Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 15, 2026

GOSPEL MEDITATION

A few years into my priesthood, I hit a wall. I had taken on too many commitments: Masses, meetings, ministries, projects. I couldn’t keep up. I was double-booking, forgetting things, running late, and letting people down. My boss at the time, a wise priest, and our shared secretary, noticed. For my birthday, the two gave me a stack of 100 flashcards, each with one word printed in a different language: “NO.” It was funny, but also painfully true. If I couldn’t say no, my yes was in danger.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One” (Matthew 5:37). He’s not just giving advice about polite speech. He’s showing us something about the freedom of Christian discipleship. The follower of Christ is called to speak clearly, simply, and honestly. There is joy in that kind of freedom.

The Church Fathers often linked this kind of straightforward truthfulness with spiritual maturity. The devil is the father of lies, but Jesus is the Word made flesh. When we hedge, flatter, exaggerate, or avoid, we open space for the shadows to creep in. That little stack of flashcards reminded me that God does not want us enslaved to the expectations of others or to the fear of disappointing them. He wants us to enjoy the peace of saying yes and meaning it, and saying no, and meaning it, too. Lenten Challenge: Practice one moment of honest, peaceful speech this week. Maybe it’s a sincere “yes” to something important, or a humble “no” to something you cannot do. Let it be a quiet step into the freedom Jesus offers
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

It’s easy to love life when it’s beautiful and perfect. But the real test of our love is to love, respect, and defend all human life from beginning to end; young and old; born and unborn.

THE 61ST ANNUAL NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Mark your calendars! This year’s novena will begin on Monday, March 16, 2026, and continue through Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The Celebrant for the opening night will be Bishop Mark L. Bartchak, JCD. More information to come.

GUEST SPEAKER

On Friday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m. we will welcome Notre Dame outstanding 3 x pentathlon NCAA Champion and current Olympic bobsledder Jadin O’Brien as our parish Lenten mission leader. She graciously accepted the invitation through the Catholic Speakers Organization. She is a devout Catholic who has shown perseverance through her health struggles and injuries. She is excited about coming to visit our parish and school. Please help spread the word about this upcoming parish mission; also check out her billboard on Route 22. LETS GO!!!

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

In today’s gospel Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure. Family life is a series of departures. As we mature and grow older we constantly transition from the familiar to the new unknown. Today Jesus assures us we are not alone in these transitions. “I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.”
- Bud Ozar

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

Today’s readings challenge us to reflect on the true state of our hearts as it relates to stewardship. Do we think of stewardship as something we take care of once a year, simply a matter of ticking off boxes on a commitment card – or do we choose to embrace it as a spirituality and way of life that allows us to grow in conformity to Christ every day? The concept of stewardship helps us to live out the fundamental choice to put God first. Stewardship is not meant to be a mere external exercise in which we participate on an occasional basis. It is meant to be embraced as a way of life that involved a continuous conversion of heart. Our Lord is asking us not only for exterior acts, but for a true change of heart. In stewardship terms, that means seeing everything as a gift from Him, to be used for His glory and the good of others. In the week ahead let us examine the state of our hearts to ask ourselves if we have chosen to allow stewardship to become a way of life for us. Only then will we experience its true depth and heart-changing possibilities. The choice is ours.

Prayer Requests

Kathy Ansman, Mark Blackie, Rod Baronner, Dan Bauer, Dave Bauer, Jack Chilcote, Harry Chirdon, Karen Claar, Brandon Conaway, Shirley Conlon, Denise Conrad, James Conrad, Kathy Corl, William Costlow, Joe DeGennaro Jr., Colette DiMemmo, Margaret Dodson, Tim Dodson, Joan Donnelly, Matthew Dorman, Nate Dorman, Amelia Doughurty, Lois Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Paul Dunmire, Ashley Eagen, Corinda Ermin, Roberta Farabaugh, Herman Frederick, Pat Harpster, Leighton Hess, Lucy Horton, Raymond Kargo, Carol Keagy, Russell Keith, John Kleine, Ruth Lamca, Cyndi Lansberry, Beth Lloyd, Joan Maier, Charles McGrain, Shirley McIntyre, Mason Wayne McManus, Paul Angelo Morelli, Bev Mueller, Bonnie Neal, Jessica Neff, Lee Neff, Kevin O'Rourke, Lucille Parker, Sarah Rihnovich, Nancy Servello, Elizabeth Siglow, Laura Snyder, Bill stauffer, Alex Walter, Margo Wascherl, Joan Weston, Renee Williams, Mikayla Yanchik, Pat Zeak.

If you would like to add a sick or hospitalized person to our prayer list or readd a person, please call the rectory office, at 943-8553. Parishioners of Saint Mary are encouraged and welcome to participate. Remember, you must have the permission of the ill person/family to publish their name.

Sacred Heart Church