Good News for January 21, 2026
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Jan 21
- 6 min read
In this Issue:
The Lord Equips Us for Discipleship
~Michael Clymer
Cathedral Basilica Saints Peter & Paul + Philadelphia, Pa.
The Lord calls all of us to be disciples and to proclaim His Gospel in our lives. When talking about this important truth of our faith, I find that people experience the temptation to think: How can I make Jesus known to others? Am I worthy or equipped? Am I holy enough? Sometimes this temptation brings about a hesitation to share one’s faith or even live it.
When I hear this in others and, yes, when I experience it in myself, I am drawn to this Gospel. When Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee, He sees Peter and the others fishing, and He invites them to follow him. He meets them right where they are. They are not perfect (thinking especially about Peter’s faith journey), and they are probably not too educated, but what matters is that they are who God created them to be and they respond to the call.
A call from God is never accidental; it is always part of His plan. They are the right persons for the mission not because of their education or holiness, but simply because of who they are. In fact, God created them for their mission. The same is true for us.
There are no set qualifications or training to be a follower of Christ and to proclaim his Gospel. Jesus knows everything about us, and He still calls. It is important for us to trust the call, realizing that everything God asks of us is part of His plan for us. He has placed us right where we are for a reason, so that He can use us to lead ourselves others into relationship with Him.
In addition, He has given us all the skills that we need to witness to Him in whatever He has called us to do. And, more importantly, God is constantly sustaining us with his grace. The question I need to ask myself is: When God calls, am I willing to follow Him with the same trust as Peter and the other Apostles? Am I willing to let God use me to make Himself known?
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.
Pre-register here:
Venmo: @StRaymond-PenafortPhilly (Please include Bingo in the memo)
Bring cash or check (memo: Bingo) to church
Online: https://pushpay.com/g/saintraymond (select Bingo)
Note: In case of winter weather, our snow date is February 7.
Congratulations to our New Altar Servers!
Altar Server Training took place on Saturday, January 10, under the leadership of Atiba McCoy. The session provided instruction and guidance for current and new altar servers. We appreciate Atiba for always being willing to give his time and attention to the Children of the Parish.
We joyfully welcome our new altar servers: Jackie, Jazmin, Lilly, Zoe, and Anna.
Thank You Chi Eta Phi Sorority
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Chi Eta Phi Sorority for their generosity and dedication in preparing 300 meals for Caring for Friends. Their service and compassion made a meaningful impact on those in need.
Thank a Priest!
Catholic priests dedicate their lives to serving God and their communities. They work tirelessly to minister to the faithful, often shouldering immense responsibility. Despite their vital role, priests may sometimes feel under appreciated or even lonely. A small gesture of gratitude can go a long way in motivating, inspiring, and supporting them in their vocation. Visit this website for some meaningful ways to express your appreciation for the priests in your life.
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
St Blaise Blessing of Throats Weekend of January 31
Saint Blase was an Armenian Bishop during the fourth century who had a great story of grace. He was reputed to have miraculously cured a little boy who nearly died because of a fishbone in his throat. Despite terrible persecution in Cappadocia, where he was ultimately beheaded for refusing to renounce Christianity, the faith and mercy of St. Blaise lives on in the sacramental known as the Blessing of the Throats. A priest, deacon or other designated individual places two crisscrossed candles around or near a person’s through while invoking the intercession of St. Blase. It is a way to honor him and ask for protection from illnesses of the throat.
Saturday (1/31) & Sunday (2/1) the Church has the tradition of blessing throats and seeking God's intercession for our health. Fr. Charles Zlock and Deacon Michael will be blessing throats that weekend after all Masses. Join us!
Children's Choir is Back!
The St. Raymond Children's Choir will be singing at the 5 PM Mass on Saturday, January 31. All are welcome to join!
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 18, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $7,784.30
Church Maintenance: $429.00
Christmas Offering: $250.00
Catholic Relief: $31.00
Social Ministry: $415.00
Total: $8,909.30
Special Collections
1/18/26 = Catholic Relief Services
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.
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.
Week of Christian Unity
Join a Local Bus to the March for Life January 23
Batter Up!
Feast Day of the Flame of Love February 2
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.
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.
