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E-Newsletter for
February 15, 2026
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Message from From Fr. Yerick
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Dear brothers and sisters, I offer you this reflection that I hope will help you understand and meditate upon this Sunday’s readings. These key concepts will make us better able to apply what Jesus says in today’s gospel to our everyday lives. In the first reading we learn that God’s law is not an optional set up principles that we can choose to take or leave, they are an expression of God’s perfect will and are foundational for life itself. To obey God’s law is to choose life; to disobey is to choose death. There is no in between option. “No one does he command to act unjustly, to no one does he give license to sin.” (Sirach 15: 20). God created us for life and blessedness. “Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him.” (Deut. 30: 19b-20a). God’s law is not given by an angry God who can’t wait to punish us but rather by a loving God who wants to bless us.
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Our free will, however, demands that we make a choice to love and obey God. That’s why we have free will in the first place. Without it, we could not love and without love could not truly live. God’s law does not diminish our free will but rather preserves its integrity. Therefore, true freedom means to love and obey God rather than the ability to disobey him. “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!” (Ps 119: 1). The concept of freedom through obedience isn’t very controversial in most matters. If you chose to put delicious Vermont Maple Syrup in your gas tank instead of on your pancakes, would you still expect to have the freedom to drive that car? Of course not! Why then do we get so confused when it comes to freedom and the moral law? Were we designed for good or for evil? If we fill our lives with sinful choices and actions, we self-destruct. If we fill our lives with loving obedience to God, we flourish in freedom.
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In today’s Gospel reading, from the Gospel of Matthew, we hear the next part of Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount.” Here, Jesus presents himself as a sort of new Moses, a new Law Giver. He comes not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Mt 5: 17). In fact, Jesus asserts his divine authority even over God’s Law as transmitted by Moses. As the fulfillment of the “law and the prophets,” Jesus places himself in the position of God, the only one who has the authority to give the law. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors…but I say to you.” (see today’s Gospel). Yes, by teaching in this way, Jesus is saying that he is equal to God, that he is God, that he is the final authority. This is the reason Jesus was so bitterly hated by his rivals. They simply could not accept who he truly was and so they became his enemies. The same thing happens to us when we disobey God. We are refusing, in some way, to accept who God is. That’s why all sin offends God and hurts us. If we want to do God’s will in our lives, if we hope to fulfill the law, then we must do so through faith and loving surrender to Jesus.
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The world we live in pretends to make its own rules and establish its own laws, often times without reference to God’s Law or in blatant opposition to it. But, “the rulers of this age are passing away.” (see 1 Cor. 2: 6). They will not last. However, because God loves his people, he has revealed to us the mysterious wisdom that is in Christ, a wisdom hidden from worldly rulers and from the spiritually immature who falsely believe that freedom means the ability to disobey God. We can call this “the wisdom of the Cross.” The Cross of Christ stands as the ultimate witness to God’s wisdom. Under the threat of death itself, Jesus did not disobey but “he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2: 8). Because of his sacrifice of loving obedience to the will of the Father, Jesus won freedom from sin and death for us all and gave us eternal life. There can be no greater freedom than freedom in Christ.
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News & Events
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Please watch here for news and events, and join our events for good Catholic community!
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Ash Wednesday (February 18th)
Ashes will be given at Masses at the following times:
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- 8:15 a.m.
- 12:00 noon
- 5:30 p.m.
- 7:00p.m. Spanish Mass
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Stations of the Cross
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Fridays at 6:00p.m. in English and 7:00p.m. in Spanish.
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DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD 2026 LENTEN REGULATIONS
- Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat as well as days of fast, when only one full meal is allowed. On days of fast two other meatless meals may be taken according to one’s needs, but together
they should not equal another full meal.
- The other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.
- The obligation to abstain from meat begins at age fourteen (14) and does not cease.
- The obligation to fast begins at age eighteen (18) and ends at age fifty-nine (59).
Please note: Although the faithful may excuse themselves from fast and abstinence, for a just cause, there is an obligation to substitute another penance in its place. No Catholic should lightly excuse him/herself from these Lenten
obligations.
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Lent Decorating
Sr. Leila is looking for volunteer help on Tuesday, February 17 after the 8:15a.m. Mass to change over the
church decorations from Ordinary Time to Lent. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
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Religious Education Updates
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There are no Saturday or Sunday classes this weekend or next weekend – February 14 th, 15th, 21st & 22nd for the holiday and school vacation.
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Junior Legion of Mary
The Junior Legion of Mary is coming to Holy Name in October! The only requirements are being under 18 and wanting to grow with God.
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Eucharistic Adoration
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The Chaplet is prayed at 3p.m., the Rosary is prayed at 3:30 p.m. followed by Benediction.
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40 Days for Life
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The Spring 40 Days for Life in our Diocese begins Ash Wednesday, February 18 - March 29, 2026.
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February Bible Study
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All are invited to join Fr. Yerick, Deacon Michael and Sr. Leila on Thursday, February 19th, right after the 8:15a.m. Mass.
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Food Pantry Collection
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We are once again requesting food items for the OPEN PANTRY. As always, we appreciate your giving spirit. The items hoped for are: Canned meats and canned vegetables, oatmeal or hot cereal, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese and spaghetti sauce. Please, no perishables!! Thank you very much!
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Blue Army
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On the first Saturday of every month, the Blue Army group follows the 8:15a.m. Mass with a rosary, meditation on the mysteries and confession until approximately 10:00a.m. Everyone is invited to stay after Mass to take part.
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