The 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
O ye of Little Faith...
Just in this short story, Peter has endured a frightening storm, encountered Jesus in the guise of a ghost, spoken to said ghost, stepped out onto the choppy water, and walked toward Jesus in the guise of this ghost.
From my point of view, that’s a whole lot of faith. Probably more than I can muster.
In fact, all of the apostles were men of substantial faith. They had all left everything they had to follow Jesus without fully understanding what His plan was.
It’s clear that some of them - like the Sons of Zebedee - believed that He was a messiah who was going to rule as a king.
Others, like Judas - seemed to think that He had a much less certain future and that Jesus needed to play His cards right if He wanted to succeed.
None but Peter was able to speak with clarity when Jesus asked them Who they believed Him to be.
Still, all of them followed Him wherever He led - even up Mt Calvary and all of them, except John, followed Him to an early death.
And knowing all this, Jesus still calls Peter out and says “Ye of little Faith.”
Many saints and great preachers have preached about the imagery in this story.
The water, for Jews at least, symbolized the chaos of the world. In the moment of creation, God separated the waters and brought order. Storms symbolized chaos, death, and the abyss.
The boat is the Church. Why? Because Peter is the rock upon which the Church is built and he is strongly associated with boats. Peter is a fisherman. Jesus stood on Peter’s boat to preach. Jesus revealed Himself to the apostles after His resurrection in the context of a boat. The boat is the Church.
When Peter - a man of great faith - pilots the boat through the storm, all is well. But when Peter steps out of the boat - he is immediately subject to chaos beyond his control. Jesus is Lord! But Peter’s personal strength is NOTHING without the stability of the Church.
The imagery strongly supports this interpretation. Why? Because Peter’s fault is met with Jesus’ hand AND HIS CRITICISM. And immediately, they return to the boat and the chaotic storm dies down. And immediately, everyone recognizes Jesus as He is - the Son of God. Peter tried to go it alone, but his personal faith failed him. He didn’t have what it takes to resist the world without the boat - without the Church. The shared faith of the Church, though, is entirely sufficient to calm the storm. When Peter is back in the boat, the whole Church resounds with Praise that Jesus is the son of God.
The reason that we go to confession, for example, and not just confess our sins to the Lord in private - is that WE are part of the Church. And so any separation between us and the Church, even personal sin, is detrimental to the whole Church.
My personal sin isn’t just a sin against the Lord, it’s also a sin against each of you. If I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and my neighbor as myself, then I’m simply doing what I’m commanded to do. If I fail to love the Lord, then BY THAT FACT, I am failing to love you - my neighbor. I’m setting a bad example. But even if my sin is entirely private, I’m also failing to be present to the Holy Spirit and so I’m depriving you of a way in which the Holy Spirit might speak to you!
None of us is going to have Faith greater than Peter. And if he couldn’t make his way to Jesus separate from the Church, neither will we. Jesus called Peter to come to Him to prove that very point! Peter was called because he asked to be called and Jesus gave Him what he wanted. Thank God Jesus doesn’t answer all our prayers!
The overwhelming message of the Gospel is that our personal faith - on its own - is insufficient. On our own, we are OF LITTLE FAITH. But in the boat - within the Church - our shared faith protects us and delivers us.
Upcoming Events
Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass and Sunday from 9a until Mass
Sunday Morning Catechism in the Hall (with Coffee & Donuts) after the 9:00a Mass during the School Year unless otherwise indicated
Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Wednesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
August 12 Talk #3 about Spain at 6p in Church Hall
August 16 Potluck Brunch following 9:30a Mass. All are welcome! Bring a dish if you can.
August 19 Pastoral Council meets in Church Hall at 6p
August 23 Sunday Morning Catechism (along with Donuts and Coffee in the Hall) begins following the 9:30a Mass
For Your Information:
TALKS ABOUT SPAIN As we have a number of folks who will be traveling on pilgrimage to Spain this fall, Fr Ryan will offer talks organized around the geographic regions on the tour. All talks will be in the Hall and are open to anyone. All talks will begin at 6p and will include a powerpoint-style slide show with pictures and explanations of the places and their cultural and spiritual significance.
Wed, Aug 12, 6p Talk 3 - Santiago de Compostela and the Camino of St James
Wed, Aug 26, 6p Talk 4 - Fatima
ROSARY GROUP meets on Monday at 5:30p for prayer and supper. Everyone is welcome. Contact Louise Magoun (318-341-2403), coordinator for more information.
FORMED.ORG has weekly features at https://watch.formed.org/this-week-on-formed. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at https://signup.formed.org
MAUSOLEUM Construction will begin in the coming months. Our sales representative, Garth Daniels, can be reached at (318) 295-4409. If you have any questions or you know of anyone else interested in making a purchase, please encourage them to speak with Garth or to call the church office.
POTLUCK BRUNCH following 9:30a Mass on Sunday, August 16. All are invited to join in. Third Quarter (July, Aug, Sept) Social Committee: Shannon & Bart Wood and Betty & Kenny Smith, co-chairs, MaryKathryn Book, Kendra & Dave Collins, Connie & Dan Copes, Dana & Randy Dukes, Kaci & Norman Ernst, Lance & Stephenie Marsh, Peggy & Phil Scurria, Beth & Chip Sullivan
PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING will be held on Wednesday, August 19 at 6p in the Church Hall.
EMPOWERING GOD’S CHILDREN Parish volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and go online regularly at Virtus.org for the latest training bulletins. Any questions or issues can be reported to the office. Printed resources are available on the table at the entrance to the Church: “Protecting our Children, Understanding and Preventing Child Sexual Abuse” includes Resources and Contact Numbers for reporting abuse; “Protecting God’s Children, Teaching Touching Safety Quick Reference Guide”; The Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Minors and The Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct for Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff, and Volunteers are available in the Safe Environment section of the diocesan website at DioceseAlex.org or a copy may be requested from the Safe Environment Office (318) 445-2401.
PLEDGE TO HEAL If you or a family member has been abused or victimized by a representative of the Catholic church or a member of the clergy, please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. Dr. Lee Kneipp, Clinical Psychologist, Victim Assistance Coordinator, Diocese of Alexandria encourages those persons to come forward and speak out. Dr. Kneipp is establishing support groups in the central Louisiana area for victims and family members. The focus of these groups is to further emotional and spiritual healing as an adjunct to therapy, in an atmosphere of others who understand the pain, betrayal, and fear associated with abuse. Dr. Kneipp can be reached at 318-542-9805. All calls are confidential.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Gail Graugnard & MaryAgnes York/P Gilfoil
- Sun 8:00a (Traditional Latin Mass) PRO POPULO for the living & deceased members of our parish
- Sun 9:30a In memory of Delia and Thomas Trichell/T Trichell
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Joe Farlow/Bellard
- Thu 9:00a (Legacy Nursing Home) In memory of Bryan Stamey/family
- Fri 5:30p In memory of deceased members of Bolton and Howington families
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Payton and Donald Trichell/family
- Sun 8:00a (Traditional Latin Mass) PRO POPULO for the living & deceased members of our parish
- Sun 9:30a In memory of deceased members of the Roy and Johnson families
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning this week in memory of Vicki Morelli.
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 8/8 5:30p | - | MA Gilfoil |
| 8/9 9:30a | MaryKatherine, Maura, Elizabeth | B Sullivan |
| 8/15 5:30p | - | P Wilks |
| 8/16 9:30a | Cooper & Courtland | Youth |
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2025-2026 | $ 2,500 |
| July Budget | $ 10,000 |
| July Collections | $ 10,929 |
| July Expenses | TBD |
| August Budget | $ 12,500 |
| August 2 Collection | $ 4,942 |
| August to Date | $ 4,942 |
Stewardship “Elijah recognized the voice of God not in the strong and heavy wind, not in the earthquake, and not in the fire, but in a tiny whispering sound. May we find enough quiet in the clamorous world to hear His voice and discern what He is calling us to do and be.
THE SECOND COLLECTION this weekend supports our Diocesean Renewal Center at Maryhill in Pineville.
Community Celebrations
Happy Anniversary to Shannon and Bart Wood (Aug. 15)
In Our Daily Prayers…
Please let us know of anyone who is ill or hospitalized and would like to receive a visit from Father. Also, help us keep our prayer list up to date by advising us of those who should be added or removed.
For our Pope, Leo XIV, our Bishop, Robert Marshall; and our Diocesan leaders, our President, Governor, Mayor and national, state and local elected representatives
Our parishioners who are sick, shut-in, under full-time care and for those who care for them, and for those otherwise in need of our prayers: MaryKathryn & Nap Book, Chris, Susan, and David Cagnolatti, Connie & Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Ann Claire Fordice and her children, Susan & Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret & Pat Gilfoil,Terry Farlow Hall, Sidney & Mary Jane Johnson, Frances & Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Phillip and Peggy Scurria, Sug Regan, Mike & Sue Rome, Lori Sullivan, Mary Trichell
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Marie Farlow Bellard, Martha Book, Kay Boolos (S Gilfoil), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Gayle Brown (Dukes and Oliver), Albert Christman, Jeannie & Donald Collins, Jami Cook (Wilks), Gene Cox, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Judy Fortenberry, Donna Fulton (Ellerbee), Fred and Cathy Fulton, Morgan, Alex, and Palmer Gilfoil, Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Patricia Lively (Wilks), Charles Howington, Jimmy Hopson(Wilks), Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Andrew and Chelsea Keene-Lewis, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Jessica McCoy (Reynolds), the family of Lee McCoy (Reynolds), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Mike Morelli, Randy Parker, Betty Petersen, David Peterson, Quintin Purvis, John Neill, Curt and Brianne Rome, Bailey, Scott, and Tiffney Rome, Debbie Kedrick Sims, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Randy Watts, Jr.
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, EmmyLu Marsh, Charlize Richardson, Will Richardson, Chandler Wood
