Good News for January 28, 2026
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- 7 days ago
- 8 min read
In this Issue:
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
~Gia Myers
Immaculate Conception BVM Church + Douglassville, Pa.
Nothing seems more countercultural in today’s world than living according to the Beatitudes! Society prizes wealth, power, and independence. But Jesus calls “blessed” those who are poor in spirit, who place their trust not in possessions or abilities but in God.
I feel guilty of this whenever I’m cleaning my basement or an overstuffed closet, and I’m forced to confront my many past purchases. In each case, I thought I was buying happiness or fulfilling a “need,” when I was really adding more to the clutter of my earthly life. As Saint Augustine taught us in “The City of God,” attachment to earthly things and love of self are what bind us to the world and distance us from God.
The Beatitudes continue with Jesus blessing those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, pure of heart, and peacemakers. He also promises heavenly reward to those who are persecuted for His sake. These are not abstract ideals. The Beatitudes describe the very heart of Jesus Himself. They are a roadmap, showing us how to conform our lives to His. When we embody these attitudes – in our families, workplaces, parishes, and communities – we become like Jesus in the world today. I admit that the Beatitudes are not easy to follow on a daily basis. I’ve tried and failed many times, but I keep trying.
We can use the Beatitudes for spiritual examination, asking ourselves:
Am I relying more on my own strength than on God?
Do I show mercy in my relationships?
Am I willing to be countercultural for the sake of the Gospel?
Where might God be inviting me to grow in humility, purity of heart, or peacemaking?
Living the Beatitudes is not for the faint of heart! But Jesus promises that those who walk this path will know a deeper joy that leads us to eternal life!
Celebrate Black History Month at St. Raymond
In honor of Black History Month, we’ll be sharing a reflection each Sunday during the 10 AM Mass. Each week, we’ll take a few minutes to remember the people and movements that brought us to where we are today — the struggle, the courage, the faith, and the hope that carried so many through difficult times. The choir will also be singing at every Sunday Mass throughout the month.
Here’s what we’ll be sharing:
February 1 – A brief introduction to Black History Month and what's to come.
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.
We’re really looking forward to sharing this with you, and we hope you’ll invite someone to come to Mass with you and experience it with us.
Make Your Lent Meaningful - Mondays 2/23-3/30
Contract Signed! Bathroom Renovation is Underway
I would like to give a huge thank-you to everyone who made the renovations to our bathrooms and academy space at St. Raymond possible—our facilities and finance committees, staff, engaged parishioners, and all who supported the vision. I am so excited to watch our Church be transformed together! -Fr. Zlock
Last year, a new Events Committee formed to bring more social events to St. Raymond! They've been busy planning and can't wait for some great fellowship for our church family. Make sure to join us for Bingo this Saturday and save the date for other social events below.
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.
Update: Food platters will be available for purchase during Bingo. Cash only.
Wing and fish platter - $13
Fish sandwich - $10
Wings - $10
Fries - $4
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.
Save the dates for future events
More details coming soon, but please save the dates.
Soup Social: February 27
We'll gather on a Friday night during Lent for a simple soup supper and some fellowship.
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.
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 to Speak on Sunday, February 1
Seminarian Bernie Faia will be returning to St. Raymond this weekend to speak about the need for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He will encourage you to consider spending an hour weekly in prayer for vocations and to attend adoration (consider Face Time with Jesus). Bernie will be at the back of church following Mass.
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
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, January 26, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $5,569.50
Church Maintenance: $339.00
Catholic Relief: $33.00
REST: $65.00
Total: $6,006.50
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 ashes 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.
Feast Day of the Flame of Love February 2
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.
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!
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 January Newsletter here.