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Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

April 5, 2020

Thoughts from Fr. Ryan

"I am innocent of this man’s blood." - Pilate

In many ways, Pilate gives us the perfect example of how to run headlong toward eternal damnation in Hell. Every sin that we've ever committed is just a mishmash of his words here in the Gospel... "I know this or that is wrong, but I am innocent because... reasons." What makes it so very sad is that he's pretending that he's not to blame for such petty reasons. Pilate believes he's innocent because... there's an angry crowd? The Roman Province of Judea was a constantly at war with itself or with the broader empire. Pilate literally executed hundreds of people a monthm and yet he wants to pretend that his hands are clean just because there were "good" reasons for his actions.

We do the same thing. We have some motivation. Maybe we want to be well thought of. Maybe we want to experience pleasure. Maybe we want to get ahead. Maybe we believe that we're right and the moral law is wrong. Whatever our reasons, we do what Pilate did. We claim that our reasons were justifiable and so we do what it is we do and believe that we have clean hands. And that's a problem. Sin is bad. Sin is deadly. The worse problem, though, comes after the sin when we see what's we've done in the cool light of day. Just as Pilate looks at himself after condemning Jesus.

All of us can and do make mistakes. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But when we realize, what do we do? Do we repent or do we justify our actions to ourselves. I think the biggest struggle we have as Catholics is the same struggle Pilate had. He didn't want to face himself. We live in a society in which are strongly encouraged not to look within ourselves. We're told to judge the opinions of others, not engage them. We're told to fill up our lives with busyness and activity so that we never risk sitting alone and thinking about the big questions. Confession, though, makes that all but impossible. We have to face ourselves. There's no real reason to be embarrassed about confessing one's sins to the priest, but there's a real anxiety in confronting ourselves with our sins. The real path to Hell isn't sin, it's what takes place after we sin. Do we acknowledge our sin and ask forgiveness of God and His Church or do we make excuses... Confession can be uncomfortable. It can be embarassing or humiliating. It can be something we don't like to do and don't want to do. But none of those are any more acceptable to God than Pilate's self-delusion. Forgiveness from God is not automatic and it's not just a matter of looking up and saying "please forgive me." Forgiveness requires sorrow for sin (aka "Contrition") and it requires asking God in a concrete way for His Mercy. Can that be done without the Church? Not really. Yes, in extenuating circumstances, God does grade on a curve... But we don't get to decide what shape that curve may or may not take. The ordinary way in which the Lord intended us to be forgiven of sins is the Sacramental way. Jesus gave Peter the Keys to the Kingdom and He gave Peter instructions to forgive sins or to withhold forgiveness. The Church gives us the Sacrament of Confession which makes being forgiven incredibly easy.

I hope and pray that despite the oddness of our circumstances, each of us will strongly think about the need that we have for a regular Confession and will do what it takes to make that happen.

April Quarantine Calendar

Notes:

  • Links to watch Masses via Livestream or recording can be found on our Parish Website.

  • Fr. Ryan's sermons at the Latin Mass are given in English before the Mass begins. If you tune in at the scheduled time, you'll hear English readings and an English Sermon before you hear any Latin.

  • Fr. Ryan is offering Mass in Latin Mon-Fri as part of a larger initiative with CatholicUnderground. Fr. Chris Decker of the Diocese of Baton Rouge streams Mass in English every weekday morning at 8:30a and those who would prefer to watch Mass in English are encouraged to tune in. On Saturday, Fr. Ryan offers the Mass in English at 9:15a and on Sunday, he offers both the Latin (8:15a) and English (9:15a) Masses.

  • When Fr. Ryan is Livestreaming, he cannot see the comments, chats or any other feedback. Please feel free to leave comments during Mass, but don't expect a speedy reply!

  • Fr Ryan will be available under the awning of the Church on Mondays and Fridays at noon for Confession. He'll wait until the line empties so please arrive as close to noon as possible!

  • Those wanting Blessed Palms, Missallettes, or a copy of The Word Among Us should come on Monday or Friday at noon. You can also text or call to arrange a convenient time to pick up an item, to pray in the Church, to go to Confession or just to visit with Fr. Ryan.

Holy Week

  • Sunday April 5 (Palm Sunday)
    • 8:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (English, Ordinary Form)
    • 10:15a Blessed Palms available in the parking lot. Please come as close to 10:15a as possible and remain in your vehicle.
  • Monday April 6
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 10:15a Holy Mass (English, Ordinary Form)
    • 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
  • Tuesday April 7
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 10:15a Holy Mass (English, Ordinary Form)
    • 11:00a COVID-Catechism #3
  • Wednesday April 8
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 10:15a Holy Mass (English, Ordinary Form)

Paschal Triduum

  • Thursday April 9 (Maundy Thursday)
    • 9:15a Stations of the Cross with Morning Prayer
    • 11:00a COVID-Catechism #4
    • 5:30p Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
  • Friday April 10 (Good Friday)
    • 9:15a Stations of the Cross with Morning Prayer
    • 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
    • 5:30p Veneration of the Holy Cross
  • Saturday April 11 (Holy Saturday)
    • 9:15a Morning Prayer
    • 8:00p The Solemn Paschal Vigil - Lent officially ends as the Paschal Vigil Begins

Easter Octave

  • Sunday April 12 (Easter Sun)
    • 8:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (English, Ordinary Form)
  • Monday April 13
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
  • Tuesday April 14
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 11:00a COVID-Catechismechism #5
  • Wednesday April 15
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
  • Thursday April 16
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 11:00a COVID-Catechismechism #6
  • Friday April 17
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
    • 3:00p Holy Hour with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Rosary & Evening Prayer
  • Saturday April 18
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (English, Ordinary Form)

Easter Season

  • Sunday April 19 (Divine Mercy \ Low Sunday)
    • 8:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (English, Ordinary Form)
  • Monday April 20
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
  • Tuesday April 21
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 11:00a COVID-Catechismechism #7
  • Wednesday April 22
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
  • Thursday April 23
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 11:00a COVID-Catechismechism #8
  • Friday April 24
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
    • 3:00p Holy Hour with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Rosary & Evening Prayer
  • Saturday April 25
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (English, Ordinary Form)
  • Sunday April 26 (Good Shepherd Sunday)
    • 8:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (English, Ordinary Form)
  • Monday April 27
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 12:00p DriveThru Confessions
  • Tuesday April 28
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 11:00a COVID-Catechismechism #9
  • Wednesday April 29
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
  • Thursday April 30
    • 9:15a Holy Mass (Traditional Latin Form)
    • 11:00a COVID-Catechismechism #10

Our Return to the Lord

Stewardship The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them,” says Isaiah in today’s first reading. The gifts God has given us are likewise given for the good of others. How am I using my gifts?

Mass Schedule & Intentions for the Coming Week

  • Sat 9:15a In memory of SeSe Holstead (ann of birth)/family
  • Sun 8:15a In memory of Rosa Gremshell
  • Sun 9:15a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased members of our Parish
  • Mon 9:15a In memory of Gus Gremshell
  • Tue 9:15a In memory of Agnes Adams/Regan
  • Wed 9:15a In memory of Suzanne Wood/Fulton
  • Thu 9:15a In memory of May DiTommaso
  • Fri GOOD FRIDAY - NO MASS
  • Sat 9:15a In memory of Eva and R.L. Reynolds/Bullard
  • Sun 8:15a In memory of Rosa Gremshell
  • Sun 9:15a Pro Populo for the Living & Dead members of our Parish Family

ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the protection of our world from COVID 19.

Let us Rejoice in the Lord!

Happy Birthday Henry Ellerbee (April 7), Ann Marie Marsh (April 8, 2013), Michael Lancaster (April 13)

In Our Daily Prayers…

PRAYER FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW BISHOP...Praise to you, Lord our God, our eternal shepherd and guide. In your faithfulness, grant to the Diocese of Alexandria a new bishop whose watchful care will serve to continue the good work of his predecessors. In your Love, give us a shepherd who will lead us in being Christ’s heart of mercy, voice of hope,and hands of justice. Help him to fill our minds and hearts with the truth of the Gospel, the power of the sacraments, and the desire to build up your holy Church. We ask this through Jesus Christ,your Son our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

Our Holy Father Pope Francis and Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI; Archbishop Aymond 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: Terri Brown, Pat Bullard, Connie Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Mary Ernst, Margaret Gilfoil, Susan Gilfoil, C.W. and Alyce Keene, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Kathleen Mills, Sue & Mike Rome, Delia Trichell and Don Wood

Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy, Margaret Fortenberry of Tensas, Sharon Hansen of Gonzales, Consuelo Marsh of Lake Providence, Jean Cantrell, Marie Cedota

Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Lee Adams (Smith), Ashley Alexander (Regan), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), Jenna Faye Allen (Florence), James Arceneaux (Book), Marie Farlow Bellard, Sara Cannon (Gilfoil), Georgie Gilfoil Breard, Hattie Brown (Lancaster), Jerry Bullard, Richard Chappuis (Johnson), Karen Cobb, Jami Cook (Wilks), Carol Dipert (Rome), Carol Dunning, Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Melinda and son, Will, Fewell (Farlow), Meg Gaumnitz (Copes), Thom Gilfoil, Charlotte Green, Kathy Garley Hanlon (Gilfoil), Cooper Harris (R Wood), Bo Holloway, Diane Johnson (Johnson), Terry Lynn Jones (Howington), Ben Lenhart (G Marsh), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Michelle McGuire (Gilfoil), Tobie McKowen (Wilks), Keith Melancon (Regan), Tucker Melancon (Johnson), Lindsay Mills, Debbie Pettis (Rome), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Lee and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Linda Sanchez (Wilks), Beverly Sibile (Gilfoil), Theresa Thom (Rome), Elaine and James Trimble (Rome), Teresa Vidrine (Wilks), Todd Windham

Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Norman Ernst, Anna Ginn, Josh Hall, Chris Hall (USMC), Matt Hall (USArmy), Nick Hall, Emmy Lu Marsh, Maddie Oliver, Bailey Rome, Blake Sullivan, Brice Wood

Those Catholics residing at Christian Acres, Louisiana Transitional Center for Women, and our local Detention Centers and for their families and loved ones.

PLEASE LET US KNOW OF ANYONE WHO IS ILL OR HOSPITALIZED OR WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A VISIT.

PLEASE HELP US TO UP-DATE OUR PRAYER LIST BY ADVISING US OF ANYONE WHO SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE PRAYER LIST.