Good News for March 4, 2026
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- 4 minutes ago
- 9 min read
In this Issue:
Deepen Our Faith to Share Our Faith
~Anita Flynn
Nativity of Our Lord, Warminster + Pa.
The Samaritan woman is impressive. She takes a casual request for a drink and turns it into an on-ramp for a discussion with this stranger we know as Jesus. Probing, questioning, and listening, she realizes that this stranger is the Messiah that she has been waiting for…that they have been waiting for! And then, rather than just mulling this news over by herself and returning to home, she immediately goes into town to spread the word.
This is discipleship in its purest form. She did not second-guess the information or concern herself with how the townsfolk would receive it or if they would pass judgment on her. She was on fire to share it! Her passion succeeded, as people were moved to come see and hear this Messiah for themselves. What a dominant personality she is. Could each of us be more like her?
We in the pews today were gifted with our religion – and yet our effort to spread the news pales in comparison to the Samaritan woman. We easily share our thoughts on movies, sports, food, and other earthly things and yet hesitate to dip our toes into the topic of our faith. To share our faith, we need to participate in it. At Mass, open the missal, pray the prayers aloud, join our voices in song with our fellow parishioners. Additionally, a weekly Adoration visit allows us to have our personal discussions with Jesus as did the Samaritan woman, and to be aware of His presence in us. Each day we need to make time to deepen our connection with Jesus.
As we more fully commit to our faith, discipleship will naturally follow. In those moments when we could speak up—when we should speak up—especially with family and friends who have wandered from their faith, we will find the courage to gently remind them that Heaven is our goal, not our earthly wants and needs.
Way to Go, Champs!
For the first time in school history, the St. Raymond’s varsity team has become the 2026 Philadelphia Archdiocese Champions! From the opening tip, St. Raymond’s controlled the game with their tenacious press defense and led for the majority of the night.
Tyheem Baldwin set the tone on both ends of the floor — creating his own offense, making plays for his teammates, and locking in defensively. It was truly a complete team effort, and the boys finished the job with a dominant 41–24 victory!
Congratulations to Chase Johnson for earning a spot on the Archdiocese All-Tournament Team, and to Nasir Coleman for being nominated for the All-Tournament Team and Archdiocese Tournament MVP — well deserved honors!
Next up: St. Raymond’s will compete for a State Tournament title on March 20th in Greensburg, PA. Members of the team will be speaking at our masses this weekend. Be sure to congratulate them in person!
Join us March 15
These sessions are open for all people, Catholic or non-Catholic, who simply wish to learn more about Catholicism and enter into deeper conversations about the Church.
On March 2, the basement restrooms were closed for renovation. While work is going on, restrooms located behind the church and in the sacristy will remain available for use.
Confessions for Lent
Volunteer to Have Your Feet Washed on Holy Thursday
“The washing of the feet (John 13:1-17) is a profound Christian act symbolizing humility, servant leadership, and spiritual cleansing. Jesus washed his disciples' feet to model sacrificial love, teaching that true greatness lies in serving others, not being served. It highlights the need for daily spiritual cleansing and symbolizes unity.”
Would you like to volunteer on Holy Thursday, April 2nd at 7pm for washing of the feet? If so, please contact Brandi at 215-549-3760.
Holy Week
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.
Wanted: Plastic Eggs and Candy for Easter
Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Easter, April 5th, after 10 am Mass, for ages 12
and under. We are asking for plastic eggs and candy donations -- individual wrapped candy only, and no peanuts. Please drop off in the box in the back of the Church or the Church Rectory during the week between 9:30-4:30 pm. Your kindness is greatly appreciated!!
Fish Fry: April 3
We'll host a Fish Fry from 12-7 PM on Good Friday. Order form coming soon!
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
Help Us Veil the Statues for Lent
A liturgical tradition of the Catholic church is to cover "or Veil" the statues in the church for the Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent until the end of the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday.
We have not done this at St Raymond, or at least for a long time. If you have a talent with textures and cloth and are interested in making covers for the statues, please contact Fr. Zlock at czlock@saintraymond.net or call him at 215-549-3760.
If you know someone who is a handy woodworker, let Father know. The presentation looks better if the cloth hangs from a wooden beam and is not just draped over the statues. We would need someone to craft those. Thank you for your consideration!
Help Keep Our Parish Beautiful
Do you enjoy caring for plants? Are you looking for a simple and meaningful way to serve our Church community?
We are urgently seeking volunteers to help water and maintain the plants in front of the Rectory, Church, and Chapel. This is a wonderful opportunity to help preserve the beauty of our parish grounds, and your help is truly needed and appreciated.
If you’re interested, please contact Brandi at 215-549-3760 or email brandi@saintraymond.net. You may also let Jenny, Olive, or Alicia know if you see them at Mass.
Thank you for helping keep our church beautiful!
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.
REST Meeting - All are Invited
Lent is a good time to widen our understanding of the many ways to follow the Catholic imperative to "welcome the stranger" in our midst. On Thursday, March 12, our refugee resettlement group known as REST will be holding a meeting in the Sister Rosemary Room, from 6:30 to 8 pm, and all are invited.
REST has been directly supporting several families from Afghanistan, Syria and other war-torn parts of the world, providing ESL to parents and their children, as well as job support and transportation to medical appointments. Recently, REST has partnered with St. Vincent de Paul parish in Germantown and the New Sanctuary ministry.
At the meeting, you will learn how to support the rights of our refugees and undocumented families, as well as prayer vigils and Catholic presence at ICE headquarters in center-city Philadelphia.
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.
Facetime with Jesus April 6
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
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Collection & Envelopes: $10,290.75
Church Maintenance: $355.00
Easter Flowers: $25.00
School Appeal: $50.00
Rice Bowl: $43.00
Total: $10,763.75
Special Collections
3/8 = Rice Bowl
3/15 = Easter Flowers
3/15 = 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.
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.
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.
Sippin' for the Sisters & Irish Concert
Family Retreat March 15
Charismatic Renewal Conference
See the latest news from the Archdiocese
See the March Newsletter here.