we acknowledge our own human weaknesses as well as our reliance on God for protection. The desert depicted in this weekend’s Gospel represents the intimidating and discouraging parts of our own lives. At times we may be hesitant and unsure, we may not be able to see the presence of God, and we may feel lonely and isolated. Those moments are when the temptation to sin may be the greatest.
Jesus Himself taught that prayer, and He was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted three times. Being tempted is not a sin, but giving into that temptation is where our souls become at risk. Each time Jesus was tempted, He overcame the temptation with the Scriptures as his defense. Our “toolbox” may not have verses of Scripture readily retrievable the way Jesus’ was, but we have other tools to fight our battles.The more we fill our thoughts with God, the less room there is for the enemy to intrude. We can pray for strength and protection and wisdom. Wisdom can lead to help avoiding particular situations that may cause the most trouble. Each of us knows ourselves better than other people, but not as well as God knows us.
Lent can be a fresh start for many of us. Whether we choose to give something up or take something on, God is with us. Good overcame evil in the desert, and good will overcome evil in our own lives. As we work towards the Lord’s resurrection at Easter, may we all spend this Lent cleaning off the dust in our spiritual toolboxes, so that our weapons are organized, accessible, and ready. Coming to Mass each week is a great way to remember to do that.
Then when it comes to “lead us not into temptation” let’s remember the way Jesus handled temptation and strive to emulate Him, but in our own way!
Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, we have been sharing a reflection each Sunday during the 10 am Mass. This week, we'll learn how gospel came out of prayer and struggle, and how it went on to shape so many other kinds of music and people's lives.
By definition, gospel music can derive from any number of ethnic styles and religious traditions, but in practice, Black American gospel music is dominant. Praise songs have long been a part of the Black church, and popular recordings of Black gospel music gained recognition in the 1920s and 1930s. Chicago musician Thomas A. Dorsey saw great potential in Black American gospel music, and in 1930, he began a publishing house dedicated to the art form. As a songwriter, Dorsey came to be known as the “Father of Gospel Music” and partnered with vocalist Mahalia Jackson to consciously usher gospel music into popular culture.
Black gospel music reached its popular peak in the decades surrounding World War II. Vibrant gospel scenes emerged in cities touched by the Black American emigration from the South to the North—including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.
Traditional gospel music makes ample use of traditional hymns like "Amazing Grace" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." The musical style is known for gospel choirs, rollicking instrumentalists, energetic hand-clapping, call-and-response, and ties to social causes like the Civil Rights movement.
Ash Wednesday February 18
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, and a meal is included.
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.
Confessions for Lent
Holy Week
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
Tutoring Help Needed
REST, our Refugee Empowerment Support Team, is looking for tutoring help for Wazma, a young woman from Afghanistan who is taking classes at Community College. Wazma arrived in the US in 2022 with her younger sister, two older brothers, older sister and mother and father. She enrolled at Northeast High School, graduated last June and is now taking English 101 and Math 150. She is working hard but needs some help with her school work. Wazma lives in Northeast Philly, near the Roosevelt Mall. She is super sweet, incredibly focused and you will quickly fall in love with her whole family when you meet them.
If you're able to help, please contact Dan at danmcvay18@yahoo.com or 856-398-9292.
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
Rice Bowls
This Lent, our parish will participate in Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl. As we pray, fast, and give alms, we are invited to place spare change in our Rice Bowl 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.
Children's Choir
Our Children's Choir will be singing at the 5 pm Mass on February 28. We are so proud of the way these young ones lift their voices in praise!
Pray for Vocations
Career Day at St. Raymond School
St. Raymond School’s Career Day will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Speakers include Football player Philly Brown for the Carolina Panthers, Kevin Satterthwaite from Urban Affairs Coalition, Dana Lawrence, CRNA Nursing, Local Union 98 IBEW Electrical Workers, Inspector Goodson from Phila Police Department, Steven OI Wells Director of operations for SEPTA.
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 to participate, please call the Church Rectory.
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 22, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $10,865.50
Church Maintenance: $853.00
Catholic Relief: $15.00
REST: $600.00
School Appeal: $175.00
Total: $12,508.50
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.
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.
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.
Rest in Peace, Reverend Monsignor Philip Ricci
Reverend Monsignor Philip Ricci, a faithful priest, beloved pastor, mentor, brother, and uncle, went home to God on February 14, 2026, at Villa St. Joseph in Darby, Pennsylvania. He was 90 years old.
Read more about his life here.
A Reception of the Body will be held at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, 1325 Upper State Road, North Wales, PA, on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 4:30 followed by a viewing until 8 pm A viewing will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026 starting at 9 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Interment will follow at Saint Matthew Cemetery in Conshohocken.
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.