The Fourth Sunday of Easter
From The Font
"I lay down my life to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own."
This bold declaration embodies the essence of self-sacrifice and the pinnacle of divine love manifested in the person of Jesus. Throughout history, the narrative of laying down one's life for others is a recurring motif in both classical and contemporary literature, symbolizing the ultimate act of love and self-giving.
In the annals of great literature, from the tragic aspirations of Victor Frankenstein to the redemptive journey of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, and from the epic battles of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings to the magical sacrifices in the Harry Potter series, the theme of self-sacrifice is essential. These stories, while diverse in setting and era, all echo the seminal act of Jesus Christ, who consciously chose to offer His life, not as a victim of circumstance or as a casualty of political machinations, but as a deliberate act of love for humanity. It is important to clarify that while historical figures such as the Romans and the Jewish authorities played roles in the narrative of Christ's Passion, they
were not the architects of His destiny. Instead, it was Christ's own choice, motivated by unfathomable love, to lay down His life for the salvation of all.
This choice of Jesus contrasts the often bleak and desperate sacrifices we see in literature. Characters like Valjean and Gandalf embody heroism through their sacrifices, yet their actions are tinged with the tragedy of their circumstances. Jesus, on the other hand, embraced His sacrifice with the knowledge and assurance of His Resurrection, turning an act of apparent defeat into the ultimate victory over death. This perspective redefines the concept of sacrifice, infusing it with hope and the promise of new life.
Thus, even as we revel in the joy of the Easter Season, we are continually drawn back to the foot of the Cross, to ponder the profound mystery of a God who loves us to the extent of laying down His life for us. In this contemplation, we find not only the model for our own lives but also the strength to live out this call to love, assured of the promise of eternal life with Him.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
This Friday is our Mass for the sick which includes the offering of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
The sacrament is a profound expression of God's merciful love in times of physical and spiritual suffering. It's rooted in the compassionate healings of Jesus Christ and serves as a beacon of hope and a source of strength for the infirm and those burdened by the weight of illness.
The Anointing of the Sick is a sacred encounter with the Lord, who meets us in our vulnerability and pain. It is a tangible sign of His presence, reminding us that we are never forsaken, especially in our darkest hours. Through the anointing with holy oil and the prayers of the Church, the grace of this sacrament unites the suffering of the sick with the suffering of Christ on the Cross. It is a profound mystery that in our weakness, we are made strong; in our brokenness, we find wholeness.
In our shared offering of the Anointing, this sacrament also invites the entire community of faith to share in the compassion of Christ. It calls us to be bearers of comfort and hope, to visit the sick, to pray for them, and to assist them in their needs, embodying the love and mercy of Christ in our actions.
And certainly, in the context in which we share it together at Mass, is not a sign of the end but a gesture of beginning—beginning of deeper trust in God's will, beginning of renewed strength in suffering, and, ultimately, a beginning of peace in the heart, knowing that we are cradled in the arms of divine mercy. In our physical and spiritual trials, may we always find refuge in the healing grace of this beautiful sacrament, confident in the promise of Christ's abiding presence and love.
And of course, as all the Sacraments do, this sacrament draws us right back to the first days of the Church and to the Letter of St James: "Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven" (James 5:14-15) This scriptural basis underpins the sacrament's focus on healing and forgiveness, themes that many saints have profoundly reflected in their writings and acts of mercy.
Miraculous healings at Marian apparition sites, such as Lourdes, and through the intercession of saints, highlight the church's long history of seeking and witnessing divine healing, aligning closely with the graces sought in the Anointing of the Sick…
While the sacrament itself is a ritual of healing, comfort, and forgiveness, the saints' teachings and examples amplify its significance, reminding the faithful of the profound connection between suffering, healing, and divine grace. Their lives and miracles continue to inspire believers to seek God's healing presence, especially through the sacraments.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Jack Ellerbee and in honor of John Ellerbee (birth)/Sullivan
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of Delia Trichell (death anni)/T Trichell
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Alex “Bubba” Jumonville/family
- Thu 5:30p In memory of Rosa and Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Leon Humphries
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Jason Jumonville
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning in memory of Delia Trichell requested by Angel Farlow
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/20 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks | N Ernst |
| 4/21 9:30a | Kathleen and Evelyn | Youth-MaryKatherine | - |
| 4/27 5:30p | None Scheduled | MK Book | C VanderVieren |
| 4/28 9:30a | Chandler & Annie | M Lancaster | - |
| 5/4 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard | A Keene |
| 5/5 9:30a | MaryKatherine & Courtland | S Marsh | - |
Stewardship To be good stewards, we must be good shepherds, willing to lay down our lives for those committed to our care, not mere hired hands, who run off, “leaving the sheep to be snatched and scattered by the wolf.”
NEXT WEEKEND (April 28)… SECOND COLLECTION …for Catholic Home MIssions to be used to strengthen the Church at home.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| March Budget | $ 10,555 |
| March Income | $ 16,474 |
| March Expenses | $ 10,693 |
| April Budget | $ 8,444 |
| April 14 Collection | $ 2,358 |
| April Income To Date | $ 5,005 |
Upcoming Events
Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass and on Sunday from 9a until Mass
Sunday Catechism with Coffee and Donuts after Mass unless otherwise indicated
Wednesday Morning Catechism about 9:30 a.m in Church and on Facebook and YouTube
April 24 Pastoral Council Meeting … 6 p.m. … Church Hall
April 28 Second Quarter Social …. will be held following the Sunday Mass and will be our usual Potluck Brunch in the Church Hall. EVERYONE is encouraged to attend. Fr Ryan will talk about his trip to Spain.
May 5 First Holy Communion followed by a reception in the Church Hall for our Faith Family
May 12 Mass for Graduate followed by a reception in the Church Hall for our Faith Family
For Your Information:
ROSARY GROUP… a group of parishioners is meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to pray the Rosary. Everyone is invited to join the group. If you need additional information, please contact the Coordinator, Louise Magoun, at 318-341-2403.
PILGRIMAGE!... Fr Ryan is leading a Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome in Italy in September of 2024. More information is available at HolyTravels.org/FrHumphriesItaly . Please pass the word around!
FORMED.ORG… FORMED has an entire page of weekly featured videos that are worth checking out at https://watch.formed.org/this-week-on-formed. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at http://signup.formed.org
SECOND QUARTER SOCIAL …. will be held on next Sunday, April 28, following the Sunday Mass and will be our usual Potluck Brunch in the Church Hall. EVERYONE is encouraged to attend and join in the festivities as Father Ryan will have returned from his trip to Spain and will share his experiences. Giving leadership to the event will be the members of the Second Quarter group (April, May, June) group - Libby Bullard, Angel Farlow, Margaret and Pat Gilfoil, MaryAnne Gilfoil, Terry and Andy Hall, Isabell Hernandez, Cindy and Jamie Howington, Ann Keene, Alyce and C.W. Keene, Elizabeth and Paul Naya, Bobby Reynolds, and Cathy VanderVieren who will serve as chairperson.
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Marie Ernst (April 21), Ann Keene (April 23), Norman Ernst II (April 27), Ginny Marsh (April 28)
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.
Our Pope Francis; 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, or otherwise in need of our prayers: MaryKathryn and Nap Book, Connie and Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret and Pat Gilfoil, Terry Farlow Hall, C.W. and Alyce Keene, Bill Kennedy, Hannah Wood McCarty, Ed Mills, Terry and Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Sue & Mike Rome
Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Lee Adams (Smith), Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Kathryn Wood Allsopp (D Wood), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), James Arceneaux (Book), Marie Farlow Bellard, Tommy Bickham (C Copes), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Willetta and Mac Cagnolatti, Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Jeannie and Donald Collins, Teresa Carney Condra, Jami Cook (Wilks), Bobbe and Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummings, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Jimmy Fordham (Gustafson & Fordice), Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Gail Gilfoil Graugnard, Charlotte Green, Theresa Gunter, Rita Hargrave, Ralph Harris (Gilfoil), Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Chelsea Keene & Andrew Lewis, Emery and Kale Kirkland (Gilfoil), Calvin “Beans” and Lynn Lisonbee, LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), James Albert Martin, Ruth McDonald (Copes), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Vickie Morelli (Ernst), John Neill, Caryn Oliver, Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Tuleta Sasser(Wilks), Debbie Kedrick Sims, Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Mary Claire Warner and her parents, MaryBeth and Steve, Randy Watts, Jr
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Marsh Wood
