SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, FEBRUARY 15, 2026

Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the biggest day of the year at Saint John's; attendance surpasses Christmas and Easter. Saint John's is a unique church with a robust weekday ministry because of the many workers and visitors who come to Center City. Many people who work in Center City come for ashes and as the day progresses one can see people with ashes on their foreheads all over Center City. It is a reminder that it is Lent and that faith is important to many of us.

Ash Wednesday is a special day of fasting and abstinence. Fasting means that one should eat sparingly on Ash Wednesday. Abstinence means that Catholics do not eat meat. There are two mandatory fast days for Catholics, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On fast days, we should eat only one full meal, no snacking between meals; we should experience some hunger on fast days. Of course, no one should do anything that compromises good health!

It is mandatory to abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent. On Lenten Fridays we focus on the suffering and death of Jesus. At Saint John's we have Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent after the 12:05 and 5:15 Masses.

What I have just described are the bare mandatory minimums for Lent. Beyond this, each Catholic should decide on a regimen of Lenten observance. In the Gospel read on Ash Wednesday, Jesus describes the three practices that foster conversion of heart: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.

Prayer: Each one should pray during Lent, more than usual. Daily Mass is the best prayer. But reading the New Testament or praying a daily rosary are other ways to observe Lent.
Fasting: Every religion has a custom of fasting, that is giving up something that one ordinarily enjoys. Catholics have always "given up" enjoyable things for Lent. Most of the time, eating less pleasurable food is also good for health. This Lent, give up chocolate or soda or snacking or alcohol! It is also laudatory to give up the internet or TV.
Almsgiving: Without giving away money or time, Lent lacks its full meaning. In the US Catholic Church, Catholic Relief Services encourages giving to Operation Rice Bowl to help the poor around the world. The local Catholic Charities collection also is set for Lent. And supporting and sustaining Saint John's Church is another good deed. How we spend our money says a lot about our character and our faith. Also, it is a lifesaving good deed to donate blood during Lent.
Lent begins this week. It is important that you think now about how you will observe Lent.

Firefighters Mass

Please mark your calendars. Saint John's annual Mass to honor and pray for firefighters will be Saturday, February 28 at 10 AM. After the Mass there will be a lunch with many people bringing their chili specialties. All are invited to attend.

Details about the event can be found here.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is February 18 and it is the busiest day of the year at Saint John's. Thousands of people will come for ashes. We need lots of volunteers. If you can give one or two or more hours to help, please contact Father Tom or Nadine:

Email Fr. Tom

    Email Nadine

      Debt Reduction Collection

      Our second collection this weekend will be to reduce our debt. Though we have made significant annual payments on our debt for many years, we still ow $651,072. Please be generous.

      Stations of the Cross
      There will be Stations of the Cross after the 12:05 and 5:15 Masses on Fridays during Lent.

      Recent Bills

      Our heating bill for the church and friary for the month of January is $9307. This does not include the recent February cold snap. We also paid this week $40,191 to the Archdiocese for our assessment from July through February. Our assessment is 12.5% of all income, excluding donations to our capital campaign. Because of the February cold and snow, Mass attendance and collections have been down. If you have the means, consider making an extra generous donation this month.

      Fr. Tom Betz

      This week ...

      From the Pastor' Desk

      Email Fr. Tom