The 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
From the Scriptures
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit... To each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.”
As Americans, we tend to over-value the people in the spotlight and under-value the people behind the scenes. Of course, we’re not alone in that. Various cultures throughout history have had this same vice.
It’s important, though, that we are conscious of the immense value of serving Jesus in whatever capacity He calls us to! There’s a remarkable scene in CS Lewis’ profound novella The Great Divorce which is set at the threshold of Heaven. Into the scene strides a woman bathed in light with hundreds of children and animals dancing around her and singing her praise. The main character asks with a trembling voice if this great woman is the Blessed Virgin Mary. He’s told that it isn’t! “She’s someone you’ll never have heard of” he’s told. The woman’s greatness came from the way she loved everyone she met and yet her name isn’t counted as great on Earth.
It’s a powerful reminder that visibility has little relationship to holiness, which is true greatness.
Thanks be to God for the multitude of people in the Church, clergy and laity, men and women, rich and poor, smart and simple whose prayers, fasting, charity, and example draw others to holiness, to the spiritual life, and to the love of God... Thanks be to God for all the people who administrate and organize and clean and order supplies and mow grass and build mausoleums and remind their pastor that he’s forgotten to send an email... SO much of the work of the Church comes down to addressing our human needs so that we’re ABLE to pay attention to our spiritual needs and responsibilities.
The Sermon on the (a)mount
I am thankful to God that in twenty years of priesthood, every Church of which I’ve been the pastor has thrived by the measure of finance. As such, I’ve rarely given a sermon here at St Edward about financial stewardship and, even then, I’ve been able to teach it as an aspect of the ordinary spiritual life of any Christian rather than as an urgent need. As Christians, we give to the Lord from that which we hold precious... as Jesus instructed us to do. And so we can and should return to the Lord our financial wealth, our valuable time, and our God-given gifts. Or, to use the buzzphrase: “Time, Talent, and Treasure.”
(I don’t keep my cash in a pirate chest, though, so I’ve never felt it was apt to call it treasure...)
That said, here is a little report on how we’re doing financially. Of course, any parishioner is always welcome to make an appointment and I will be happy to answer any questions and show you the full ledger of accounts and the record of our income and spending going back for as many months or years as you’d like. That information is 100% open to you!
Total Collections (Avg Weekly Collection)
- 2020 - $138,782 ($2,668)
- 2021 - $145,474 ($2,797)
- 2022 - $152,243 ($2,927)
- 2023 - $144,850 ($2,785)
- 2024 - $144,589 ($2,780)
These are incredibly healthy numbers! Note that this is the collection totals. We also receive various donations and we collect money for the diocese and we have Mass stipends which are better thought of as non-income receipts...
Total Income
- 2023 - $177,949
- 2024 - $178,824
This total includes weekly collections as well as restricted-use donations, Mass stipends, Special non-assessed collections (see below), etc.
Net Income (Percent Revenue)
- 2023 - $29,675 (~16%)
- 2024 - $13,503 (~7.5%)
These numbers are the bottom line after we pay all our bills, disburse our non-income receipts, and process all of our income and expenses.
Generally, I’d like these revenue percentages to be closer to 20% as a margin for safety, but we’ve really gone for it with renovations, repairs, and improvements these past five years!
Special (Non-assessed) Collections (2024)
- Infirm Priests - $6,138
- Retired Priests - $10,932
These are the two second collections (taken in September and at Easter) which remain entirely in the parish to offset the respective payments associated with caring for the ill and retired priests of the diocese.
Clergy Salary (and associated expenses)
- Salary $25,866
- Professional Expense Allowance $5,820
- Mileage (fixed) $165
The above is paid to Fr Ryan directly. Regarding mileage, Father takes one fixed mileage payment from the parish and absorbs the overage as one of the ways he tithes to the parish.
- Medical Insurance $14,501
- Infirm Priests Fund $3,000
- Retired Priests Fund $5,400
These payments go to the diocese to support the Bishop and the Clergy as a whole.
Diocesan Assessment (2024)
- Assessment ~$20,765
- Property Insurance ~$10,473
This is sometimes called the Diocesan “tax” although that’s not a great way to think about it. These monies support the bishop, seminarians, Maryhill, and all the other diocesan programs.
Major Improvements / Expenses
- Landscaping ~$15,000
- Tree Surgery ~$3,000
- Stained Glass Cross (Feb) ~$5,000
From the Saints
A charitable mind is not displayed simply in giving money; it is manifested still more by personal service as well as by the communication of God’s word to others.
-- St. Maximus the Confessor, Abbot
You must not be discouraged or let yourself become dejected if your actions have not succeeded as perfectly as you intended. What do you expect? We are made of clay and not every soil yields the fruits expected by the one who tills it. But let us always humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are nothing if we lack the Divine assistance.
-- Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Eva Reynolds (death)/Bullard
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon 9:00a In memory of Carol Folk LaHitte/P Lancaster
- Tue No Mass
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Kathleen Mills (death 2023)/E Crothers
- Thurs 9:00a In memory of Rosa & Gus Gremshell & May DiTomasso at Legacy Nursing
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Margaret Magoun/Magoun
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat Bullard (birth)/Bullard
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Dead members of our Parish Family
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Margo Corulla
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHC(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/18 5:30p | None Scheduled | M Rome | A Keene |
| 1/19 9:30a | Michael, Courtland, & Cooper | Youth | - |
| 1/25 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren | L Magoun |
| 1/26 9:30a | Annie & Thomas Meyers | B Sullivan | - |
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
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. FORMED.ORG… 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 https://signup.formed.org
Some general housekeeping announcements:
REQUESTS for MASSES to be offered for specific INTENTIONS... If you would like to have a Mass offered for a Special Intention (in Memory of, in Honor of, on the anniversary of marriage / birth / death, etc) you should contact the Church Office with the intention and, if applicable, the date(s). We are blessed with lots of requests, but we can usually set the Mass on or very close to the dates you’d like. The usual Mass stipend is $5 per Mass, but that’s a suggestion. We NEVER refuse to offer a Mass because of money. It’s a great gift and service, especially to the dead, to have a Mass offered for someone!
ALTAR CANDLES… Anyone wishing to have the candles at the tabernacle burn in honor of their loved one or for their intention can contact the parish office. A small donation is recommended, but not required. A list of dates is in the sacristy and a specific date can be reserved up to a year in advance.
Our Parish has a LENDING LIBRARY... in the Parish Hall. There are books, DVDs, CDs, Bibles, Catechisms, Fiction, Non-Fiction, and even a few medals and rosaries. Topics range from Church history to theology to spirituality to biography. There’s no special procedure to check anything out, just take what you’re interested in and return it in a timely manner.
PASTORAL VISITS, HOUSE BLESSINGS, and SUPPER INVITATIONS... Father Ryan is more than happy to visit you or your loved one for any reason in your home, in the hospital, in the nursing home, or wherever as needed. Please call or text him directly to make arrangements.
EMERGENCIES & ANOINTING OF THE SICK... As Catholics, we believe that the moment of death is incredibly important! If you or someone you love is seriously ill or experiences a life-threatening accident, please call or text a priest! Emergency anointings are a great help to the sick and injured and they are a great support to the family and friends waiting nervously. Fr Ryan’s mobile number is on his business card in the Church and on the insert of the weekly bulletin. Don’t hesitate to call day or night!
Stewardship In today’s second reading, St. Paul tells the Corinthians (and us) that all of our gifts are from God and that they are given, not for ourselves alone, but for the common good. But, the generosity of God knows no limits–the miracle at Cana reminds us that whenever we faithfully do as God asks, He can change our gifts of water into wine!
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| December Budget | $ 10,555 |
| December Collections | $ 22,343 |
| December Total Expenses | $ 11,981 |
| January Budget | $ 8,444 |
| January 12 Collection | $ 2,094 |
| January Collections To Date | $ 4,370 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Paul Naya (Jan 18), Renee Wood (Jan 18), Pam Cagnolatti (Jan 22), Mary Jane Johnson (Jan 22), Brice Wood (Jan 22), Travis Hamilton (Jan 24)
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; 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, C.W. & Alyce Keene, Sidney & Mary Jane Johnson, Frances & Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Mike & Sue Rome, Kenny and Betty Smith
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), Marie Farlow Bellard, Tommy Bickham (C Copes), Nap and Martha Book, Kay Boolos (S Gilfoil), Dick & Sue Boyd (S Gilfoil), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Jeannie & Donald Collins, Teresa Carney Condra, Jami Cook (Wilks), Bobbe & Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummings, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Wayne Edwards, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Jimmy Fordham (Gustafson & Fordice), Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Fred and Cathy Fulton, Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Charlotte Green, Theresa Gunter, Rita Hargrave, Ralph Harris (Gilfoil), Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), Lynn Lisonbee, LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Ruth McDonald (Copes), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Randy Parker, John Neill, Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Bailey, Scott, and Tiffney Rome, Dianne Roper (Murphy), Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Debbie Kedrick Sims, Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Randy Watts, Jr.
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Bruen Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Charlize Richardson, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Chandler Wood, Marsh Wood
