Good News for February 4, 2026
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- 1 minute ago
- 8 min read
In this Issue:
Big Winners at Bingo!
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our first social event of the year and thanks to our hard-working events committee for bringing it to life! Here's to lots more to come!
Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, we’ll be sharing a reflection each Sunday during the 10 AM Mass.
February 8 – The 1964 testimony of Fannie Lou Hamer, a powerful example of speaking truth even when it comes at a cost.
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.
The 1964 Testimony of Fannie Lou Hamer
Hamer began her civil rights activism in 1962, continuing it until her health declined nine years later. She was known for her use of spiritual hymns and biblical quotes, and for her resilience in leading the civil rights movement for black women in Mississippi. She was threatened, harassed, shot at, and assaulted by racists, including members of the police, while she was trying to register to vote. She later helped and encouraged thousands of African Americans in Mississippi to become registered voters, and assisted hundreds of disenfranchised people in her area through her work in programs such as the Freedom Farm Cooperative. She ran for the U.S. House in 1964, losing to Jamie Whitten, and she ran for the Mississippi State Senate in 1971. In 1970, she led legal action against the government of Sunflower County, Mississippi, for continued illegal segregation.
Hamer died on March 14, 1977, aged 59, in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. Her memorial service was widely attended and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young delivered the eulogy. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993. On January 4, 2025, President Joe Biden posthumously awarded Hamer the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Make Your Lent Meaningful - Mondays 2/23-3/30
Soup & Social - Save the Date!
Save the dates for future events
More details coming soon, but please save the dates.
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.
Renovations to Begin in the Next Few Weeks
We’re excited to share that we’re entering the next phase of our church renovation! As preparations move forward, here’s what you can expect in the coming weeks:
Bathroom demolition is expected to begin within the next three weeks, pending final permit approvals.
Once work begins, the entire downstairs area will be closed, and restrooms will not be accessible during construction.
You may notice dumpsters and heavy equipment trucks on site as the project gets underway.
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
Seminarians Ask for Prayer
Two seminarians, Bernie and Ed, spoke at Mass last week. 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 coming 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.
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.
Men's Group Meeting
The Men's Group will meet on February 10 at 7 pm in the 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 1, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $11,052.80
Church Maintenance: $615.00
Catholic Relief: $100.00
REST: $300.00
Social Ministry: $60.00
Total: $12,127.80
Special Collections
1/18/26 = Catholic Relief Services
2/8/26 = 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).
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.
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.
Interfaith Concert at the Cathedral
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 - Mark Your Calendars!
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.
See the latest news from the Archdiocese
See the Feburary Newsletter here.