The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
As we are listening to the story of the Transfiguration in today's Gospel, we should feel like we’ve heard parts of this event somewhere else in the Gospels… For sure the words "This is my beloved Son" should ring a bell…
The place we're thinking of is the Baptism of the Lord Jesus in the Jordan river by John.
It takes place right at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. Jesus goes to John. John protests. Jesus hits back with "it is necessary for us to fulfill all righteousness" - which means we have to do this to properly observe the Law.
Jesus goes into the water. He comes up shimmering and the Voice of God says "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am satisfied." Then the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove and lands on Jesus and we see the Holy Trinity - reminding us that God is present and working in this world.
Today's Gospel, the Transfiguration, is subtly different. It takes place at the end of the ministry of Jesus. Here, Jesus isn't shimmering with water, but with light. And here, the Holy Spirit isn't present as an earthly dove, but in the light itself and in the persons of Elijah and Moses symbolizing the Jewish scriptures and God's care for His people through history. And here the voice of God says "This is my beloved son." But rather than talking about satisfaction, God commands Peter - the first pope - to listen to Jesus.
Here, we see the Most Holy Trinity. But we see God revealing his divinity - His godliness. It's not about water and birds and the physicality and humanity of Jesus, it's about the supernaturality.
Taken together, the Baptism and the Transfiguration teach us that God is both/and. He is present, but also holy. He is concerned with the flesh, but also the spirit.
This can seem like it should be obvious, but a lot of Christians tend to overfocus on one or the other. And crazy as it may seem, lots of Catholics seem to forget about the Divinity of God!
Every time we make an excuse or give ourselves permission to commit a sin on purpose, we're basically denying that God is God.
Every time we come to the Church irreverently… Whether that's the way we dress, the manner of our speech, whatever, we're missing the supernaturality of what we do here.
No doubt it's harder to be a Christian now than it was 50 years ago… Society used to have better moral standards. Mass used to be more reverent.
Modern Catholics - even many priests - seem embarrassed by our beliefs and, even moreso, by our worship. It used to be a lot easier to feel the supernatural at Mass. This cross is ours to carry just as the folks 50 years ago had their own crosses to carry. We have some things easier and some things harder.
What we must not miss, though, is the supernaturality of what we are and what we do. We're not just here at Mass to check a box or to avoid feeling guilt or even to get closer to God! We're here because if we don't worship God, we will lose our souls and our sanity.
Jesus is not a great teacher or a great prophet, He is God! Our faith is not a lifestyle or an ethical system, it's a religion and that's a good thing! God designed us to be religious - not just spiritual, but religious. Why? Because all that exists is from the Lord. He is the giver of all good gifts. Everything that exists comes from Him.
The whole purpose of the Transfiguration is to compliment the Baptism and the ministry of Jesus. Yes, God walked among us with a human body for 33 years 20 centuries ago. But don’t for a second think that He is not immortal, invisible, God truly wise.
It's too easy for us as Christians to forget that God is God. And forgetting that is all it takes to lose our salvation for all eternity.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30 pm In memory of Philip and Nettie Scurria/family
- Sun 8:00 am (Traditional Latin Mass) PRO POPULO for the living & deceased members of our parish
- Sun 9:30 am For a special intention of the Guizenix family
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue NO MASS (Fr Ryan out of town)
- Wed NO MASS
- Thu 9:00 am In memory of Rosa and Gus Gremshell and May DiTomasso Legacy
- Fri 5:30 pm In memory of Becky Lancaster/family
- Sat 5:30 pm In memory of Pat & Marleigh Bullard, Patrick Thomas, and Eva & R L Reynolds/family
- Sun 9:30 am In memory of deceased members of the Roy and Johnson families/Johnson
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning memory of Vicky Morelli
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHC(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/2 5:30p | - | M Rome | A Keene |
| 8/3 9:30a | Annie, Thomas Meyers, Katelyn | D Hamilton | - |
| 8/9 5:30p | - | C VanderVieren | N Ernst |
| 8/10 9:30a | Michael, Finley, Ashlyn | C Guizerix | - |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Fri & Sat ~5pm until Mass and Sunday ~9am until Mass
- August 2/3 First Sunday Benediction following Mass
- August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Holy Day of Obligation - Masses: Thursday, August 14, 5:30 p.m. and Friday, August 15 at 5:30 p.m.
- August 17 Third Quarter Social - Potluck Brunch following 9:30 a m Mass
For Your 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
ROSARY GROUP meets on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to pray the Rosary. Everyone is invited to join in prayer. For more information, contact Louise Magoun (318-341-2403), coordinator. MAUSOLEUM We have reached the end of our sales period for the Mausoleum. It will, of course, be possible to purchase spaces in the future, 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 call the church office. THIRD QUARTER SOCIAL will be a Potluck Brunch on Sunday, August 17 in the Church Hall. The Committee for the event includes Shannon and Bart Wood and Betty and Kenny Smith, co-chairs, MaryKathryn Book, Kendra and Dave Collins, Connie and Dan Copes, Kaci and Norman Ernst, Lance and Stephenie Marsh, Peggy and Phil Scurria, Beth and Chip Sullivan
EMPOWERING GOD’S CHILDREN… parish volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and go online regularly at www.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.
PRAYER FOR HURRICANE SEASON Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during the Hurricane Season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hastened to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen (Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30)
Our Return to the Lord
Stewardship Seeing Jesus transfigured made Peter want to do something to mark the event. But the Voice from the cloud said clearly that the first task of those who recognize Jesus as Lord is to listen to Jesus – and then act!
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for our once monthly Building Fund.
| Weekly Budget FY 2025-2026 | $ 2,500 |
| June Budget | $ 10,555 |
| June Collections | $ 13,752 |
| June Total Expenses | $ 11,151 |
| July Budget | $ 10,000 |
| July 27 Collection | $ 2,881 |
| July Collections To Date | $ 12,132 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Louise Magoun (Aug 2), Stephen Riddick (Aug 2), Philip Scurria (Aug 6)
Happy Anniversary Margaret and Pat Gilfoil (August 3)
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, Connie & Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Susan & Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret & Pat Gilfoil,Terry Farlow Hall, Sidney & Mary Jane Johnson, Frances & Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Mike & Sue Rome
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Marie Farlow Bellard, Martha Book, Kay Boolos (S Gilfoil), Dick & Sue Boyd (S Gilfoil), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Gayle Brown (Dukes and Oliver), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Caroline and Albert Christman, Jeannie & Donald Collins, Teresa Carney Condra, Jami Cook (Wilks), Mike Coullard (Oliver), Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummins, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Fred and Cathy Fulton, Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Callie Halbach Hyams, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Frank McKinney, Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller,Cole Norris, Randy Parker, John Neill, Bailey, Scott, and Tiffney Rome, Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Sara and Jess Shields (Keene), Debbie Kedrick Sims, Tommy Trichell, 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, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Chandler Wood, Marsh Wood
