Good News for January 14, 2026
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
In this Issue:
The Spirit Continues to Come
~Conor Donnelly
Saint Maron's Parish + South Philadelphia, Pa.
Sometimes we are blessed and notice an element of the Gospel that we haven’t quite seen before. Every day at Mass we have the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist — but we begin Mass with an introduction that leads us to a Penitential Rite — and I think that is what we have just heard in this first chapter of John’s Gospel. Before we hear the Scripture stories and before we receive the Body of Christ, we are first called to repentance. In the life of John the Baptist is that call to repentance before the coming of God as man. John baptized with water to prepare people for one much greater than himself.
If the Penitential Rite reminds us of John the Baptist, then what follows in the Mass is very much the coming of the Spirit like in the Gospel. The Holy Spirit who inspired the human authors of Scripture; the Holy Spirit who descends to the altar to receive our gifts of bread and wine that become the Body and Blood in anticipation of us receiving the Lord in Holy Communion. We are so blessed as Catholics that the descent of the Holy Spirit is not limited to the action of the Spirit in the wilderness of Judah. Every day we have the opportunity to repent for our sins in preparation for the descent of the Spirit so that we might receive the Body of Christ — the Son of God.
Hearing this Gospel also brings back fond memories from seven years ago when I started my journey as a theology student in a class with Dr. Kelly Anderson that began with John’s Gospel.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Prayer Service
Join us for Bingo January 31
Get ready for a great afternoon of Bingo, fun and games at St. Raymond School Hall. Bring your own everything (food and drinks) and enjoy fellowship with a chance to win some great cash prizes. Pre-register for $35. Or buy your tickets at the door for $40.
Help shape the future of the Catholic Church of Philadelphia. Your voice matters.Â
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.
Church Office Closed
In recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., birthday, the office at St. Raymond will be closed on Monday, January 19.
Children's Choir is Back January
The St. Raymond Children's Choir will be singing at the 5 PM Mass on Saturday, January 31. All are welcome to join!
Thank You for Your Donations
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
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $12,750.90
Church Maintenance: $1,036.00
Christmas Offering: $50.00
Christmas Flowers: $10.00
Social Ministry: $62.00
Catholic Relief: $122.00
REST: $3.00
Thanksgiving Offering: $2.00
Stewardship: $2.00
Black & Native Missions: $2.00
Total:Â $14,039.90
Special Collections
1/18/26 = Catholic Relief ServicesÂ
2/8/26 = St Raymond School Annual Appeal
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.
Week of Christian Unity
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 Join a Local Bus to the March for Life January 23
Batter Up!
Living the Gospel of Life in a Culture of Death
The Pro-Life Union, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, invites you to a symposium on the 30th anniversary of Evangelium Vitae, John Paul II’s landmark encyclical on the Gospel of Life.
The conference will be held on Saturday, February 14th, at Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, 654 Ferry Road, Doylestown, PA 18901, from 9 am to 3 pm.
Bishop Efren Esmilla will celebrate the opening Mass for Life at 9 am in the Chapel. The conference will cover a host of topics on what the Gospel of Life is, how to live it in our daily lives, and current challenges to its evangelization. Topics include IVF, euthanasia, youth engagement, and post-abortive healing. Featured speakers include Sister Dede Byrne, Monsignor Mike Mannion, Mark Houck and Dr. Monique Ruberu. In honor of John Paul II, an authentic Polish lunch will be provided! Space is limited so please sign up!
To register, please e-mail EV30@prolifeunion.org. For questions, email mail@prolifeunion.org or call the office at (215) 885-8150. Hope to see you there!
Man Up Philly - Mark Your Calendars!
See the latest news from the Archdiocese
See the January Newsletter here.